Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 12

(Audrey’s POV)

“But you didn’t tell him? Right?” Sarah’s tone vibrated with frustration as she drove, her hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

I stared out of the window, watching the trees blur into streaks of green. My mind was a tangled mess of emotions. “No,” I said quietly. “He brushed me off. Three times.”

Three opportunities. Three separate moments when I could have told him about our pups. Each one had been met with his disinterest, dismissed with the flick of his hand or a curt word. Arthur didn’t even try to listen.

Sarah slammed her palm against the steering wheel, causing me to jump. “Unbelievable!” she snapped. “That man-no, that rogue alpha-does not deserve you, Audrey. He doesn’t deserve to be Alpha. And he sure as hell doesn’t deserve to know about those pups.”

Her words hit deep. Too deep. The truth of them danced in my chest like tiny daggers.

“Do you honestly think that’s what they need?” she continued, her voice as fierce as I’d ever heard it. “A selfish, distracted father who chases after her every time she calls? What kind of wolf abandons his injured mate for some…” She trailed off, but her meaning was crystal clear.

I winced. Sarah never held back her opinions. Maybe I needed that right now.

“You’re not wrong,” I admitted at last, my fingers tightening around my coat as I kept my gaze fixed on the horizon. “But maybe it’s for the best. All of it. Severing the bond will be cleaner if I keep the pups a secret. He won’t care. He barely notices me now.”

Sarah’s sharp intake of breath filled the car. “Cleaner?” Her tone oozed disbelief. “Audrey, you’re carrying his pups. He has a right-”

“Does he?” I interrupted. My voice shook, but the anger bubbling below the surface gave it strength. “Does he have a right, Sarah? To these pups? When he leaves me alone at the worst times and chases after her? When he can go a whole day without even checking to see if I’m okay?”

My emotions spilled over, the dam breaking. “How can he deserve them? How can someone who can’t even prioritize his mate possibly love pups?”

Sarah was silent for a long moment. When she broke the quiet, her voice had softened, but the edge hadn’t disappeared. “So, what then? You’re done? You cut him out entirely?”

“Yes,” I said firmly. “If he can’t be who we need now, he never will be. The pups will be fine. Strong. They don’t need him.”

She tapped her fingers against the wheel, her eyes narrowing as though she was tearing into Arthur with her mind. “Good,” she said flatly. “If he doesn’t want to be a father, then why should you give him the opportunity to disappoint them, too? Done right, Audrey. You’ll hold strong, and you’ll make it better without his distractions. You have me. You have other allies.”

Her words sat heavy in the air, but I nodded. Even Grace stirred within me, whispering agreement. Freedom felt close.

—

Back at the pack house, Sarah parked the car decisively and jumped out, ignoring my protests. “I am not letting you walk in alone,” she declared, her sharp tone daring me to argue.

“Sarah,” I sighed, giving in with slumped shoulders as I followed. “I’m fine. Really. You’re treating me like I’m falling apart.”

“You almost fell apart,” she shot back, her eyes narrowing. “And you’re pregnant, Audrey. So, stand there and let me hover like the overprotective friend that I am.”

She marched ahead, her determination practically radiating from her, and I could only follow with a resigned shake of my head.

As we approached the front door, my phone buzzed. I hesitated, then pulled it out of my pocket.

Missed calls. From Arthur.

Before I processed their meaning, another text came through. My stomach churned as I opened it. Attached was a photo, sent from that same number as before. The one with the video.

It hit me like a slap.

Arthur. Standing beside Victoria, in casual human clothes. The two of them holding bags of snacks – popcorn and ice cream. The image had a lighthearted air as if it were two carefree people enjoying a peaceful moment.

It had been taken today. Likely while I lay unconscious in the healer’s den.

I froze as the realization sank its claws into me. Grace growled furiously, her rage dripping into every corner of my mind.

“They were together,” I whispered.

Sarah spun to face me, her sharp eyes immediately locking on my face. “What was that?”

“They were together,” I repeated. My trembling hands gripped the phone tighter as I forced my voice to steady. “When I called. After the accident. He didn’t pick up because he was with her.”

The fury in Sarah’s expression was immediate. Her wolf’s anger matched Grace’s as if they were resonating with each other.

“You’re done,” she hissed, grabbing my arms to emphasize her words. “Do you hear me? You are done. I don’t care what stupid excuse he pulls out of nowhere. That’s it.”

I nodded slowly, tears threatening to spill. Done. Yes, I was done.

The sound of heavy footsteps filled the hallway. Then, the door burst open, and there he was. Arthur. The weight of his presence filled the room instantly.

With just a glance, he saw the suitcases. His eyes flickered to my forehead, lingering on the faint bruise there. “What’s going on?” he asked, his voice rough with a mix of confusion and worry.

I straightened, my back stiff. Grace stirred, ready to lunge at his unspoken excuses. “I was in an accident,” I stated coldly. “Not that you’d know. Too busy with Victoria, I assume.”

His expression darkened. “Audrey, you can’t-”

“Can’t what?” I cut him off sharply, my voice rising. “Can’t point out the truth? That while I was unconscious in the healer’s den, you were playing house with her? Do you have any idea how that feels?”

Arthur’s jaw clenched tightly, but his silence spoke volumes. He didn’t even deny it.

I took a shaky breath, forcing down the lump in my throat. The words I’d been rehearsing all evening bubbled to the surface, weighty and final.

“Let’s sever our mate bond.”

For a moment, I thought my voice had failed. The silence was deafening until Arthur’s arms suddenly came up, wrapping around me in a tight, almost desperate embrace.

“No,” he growled. “You’re not going anywhere.”

I shoved against him, disgust thick in my throat as the faint perfume of Victoria still clung to his clothes. “Don’t-don’t touch me! You’re not even pretending anymore, are you?”

He didn’t budge, his grip unrelenting. “You’re mine,” he said, his voice fierce now. “And I’m not severing our bond.”

“I refuse,” he snapped, stepping closer. “You can’t throw this all away because of her.”

“It’s not just her, Arthur!” My scream ripped through the room.

His eyes burned into mine. “Is it because Nathan Snowfang is back in the territory?”