Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 176

(Audrey’s POV)

Despite the soft carpet in the hotel hallway, the jarring pain of my tailbone hitting the floor helped clear my moonlight wine-fogged mind. I blinked several times, finally registering that I had mistaken Arthur Moonstone for Florian earlier. The two powerful Alphas were now facing each other in the narrow hallway, the tension between them thick enough to cut with a claw.

Arthur looked down at me, his obsidian eyes filled with something that looked almost like hurt. “Are you so determined to be with Florian Stormhowl?” he asked mockingly. “Just waiting around while he potentially bonds with the Shadowcrest heir?”

His words stung more than they should have. Was that what I was doing? Becoming a backup option yet again?

Before I could respond, Florian stepped forward, his long legs covering the distance between us with casual grace. He extended his hand to me, pulling me up with effortless strength.

“She was never anyone’s,” he said to Arthur, his voice calm but carrying an unmistakable challenge. “She is her own.”

I steadied myself, grateful for Florian’s support but uncomfortable with being discussed as if I weren’t present.

Arthur’s expression shifted, and to my shock, he extended his hand toward me. This was perhaps the most humble gesture I’d ever seen from the proud Alpha.

“Listen to me,” Arthur said, his voice unusually gentle. “Stop fooling around. You and he can’t form a bond. Come back to the pack territory with me.”

The presumption in his tone ignited something defiant in me. Who was he to decide what I could or couldn’t do?

“Whatever happens between me and him, or anyone else, has nothing to do with you,” I replied firmly. “You and I are already separate wolves. Don’t say things that might cause misunderstandings.”

Arthur’s face darkened with anger. “Who are you afraid would misunderstand?” His gaze flickered to Florian before returning to me. “Don’t tell me you’ve really developed feelings for him. Don’t use him to provoke me.”

His accusation was so absurd that I couldn’t help but laugh. “Why couldn’t I develop feelings for him?”

Maybe it was the moonlight wine still swimming in my veins, or perhaps it was the rebellious spirit that had kept me going through years of hardship. Whatever the reason, I suddenly grabbed Florian’s collar, stood on tiptoe, and planted a quick kiss on his cheek.

Even in my somewhat intoxicated state, I could hear someone’s heart beating rapidly through our connection-either Florian’s or my own, I couldn’t tell. My wolf howled inside me, sensing something new forming, a tentative bond that hadn’t existed moments before.

I turned back to Arthur, meeting his shocked gaze defiantly. “Do you believe me now?”

Arthur’s face had gone completely still, a dangerous sign I recognized all too well. Before he could react, Florian smoothly pulled me into his arms, one hand settling at the small of my back.

“Audrey’s moonlight wine tolerance isn’t good,” Florian told Arthur, his voice carrying a note of apology that didn’t match the challenging glint in his eyes. “Please excuse her behavior.”

The casual way he called me “Audrey” rather than “Winter” startled me. We had never established such intimacy before, at least not verbally.

Arthur’s fists clenched at his sides, his knuckles turning white as fury consumed him. “Are you sure you want to interfere with another Alpha’s former mate?” he growled.

“Interfere?” Florian smiled casually, as if they were discussing something as trivial as the weather. “It’s her choice who she chooses, not mine to interfere. Whatever tactics you have, feel free to use them. Don’t hold back.”

Arthur’s lips curved into a cold smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Remember your words today! Don’t regret your choice later.”

He cast one final look at me-a complicated expression of pain, determination, and something that looked almost like confidence-before turning away and striding toward the elevator.

I knew Arthur Moonstone too well. He wouldn’t simply walk away and accept defeat. His parting words carried a threat, and I feared what he might do to innocent wolves caught in our conflict. Without thinking, I stepped forward to follow him.

Before I could take more than two steps, Florian caught me by my collar and yanked me backward, pushing me into my hotel room and closing the door behind us.

I tumbled onto the couch, grimacing as pain shot through my already sore tailbone. “What are you doing?!” I snapped, rubbing the back of my hip.

Florian stood over me, his golden eyes cold despite his smile. “What am I doing? What were you chasing after him for? Regretting what you said? Failed at playing hard to get and couldn’t resist?”

His accusations pierced my heart like silver claws. After everything, he thought I was just playing games? Using him to make Arthur jealous?

“Get out!” I pointed to the door, my voice cold and steady despite the hurt raging inside me.

He looked down, uncharacteristically hesitant. “Whether she is or not, I’ve already discussed breaking off the intended mate bond arrangement with my pack elder.”

His hand reached out, gently tucking a strand of my messy hair behind my ear. The tender gesture sent a shiver down my spine.

“Audrey Winter, can you trust me this once, hmm?” he asked softly.

His tone carried his usual casual demeanor, but something indefinable seemed to be spreading in the quiet room between us-something warm and fragile and terrifying all at once.

I quickly averted my gaze, unable to meet the intensity in his golden eyes. “We’ll talk about it later,” I said, retreating behind the safety of vagueness.

I remembered how someone else had also asked for my trust many times before. Arthur had promised me many things, yet he didn’t form a mate bond with Victoria Moonstone in the end. How could I believe I could compete with the cherished memory in Florian’s heart?

In my experience, what Florian was feeling was likely just temporary infatuation because we had spent time together. Once he began spending time with Serena Shadowcrest, those childhood promises and feelings would inevitably resurface, and I would become collateral damage-just as Sarah had warned.

The doorbell’s sudden ring startled me from my thoughts. Thinking it might be Sarah returning from the bar, I moved to answer, but Florian stopped me with a gentle hand on my arm.

“I’ll go,” he said, moving toward the door.

After speaking briefly with someone in the hallway, he returned with a package in his hand.

“You should take a shower,” he suggested, nodding toward the bathroom. “It might help clear your head.”

My eyes fixed on the unknown item in his hand, and my mind instantly jumped to all sorts of conclusions. I clutched my collar protectively, backing away slightly.

“I said we’ll talk later!” I stammered, my cheeks burning. “And even though I’ve severed my bond, Florian, I’m not that kind of casual she-wolf…”