Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left Chapter 206

(Audrey’s POV)

Central Territory is so vast. When I decided to return, I was prepared to encounter him again. Yet standing face to face with Arthur Moonstone so soon caught me off guard.

I pulled my hand back from his grasp, feeling the familiar tingle where his skin had touched mine. Two years should have been long enough to erase that sensation, but my body remembered what my mind wished to forget.

Luna Riverwind’s eyes widened in surprise. “Luna Moonstone?” she questioned, looking between Arthur and me.

“Former Luna,” we corrected in unison, our voices creating an awkward harmony.

I forced my lips into a polite smile, directing my attention to Luna Riverwind. “Alpha Luna, you’re busy with your dinner. We’ll be going.”

“Yes, we should leave you to your meeting,” Sarah added smoothly, always reliable in tense situations.

Luna Riverwind nodded, though curiosity burned in her eyes. As we walked away, I caught her whispered comment to Arthur: “She certainly doesn’t seem fond of you anymore, does she?”

I quickened my pace toward the exit, not wanting to hear his response. The grand lobby of the hotel suddenly felt suffocating. Just as we were about to push through the revolving doors, a sleek black territory vehicle caught my eye as it emerged from the underground parking area. The license plate was unmistakable—the same one I’d seen at the Wolf Medical Center.

“Florian,” I gasped, my feet already moving before my mind could catch up.

I sprinted across the hotel entrance, heedless of the curious stares from other wolves. The vehicle had already turned onto the main road, disappearing into the busy Central Territory traffic before I could reach it.

“Audrey!” Sarah caught up to me at the curb, slightly winded. “What was that about? You just took off!”

“That car-I think Florian’s here in Central Territory,” I explained, my eyes still scanning the road as if the vehicle might reappear. “It was the same one from the medical center.”

Sarah raised an eyebrow. “You memorized his license plate?”

“I notice details,” I replied defensively. “Especially when they matter.”

A wild impulse seized me. “I’m going to his old territory den.”

“The one he bought for you?” Sarah asked incredulously. “Audrey, he’s been supposedly dead for two years. Do you really think-“

“I have to try,” I insisted, already pulling out my phone to call for a transport.

Sarah studied my face for a moment, then sighed in resignation. “Want me to come with you?”

“No, I-” I paused, reconsidering. “Actually, can you drive? I’m too distracted.”

I handed her my car key, which she took with a supportive smile. “I’ll wait in the car,” she promised as we walked to the parking area. “You should go up alone.”

Her understanding meant more than I could express. “Thank you.”

“Just go see,” she encouraged me with a gentle nudge. “I’ll be a phone call away if you need anything.”

The drive to Florian’s old territory den passed in tense silence. As we pulled up outside the familiar building, memories flooded back-his clumsy attempt at cooking venison strips, our conversations by the window, the wolf figurines that lined the shelves.

In the elevator, I pressed the floor number with trembling fingers. What would I say if I saw him? What could possibly bridge the chasm of two years, his supposed death, and his current refusal to acknowledge me?

I remembered our last encounter before I left with Arthur-how I’d coldly abandoned Florian to protect him from Alpha Stormhowl’s threats. The memory burned with renewed shame. I’d chosen what I thought was best for him, never giving him the chance to decide for himself.

The elevator doors slid open, revealing the familiar corridor. My heart pounded against my ribs as I approached his door, each step heavier than the last. Standing before it, I took a deep breath and pressed the doorbell, half-expecting no answer at all.

To my surprise, the door swung open almost immediately. Instead of Florian’s tall frame and golden eyes, I found myself face to face with a stylish she-wolf with wavy dark hair and sophisticated makeup. Her elegance was calculated rather than effortless, her eyes sharp with intelligence.

“Yes?” she inquired, her tone curious but not unwelcoming.

I stood frozen, words catching in my throat. This wasn’t what I’d expected at all.

“I—I’m sorry,” I finally stammered. “I might have the wrong territory den number.”

“Are you looking for Alpha Stormhowl?” she asked, raising a perfectly shaped eyebrow.

I nodded mutely, unable to formulate a proper response.

“No worries,” she replied with an understanding smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “These territory dens all look the same.”

“Right. Thanks,” I managed, already backing toward the elevator. “Sorry to bother you.”

The she-wolf watched me for a moment longer, then nodded and closed the door. As the elevator doors closed, I leaned against the wall, a strange emptiness hollowing out my chest.

