Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left Chapter 212

(Lucas’s POV)

I watched as Arthur Moonstone stared into his drink, his face a mask of regret. It was almost painful to witness-the mighty Alpha reduced to this by a she-wolf who no longer wanted him.

“She doesn’t love you anymore? So what?” I challenged him, leaning forward across the table. “Relationships aren’t built on convenient feelings, Arthur. They’re forged through persistence.”

Arthur’s eyes flashed darkly. “You make it sound so simple.”

“It is simple,” I insisted, swirling my venison beer. “You’re an Alpha. Take what you want.”

Arthur’s jaw tightened. “Is there any way to salvage what we had?”

I considered his question, running through possibilities. “You could play the sympathy card. She’s always had a soft heart.” “That won’t work,” Arthur cut me off immediately. “Not with Audrey. She’d see through it instantly.”

I shrugged, taking another swig of my beer. “Then take a harder approach. Remind her what she’s giving up the status, the protection, the resources of being your Luna.”

Arthur’s expression darkened further, his fingers tightening around his glass until I worried it might shatter.

“Two years ago,” he began, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper, “I watched her suffering. My pack healer said she had developed severe spirit sickness. Do you know what that means, Lucas? It’s when a wolf’s inner spirit begins to disintegrate from emotional trauma.”

I fell silent, recognizing the gravity in his words.

“I did that to her,” Arthur continued, his voice hollow. “And now she’s finally free of me, finally healing… and you suggest I drag her back into the darkness?”

He drained his glass in one swift motion, slamming it down with enough force to make the bottles rattle.

“I can’t let her be with Florian Stormhowl,” he growled, a flash of his Alpha dominance breaking through. “Anyone but him.”

I smiled faintly, recognizing the jealousy fueling his words. “Now that sounds more like the Arthur Moonstone I know.”

(Audrey’s POV)

When I pushed open the door to my territory den, Sarah was sprawled across the sofa, controller in hand as she battled some digital enemy on the screen. She barely glanced up as I entered.

“So, how’s the invalid? Still helplessly dependent on your tender ministrations?” she asked, her thumbs never pausing their frantic movement.

I dropped my keys on the side table. “He’s not actually helpless, you know.”

This caught Sarah’s attention. She paused her game and twisted to look at me properly.

“What do you mean? I saw him in a wheelchair.”

“His muscles haven’t atrophied the way they would in a truly injured wolf,” I explained, recalling how firm his leg had felt under my hands. “He’s in recovery, not permanently disabled.”

Sarah’s eyes suddenly widened as she finally registered my appearance. “Wait a minute-those aren’t your clothes! Did you…?

“No!” I exclaimed, feeling my cheeks flush. “I got caught in the rain. These belong to his cousin, Cassandra.” “His cousin, huh?” Sarah raised an eyebrow skeptically.

“Yes, his cousin,” I confirmed firmly. “I left my wet clothes in his study. I’ll need to get them back tomorrow.” Sarah turned off her game and sat up properly. “Did you tell him about your mate bond severance with Arthur?”

“He knows,” I nodded, sinking into an armchair. “Though he seemed to believe I’d been contentedly living as Luna Moonstone for the past two years.”

“Did you explain what really happened?” Sarah pressed, her eyes searching my face.

I looked away. “No.”

“Why not? Don’t you think he deserves to know the truth?”

I ran my fingers through my still-damp hair, struggling to articulate the complex emotions swirling within me.

“How would I explain?” I asked softly. “Tell him I had spirit sickness? That I cut myself with silver?”

Sarah winced at the mention of that dark moment, but I continued.

“I won’t burden him with guilt, Sarah. If he cared for me only because he felt responsible for my pain… that’s not what I want.

I’d seen too many relationships built on obligation rather than love. My own parents’ marriage had been like that-my mother staying with my father out of a sense of duty rather than affection.

“Guilt-driven care isn’t the same as genuine affection,” I explained. “I refuse to drag another wolf into darkness just to ease my own loneliness.”

Sarah studied me for a long moment, then sighed heavily. “You’re impossible, you know that? Always taking on everyone else’s burdens while refusing help with your own.”

I managed a small smile. “That’s why you love me.”

The next morning, I was up early, working on Alpha Luna Riverwind’s healing formulation. I had just sent the preliminary draft to her Beta assistant when my phone rang.

“Ms. Winter?” Luna Riverwind’s melodious voice came through the speaker, surprising me. “I’ve received your preliminary formulation. It’s exquisite, exactly what I was hoping for.”

“Thank you, Alpha Luna,” I replied, pleased by her enthusiasm. “I can make adjustments if needed.”

“Actually, I’d like to discuss it in person,” she suggested. “Would you be available for dinner this evening? My flight leaves at nine, so we’d need to dine early.”

There was something about her voice-warm, genuine, with an inexplicable maternal quality that made me instantly comfortable.

“I’d be honored,” I agreed.

We arranged to meet at the five-star territory hotel where she was staying. As I put down the phone, I felt a strange anticipation building. There was something about Luna Riverwind that drew me to her, beyond just professional admiration. That evening, I arrived at the hotel precisely on time. Luna Riverwind greeted me warmly, looking remarkably youthful despite being nearly fifty moon cycles old. Her energy was infectious as she ushered me into the private dining room she’d reserved.

“I hope you don’t mind, but I’d like you to order for us,” she said, settling gracefully into her chair. “Just nothing too spicy. My daughter prefers milder flavors.”

“Your daughter is joining us?” I asked, surprised.

Luna Riverwind nodded, a soft smile lighting her features. “She’s running a bit late, but she should be here soon.”

As we waited, her Beta assistant approached with a tablet. “Alpha Luna, I’ve found a hunting grounds listing in Northern Territory that might make an excellent moon-turning gift for your daughter.”

Luna Riverwind glanced at the screen but shook her head. “I prefer to select gifts personally. It’s the least I can do, considering…”

She trailed off, a shadow crossing her face.

“Considering what?” I asked gently, intrigued by her sudden melancholy.

She sighed, setting down her moonlight tea. “I owe my daughter for mistakes I made in my youth. Gifts are a poor substitute for lost time, but they’re something tangible at least.”

Before she could elaborate, the door to the private room swung open. A young she-wolf entered, her movements graceful yet confident.

“Mother, you won’t believe what just happened!” she exclaimed, not noticing me at first. “I’ve been invited to join the inter- pack showcase next month! It’s the perfect platform to-“

“Ms. Riverwind,” the Beta assistant interrupted gently, “the competition will be fierce. The Northern Alliance dominates these events, and without pack backing-“

“I don’t need pack backing,” the young wolf declared proudly. “I have my mother’s support, and that’s all I need.”

She turned to Luna Riverwind with a bright smile, but froze mid-motion as her eyes finally landed on me.

The blood drained from her face, her scent immediately spiking with fear and panic.

“Why are you here?” she gasped, taking an instinctive step backward.

I sat perfectly still, shock rendering me momentarily speechless. I’d know that face anywhere-it was the same she-wolf who had claimed to be Serena Shadowcrest two years ago, who had tried to steal my identity and form a mate bond with Florian.

Luna Riverwind looked between us, her brow furrowed in confusion. “Do you two know each other?”