Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left Chapter 171

(Audrey’s POV)

Florian Stormhowl was evidently a light sleeper, despite his apparent ability to doze off anywhere. He didn’t even remove his eye mask, simply reaching back with his hand in a silent request.

I placed the earplugs in his palm, careful not to touch his skin. He mumbled something incoherent before inserting them and turning slightly away from me. Within moments, his breathing evened out, suggesting he’d drifted back to sleep.

In the rearview mirror, I caught Mia’s relieved expression. She leaned forward between the seats, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Healer Winter, I was just intentionally annoying my brother earlier. He’s actually a very good wolf.”

I nodded, keeping my eyes on the road. “I know.”

“No, you don’t understand,” Mia insisted, glancing at her sleeping brother. “He seems cold and distant sometimes, but he carries so much responsibility.”

She settled back in her seat, her reflection in the mirror showing a mixture of admiration and guilt. “Can I tell you something about our family?”

“Of course,” I replied, intrigued by the opportunity to understand more about Florian’s background.

“I have a terrible relationship with my father,” Mia began, her usual cheerful demeanor fading. “He disrespected the mate bond with my mother, seeking comfort with other she-wolves while she was still alive.”

I gripped the steering wheel tighter, memories of my own failed mate bond with Arthur flashing through my mind.

“As a pup, I had severe silver sickness, so I was kept sheltered at the main Stormhowl pack house,” she continued. “But after my parents’ issues became unbearable, I couldn’t stand staying there anymore.”

She sighed, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “I moved out as soon as I was old enough. I used to blame Florian for not leaving with me.”

“Why would you blame him?” I asked, genuinely curious.

“Because I thought family should stick together,” Mia replied, her voice tinged with regret. “But I was young and immature. I didn’t understand that he was actually being smarter and more rational.”

She gazed at her brother’s sleeping form with newfound respect. “He stayed to manage pack affairs and protect our bloodline while I ran away from my responsibilities.”

Her confession was surprisingly mature, showing a depth I hadn’t glimpsed in her usually bubbant personality.

“I still enjoy all the privileges of the Stormhowl pack name while my brother carries both our responsibilities,” she admitted. “He never complains, just shoulders everything silently.”

“He probably never blamed you,” I offered softly, seeing the guilt in her eyes. “Older siblings often feel protective, wanting their younger siblings to be happy.”

Mia seemed comforted by this thought, a small smile returning to her face. Then, with characteristic abruptness, she changed the subject entirely.

“Healer Winter, does Alpha Snowfang only prefer mates of your type?”

The question caught me completely off guard. I nearly swerved the car in surprise.

“What do you mean?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

“You know,” she pressed, leaning forward again. “Does he only like she-wolves who look like you? Or would he consider someone different?”

Understanding dawned on me. Mia’s earlier relief when I’d mentioned Nathan and I were just friends, her questions about him, the sudden interest in returning to her pack territory for the full moon celebration…

“Nathan and I agreed to remain just friends,” I replied honestly. “But I can’t speak to his preferences.”

This seemed to encourage her. “What about his hunting preferences? Does he prefer morning or evening hunts? And which territories does he visit most frequently?”

Before I could respond, Florian’s voice cut through the car, startling us both.

“Mia,” he warned sharply, removing his earplugs. “Whatever plan you’re hatching, give it up. Otherwise, I’ll break your legs before he ships you off to the desolate southern territories.”

Mia’s face flushed with anger and embarrassment. “You were eavesdropping! I thought you were asleep!”

Florian tossed the earplugs at her, his golden eyes now fully alert. “These are of poor quality. I could hear everything.”

“You had no right to listen to our private conversation!” Mia protested.

“Private?” Florian scoffed. “You’re practically shouting your interest in Snowfang across three territories.”

I tried to diffuse the tension. “Mia was just asking some innocent questions.”

“There’s nothing innocent about my sister’s questions,” Florian countered, adjusting his seat to an upright position. “She’s planning something.”

Mia crossed her arms defensively. “I just think he’s gentle and considerate. Is it so wrong to be interested?”

“Interested?” Florian repeated with a raised eyebrow. “You were already planning a mate bond alliance between our packs.”

“Well, what if I was?” Mia challenged. “It could be beneficial for both packs.”

Florian’s voice turned dangerously soft. “Is the Stormhowl Pack doing so poorly that you need to sacrifice your future happiness for an alliance?”

