Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 106

(Audrey’s POV)

Florian leaning casually against a tree,”What are you doing here?” I demanded, tucking my phone securely into my clutch.

Florian shrugged, his broad shoulders moving elegantly beneath his tailored jacket. “The same as you, I imagine. Escaping the suffocating politics inside. Though I admit, I found far more interesting entertainment out here.”

His smirk made my skin crawl. This man was dangerous-not in the obvious way Arthur was, with his imposing Alpha presence, but in a more subtle, calculating manner.

“You seem to be everywhere tonight,” I observed, trying to keep my voice steady. “First with Emma, now here. One might think you’re following me.”

“Perhaps I am,” he replied, pushing himself away from the tree with fluid grace. “You’re far more interesting than most of the wolves at this tedious celebration.”

I glanced back toward the mansion, acutely aware that my absence would soon be noticed. The last thing I needed was Arthur coming to look for me and finding me alone in the dark with another Alpha.

“I would appreciate your discretion about what you just saw,” I said, getting straight to the point. “It’s a complicated matter.”

Florian’s lips curved into a slow smile. “Ah, so now the mighty Luna Moonstone requires a favor from me.”

“Not a favor,” I corrected sharply. “Just basic decency.”

He took a step closer, his height forcing me to tilt my head back to maintain eye contact. “But decency is so boring, don’t you think? And rare among our kind. Perhaps we could make an arrangement.”

My wolf growled internally, not liking where this conversation was heading. “What kind of arrangement?”

“Simple. I’ll keep your little recording session a secret, and in return, you’ll owe me a favor. To be collected at my discretion, of course.”

Every instinct screamed at me to refuse, but I was acutely aware of how vulnerable my position was. If word got out about what I’d been doing in the garden, Arthur would be furious. More importantly, if Victoria and Richard discovered I had evidence of their relationship, I couldn’t predict how they might retaliate.

“Fine,” I agreed reluctantly. “But nothing that would compromise my principles or harm anyone.”

Florian’s golden eyes gleamed with victory. “I wouldn’t dream of asking something so… pedestrian. My favor will be far more interesting.”

A chill ran down my spine that had nothing to do with the night air. I’d just made a deal with someone I knew virtually nothing about, and my wolf was decidedly uneasy about it.

“I should return to the celebration,” I said, eager to escape his unsettling presence.

“Of course. Don’t let me keep you from your mate,” Florian replied, his emphasis on the word ‘mate’ carrying an undertone of mockery. “Though from what I just witnessed, your pack’s definition of mate seems rather… flexible.”

I bit back a sharp retort, unwilling to engage further. As I turned to leave, Florian spoke again.

“It’s getting rather cold out here. I think I’ll return inside as well.”

He walked away with long, confident strides, leaving me staring after him. What a strange man, I thought. My wolf whined in agreement, still unsettled by our interaction.

Back inside the warmth of the ballroom, I scanned the crowd for Arthur, hoping to avoid another confrontation with Victoria. Instead, I felt a gentle touch on my elbow.

“There you are,” Nathan said, relief evident in his voice. “I was worried when I couldn’t find you.”

His blue eyes searched my face with genuine concern. “Are you alright? You look pale.”

I forced a smile. “I’m fine. Just needed some fresh air.”

Nathan didn’t look convinced. “Are you sure? You seem… troubled.”

“It’s nothing,” I insisted, not wanting to burden him with what I’d discovered. “Just pack politics as usual.”

He nodded, understanding without pressing further. It was one of the things I appreciated about Nathan-his ability to respect boundaries.

“I have something for you,” he said, lowering his voice. “I’ll give it to you later.”

I frowned, immediately wary. “Nathan, I don’t think-“

“It’s not what you think,” he interrupted gently. “It’s just something that belongs to you. Something you should have back.”

Before I could question him further, a Beta from an allied pack approached us, bowing slightly to Nathan.

“Forgive the interruption,” he said formally, “but Alpha Bernard is requesting a moment of your time to discuss the northern hunting grounds agreement.”

Nathan nodded professionally. “Of course. Please tell him I’ll join him momentarily.”

He turned back to me with an apologetic smile. “Duty calls. I’ll find you before you leave.”

I smiled understandingly. “Go. I’ll be fine.”

As Nathan walked away with the Beta, I became uncomfortably aware of the calculating gazes from other pack members.

The remainder of the celebration passed in a blur of polite conversation and diplomatic smiles.

As the festivities began winding down, I positioned myself near the entrance, hoping to catch Nathan before departing. I hadn’t forgotten his promise to give me something, and curiosity had gotten the better of me.

“Waiting for someone?”

Arthur’s deep voice startled me. He had approached silently, his Alpha presence wrapping around me like a possessive cloak.

“Katherine knew my father killed my mother,” he admitted quietly. “But she needed the pack protection for herself and Victoria. It was a devil’s bargain.”

I stared at him in disbelief. “And Victoria? When did she start… with your father?”

“Shortly after her first heat,” Arthur replied, his voice flat. “She was sixteen. I discovered them together in his study. Victoria claimed he forced her, but…”

“But you didn’t believe her,” I finished.

He shook his head slowly. “I wanted to. But I’d seen how she looked at him, even before that. How she would find excuses to be near him. After that first time, she could have stayed away. She didn’t.”

“The pups she lost,” I said suddenly, remembering the miscarriage Victoria had experienced around the same time as mine. “They were-“

“My father’s, yes,” Arthur confirmed. “Not her ex-husband’s, as she claimed publicly. Not mine, as she let people believe.”

I felt physically ill. “And you’ve just… accepted this? For years?”

Arthur’s eyes hardened. “What would you have me do, Audrey? Expose them? Create a scandal that would tear apart what’s left of our pack’s reputation? My father is still technically Gamma, with connections throughout the pack alliance. The damage would be catastrophic.”

“So instead you’ve protected them,” I said bitterly. “While treating me like I was the problem.”

“I protected the pack,” he corrected. “My priority has always been the Moonstone Pack’s stability and future.”

His words cut deeper than they should have, considering our imminent mate bond severance.

“Delete the video, Audrey,” he said, his voice softening slightly. “Pretend you never saw anything. It’s better that way.”

I looked down at my phone, the frozen image of Richard and Victoria still visible on the screen. My finger hovered over the delete button, but then a thought occurred to me.

“I will,” I said slowly, “on one condition.”

Arthur’s eyes narrowed slightly. “What condition?”

My wolf stirred anxiously within me as I made my ultimate demand. “Finalize our mate bond severance immediately. Not next month. Now.”

My heart pounded as I waited for his response, the final step toward my freedom hanging in the balance.