Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 150

(Audrey’s POV)

As the car pulled up to the Stormhowl Pack’s main territory house, I was struck by its understated elegance. I had expected something grandiose and imposing for an ancient bloodline pack like the Stormhowls, but what stood before me was more refined than ostentatious.

The building was crafted from natural stone and timber, blending harmoniously with the surrounding forest. Ancient wolf totems carved into the entrance pillars spoke of centuries of pack history and tradition.

“Come on,” Florian said, his earlier intensity completely gone as he gestured for me to follow him inside.

The interior was warm and inviting, with high ceilings adorned with intricate wooden beams. Pack members nodded respectfully to Florian as we passed, their curious eyes lingering on me.

“They’re in the back garden,” Florian mentioned, leading me through a series of hallways.

“Who’s in the garden?” I asked, my wolf senses picking up the scents of unfamiliar wolves mixed with the sweet fragrance of healing herbs.

“My grandmother and apparently Elder Shadowcrest,” he replied, his tone casual despite the significance of these two ancient bloodline elders meeting.

We stepped through large glass doors into a sunlit garden. Two elderly she-wolves sat in comfortable chairs amid a carefully tended herb garden. Their postures spoke of dignity earned through decades of pack leadership.

Florian’s face broke into a mischievous grin as he approached them. “Grandmother, are you gossiping about me again?” he called out playfully.

The slightly older wolf, whom I assumed was Elder Stormhowl, looked up with bright golden eyes that matched Florian’s. She waved a finger at him.

“Is that any way to greet your grandmother, young pup?” she scolded, though her tone held warmth rather than true reprimand. “Always so irreverent!”

The other she-wolf, Elder Shadowcrest, smiled indulgently. Her silver hair was elegantly styled, and despite her advanced years, she carried herself with grace.

“Florian, it’s good to see you,” she said, reaching out a hand which Florian took gently. “Your grandmother has been keeping me entertained while waiting for your return.”

Florian bowed slightly to Elder Shadowcrest, showing a deference I’d never seen from him before. “I’m honored by your visit, Elder.”

He then turned and gestured toward me. “This is my friend from central territory, Audrey Winter. She specializes in healing herbs formulations.”

I stepped forward, suddenly feeling self-conscious under their scrutiny. These weren’t just any elderly wolves – they were the matriarchs of ancient bloodlines, their influence extending across multiple territories.

“Healer Winter has started her own practice,” Florian continued smoothly. “I’ve been helping her business a bit.”

Elder Stormhowl’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “Helping her business? Since when did you become so generous, Florian?”

She looked at me with shrewd assessment. “My grandson never does anything without purpose, dear. What has he asked of you in return?”

The directness caught me off guard, but I appreciated her honesty. I decided to play along.

“You’re absolutely right, Elder Stormhowl,” I replied with a smile. “Florian has been suspiciously helpful. But in my defense, he said it was for you, that you needed a custom healing formulation.”

Elder Stormhowl let out a hearty laugh. “Did he now? Using his poor grandmother as an excuse!”

Florian didn’t seem bothered by being caught in his scheme. He simply shrugged and gave me a lazy smile.

“It worked, didn’t it?” he said, unrepentant.

Elder Stormhowl turned her attention back to me. “Well, since you’re here, I would love to discuss healing formulas with you. I’ve been looking for something to ease my joint discomfort during cold moons.”

She stood up with surprising ease for her age. “Come, join me in my private healing chamber. We can discuss what I need while Florian entertains Elder Shadowcrest.”

Florian looked startled. “Grandmother, I brought her here for-”

“For me to meet, clearly,” Elder Stormhowl interrupted smoothly. “And now I shall.”

I hid my smile as I followed Elder Stormhowl, realizing she had neatly taken over the potential business deal from her grandson to help me directly.

Elder Stormhowl’s private chamber was filled with shelves of healing herbs and ancient texts. Unlike the clinical atmosphere of the Moonstone Pack’s healing center, this space felt lived-in and personal.

“Now, tell me about your practice,” she said, gesturing for me to sit.

I explained Winter’s Remedy, our focus on personalized healing formulations, and our plans for growth. To my surprise, Elder Stormhowl was incredibly open to new healing techniques, asking insightful questions about my methods.

“You know,” she said thoughtfully, “most wolves your age are too respectful of tradition to innovate. I like that you’re trying something different.”

Her approval warmed me. “Thank you, Elder. That means a lot coming from you.”

We spent nearly an hour discussing her specific health needs. Unlike Emma Shadowcrest, who wanted flashy ingredients for show, Elder Stormhowl was practical and direct about what she needed.

As I took a bite, I immediately recognized the distinctive taste of peanuts mixed with the berries. My throat began to tingle in warning.

I discreetly removed the food from my mouth using my napkin, hoping no one had noticed. Unfortunately, Elder Shadowcrest’s sharp eyes caught the motion.

“Is something wrong with your cake, dear?” she asked with concern.

“I’m sorry,” I said, embarrassed. “I have an allergy to peanuts. I didn’t realize they were in this dessert.”

Elder Shadowcrest froze, her teacup halfway to her lips. Something flickered across her face – recognition, shock, then a deep, profound emotion I couldn’t identify.

“Peanut allergy?” she repeated, her voice suddenly frail. “That’s… that’s quite a coincidence.”

Elder Stormhowl reached over and placed a comforting hand on Elder Shadowcrest’s arm.

“My granddaughter, Serena,” Elder Shadowcrest said, her eyes growing misty, “she had the same allergy. We always had to be so careful with her food.”

I remembered Emma mentioning something about a connection to someone named Serena, but I hadn’t known she was Elder Shadowcrest’s granddaughter.

“She was born during a blood moon,” Elder Shadowcrest continued, lost in memories. “Such a special little wolf, but always delicate, always a worry for me.”

Her voice cracked with emotion. “I’ve searched for her for so many years…”

Elder Stormhowl squeezed her friend’s hand. “Life dealt her a difficult hand, despite being born into the prestigious Shadowcrest bloodline.”

I felt a wave of empathy for this elderly she-wolf, so different from Emma and her mother. “I’m sorry for your loss, Elder Shadowcrest,” I said softly. “I hope that wherever she is, she’s living well.”

Elder Shadowcrest dabbed at her eyes with a silk handkerchief. “That’s kind of you, dear. I do the same – hope and pray to the Moon Goddess every day.”

She composed herself with visible effort. “In fact, that’s why I had the territory landlord reduce the price on your office space. I’ve been trying to do good deeds, hoping the Moon Goddess will reward my kindness by keeping Serena safe, wherever she might be.”

My mind raced as the pieces suddenly connected. The unexplained generous offer on our healing practice office – it had been Elder Shadowcrest’s doing all along, performing acts of charity in hopes of her granddaughter’s well-being.