Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 103

(Audrey’s POV)

I stared down at Arthur’s sleeping form, caught between pity and resentment. The silver burn marks on his wrist troubled me more than I wanted to admit. What kind of pain would drive an Alpha-especially one as proud as Arthur-to deliberately harm himself?

“Arthur,” I shaking his shoulder. “You need to take your medicine.”

His eyes fluttered open, unfocused and glassy with fever. Without protest, he allowed me to help him sit up slightly.

“Take this,” I commanded, holding the medication to his lips.

Like a docile pup, he swallowed the bitter liquid before collapsing back against the pillows. His obedience was so unlike him that it unsettled me.

“Thank you,” he murmured, his voice rough with fever.

I said nothing as I reached for the silver-burn ointment I’d found in his bathroom cabinet. The fact that he had such specialized medicine readily available spoke volumes about how long he’d been harming himself.

“This might sting,” I warned, though I wasn’t sure he could hear me through his fever-induced haze.

I applied the ointment gently to the marks on his wrist. He flinched slightly but didn’t pull away. His skin burned beneath my fingers, far too hot even for an Alpha wolf.

Grace whimpered anxiously within me, responding to our mate’s distress. I pushed her concern aside. Soon, we wouldn’t be mates at all. His welfare wouldn’t be my responsibility.

Still, I couldn’t bring myself to leave while his fever raged. I dampened a cloth with cool water and placed it on his forehead, then settled into the chair beside his bed.

“Don’t deserve… your kindness,” he mumbled, drifting in and out of consciousness.

“No, you don’t,” I agreed quietly.

—

The next day, I avoided Arthur entirely. From what I gathered through conversations with the pack staff, he had fully recovered-his Alpha healing abilities finally overcoming the silver poisoning.

I was reading in my room when a knock at the door interrupted my solitude.

“Come in,” I called, expecting George or perhaps Daniel.

Instead, Mary Bennett entered, the pack housekeeper’s arms laden with garment bags.

“Luna,” she greeted me with a slight bow. “The Alpha asked me to deliver these to you.”

She laid several elegant formal dresses across my bed, each more beautiful than the last. I approached cautiously, as though the garments might bite.

“What are these for?” I asked, fingering the delicate fabric of a midnight blue gown.

“The Alpha requests your company at a gathering this evening,” Mary explained, smoothing the wrinkles from a emerald green dress that matched my eyes perfectly.

I frowned. “What gathering?”

During our three years as marked mates, Arthur had never taken me to any pack social events. The only gatherings I’d attended were Moonstone family occasions, and even those had been rare.

“The annual Founding Alpha Celebration for the Snowfang Pack,” Mary replied. “It’s quite prestigious. Only the highest-ranking wolves receive invitations.”

My frown deepened. The Snowfang Pack? My mind immediately went to Nathan. Was this Arthur’s way of marking his territory?

“Mary, are you certain he wants me to attend?” I asked. “Our mate bond severance is only weeks away.”

Mary nodded firmly. “He was very specific, Luna. He said the emerald dress would suit you best.”

After she left, I paced my room, growing increasingly irritated. Arthur’s intention was transparent-he wanted to present me as his Luna to the Snowfang Pack, effectively discouraging any connection I might have with Nathan and his pack.

The more I thought about it, the angrier I became. Who was he to parade me around like property when we’d be severed mates in a matter of weeks?

Without stopping to consider the consequences, I stormed out of my room and marched directly to Arthur’s study. Without knocking, I flung the door open.

“How dare you-” I began, only to stop abruptly.

Arthur wasn’t alone. He sat behind his desk, surrounded by floating holographic screens showing the faces of several Alpha leaders from allied packs. All eyes turned to me, expressions ranging from surprise to amusement.

“Ah, and here is the famous Luna Moonstone,” one of the Alphas said cheerfully. “We were just discussing the Northwest territory treaties.”

I stood frozen, embarrassment washing over me in a hot wave.

Another Alpha, a burly man with a scar across his left eye, grinned wolfishly. “Planning to find a new mate already, Luna? The mighty Arthur Moonstone not satisfying enough?”

My face burned. “N-no, I just-please, continue your meeting. I apologize for the interruption.”

Arthur’s face remained impassive, but I could feel his annoyance radiating through our fading mate bond.

“We’ll continue this discussion later,” he told the assembled Alphas, his voice calm but carrying an edge of irritation.

One by one, the holographic screens blinked out, leaving us alone in uncomfortable silence.

“Well?” Arthur prompted, leaning back in his chair. “What couldn’t wait until after my strategy meeting with our allies?”

I crossed my arms defensively. “You know exactly what. The dresses. The Snowfang celebration. What are you playing at, Arthur?”

His lips twitched slightly. “You’re angry because I invited you to a prestigious social event?”

After several minutes, he reached into his jacket pocket and withdrew a small velvet box.

“This would complement your dress better than the moonstone necklace,” he said, placing the box in my lap.

I hesitated before opening it. Inside lay a delicate gold and jade pendant with emerald accents that matched my eyes perfectly.

“It belonged to my mother,” Arthur added quietly. “She wore it to formal pack gatherings.”

The significance wasn’t lost on me. This wasn’t just any jewelry-it was a family heirloom, something deeply personal.

“Thank you,” I said simply, removing my current necklace and replacing it with his mother’s pendant.

I struggled with the clasp, my fingers fumbling behind my neck.

“Allow me,” Arthur offered, taking the necklace from my hands.

His fingers brushed the nape of my neck as he fastened the clasp. The brief touch sent an unwelcome shiver down my spine. Grace stirred within me, responding to his proximity.

As he withdrew, I noticed his wrist-the same one where I’d applied the silver-burn ointment last night.

“Does it hurt?” I asked before I could stop myself.

Arthur tugged his sleeve down, covering the marks. “No,” he replied casually. “It’s nothing.”

The Snowfang Pack mansion came into view-an imposing structure of white stone and glass that gleamed in the evening light. Cars lined the circular driveway, disgorging elegantly dressed wolves from various allied packs.

As our car pulled to a stop, Elizabeth Snowfang herself appeared at the entrance to greet us. Beside her stood Nathan, his face carefully neutral.

My eyes met Nathan’s briefly, and something passed between us-a silent acknowledgment, perhaps, or a warning.

Arthur noticed the exchange, his Alpha presence intensifying beside me.

“Take my arm,” he instructed curtly as we approached the mansion steps.

I stared up at him defiantly. “I can walk by myself. I’m not your possession to display, Arthur, regardless of your Alpha status.”

Before I could move away, a sleek black SUV pulled up behind our car. The door opened, and Victoria emerged, stunning in a red dress that seemed designed to draw every eye.

Without hesitation, she strode forward and took Arthur’s arm, smiling up at him with practiced adoration.

“Sorry I’m late,” she purred loudly enough for everyone to hear. “I knew you’d wait for me, Arthur.”