(Florian’s POV)

I was scrolling through my pack tablet when I sensed Cassandra’s gaze boring into me. She’d been standing by the door for too long, perfectly still in that predatory way of hers.

“Are you going to stare all evening?” I asked without looking up, irritation coloring my voice.

Cassandra sauntered over to the sofa, settling herself on the armrest with feline grace. “I haven’t seen enough,” she replied with a smirk. “So that was her? The famous Audrey Winter?”

I set down my tablet, fixing her with a warning glare. “Cassandra.”

“What?” she feigned innocence. “I’m just curious. I want to understand what makes my brother so devoted to a she-wolf who abandoned him twice.”

“Stay away from her,” I warned, my voice dropping to a dangerous timbre. “Don’t cause trouble for Audrey.”

Cassandra laughed, the sound sharp like fractured glass. “Still so protective! Even after everything.”

Her eyes gleamed with mischief. “Have you forgotten how she betrayed you? She formed a mate bond with Arthur Moonstone right after you met her again. Even Mia’s call was answered by Arthur Moonstone that night.”

“Enough,” I growled, rising to my feet. The words struck deeper than I wanted to admit.

“Fine, fine,” Cassandra backed off, though her smile remained. “So what’s your plan now? You know she’s looking for you.”

I turned to look out the window, watching the city lights flicker in the twilight. “I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?” Cassandra echoed with another laugh. “The great strategic Alpha Stormhowl, heir to the Northern Territory’s most powerful pack, doesn’t know?”

She circled me like a predator. “Or perhaps you’re pretending indifference to make her chase you? Is that it? Punishment for her abandoning you in that corridor two years ago?”

“Think what you want,” I replied dismissively, unwilling to engage with her theories.

The memory surfaced anyway-Audrey’s cold voice as she dismissed me, her casual acceptance of Arthur’s possessive arm around her shoulders. “I’ve had my fun. It’s time to go back to being Luna Moonstone,” she had said.

I remembered calling her late that night, desperate to understand what had happened. Arthur Moonstone had answered her phone, his voice smug with victory.

“She doesn’t want to speak to you, Stormhowl. Not now, not ever.”

I shook my head, dispelling the memory. Whatever game Cassandra thought I was playing, the reality was far more complicated.

(Audrey’s POV)

When I returned to the car, Sarah immediately noticed my expression. “No luck?”

“There was someone else there,” I said quietly, fastening my seatbelt. “Not Florian.”

Sarah started the engine, giving me a sidelong glance. “Are you disappointed?”

“I guess he sold the territory den,” I mused, ignoring her question. The thought of Florian selling our special place stung more than I wanted to admit.

“Was she young? Pretty?” Sarah probed gently.

“She was…” I searched for the right words. “Sophisticated. Put-together.”

The implication in Sarah’s questions suddenly hit me. “You think she’s his mate?”

Sarah shrugged, pulling into traffic. “Two years is a long time, Audrey. Things change. People move on.”

I hadn’t considered that possibility. Could Florian have found someone else? The thought created a hollow feeling in my chest.

“No,” I said firmly, more to convince myself than Sarah. “It shouldn’t be the case.”

Sarah nodded, her expression softening. “You’re probably right. He’s been busy restoring his pack power, dealing with territory disputes. He hardly has time for romance.”

“Exactly,” I agreed, latching onto her rationalization. “And that’s good. I’m glad if he’s living a good life.”

The days that followed, I threw myself into work at Winter’s Remedy. As design director, I focused primarily on creating the perfect healing formulation for Luna Riverwind, pouring my creative energy into the project to avoid dwelling on my failed attempt to find Florian.

One afternoon, my office phone rang with an external call. “Winter’s Remedy, Audrey speaking.”

“Luna Winter,” Daniel Hayes’s formal voice came through the line. “I hope you’re well.”

I stiffened at Arthur’s personal Beta addressing me. “What can I do for you, Daniel?”

“Alpha Moonstone requests that you prepare several rare hunting formulas for his upcoming territory expansion,” Daniel stated efficiently. “He specifically mentioned your signature nightshade blend.”

“I’m afraid I don’t have time for additional projects right now,” I replied coolly. “Winter’s Remedy has a full schedule.”

Daniel didn’t sound surprised by my refusal. “Alpha Moonstone anticipated your response. He asked me to inform you that he’s willing to finalize the mate bond severance first, before you consider his request.”