Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 119

(Audrey’s POV)

Florian leaning against the doorframe with that infuriating lazy smile of his, golden wolf eyes gleaming with amusement.

“My, my, what have we here? The Snowfang heir playing pack real estate agent?”

Nathan’s body language shifted immediately, his shoulders tensing as he positioned himself slightly in front of me. It was a subtle protective gesture that didn’t go unnoticed by Florian, whose smile only widened.

“Florian,” Nathan greeted coolly. “I wasn’t aware you frequented this area.”

Florian pushed himself off the doorframe and sauntered in without invitation, his eyes scanning the interior of the house with casual interest. The subtle scent of his Alpha presence filled the room-not aggressively, but enough to make my wolf stir uneasily.

“I could say the same about you,” Florian countered. “Isn’t this a bit… ordinary for your tastes, Snowfang?”

Nathan crossed his arms. “What brings you to this particular territory den? I thought wolves of ancient bloodlines preferred more luxurious accommodations.”

Florian chuckled, running his fingers along the kitchen counter as he walked. “I’m merely accompanying a pack member in training. We’re using the neighboring den for a few days.” He glanced at me, then back at Nathan. “Neighborly courtesy dictated I should investigate the new arrival.”

I frowned, remembering what Nathan had told me about Florian’s search for his missing intended mate. It seemed odd that he would be casually “accompanying a pack member in training” when he supposedly had such an important personal quest.

“You’re quite far from your own territory,” I remarked. “For someone searching for a missing mate, you seem to have plenty of time for… pack training exercises.”

Something flashed in his golden eyes-surprise, perhaps, that I knew about his circumstances. It disappeared quickly, replaced by his usual calculated amusement.

“A wolf can pursue multiple objectives simultaneously,” he replied smoothly. “Besides, the territories are full of interesting developments these days. Hard to stay away.”

Nathan checked his phone, then slipped it back into his pocket. “I need to make a few calls about the property transfer. Audrey, will you be alright for a few minutes?”

I nodded, though I wasn’t thrilled about being left alone with Florian. “I’ll be fine. I’ll start unpacking.”

Nathan hesitated, glancing at Florian with unmistakable wariness before stepping outside. The moment the door closed behind him, Florian’s posture relaxed further. He made himself comfortable on one of my newly acquired kitchen stools.

“Running away from Arthur Moonstone so soon?” he asked, his tone light but his eyes watchful. “I thought you’d at least wait until the mate bond was officially severed.”

I lifted a box onto the counter, deliberately ignoring his baiting tone. “I’m not running from anyone. I’m establishing my independence.”

“Independence,” he repeated, testing the word. “A rare concept among wolves. Most cling to pack structures like a lifeline.”

I paused in my unpacking to face him directly. “What do you want, Florian? I doubt you’re here for neighborly small talk.”

He placed a hand over his heart in mock offense. “Can’t a wolf welcome a new neighbor without ulterior motives?”

“Not when that wolf is you,” I shot back. “From what I’ve seen, everything you do has an angle.”

Florian laughed, a genuine sound that momentarily transformed his calculated features. “Fair assessment. Though in this case, I was simply curious about your abrupt relocation. Avoiding trouble with the Moonstone pack?”

“If you must know, I’m avoiding your good sister Emma,” I replied, remembering her blood-soaked display at my previous home. “She seems to think intimidation tactics will speed up my mate bond severance with Arthur.”

Florian’s expression shifted, a brief frown crossing his face. “Emma is not my sister.”

The vehemence in his tone surprised me. He’d always seemed so controlled, rarely showing genuine emotion.

“She refers to you as her brother,” I pointed out.

“And I’ve told her countless times to stop,” he said, an edge of irritation creeping into his voice. “I don’t appreciate being called ‘brother’ by someone unrelated to me. But Emma… doesn’t listen well.”

This glimpse of authentic annoyance fascinated me. It was the first crack I’d seen in his carefully maintained facade.

“In any case,” he continued, his composure quickly returning, “I believe you and I have an agreement to discuss.”

I busied myself with unpacking a box of healing supplies. “Agreement? I don’t recall making any agreements with you.”

Florian’s smile was knowing. “Perhaps I should refresh your memory.”

He pulled out his phone, tapped the screen a few times, then held it up. To my horror, I heard my own voice from the night at the Snowfang Pack Estate:

“… keep what you saw tonight between us. Can you do that?”

Florian’s recorded voice responded: “For a price.”

“Fine, I’ll owe you a favor. Now can we please leave before someone notices I’m missing?”

I felt my cheeks flush with anger and embarrassment. “You recorded that conversation?”

“I find evidence useful in situations where memories become… selective,” he replied, slipping his phone back into his pocket. “Now, about that favor…”

He nodded farewell to us both and slipped out the door. I waited until I was certain he was out of earshot before turning to Sarah.

“What was that?” I demanded. “You don’t invite Alpha wolves from ancient bloodlines to diners!”

Sarah flopped onto my new couch, kicking off her shoes. “Why not? He’s gorgeous. Those golden wolf eyes? That controlled Alpha presence? Delicious.”

I grabbed a throw pillow and tossed it at her head. “He’s dangerous, Sarah. We don’t even know what his real agenda is in the territory.”

Sarah caught the pillow with ease. “All the more reason to get to know him better.” She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. “Mysterious Alpha with secret motives? Sign me up.”

I groaned, moving to the kitchen to unpack more boxes. “After everything with Lucas, I thought you’d be more cautious about getting involved with high-ranking Alphas.”

“Oh, I’m done with pups like Lucas,” Sarah declared, sitting up straighter. “I’m interested in mature wolves now. Ones who know what they want and don’t play games.”

I shot her a skeptical look. “And you think Florian Stormhowl doesn’t play games? That wolf is nothing but games.”

Sarah’s expression grew more serious as she joined me in the kitchen. “Who exactly is he anyway? I’ve heard rumors about the Stormhowl Pack, but they mostly keep to themselves in the far north.”

I repeated what Nathan had told me. “They’re an ancient bloodline pack-older and supposedly more prestigious than territorial packs like the Moonstones or Snowfangs. Florian is here looking for his missing intended mate, though he seems awfully distracted for someone on such an important quest.”

“A mate search?” Sarah’s interest visibly increased. “That’s romantic.”

“Not really,” I countered. “From what I understand, it’s more of a political arrangement. Ancient bloodline packs are big on strategic mate bonds.”

Sarah leaned against the counter, watching me organize my healing herbs. “Still, there’s something intriguing about him. The way he watches everything, like he’s calculating every possible outcome.”

“That’s exactly what worries me,” I admitted, carefully arranging my precious new journals on a shelf. “What does he want in these territories? Why insert himself into the drama between Arthur and me? And now he’s demanding I accompany him to some Alpha gathering.”

Sarah’s eyes widened. “He asked you to be his date?”

“Not a date,” I corrected quickly. “A ‘companion.’ Whatever that means.”

“It means he’s using you for something,” Sarah said thoughtfully. “Question is: what?”

I sighed, looking around at my half-unpacked boxes. “I don’t know. But I’m going to be very careful around Florian Stormhowl. His pack might be from the far north, but his motives hit too close to home for comfort.”