Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left Chapter 185

(Audrey’s POV)

I sat on my hotel sofa, feeling increasingly puzzled by the strange interaction between Mia Silverleaf and Nathan Snowfang. Mia’s fingers hovered over her phone, looking uncertain after Nathan’s question about texting Florian.

“Why shouldn’t I tell my brother about Healer Winter’s allergy?” Mia asked, genuine confusion in her young eyes.

Nathan maintained his elegant, composed demeanor as he refilled my water glass. His movements were precise, almost protective in the way he positioned himself slightly between Mia and me.

“Too much information might worry him unnecessarily,” Nathan explained calmly. “Your brother already has enough pack conflict to deal with. Adding concerns about Audrey might complicate things further.”

Mia’s eyes widened with understanding. “Oh! That makes sense.” She bit her lip, looking down at her phone. “But I’ve already told him about the peanuts…”

Nathan’s smile was reassuring, though I noticed the tension in his shoulders. “Then we’ll just deal with things as they come.”

My wolf stirred uncomfortably within me. There was something about this exchange that felt loaded with unspoken meaning.

The bedroom door opened, and Sarah emerged, tying her hair up in a casual ponytail. “I’ve arranged all the appointments for tomorrow,” she announced, then paused when she noticed Nathan.

“Alpha Snowfang,” she acknowledged with a nod. “Quite the surprise visit.”

Nathan inclined his head politely. “I heard Audrey was unwell. I wanted to make sure she was properly cared for.”

Sarah’s eyebrow arched slightly. “Lucas Reed is waiting for you at his mate marking ceremony,” Nathan mentioned casually. “He asked about you.”

Sarah’s expression immediately hardened. “I don’t want to hear about him anymore,” she replied, her voice like ice. “That chapter of my life is closed.”

An uncomfortable silence fell over the room. I cleared my throat, eager to dispel the tension.

“Why don’t we all go downstairs for lunch?” I suggested. “I’m feeling much better, and the hotel restaurant has excellent venison dishes.”

Mia brightened instantly. “That sounds wonderful!”

“Are you sure you’re up to it?” Nathan asked, his blue eyes assessing me with concern.

I nodded, though I had to wear a mask due to my still-visible allergic reaction. The angry red splotches had faded somewhat but remained noticeable enough to draw unwanted attention.

As we settled at a corner table in the restaurant, I watched everyone enjoy their meals while I sipped plain broth. The venison looked delicious, but my body wasn’t ready for solid food yet.

“This is amazing!” Mia exclaimed, savoring a bite of herb-crusted venison. “Almost as good as what my brother prepares during full moon hunts.”

Nathan smiled at her enthusiasm. “The Stormhowl Pack is known for its hunting prowess,” he acknowledged. “Your brother especially.”

I noticed the way Mia lit up at the compliment, her eyes lingering on Nathan a moment longer than necessary. Sarah caught my eye across the table, a knowing look passing between us.

After lunch, we gathered in the hotel lobby to say our goodbyes. Nathan maneuvered to walk beside me as we moved toward the entrance.

“Audrey,” he said quietly, making sure only I could hear. “You and Florian Stormhowl are from two different worlds.”

I couldn’t help but smile sadly at the truth in his words. The vast gap between Florian and me had never been more apparent than now, with Serena Shadowcrest’s return.

“I know,” I replied softly.

Nathan’s blue eyes held mine steadily. “Then I have to ask-why does he, and others, seem to have better chances with you than I do?”

The directness of his question made me uncomfortable. I shifted my weight, trying to formulate a response that wouldn’t hurt him further.

“Alpha Snowfang, you’re a really good wolf,” I began carefully. “But Florian and I are impossible-he has an intended mate.”

I meant every word. After my experience with Arthur, I had no interest in relationships involving a third wolf. The thought alone made my wolf curl up defensively inside me.

“Let me ask you something hypothetical,” Nathan said, his voice taking on an unusual edge. “What if you were Serena Shadowcrest? Would you unhesitatingly be with him and fulfill your childhood mate arrangement?”

The question caught me completely off guard. I stared at him helplessly, uncertain how to respond.

“How could I possibly have such good fortune?” I finally managed, the words coming out more wistfully than I’d intended.

