Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 133

(Audrey’s POV)

“What do you mean, the attack was connected to me?” I demanded, staring at Daniel Hayes in disbelief.

Daniel glanced around the hospital hallway, making sure we were alone. His usually composed features were tight with concern.

“Do you remember the kidnapping incident several months ago?” he asked, lowering his voice.

“How could I forget?” I replied, my hand instinctively touching my side where my own wounds had finally healed.

“The wolf behind that was Marcus Blackclaw,” Daniel explained, his eyes serious. “After his initial plan failed, he’s been looking for other ways to weaken Arthur’s position.”

My stomach tightened. “What does that have to do with me?”

“Marcus tried forcing Arthur to give up hunting rights to western territory lands,” Daniel said, his voice barely above a whisper. “When negotiations broke down, Marcus’s wolves ambushed Arthur while he was returning from meeting with the Pack Council about your mate bond severance paperwork.”

The implication hit me like a physical blow. If Arthur hadn’t been there because of me…

“So he was attacked because of me,” I whispered, feeling cold despite the hospital’s warmth.

Daniel shook his head. “No, Audrey. This was coming regardless. Marcus has been testing Arthur’s defenses for months.”

But I wasn’t listening anymore. My wolf whimpered within me, realizing Arthur had been hurt twice because of me-first with the silver poisoning when he rescued me from Howard’s associates, and now this.

“I need to see him,” I said abruptly, turning back toward Arthur’s room.

Arthur looked surprised when I reentered his room. He was attempting to get up from the bed, wincing with the effort.

“What are you doing?” I asked, rushing to his side without thinking. “You need to rest.”

“I was trying to get some documents from Daniel,” he admitted, grimacing as he tried to straighten.

I placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, guiding him back down to the bed. His skin was unnaturally warm beneath my palm-his wolf fighting to heal him.

“You need to lie down,” I insisted, adjusting his pillows. “The healer said you shouldn’t reopen your wounds.”

Arthur studied my face, his eyes searching mine. “You came back.”

His tone carried a question beneath the simple observation. I busied myself with straightening his blankets, avoiding his gaze.

“Daniel told me what happened,” I said, my voice carefully neutral. “About Marcus Blackclaw.”

Arthur’s jaw tightened. “Daniel talks too much.”

“Were you ever going to tell me?” I asked.

“No,” he answered honestly. “You have enough to worry about with establishing your healing practice. You don’t need pack politics complicating things further.”

I sat in the chair beside his bed, suddenly exhausted. “They’re already complicating things.”

Arthur watched me carefully, his eyes never leaving my face. “Did you come back because you were worried about me?”

I saw a flicker of anticipation in his eyes, a quiet hope that made my chest tighten uncomfortably. My wolf stirred inside me, urging me to comfort my mate, to care for him while he was vulnerable.

I tried to keep my emotional distance, reminding myself of all the reasons we couldn’t go back. But it was becoming increasingly difficult with him looking at me like that-like I was the only thing that mattered.

“I came back because I don’t want anyone getting hurt because of me,” I finally answered, half-truth and half-evasion.

“Leave that,” Arthur said sharply, his eyes on me and not the mess. He turned to Emma, his expression cooling considerably. “Why are you here, Miss Shadowcrest?”

Emma blinked, clearly taken aback by his directness. “I… to offer support, of course.”

“And you, Katherine?” Arthur continued, his voice maintaining that same cold edge. “I don’t recall asking for visitors.”

Katherine’s smile faltered slightly. “I’m your stepmother, Arthur. I was concerned.”

“Were you?” he asked, his tone making it clear he doubted her sincerity. “Or were you hoping to continue your efforts to influence my mate marking? First with Victoria, now with Emma?”

The room fell silent. Katherine’s face paled, while Emma looked between them with obvious confusion.

“I only want what’s best for you,” Katherine whispered, her eyes darting to me with unconcealed dislike. “She isn’t right for you, Arthur. She never was.”

“And you believe you know better than I do who is suitable as my Luna?” Arthur’s voice was dangerously quiet, his Alpha presence filling the room with undeniable authority.

Katherine physically recoiled from his anger, her wolf whimpering beneath her skin. “Arthur, please. Think about the pack-”

“I am thinking about the pack,” he interrupted coldly. “Always have been.”

Emma, seemingly emboldened by Katherine’s retreat, stepped forward. Her eyes fixed on me with open hostility.

“It’s her fault you’re injured,” she hissed. “First the silver poisoning, now this. She’s dragging you down, Arthur. Can’t you see? She’ll ruin you and the Moonstone Pack’s standing among territories.”

I stood frozen, unsure how to respond to such a direct attack. Part of me knew she was right-Arthur’s injuries were connected to me. But another part, stirred by Arthur’s unexpected defense, refused to accept the blame.