Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 127

(Audrey’s POV)

I arrived at the Silver Moon Café fifteen minutes early, my nerves on edge. The café was situated beside the infamous Silver Moon Club, where wealthy wolves gambled away pack resources without a second thought.

Howard Mitchell was already there, nursing what appeared to be whiskey despite the early hour. His eyes lit up when he spotted me, an unsettling eagerness in his expression.

“Little coyote,” he greeted me, using that hated nickname. “You actually came.”

I slid into the booth across from him, keeping my posture rigid and alert. “I want answers about what you said at the hospital.”

Howard waved his hand dismissively. “I was angry. You know how it is when the wolf gets riled up. We say things.”

His casual tone only deepened my suspicion. Howard Mitchell never backed down from an opportunity to hurt someone.

“You specifically said I wasn’t a true Winter,” I pressed, leaning forward. “What did you mean by that?”

A waitress approached our table, and Howard raised his hand to get her attention. “Coffee for my niece here. Make it strong.”

I frowned at his uncharacteristic consideration. Howard had never once ordered anything for me in all the years I’d known him.

“No coffee,” I said firmly to the waitress. “Just water.”

After she left, I fixed my gaze on Howard. “Stop stalling. What do you know about my parents?”

He shrugged, his eyes shifting slightly to the right-a tell I’d learned long ago meant he was calculating his next move. “Your aunt filled your head with fairy tales about those healers. The great Winter family legacy.”

“Are you saying she lied? That they weren’t my parents?”

Howard’s lips curved into an unpleasant smile. “What would you do if I told you the truth, little coyote? Run crying to your Alpha mate? Oh wait-he’s busy pursuing that Shadowcrest she-wolf now, isn’t he?”

My wolf bristled inside me at his taunting. “Just answer the question.”

The waitress returned with my water. Howard’s eyes followed her movements with unusual intensity. A warning bell rang in my mind.

As I reached for my glass, a strange scent tickled my nose-subtle but definitely there. Not the clean scent of water, but something else… something chemical.

I pulled my hand back, suddenly alert to danger. “What did you put in my drink?”

Howard’s expression remained neutral. “Don’t be paranoid.”

I stood abruptly, dizzy and nauseous. My vision swam, and I gripped the edge of the table for support. “You… you’ve done something…”

My legs felt like they were made of water, unable to support my weight. The sounds of the café became distant, as though I was hearing them through a thick wall.

“It’s already in your system,” Howard said, his voice sounding far away. “All I had to do was make sure you showed up. The air in this booth has been treated. Special delivery from a grateful associate of mine.”

I tried to call for help, but my tongue felt thick and uncooperative in my mouth. The last thing I saw before darkness claimed me was Howard’s smug expression as he casually sipped his whiskey.

—

I awoke with a pounding headache, my mouth dry as sandpaper. Blinking groggily, I tried to make sense of my surroundings. I was lying on a hotel bed, still fully clothed but missing my shoes and coat.

“Finally awake, princess?”

That voice sent a chill down my spine. Victoria Moonstone sat in a plush armchair across the room, watching me with undisguised hatred.

“Where am I?” I tried to sit up but found my limbs still heavy and uncooperative.

“Just a little hotel room,” Victoria replied, examining her perfectly manicured nails. “Nothing fancy. Certainly not up to Moonstone standards.”

Horror washed through me as her plan became clear. “Victoria, don’t do this. Think about what you’re doing.”

“Oh, I’ve thought about it,” she replied coldly. “I’ve thought about nothing else for weeks. And it’s not just me you’ve offended, you know. Someone much more powerful wants you humiliated.”

“Emma Shadowcrest,” I guessed, remembering the blood on my doorway.

Victoria just smiled enigmatically. “I’ll leave you to get acquainted with your new friend,” she said, moving toward the door. “He’s been paid very well to make this performance… convincing.”

As she opened the door, a bulky Beta wolf entered. His appearance was unremarkable, almost forgettable, except for the predatory gleam in his eyes as they raked over me.

“She’s all yours,” Victoria said to him. “Remember, make it good for the camera.”

The door closed behind her with a soft click, leaving me alone with the stranger.

“Hello, beautiful,” he said, his voice thick with anticipation. “We’re going to have some fun.”

Terror surged through me, clearing the last of the drug-induced fog from my mind. “I can pay you,” I offered desperately. “Whatever they’re giving you, I’ll double it.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “Can’t be bought off that easy. Besides, you’re too pretty to pass up.”

He began unbuttoning his shirt, and panic threatened to overwhelm me. I forced myself to appear submissive, lowering my eyes.

“At least let me get comfortable,” I said, making my voice soft and trembling. “Help me out of these clothes?”

He grinned, clearly believing I was accepting my fate. As he leaned over me, I summoned every ounce of strength left in my body. The moment he was close enough, I grabbed the webcam from the nightstand and smashed it against his temple with all my might.

He howled in pain, blood streaming down his face. I didn’t wait to see the damage I’d caused. Rolling off the opposite side of the bed, I staggered to my feet and lurched toward the door.