His words silenced Mia effectively, and the remainder of our journey passed without further conversation.

After arriving in the Northern Territory, Florian first took Mia home to the main Stormhowl pack house. I waited in the car while he escorted her inside, returning alone about fifteen minutes later.

“I’ll take you to see Elder Shadowcrest first,” he announced, sliding back into the passenger seat. “She’s been asking about you since your last visit.”

The Shadowcrest family’s old residence was a quiet traditional territory den situated on a hillside. It exuded an air of serene dignity, much like Elder Shadowcrest herself.

The elderly she-wolf was delighted to see us, especially me. “Audrey, my child! You’ve come back to visit your old grandmother!” She embraced me warmly, then turned to Florian with a playful scowl. “And you, young Alpha, bringing her so late in the day.”

She led us to her private study, where she proudly showed me some ancient healing artifacts from the Shadowcrest pack’s collection. I examined them with fascination, noting the intricate craftsmanship and powerful properties they still retained after centuries.

“Enough work,” Elder Shadowcrest insisted after a while, pulling me to the sofa. “Sit, sit. Let’s chat instead.”

Florian excused himself to make a call, leaving us alone. The moment he left, Elder Shadowcrest took my hands in hers, her expression turning serious.

“I’ve heard about Florian’s plan,” she said, her voice low. “He wants you to help him appease the Stormhowl elders regarding his lack of a mate.”

I flushed, embarrassed that she knew about our arrangement. “Elder Shadowcrest, I-”

“Grandmother,” she corrected gently. “Call me Grandmother, like before.”

“Grandmother,” I amended, touched by her warmth. “It’s nothing inappropriate. Just a temporary arrangement.”

Her eyes grew sad. “Serena probably won’t return.”

The pain in her voice was palpable. Though she’d maintained hope for five years, reality was slowly settling in. Tears welled in her eyes, making her look suddenly frail despite her strong spirit.

“Whether your arrangement with Florian is real or pretend, you have my approval,” she said, surprising me. “But I have one condition.”

Florian returned at that moment, his golden eyes narrowing at the sight of her tears. “Grandmother?”

“You’re to bring Audrey back to my courtyard every night before the moon reaches its zenith,” Elder Shadowcrest stated firmly. “She’ll stay here, in the Shadowcrest territory, not at the Stormhowl pack house.”

Florian nodded, accepting her terms without argument.

Elder Shadowcrest turned back to me, her aged hands squeezing mine with surprising strength. “You’re a lone she-wolf without pack support. It’s not easy.”

Her words touched a vulnerable part of me, the orphaned wolf who had fought so hard to stand on her own.

“Since I let you call me Grandmother, I can be your support from now on. Are you willing?” she asked earnestly.

I glanced at Florian, catching a flash of coldness in his expression. I understood his reaction-this offer might seem unfair to the granddaughter he was still searching for, the one whose place I was temporarily filling.

After lunch at the Shadowcrest residence, Florian and I stepped outside into the garden. I felt compelled to clear the air between us.

“I didn’t expect your grandmother to offer me support like that,” I began awkwardly. “I hope you don’t think I’m trying to take Serena’s place.”

Florian gave me a curious look. “Why do you always explain yourself first?”

“What do you mean?”

“In this situation, I might be wrong, or Grandmother might be wrong, but you certainly aren’t,” he observed. “Why do you feel the need to explain?”

Before I could answer, he took my hand and led me across the garden toward another section of the territory. His touch was firm but not forceful, guiding rather than commanding.

We walked in silence until we reached a secluded courtyard that appeared untouched by time. The moment we entered, I sensed this place was special-preserved with care and reverence.

“These are Serena Shadowcrest’s quarters,” Florian explained quietly, confirming my suspicion.

The space felt frozen in time, as if waiting for its owner’s return. Books remained open on desks, jewelry laid out for selection, hunting clothes neatly folded on a chair.

Florian’s expression softened as he looked around the room. “I don’t blame Grandmother because even I often feel like you are her.”

His golden eyes studied me with an intensity that made my wolf stir uneasily within me.

“If Grandmother’s health could handle the shock, I’d take you both for a bloodline verification ritual,” he confessed.

“But we’ve already confirmed I’m Audrey Winter,” I reminded him gently. “Multiple times.”

A bitter smile crossed his face. “Isn’t it ironic? Reality tells me you’re not her, but my wolf instincts keep pushing me closer to you. Sometimes I feel like I’m betraying her.”