Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 120

(Audrey’s POV)

I sighed deeply, leaning against the kitchen counter of my new territory house as Sarah rummaged through my unpacked boxes. Moving had been exhausting, but there was something liberating about being in a space that wasn’t connected to Arthur.

“Okay, let me see if I’ve got this straight,” Sarah said, pulling out a mug and examining it before placing it on the shelf. “You’ve got quite the soap opera going on here.”

I couldn’t help but smile at her bluntness. That was what I loved about Sarah-she never sugarcoated anything.

“Victoria is sleeping with her stepfather Richard,” she began counting off on her fingers, her wolf eyes gleaming with mischief, “while simultaneously trying to form a mate bond with Arthur, who is still technically your mate, while Emma Shadowcrest is aggressively pursuing Arthur despite knowing he’s marked to you, and Florian Stormhowl is mysteriously interfering with everyone.”

I burst out laughing at her summary. “When you put it that way, it does sound completely absurd.”

“That’s because it is absurd,” Sarah replied, joining in my laughter. “The Moonstone Pack makes those human reality shows look tame by comparison.”

She finished arranging my mugs and turned to face me, her expression growing more serious. “Now, what’s this serious matter you wanted to discuss? You sounded mysterious on the phone.”

I took a deep breath. This was the part I was excited about-a fresh start, something that was mine alone.

“I’m starting my own healing practice,” I announced, unable to keep the excitement from my voice. “Based on my parents’ ‘Winter’s Remedy’ methodology.”

Sarah’s eyes widened. “Really? That’s fantastic!”

I nodded, moving to the shelf where I’d carefully placed the journals Nathan had given me. “These contain their original formulations. It’s my heritage, Sarah. Something that belongs to me, not to Arthur or the Moonstone Pack.”

“I love it,” she said, her enthusiasm evident in the brightening of her wolf presence. “So where are you setting up this practice? Here?”

“That’s part of what I wanted to talk to you about,” I replied, turning back to face her. “I was hoping you might want to join me.”

Sarah’s wolf eyes lit up. “Me? As your partner?”

“Yes,” I confirmed. “After everything that happened at the Moonstone Therapy Center, I thought you might be looking for a new position. But if you’ve already made other plans-“

“No! I mean, yes! I want to join you,” she interrupted, practically bouncing with excitement. “I was hoping you’d ask, actually. That’s why I pretended to have other options when I told you about my resignation.”

I grinned, relieved. “Really? You didn’t have any other plans?”

“Well, I had a standing offer from the Silver Ridge Pack’s therapy center,” she admitted, “but I was holding out hope you’d make a better one.”

I hugged her impulsively. “This is perfect. Your organizational skills and my healing expertise-we’ll make an incredible team.”

Sarah hugged me back tightly. “So, what’s our first step? Finding office space?”

“I’ll handle the healing herbs inventory and formulations,” I said, already mentally cataloguing what we would need. “Could you look into suitable locations? Preferably in neutral territory, accessible to wolves from different packs.”

“Consider it done,” Sarah replied confidently. “But what about funding? Starting a practice isn’t cheap.”

I nodded, having already considered this. “I’m going to sell my territory house in the Moonstone Pack border. It’s a prime location. We should get enough rare healing herbs contributions to set up a decent practice.”

Sarah raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure? That’s your safety net.”

“I’m sure,” I said firmly. “It’s time for me to stand on my own.”

Sarah nodded her approval, and we spent the next couple of hours discussing the details of our new venture. It felt good to focus on something positive, something that was entirely mine-or rather, ours-after months of struggle with Arthur and the Moonstone Pack.

Later that evening, after Sarah had left, my phone rang. Arthur’s name flashed on the screen. For a moment, I considered ignoring it, but eventually answered.

“What is it, Arthur?” I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral.

“I understand you’re planning to sell your territory house,” he said without preamble, his voice carrying that commanding Alpha tone that had once made my wolf instinctively submit.

I frowned, wondering how he’d found out so quickly. “Yes, I am. How did you-“

“That’s pack property,” he growled, cutting me off.

I felt my wolf bristle at his tone. “No, it’s under my name, given as a marking gift. I have every right to sell it.”

“Where are you staying now?” he demanded, ignoring my assertion. “I tracked your scent to the edges of neutral territory, but it disappeared near the Snowfang border.”

The fact that he’d been tracking me sent a wave of irritation through me. “That’s none of your concern, Arthur.”

“It is very much my concern when my marked mate is-” He paused, and I could almost feel his wolf’s agitation through the phone. “You’re staying at Nathan’s territory house, aren’t you?”

I sighed, unsurprised by his deduction. “Yes, I am. It’s a temporary arrangement.”

“I gave you a custom-built den in prime hunting grounds,” he said with barely contained anger, “and now you’re staying in Snowfang’s leftover territory?”

“Stop tracking me,” I said firmly, ignoring his attempts to belittle my current living situation. “The mate bond severance is happening, Arthur. Accept it.”

His weight became too much to support, and I realized with dismay that he was falling asleep on me, the wolfsbane-infused whiskey finally taking its full effect. With considerable effort, I managed to maneuver him to the sofa, his larger frame making it awkward and difficult.

“Arthur,” I said firmly, shaking his shoulder. “Wake up. You can’t stay here.”

He mumbled something unintelligible, his eyes already closed. I tried calling his name louder, but it was clear he was out cold.

Frustrated, I reached for my phone and dialed Daniel Hayes, Arthur’s personal Beta. No answer. I tried again. Still nothing. Given the ongoing pack crisis with Richard and Victoria’s scandal, Daniel was probably dealing with pressing pack matters.

I stared at Arthur’s sleeping form, torn between irritation and a strange sort of pity. He looked vulnerable in sleep, the harsh lines of his face softened. It was easy to forget, sometimes, the immense pressure he faced as Alpha King of the Moonstone Pack.

My phone buzzed with a message. It was from Nathan:

“Happy moon-turning, Winter’s Grace. May your wolf run free and your path be clear.”

I smiled at the simple but thoughtful message, then glanced at the time: 12:01 AM. It was officially my birthday-a fact I’d almost forgotten in the chaos of recent events.

A moment later, my phone rang. Sarah’s smiling face appeared on the screen.

“Let me guess,” she said instead of a greeting, “Snowfang beat me to it again?”

I laughed softly, moving to the kitchen to avoid waking Arthur. “Yes, just by a minute or two.”

“Damn, I need to set an earlier alarm next year,” she joked. “Happy birthday, Audrey! So what are you up to? Want to meet for lunch tomorrow to celebrate?”

“That would be great,” I replied, glancing back at Arthur’s sleeping form. “I also have an… engagement tomorrow evening.”

“Ooh, with who?” Sarah asked eagerly.

I hesitated. “Florian Stormhowl, actually. It’s not a date,” I added quickly, “just fulfilling a favor I owe him.”

“The mysterious Alpha from the north? Interesting birthday plans,” she teased. “You’ll have to tell me all about it afterward.”

We chatted for a few more minutes before saying goodnight. As I ended the call, I looked toward the sofa where Arthur lay sleeping, oblivious to the fact that it was my birthday. In our three years as marked mates, he had never once remembered the date without being reminded by his assistant or seeing it on his calendar.