Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 124

(Audrey’s POV)

I walked away from Arthur, my emotions a tangled mess I wasn’t ready to sort through. The old werewolf saying echoed in my mind: “A mate’s belated affection is more bitter than wolfsbane.”

How true that was. Now that I was finally preparing to move on, Arthur suddenly seemed desperate to hold onto what we had. Or what he thought we had.

My wolf stirred restlessly inside me. Though I maintained a cool exterior, I couldn’t deny the unease that followed me like a shadow as I made my way through the hotel’s ornate lobby.

“Luna Moonstone?”

I turned at the formal address, finding myself face to face with Mrs. Shadowcrest. Emma’s mother stood elegantly poised in an expensive silver gown that complemented her gracefully aging features.

Despite all my issues with Emma, I felt an odd pull toward her parents. Something about Mrs. Shadowcrest triggered a longing I rarely allowed myself to acknowledge.

“I’m not Luna Moonstone,” I corrected gently. “Just Audrey will do.”

Mrs. Shadowcrest smiled, the expression not quite reaching her eyes. “Of course. Would you spare me a moment?”

She gestured toward a quiet seating area away from the main traffic of the lobby. Against my better judgment, I followed.

“I wanted to apologize for my daughter’s behavior,” she began once we were seated. “Emma can be… impulsive. We spoiled her terribly after losing her sister.”

I nodded, unsure how to respond. It was strange to hear Emma described as merely “spoiled” after she’d splashed blood across my doorway.

“Your daughter’s actions didn’t impact my relationship with Arthur,” I said carefully. “Our mate bond severance was inevitable regardless.”

Mrs. Shadowcrest’s perfectly shaped eyebrows rose slightly. “So the severance is proceeding?”

“It is.” I kept my answer simple, unwilling to reveal the complications Arthur had introduced.

She nodded, seemingly satisfied with this information. Her gaze then shifted, becoming more penetrating.

“And Florian Stormhowl? Are you more than friends with him?”

The question caught me off guard. “No, we’re barely acquaintances.”

“But you’re here with him tonight,” she pressed, her voice gentle but insistent.

“As friends only,” I clarified. “I’m hardly looking for another mate bond when I’m still finalizing the severance of my current one.”

Relief flickered across her features before she composed herself again. “That’s wise of you. The Stormhowl Pack is an ancient bloodline with strict traditions. They would never accept a she-wolf with a severed mate bond.”

Her words struck me harder than they should have. A she-wolf with a severed mate bond. The way she said it made it sound like a permanent stain on my character.

“I’m not concerned about Florian Stormhowl’s pack acceptance,” I replied, keeping my voice steady despite the unexpected hurt her words caused.

Mrs. Shadowcrest reached out and patted my hand in what I’m sure she thought was a comforting gesture. “You should finalize your severance quickly. Pack gossip spreads faster than wolfsbane in springtime.”

I withdrew my hand, standing up. “Thank you for your concern.”

“Of course, dear.” She smiled up at me, the expression not reaching her eyes. “The Shadowcrest Pack is always willing to extend help to wolves in… transitional situations.”

The condescension in her tone was unmistakable.

“I don’t need assistance,” I said firmly. “But thank you for the offer.”

As I walked away, a lump formed in my throat. It wasn’t Mrs. Shadowcrest’s thinly veiled insults that bothered me. It was the sudden, overwhelming wish that my own mother was here-someone who would have defended me unconditionally, guided me through this maze of pack politics and broken mate bonds.

My wolf whimpered within me, and to my horror, I felt tears forming. I blinked rapidly, refusing to let them fall.

“Are those tears I see, Winter’s Grace?”

Florian’s voice startled me. He stood leaning against a marble column, his golden eyes watching me with that infuriating mixture of amusement and curiosity.

“It’s just the night wind,” I lied, straightening my shoulders. “And there must be pollen in the air.”

“In winter?” His eyebrow arched skeptically.

“Is that why you keep looking for her?” I asked softly. “Because you loved her?”

“I made her a promise,” he replied simply. “And unlike most wolves, I keep my word.”

The rest of the drive passed in silence, each of us lost in our own thoughts. It was strange to imagine Florian Stormhowl, with all his calculated maneuvering, capable of such devotion.

I found myself thinking of Mrs. Shadowcrest’s warning against pursuing Florian. How ironic, when it was clear his heart remained with her deceased daughter.

When we reached our territory building, Florian pulled up to the entrance and cut the engine.

“Thank you for fulfilling your favor,” he said, his usual lazy demeanor returning.

“We’re even now,” I reminded him, reaching for the door handle.

As I stepped out, I noticed something sitting at my door-a small cake adorned with a single candle, and a note propped against it.

“You have an admirer,” Florian remarked, appearing beside me.

I picked up the note. Happy Birthday, it read simply. There was no signature.

Florian glanced between the cake and me, realization dawning in his golden eyes.

“Today is your birthday too?” he asked quietly.

I nodded, suddenly understanding the significance. “The same as Serena Shadowcrest’s.”

He stared at the cake for a long moment, his expression unreadable in the dim hallway light.