Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 159

(Audrey’s POV)

I watched in astonishment as Mia Silverleaf stood her ground against Mrs. Shadowcrest, her young face flushed with righteous indignation. The shy, sweet assistant I thought I knew had transformed into a fierce protector before my eyes.

“Madam, you and your daughter are even more disgusting than the pack rumors suggest…” Mia’s words hung in the air, sharp and unyielding.

Mrs. Shadowcrest’s face contorted with rage. She raised her hand, clearly intending to strike Mia. Without thinking, I moved forward, pulling Mia behind me protectively.

“Come at me instead,” I challenged, my emerald eyes locking with Mrs. Shadowcrest’s. My wolf bristled beneath my skin, ready to defend.

But Mia wasn’t intimidated. She peered around me, her voice surprisingly steady. “Didn’t you say you didn’t want this healing formula anymore, and that Emma should stop trying it?”

Mrs. Shadowcrest’s laugh was cold enough to freeze blood. Her eyes swept over Mia with contempt.

“You’re just a small employee. Does your manager agree with what you’re saying?” She gestured dismissively at me. “Do you know how much these rare herbs cost?”

To my surprise, Mia’s confidence didn’t waver. “I can buy them!” she declared.

Mrs. Shadowcrest’s eyes widened in disbelief before narrowing dangerously. “Are you sure you can afford it? This formula costs over five million in rare healing herbs!”

Mia looked at her with genuine confusion, as if Mrs. Shadowcrest had said something nonsensical. “Just over five million? Ma’am, is your pack very poor? Otherwise, why would you keep mentioning something that costs just over five million in herbs?”

I nearly choked. This young she-wolf had just called one of the wealthiest packs in the territory “poor” to their face!

Mrs. Shadowcrest’s rage was immediate and explosive. Her hand rose again, aiming for Mia’s cheek. I moved to intercept her, but someone else was faster.

A tall figure materialized beside us, his hand gripping Mrs. Shadowcrest’s wrist with casual strength. Florian Stormhowl stood there, his golden eyes narrowed with lazy disapproval.

“Mrs. Shadowcrest, what did my sister do to upset you?” he asked, his voice deceptively light. “Tell me, and I’ll have my grandmother discipline her.”

I felt my jaw drop, my gaze darting between Florian and Mia in stunned confusion. Sister? The brother Mia had mentioned was Florian Stormhowl?! How had I not made this connection?

Mrs. Shadowcrest’s expression froze, transforming from rage to something sour and uncomfortable. “She’s your sister? Don’t lie. I’ve never seen her at the Stormhowl Pack.”

Rather than argue, Florian simply pulled out his phone and made a video call. It was answered almost instantly, and I recognized Elder Stormhowl’s stern face on the screen.

“Hmph, so you finally have time to call your grandmother?” The elderly she-wolf’s voice crackled through the speaker, more annoyed than angry.

Florian raised an eyebrow casually. “It’s not about me, Grandmother. It’s about Mia having a conflict with Mrs. Shadowcrest, who was about to hit her…”

Mrs. Shadowcrest’s demeanor changed instantly. She snatched the phone from Florian’s hand, her voice honeyed with false sincerity.

“Elder Stormhowl, this is all a misunderstanding! I would never harm a young she-wolf, especially not from your pack! We were simply having a… spirited discussion about formulation pricing…”

While Mrs. Shadowcrest frantically explained herself to Elder Stormhowl, Mia turned to her brother.

“Why did you come up?” she asked. “I told you to wait downstairs.”

Florian rolled his eyes impatiently. “Because you asked for a ride and have been up here for nearly an hour. I’ve been waiting in the car.”

Suddenly, everything clicked into place. The person Florian had previously asked me to pick up from Northern Wolf Academy was Mia, not some mysterious she-wolf companion. And those female wolf slippers at his territory den must be hers too!

“I never saw your sister at your territory den?” I asked, my confusion evident.

Florian shrugged with casual indifference. “She rarely came back before.”

“I’ve moved back now, Healer Winter,” Mia added with a bright smile. “You’ll see me often!”

Before I could process this revelation fully, Sarah knocked on the consultation room door. “Emma? Do you need any assistance in there?”

“No!” Emma’s voice snapped from inside, followed by the sound of the door being shoved open.

She stepped out, and I had to admire my work despite myself. The healing formula looked stunning on her-the gold wolfsbane extract shimmered subtly against her skin, the moonshadow roots giving her a healthy glow. The formula itself was magnificent, becoming even more radiant when applied.

Emma’s eyes narrowed when she spotted Florian, and though she clearly wanted to lash out, she restrained herself in his presence. Still, she couldn’t help confronting him directly.

“What’s your relationship with her?” Emma demanded, jerking her chin toward me. “Why do you always protect her?!”

Before Florian could respond, Mrs. Shadowcrest finished her call and hurried back to us, returning the phone to Florian with forced politeness.

“Emma, dear, let’s remove the sample and go,” she said, her voice tight with barely controlled anger.

“But I’m the client here-” Emma began to protest.

“Neither of them is suitable for you,” Florian continued, watching me with those lazy golden eyes. “Arthur isn’t right, and Nathan isn’t much better.”

I looked up sharply. “And you know this how?”

His lips curled into a smirk. “Don’t believe me? Try it and see.” His golden eyes danced with mockery, as if he found my naivety amusing.

After we finished eating, I reached for the empty containers, intending to clean up. Florian pushed my hand away.

“Go explore,” he said casually. “Our pack doesn’t have the tradition of she-wolves doing den work. If Grandmother saw this, she’d pull my ears off.”

There was an odd intimacy to his words, a subtle suggestion that I belonged in his den somehow. The strangeness of it didn’t seem to register with him as he calmly cleared the table.

Mia bounced to her feet, grabbing my hand. “Come on! I’ll show you around!”

She led me through the spacious living room, her own bedroom (decorated with healing textbooks and wolf figurines), and finally to Florian’s study.

“My brother has many valuable pack artifacts and territory maps,” she explained enthusiastically, pointing to various items around the room.

My attention was drawn to an oddly-shaped ceramic wolf figurine sitting on a shelf. It was roughly made, almost primitive in its design, yet something about it felt strangely familiar. I found myself reaching for it without thinking.

It was heavier than it looked, and when I lifted it, I heard what sounded like coins rattling inside. A container of some sort, perhaps a child’s savings jar?

I chuckled softly. “I wouldn’t have thought your brother-”

“Who gave you permission to touch that?!”

The harsh voice behind me made me jump in surprise. My fingers loosened reflexively, and to my horror, the figurine slipped from my grasp.

It hit the floor with a sickening crack, shattering into pieces. Old coins scattered across the hardwood floor, spinning and rolling in every direction.

Florian was beside me in two large steps, his face a thundercloud of fury. When I looked up, his golden eyes were flashing with a danger I had never seen before!