Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left Chapter 194

(Audrey’s POV)

I stared at Arthur Moonstone standing in my doorway, wearing a casual hoodie instead of his usual tailored Alpha attire. The sight was jarring-like seeing a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He looked almost… approachable.

“The Alpha, always refined and powerful, has gone this far for me. What virtue or ability do I possess to deserve this?” I thought to myself, a bitter edge to my musings.

Yet I knew better. “Our relationship didn’t evolve to this point in a moon cycle, and it has nothing to do with what clothes he wears. Even if he looked exactly like Florian Stormhowl, he would still be Arthur Moonstone, unchanged in the slightest.”

His dark eyes flickered over my face, searching for something. Vulnerability? Forgiveness? He wouldn’t find it.

“I just suddenly discovered that wearing this is quite comfortable,” Arthur explained with uncharacteristic casualness, gesturing to his hoodie.

His gaze drifted past me to the travel pack sitting prominently in my living area. His expression darkened instantly, the facade of relaxation evaporating.

“Going somewhere?” he asked, his voice deceptively calm.

I straightened my shoulders, refusing to be intimidated. “I’m going to Northern Territory to find Florian.”

Arthur’s placid expression tightened. “Now isn’t a good time,” he said carefully. “The Northern Territory pack situation is complicated. You’ll only make things worse.”

“I don’t recall asking for your opinion,” I replied coolly.

He stepped closer, his Alpha presence filling my doorway despite his casual attire. “Audrey, be reasonable. Give me time. I promise I’ll settle the Emma Shadowcrest matter first.”

His gaze softened unexpectedly, a hint of the Arthur I once knew breaking through his controlled facade. “Then come back and be my Luna in peace.”

The request was so presumptuous I nearly laughed. “Arthur Moonstone, you still don’t understand what severing a mate bond means.”

“Explain it to me, then.” His voice was unnervingly calm.

I met his gaze directly. “It means complete separation. Mutual non-interference between wolves. You live your life, I live mine.

He stared at me unblinkingly, his jaw tight. “I know you’re angry about how I handled Emma Shadowcrest’s affairs—” “This isn’t about Emma,” I interrupted.

“–but however upset you are, you can’t drive me away from my territory,” he continued as if I hadn’t spoken. “I promise I’ll consult you on everything from now on.”

I shook my head, disbelief coursing through me. He still didn’t get it. After everything we’d been through, he still thought this was just a temporary disagreement.

“We could start over,” he suggested, his voice dropping to that persuasive tone he used when negotiating territory treaties.” After all, you’ve loved me for years.”

My wolf whined inside my chest, the sound painful and raw. The audacity of his assumption pierced something deep within me.

“Yes,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “Since I was eighteen, my wolf harbored a one-sided love for yours. I formed a mate bond with you in secret, cared for your pack, carried your pup, played the dutiful Luna.”

His expression softened with triumph, thinking he’d won.

“But the Audrey Winter standing before you today only wants a clean break,” I continued firmly.

His composure cracked. “What if I don’t want that?” he asked, his voice rougher than I’d ever heard it.

Anger flared hot and bright inside me. “That’s not for you to decide!” I snapped, slamming the door in his face.

I leaned against the closed door, my heart pounding wildly in my chest. The silence on the other side told me he hadn’t left yet. I could sense his presence, feel the weight of his indecision.

After what felt like an eternity, I heard his footsteps retreating down the hall. Only then did I allow myself to breathe again.

With shaking hands, I returned to packing my belongings. Each item I placed in my travel bag felt like another step toward freedom-toward discovering who Serena Shadowcrest might become.

The elevator doors opened to the pack house lobby, and I stepped out with my travel bag slung over my shoulder. I had almost reached the main entrance when I collided with a tall figure.

“Audrey?” Nathan Snowfang’s voice was warm with surprise. “I was just coming to see you.”

He looked down at my travel pack, his blue eyes sharp with understanding. “Heading out on a hunting trip?”

“To Northern Territory,” I replied simply. “There’s unfinished business with the Stormhowl Pack.”

Nathan nodded slowly, his expression carefully neutral. He hesitated before asking, “Did Arthur Moonstone come to see you?”

“Yes,” I confirmed, studying his face. Something in his scent had shifted-a subtle note of worry leaking through his usually controlled wolf presence.

“What is it, Nathan?” I pressed. “You clearly have something on your mind.”

He guided me to a quiet corner of the lobby. “Don’t act on impulse,” he advised softly. “Have you considered who orchestrated the identity swap with the fake Serena Shadowcrest?”

My pulse quickened. “Do you know something?”

“It’s only conjecture,” he admitted, “but promise me you’ll stay calm.”

I nodded, suddenly wary of what he might reveal.

Nathan reached into his jacket pocket and withdrew two photographs. “I overheard a conversation at a territory café yesterday,” he explained, handing them to me. “Arthur with the impostor. They were discussing an ‘alliance mate marking’ with Florian.”

I stared at the images in shock. The first showed Arthur sitting across from the fake Serena, their heads bent close in conversation. The second captured them leaving together, Arthur’s hand protectively on her lower back.

Confusion and fury battled within me. The evidence was damning, yet I couldn’t reconcile such underhanded tactics with Arthur’s known Alpha character. He was many things-possessive, arrogant, even cruel at times-but never deceitful. His pride would never allow it.

“Are you certain about what you heard?” I asked, fighting to keep my voice steady.

Nathan’s gaze was unwavering. “My wolf hearing is exceptional. I know what I heard.”

I handed the photographs back to him, suppressing the growl rising in my wolf’s throat. “I’ll go ask him myself.”

“And if he’s guilty?” Nathan asked quietly.

“Then he’ll be a packless runt to me,” I replied, my voice cold with finality.

Nathan exhaled slowly, relief evident in his posture. “I’ll always be your reliable pack ally, Audrey. Remember that.”

His sincerity was touching, but my mind was already racing ahead, analyzing the implications of what he’d revealed. If Arthur had indeed orchestrated this scheme, he was more desperate to keep me bound to him than I’d realized.

And that made him dangerous.

(Daniel’s POV)

I reached for the Alpha’s office door, my knuckles hovering just above the polished wood, when Arthur Moonstone’s voice sliced through the air like a silver blade.

“As you’ve certainly interfered too much! Nathan, in the matter of the Shadowcrest pack, even if it were Audrey’s concern, it’s none of your business to question me.”

My hand froze mid-knock. The Alpha’s voice carried that dangerous edge I’d learned to recognize over years of service-the tone that preceded territory battles and pack challenges.

I should announce my presence, I thought. But professional curiosity held me still. As Arthur’s Personal Beta, understanding pack dynamics was part of my duty.

A cold whisper carried down the corridor, making the fur along my spine rise. “Besides, what are you pretending to be so selfless for? You should be even less willing than me to see her end up with Florian Stormhowl, right?”