Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 149

(Audrey’s POV)

I placed my fork down on the plate, watching Nathan’s expression as he ate the spicy venison he had brought over. His thoughtfulness touched me, but I couldn’t ignore the weight of our previous conversation hanging between us.

“As adults, and after our open conversation the other day, I naturally understand the meaning behind your recent kindness and care,” I said carefully, breaking the comfortable silence.

I’d already expressed my feelings once, making it clear that I wasn’t ready for anything beyond friendship. Frequent rejections would only create awkwardness between us, potentially jeopardizing the friendship I valued so deeply.

Nathan looked up from his meal, his amber eyes studying my face. “Audrey, am I making you feel pressured?”

Before I could respond, he continued thoughtfully, “As I said, you don’t need to respond. Just consider this as care between friends.”

He set down his utensils, giving me his full attention. “I understand you’ve just severed your mate bond. I know that’s not a simple scratch that heals overnight.”

His voice was gentle, understanding. “We can take it slow. When you’re ready to consider forming a mate bond again, maybe you’ll think of me.”

His words warmed my heart. Had I not experienced my failed mate bond with Arthur Moonstone, perhaps I would have fallen deeply for Nathan. But now, the price of opening my heart again felt too steep, the possibility of another betrayal too frightening.

“What if that day never comes?” I asked, deciding honesty was the best approach. My wolf instincts were still raw from betrayal, my trust shattered.

Nathan looked stunned by my bluntness. I put down my fork completely and leaned forward.

“Nathan, if I hadn’t severed my mate bond with Arthur, what would you have done?”

“I would have remained unmated,” he admitted with a wry smile, no hesitation in his answer. “I’ve waited twenty years, Audrey. I could have waited twenty more.”

His honesty struck me. “But you actively came back to the territory after hearing about the troubles in my mate bond, didn’t you? Hoping for a chance?”

Nathan nodded, not hiding from the truth. “Yes, I did.”

“You’ve never crossed any boundaries before my mate bond severance was complete,” I acknowledged softly. “I respect that about you. But severing a mate bond doesn’t automatically mean I have the capacity to form a new one.”

I took a deep breath. “Both you and Sarah Mitchell are very important friends to me. I don’t want to lose either of you.”

Nathan’s eyes dimmed slightly at being categorized as just a friend, but I needed to be honest. He deserved nothing less.

After a moment of contemplation, Nathan looked up. “What if we set a time limit?”

“A time limit?” I questioned, not understanding.

“Six months, a year, or two,” he suggested. “If I can’t win your heart in that time, I’ll give up and accept that we’re just friends.”

I hesitated. The proposal was reasonable, but would it really change anything? We both knew that mate bonds didn’t work that way. That instinctive wolf recognition was either instantaneous or not at all. No amount of time could force it.

“Do you truly believe that would work?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” he admitted. “But I’d like the chance to try.”

I considered his words carefully. “Six months,” I finally said. “After that, if nothing’s changed, we don’t discuss this again.”

Relief and hope flashed across Nathan’s face. “Deal. Now, eat before your venison gets cold. The Silver Moon’s special marinade doesn’t taste the same reheated.”

We finished dinner in comfortable conversation, carefully steering clear of more emotional topics. As the evening wound down, I walked Nathan to my door.

He glanced across the hallway at Florian Stormhowl’s closed door. “Audrey, are you very familiar with Alpha Stormhowl?”

“We’re on decent terms,” I replied, noting the slight tension in his posture. “Not close, but not bad either.”

I couldn’t help but add, “He’s unpredictable though. I never know what he’s thinking.”

Florian wasn’t at the door. A message on my pack device indicated he was waiting in the car. Instead of his usual sleek sports car, a luxury black SUV was parked outside.

“Are you Healer Winter?” the Beta driver asked as I approached. “Alpha Stormhowl is already inside.”

I nodded and climbed into the back seat. Florian was fast asleep, his head resting against the window, his wolf presence subdued.

The journey to the Northern Pack territory was mercifully short. After finishing my jerky, I couldn’t resist the comfortable leather seats and the gentle motion of the car. I dozed off as well, my wolf finally relaxing after days of tension.

A muffled murmur of “Grace…” stirred me from my light sleep. Almost instinctively, I responded with a soft “Hmm…”

The sound immediately startled me awake, and I found myself staring into Florian’s intense, scrutinizing golden eyes. His face was uncomfortably close to mine.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” I stammered, pressing back against the seat.

His expression, devoid of his usual casualness, was unusually cold and sharp. “Did you just answer me?”

His wolf presence had shifted from sleepy to hyperalert in seconds. Something about his demeanor frightened me.

“No,” I denied instinctively, feeling inexplicably threatened.

Just then, the car pulled into a grand estate, passing through a territory marked with ancient wolf signposts before stopping in front of an impressive pack house. The architecture spoke of centuries of pack tradition and power.

A Beta attendant waited at the entrance, standing at formal attention. As we disembarked, the attendant addressed Florian.

“Alpha Stormhowl, Elder Shadowcrest has been waiting for you since early morning after hearing you were returning today.”

Florian’s expression softened slightly. “Grandmother Shadowcrest is here?” he asked, his golden eyes showing genuine surprise.