Before I could properly answer his strange question, Nathan nodded as if confirming something to himself. “Anyway, you could never be her.”

His confidence in this statement was unsettling. I pressed the elevator button, eager to end this increasingly awkward conversation.

“Of course not,” I reminded him. “You just helped investigate my bloodline not long ago.”

The elevator doors opened, and Nathan stepped inside with Mia. Before they closed, he fixed me with one last meaningful look.

“Stay away from the Shadowcrest and Stormhowl packs,” he warned. “Don’t get caught up in their affairs. It’s dangerous territory.”

“I’ll be careful,” I promised.

“Call me if you need anything,” he added. “Anything at all.”

As the doors slid shut, I saw him turn to Mia. “Would you like a ride back to your territory?” he asked, his tone warming considerably.

“Really?” Mia’s delighted response was cut off as the elevator descended.

Sarah linked her arm through mine as we headed back toward our rooms. “That young wolf has quite a crush on our Alpha Snowfang,” she observed with a smirk.

“I noticed,” I agreed. “She practically glowed every time he spoke to her.”

Sarah shook her head slightly. “I don’t think it will work out. Nathan hasn’t truly let go of his feelings for you.”

I sighed, feeling the weight of unwanted attachments. “I wish he would. He deserves someone who can return his feelings completely.”

With only two days left before Winter’s Remedy reopened after the Full Moon Celebration, I was eager to leave Northern Territory. The place was becoming too complicated, too fraught with pack politics and personal entanglements.

Sarah and I spent the afternoon meeting with three wealthy she-wolves who had requested healing formulation consultations. The introductions from the Stormhowl and Shadowcrest families had opened doors I’d never have accessed on my own.

“Your healing formulas are innovative,” commented one elegantly dressed Beta she-wolf from a prominent Northern pack. “The way you’ve balanced traditional wolfsbane with the mint extract is revolutionary.”

I smiled beneath my mask, grateful for the professional recognition. “Thank you. It’s all about understanding how the herbs interact with our wolf physiology.”

By the time we finished our third consultation, the afternoon had melted into early evening. I checked my phone as we left the final appointment and noticed several missed calls from Florian.

My heart skipped uncomfortably. After yesterday’s chaos at the medical center, I hadn’t expected to hear from him so soon.

I called him back immediately, bracing myself for whatever new drama awaited.

“Where have you been?” he answered without preamble, his voice tight with what sounded like urgency. “Why aren’t you resting at the hotel with your allergy? Where have you been running off to?”

Something in his tone made my wolf sit up at attention. This wasn’t his usual casual mockery.

“I’ve been meeting with clients Elder Stormhowl recommended,” I explained, keeping my voice steady despite my growing unease. “We had appointments scheduled.”

“Send me your location,” he demanded. “Stay exactly where you are. I’m coming to get you.”

“Florian, what’s-”

But he had already hung up. I stared at my phone in confusion.

“What was that about?” Sarah asked, noting my expression.

“I’m not sure,” I admitted. “Something’s wrong. He wants me to wait here for him.”

The evening wind was biting cold as we stood by the roadside. Sarah hugged herself against the chill, glancing anxiously up and down the street.

“He sounded serious,” she murmured. “Not like his usual self at all.”

Before I could respond, the distinctive roar of a high-performance engine split the quiet evening air. A moment later, a sleek Pagani screeched to a halt beside us, its glossy exterior reflecting the streetlights.

The driver’s door swung open, and Florian emerged, his golden eyes immediately finding mine.

“Get in,” he said without greeting, his usual playfulness nowhere to be seen.

I slid into the passenger seat, the warmth of the car’s interior a welcome relief from the cold. Sarah hesitated by the door.

“I’ll take a pack transport back to the hotel,” she decided, noting the tension radiating from Florian.

As he pulled away from the curb with alarming speed, I clutched the door handle.

“Are you trying to run me over?” I joked weakly, attempting to lighten the mood.

He didn’t smile. His knuckles were white against the steering wheel as he cut through traffic with practiced precision.

“Audrey Winter,” he said, his voice clipped and tense, “was your allergic reaction last night caused by peanuts?”