Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 134

(Audrey’s POV)

I stood frozen in place, Emma’s words cutting through me like silver-edged claws. The pain from hitting the cabinet when Katherine pushed me felt distant compared to the doubts now flooding my mind.

“You’re the reason he keeps getting hurt,” Emma said, her voice cold and calculated. “Your association with rogues and lower-ranking wolves has put the Alpha King in danger repeatedly. The Moonstone Pack deserves better than a Luna who drags them down.”

A few days ago, when Mrs. Shadowcrest questioned my worthiness as Luna, I’d brushed it off. But now, with Arthur lying injured in a hospital bed, I found myself hesitating. What if they were right?

My wolf whimpered within me, uncertain and afraid. Would things be different if Arthur had formed a mate bond with Emma? Her family’s wealth and influence could have strengthened the Moonstone Pack. Instead, they were dealing with scandal after scandal, their Alpha repeatedly injured, their trading position weakened.

“The Shadowcrest Pack could have provided resources, alliances, and protection,” Emma continued, seeing my hesitation. “Instead, he’s constantly distracted by your problems, putting himself at risk to protect someone who can’t even decide if she wants to be his mate.”

I couldn’t argue back. The evidence was right in front of me-Arthur’s bandaged wounds, the tired lines around his eyes, the diminished Alpha presence that should have been vibrant and powerful.

“That’s enough, Emma.”

Arthur’s voice cut through the room like a blade, surprisingly strong despite his injuries. His eyes were clear and focused, all traces of earlier weakness gone.

“You claim to care for me,” he said, “but I have to wonder-is it me you want, or my position as Alpha King of the Moonstone Pack?”

Emma blinked, momentarily thrown off balance. “What kind of question is that? Of course I-”

“Because I would love Audrey regardless of my status,” he interrupted, his eyes never leaving my face. “If I lost everything tomorrow-my pack, my territories, my resources-I would still choose her.”

His words echoed in the small hospital room, making my heart stutter painfully.

“Can you say the same?” Arthur challenged Emma. “If I were just an ordinary Beta wolf with nothing to offer but myself, would you still pursue me so persistently?”

Emma’s silence was telling. Her face flushed with anger and embarrassment.

“You want a strategic alliance,” Arthur continued, his voice calm but firm. “There’s nothing wrong with that. But don’t pretend it’s love when it’s politics. If power and territory are what you seek, perhaps you should consider Nathan Snowfang. His pack is almost as influential as mine.”

I couldn’t help but stare at Arthur, shocked by his candid assessment. This wasn’t the Arthur I knew-the one who played pack politics carefully, never showing his hand. This was someone new, someone who spoke plainly regardless of consequence.

Emma’s composure cracked. “What’s wrong with wanting a proper alliance? You’re the perfect Alpha-territories, resources, and deceased parents. No complicated family dynamics to navigate.”

The callous remark hung in the air, its cruelty magnified by the casual way she’d delivered it.

Katherine gasped, her hand flying to her chest. “Emma! How could you say such a thing? I’ve always supported you, treated you like family…”

Emma rolled her eyes slightly. “You’re his stepmother, Katherine. Everyone knows what that means in pack hierarchy.”

“Stepmothers are still mothers,” Katherine insisted, her voice trembling with either genuine hurt or an excellent performance-I couldn’t tell which.

“Please,” Emma scoffed. “Everyone only acknowledges you out of politeness. You abandoned your first mate to marry Richard. Your position has always been… precarious.”

Katherine’s eyes glittered with barely contained rage at having her past so openly discussed. The dynamics in the room had shifted completely, with Emma now revealing her true nature to everyone present.

Arthur watched the exchange with cold detachment, seemingly unsurprised by Emma’s ruthlessness.

“Impressive as you find me,” he finally said, turning back to Emma, “I’m marked to Audrey. She is my Luna.”

He reached for my hand, his fingers warm against mine. “And I’ve been working to win her back, to repair what I broke through my negligence.”

My wolf stirred stupidly at his touch, responding to her mate despite all my rational objections.

“You’ll change your mind,” Emma said confidently, apparently unperturbed by his rejection. “Most Alphas eventually choose mates who strengthen their packs. It’s simply practical.”

Her candor was almost refreshing after Victoria’s secretive manipulations. Emma didn’t hide her ambitions or disguise her pragmatic approach to mate selection. In some strange way, I found her honesty less offensive than Victoria’s pretense of love.

“I needed to handle it carefully,” he explained. “The pack is in a precarious position right now with the scandal still fresh. Territory wolves are watching us for any sign of weakness.”

He looked at me directly, his eyes clear and focused. “But make no mistake-Katherine will answer for what she did. Just not in the way you might expect.”

I nodded, accepting his explanation. After all, pack justice often worked in mysterious ways, especially when high-ranking wolves were involved.

“Let’s look at those documents Daniel brought,” I said, changing the subject. “You need to sign off on the territory agreements before-”

Arthur caught my hand as I reached for the folder, his grip gentle but firm.

“Audrey,” he said, his voice suddenly strained. “I’ve lost so much-my mother, my grandfather, my faith in my father, and now even Katherine. You’re all I have left.”

I pulled my hand away, the pain of old wounds resurfacing. “And when I lost our pups? When I needed you most and you chose Victoria?”

I shook my head, mirroring his earlier words to Emma. “I learned a long time ago that wanting something doesn’t mean you’ll get it.”

“That’s the difference between us and wolves like Emma Shadowcrest,” I continued softly. “She’s accustomed to getting what she wants. I became used to resignation.”

“That will change,” Arthur promised, reaching for me again. “I’ll take the initiative now. No more waiting for you to plan celebrations or remember anniversaries. No more taking you for granted.”

His eyes pleaded with me to believe him. “Please, Audrey. Don’t give up on our mate bond. Not yet.”

“Why now?” I asked, needing to understand. “After years of indifference, why this sudden determination?”

Arthur’s face was open, vulnerable in a way I’d rarely seen. “Because I’m terrified of losing you,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t realize how much you meant to me until you started pulling away. I don’t want to lose you.”