Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 170

(Audrey’s POV)

I winced as Nathan’s hand caught in my hair, but quickly masked my discomfort with a smile. “It doesn’t hurt much,” I reassured him.

Nathan’s blue eyes filled with concern. “I’m sorry, Audrey. I should be more careful.” He sighed softly, his shoulders slumping slightly. “I just wanted to check on you after everything that’s happened.”

His concern touched me, despite the awkwardness of our situation. I took a step back toward my territory house door, suddenly remembering something important.

“Nathan, I’ve been thinking… perhaps I should move to a different territory soon.” I fidgeted with my keys, avoiding his gaze. “It might be awkward for us to stay in the same building, now that I know about your feelings.”

“You don’t need to!” Nathan interrupted firmly, his wolf presence flaring with unexpected intensity.

I looked up, startled by his vehemence.

“Living here is safer for you,” he continued, his voice softening. “With Florian Stormhowl across the hall and other wolves you know nearby, this is the best place for you right now.”

His selflessness made my chest ache. Even now, he was putting my needs before his own feelings.

“We can remain friends, Audrey,” Nathan said, his blue eyes sincere. “My feelings don’t have to change that.”

I reached out and squeezed his hand gently. “Having you as a friend makes me very, very fortunate,” I told him sincerely.

Nathan gazed at me deeply, something shifting in his ice-blue eyes. He murmured something under his breath that I couldn’t quite catch, his voice too low.

“What was that?” I asked.

He shook his head, a small smile forming on his lips. “Nothing important. I just wish you would always feel that way.”

As Nathan turned to leave, pressing the elevator button, the doors slid open immediately. To our surprise, Mia Silverleaf stood inside, clutching a small package of healing herbs.

“Oh!” she exclaimed, her bright eyes widening as she saw us together. “Good evening, Healer Winter!” She stepped out of the elevator, looking curiously at Nathan.

“Mia, this is Alpha Snowfang,” I introduced them. “Nathan, this is Mia Silverleaf, my assistant at Winter’s Remedy.”

Mia’s eyebrows shot up in recognition. “The Alpha who helped me with the silver sensitivity? Thank you again for the healing salve and pain remedies!”

Nathan nodded politely, though I could see confusion in his eyes.

Mia turned to me with nervous energy radiating from her. “Healer Winter, are you and Alpha Snowfang…” she gestured between us, “forming a mate bond?”

I couldn’t help but laugh at her directness. “No, Mia. We’re just friends.”

The relief that washed over her face was immediate and unmistakable. Her shoulders relaxed, and a small smile played on her lips.

I studied her reaction with interest, understanding something unspoken but choosing not to press the young she-wolf about it. Instead, I gestured to the package she was holding.

“Are those the healing herbs you mentioned to Alpha Snowfang?” I asked.

Mia nodded, suddenly looking embarrassed. “Yes. I experienced unexpected silver sensitivity while out hunting the other day.” She glanced appreciatively at Nathan. “Alpha Snowfang happened to be nearby and heard me whimpering. He brought me healing salve and pain remedies before I could even call my brother for help.”

Nathan waved off her gratitude modestly. “Any wolf would have done the same.”

As he stepped into the elevator, he gave me one last meaningful look. “Goodnight, Audrey.”

The doors closed, and I was left with Mia, who bounced excitedly on her toes.

“He seems nice,” she offered, a hint of mischief in her voice.

I nodded, wondering at the complex web of relationships I’d somehow become entangled in. “He is.”

Three days later, on the morning of the full moon celebration, I found myself packing a small travel bag with essentials. Even without a formal agreement with Florian Stormhowl, I needed to personally deliver the custom healing formulations to Elder Shadowcrest and Elder Stormhowl.

Florian’s golden eyes narrowed in warning. “Be careful with your words if you insist on returning to the pack territory.”

Mia ignored his warning and turned to me with surprising intensity. “Healer Winter, even if you reform a mate bond with Alpha Moonstone, never get together with someone like him.” She jabbed a thumb in Florian’s direction.

Florian reached out and pulled her ear in obvious annoyance. “Stop ruining my reputation with your nonsense,” he grumbled, though I noticed he didn’t actually deny her accusation.

Mia winced but continued boldly, “Why are you so worried? Don’t you only care about Serena? Or have you found another she-wolf?” Her eyes darted meaningfully between Florian and me.

“Get lost!” Florian released her ear without further defense, but his mood had visibly darkened. The playful, lazy wolf from moments before had disappeared, replaced by something colder and more distant.

The drive to Northern Territory began in tense silence. Florian claimed the passenger seat and immediately reclined it, closing his eyes without a word. Mia sat quietly in the backseat, seemingly afraid to disturb him further after their argument.

The tension was palpable, making me grip the steering wheel tighter than necessary. After about twenty minutes, Mia leaned forward between the front seats and handed me a pair of earplugs.

“Give these to him,” she whispered, nodding toward Florian. “He always needs them to sleep in moving vehicles.”

I hesitated, not wanting to disturb him when he was already in such a dark mood. I glanced at his seemingly sleeping form, noting the slight tension in his jaw that suggested he wasn’t fully asleep yet.

“Florian,” I began softly, “Mia said you might need-”

“Too noisy,” he interrupted without opening his eyes, his hand extended impatiently. “Give them here.”

Throughout this entire exchange, his eyes remained closed, his breathing even, as if even acknowledging us fully was too much effort.

I placed the earplugs in his palm, careful not to let our fingers touch. He immediately inserted them and turned slightly away from me, effectively ending any possibility of conversation.

Mia caught my eye in the rearview mirror and shrugged apologetically. I returned a small smile, settling in for what promised to be a long, silent journey to Northern Territory.