Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 143

(Audrey’s POV)

I held my breath as Nathan’s words hung in the air between us. The confession was so unexpected, so contrary to everything I thought I knew, that for a moment I couldn’t respond.

Nathan reached out, gently stroking my hair with a tenderness that made my wolf stir beneath my skin. His eyes, usually cool blue, now gleamed with amber flecks in the afternoon light.

“That time at the Inter-Pack Gathering, the wolf I wanted to invite was you,” he said, his voice calm yet filled with conviction. “The wolf I’ve been waiting to join my pack was also you… The she-wolf I’ve admired for twenty years is you.”

My heart lurched painfully in my chest.

“Audrey, it has always only been you, no other wolf,” he continued, holding my gaze steadily.

Panic rose inside me, followed by confusion that made my wolf whimper uncertainly. How could someone like Nathan-strong, respected, the rightful Alpha of the Snowfang Pack-harbor such feelings for me?

“That’s impossible,” I whispered, shaking my head. “How could it be me? Didn’t you and that she-wolf know each other for so many years? I’ve only known you for…”

Nathan interrupted me gently, leaning closer. “Do you remember me telling you that I only returned to the Snowfang Pack when I was eight?”

He raised his wrist, revealing a worn red cord tied around it, frayed with age but carefully preserved.

“Before I was taken back to the Snowfang territory, I lived in neutral territory between the packs,” he explained, watching my reaction carefully. “Do you remember this red cord?”

I shook my head, searching my memory. Before living with my aunt and uncle, my memories were fragmented-brief glimpses of my parents, being chased by rogue wolves, the terror of running for my life. I had blocked out most of it, my wolf protecting me from the trauma.

“This was the full moon gift you gave me back then,” Nathan said softly, running his finger along the faded cord.

My silence must have revealed my confusion.

“It doesn’t matter,” he reassured me, lowering his arm. “We have many moon cycles ahead of us. I remember those times, that’s enough.”

I studied his face, searching for any sign of deception, but found only sincerity. Still, I needed to understand.

“When did you recognize me?” I asked hesitantly.

Nathan’s eyes softened with tenderness. “It was that time, when you collapsed from silver poisoning. I heard someone call your wolf name.”

He chuckled, the sound warming something deep within me. “At the time, I wondered if it was just another wolf with the same name. Later, I found that many of your habits were just like when you were a pup, unchanged.”

My curiosity piqued. “What habits?”

“You love spicy and sweet prey meat,” he began, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Your wolf paces when you’re nervous, you’re wary of all small prey animals…”

With each habit he listed, a strange sensation grew in my chest, a recognition that made my wolf stir with memory.

Nathan looked at me expectantly. “So, does it all make sense now?”

“Yes,” I admitted, feeling the truth settle over me. “It makes sense.”

It really was me. It really was me in his memories. But…

I wrung my hands, suddenly overwhelmed by the implications. “Nathan, I might… not be able to return your feelings right now.”

I couldn’t bring myself to finish the sentence. Despite discovering Arthur’s deception, despite knowing my feelings for him were built on a lie, I couldn’t simply transfer those emotions to Nathan. Forming a mate bond wasn’t something to rush into, and accepting a new wolf before my heart was ready felt irresponsible to both of us.

Nathan seemed to understand perfectly. “I’m not asking for your response,” he said gently. “Audrey, you don’t need to feel guilty or pressured because of this. Whether it’s me caring for you or helping you that time, it’s all because you protected me many, many moons ago when we were pups.”

I looked at him in surprise.

“I was a ‘packless pup’ whose Alpha father was absent and mother had passed away,” he continued. “Every time I was challenged or attacked by other young wolves, you would bare your small fangs like a little Alpha, protecting me.”

A long-forgotten memory stirred within me-standing in front of a smaller wolf pup, growling at larger wolves who were taunting him.

“Is that really true?” I asked, unable to hide the longing in my voice.

My wolf perked up with interest. Was that how I was as a pup? Fierce, brave, fearless, running free like a true wild wolf? How had I become what I was now-cautious, guarded, always second-guessing myself?

“Of course it’s true,” Nathan replied, his voice carrying a hint of heartache. “That’s why when I met you again at Inter-Pack Academy, I hated myself for missing so many years of your life, for letting you suffer so much.”

I shook my head, my wolf whimpering softly at his pain. “Nathan, it’s not your fault.”

When I had faced those hardships, he was just a young wolf himself. Some hunting trails in life had to be tracked alone. No wolf could help another through certain paths. He was already kind enough to pull me to safety when the silver was burning me most.

The tension in the room was broken by Sarah coming out with the hot venison pot, her voice cheerful.

“So how’s the chat? I’m about to light the heating stones!”

Nathan played along smoothly, shifting his demeanor to match her energy. “Hurry up and light them, I haven’t had time to hunt since morning, I’m starving.”

I also looked at Julian questioningly, curious about his meaning.

Julian paused for a moment, then chuckled, “I’m very optimistic about Winter’s Remedy’s potential. What if you turn around and form a pack alliance with someone else if we delay the contributions?”

His explanation seemed reasonable on the surface, but I sensed there might be more to it than he was saying.

True to their word, the Northern Alliance’s efficiency lived up to its reputation. Shortly after signing the contract and leaving the temporary den, my phone rang with notification of the rare healing herbs deposit already being processed.

Sarah was overjoyed, her wolf practically prancing beneath her human form. She immediately turned the car around, heading towards the territory den we had put a down payment on for our healing practice.

The moment we signed the territory lease and received the access marks, both Sarah and I saw anticipation and excitement in each other’s eyes. We finally had our own healing practice.

Sarah beamed, her wolf eyes glowing with happiness. “Should you ask Nathan over? Let’s celebrate tonight with fresh venison?”

“Okay…” I had barely finished the word when my phone rang.

Arthur Moonstone’s name flashed on the screen.

I stiffened, gripping the phone tightly, my wolf bristling defensively within me.

“What is it?” I asked coldly after accepting the call.

On the other end, Arthur’s voice was equally cold and indifferent, as if we had never formed a mate bond, never shared a den, never been anything to each other.

“Are you free this afternoon?” he asked.

I stood by the window, letting the cold wind from outside fill my lungs, making my voice as icy as the air.

“Depends on what it is.”

“To get the mate bond severance certificate.”

My fingers tightened around the phone. After everything-the missed birthdays, the neglect, the gun aimed at my heart, the public abandonment-now he was finally giving me the one thing I’d asked for from the beginning.

“I’m very free.”