Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 182

(Audrey’s POV)

I tugged at the sleeve of my dress, trying to hide the angry red rash spreading across my skin. Elder Shadowcrest’s concerned eyes made me uncomfortable-I hated appearing weak, especially in front of her.

“It’s nothing serious,” I began, ready to downplay my allergic reaction. “Just a minor-”

A commotion erupted from the banquet hall, cutting me off mid-sentence. Panicked voices carried through the doorway.

“Moon’s mercy!” someone shouted, their voice thick with alarm. “Serena Shadowcrest has collapsed-call the pack healers!”

Elder Shadowcrest’s face drained of color. Before I could react, Florian Stormhowl, who had been staring at the floor just moments ago, sprang to his feet. His golden eyes flashed with something I couldn’t identify-fear? Doubt? Obligation? He darted out like a gust of wind, not sparing me even a backward glance.

The elderly she-wolf also leapt to her feet with surprising agility, visibly flustered. “My granddaughter,” she whispered, her voice trembling. Two Beta wolves immediately moved to support her as she hurried toward the commotion.

Only Sarah Mitchell and I remained in the reception room, the sudden quiet jarring after the chaos.

“Let’s go,” Sarah urged, pulling me toward the door with gentle insistence. “Stop worrying yourself sick about everyone else. Others have packs or devoted mates; you need to cherish yourself.”

My skin burned with increasing intensity, the rash spreading visibly up my arms.

“We need to get you to the Wolf Medical Center before this gets as bad as that silver reaction you had at Inter-Pack Academy,” Sarah added, her voice tight with concern.

I nodded, letting her lead me away from the Shadowcrest territory den. Behind us, the banquet hall had descended into chaos-worried voices overlapping, orders being shouted, the festive atmosphere completely shattered.

As we hurried through the night, I couldn’t help glancing back once. Was it wrong to leave during such a crisis? But what could I possibly do to help?

My skin answered for me, the itching becoming nearly unbearable.

—

At the Wolf Medical Center, a Beta healer drew several vials of blood for testing. The procedure was quick, but the waiting felt endless. I sat in the sterile treatment room, counting seconds as my skin seemed to crawl with fire.

Sarah stepped out briefly to arrange for the healing herbs payment. The moment she was gone, I surrendered to the maddening itch, frantically scratching at my neck until I felt the warm trickle of blood.

The momentary relief was worth the pain. I moved to my face next, raking my nails across my cheeks, desperate for any respite from the torturous sensation.

“Audrey!” Sarah gasped, rushing back into the room. She grabbed my hands firmly, pulling them away from my face. “What are you doing? Do you want your face permanently scarred?”

Her grip was tight, her eyes wide with concern.

“You’re not even thirty,” she continued, her voice softening slightly. “Do you think scars will just vanish because your wolf healing is good? If you leave marks, you’ll be howling about them for moon cycles.”

Tears pricked at my eyes, the double meaning of her words striking a painful chord within me. “I’m already marked by scars, aren’t I?” I said, my voice cracking.

The emotional wounds from Arthur’s betrayal, the loss of our pups, the public humiliation I’d endured-these were scars that would never fully heal.

Sarah’s expression softened. She released my hands and gently touched my shoulder.

“It’s only temporary,” she assured me, her voice tender. “Once we get the healing herbs treatment and take two more days of wolfsbane ointment, those rashes will disappear for good.”

She squeezed my arm encouragingly. “After you’re treated, I’ll get fresh venison to soothe you. The best in the territory.”

Relief washed over me at her promise. “I’ll go get the treatment now,” I whispered.

Sarah nodded. “Okay. I’ll be right here waiting.”

—

Even in winter, the young wolf treatment area was packed with patients. Wolves of various ranks sat in the waiting area, some with minor injuries, others clearly suffering from seasonal ailments.

We had been waiting for nearly an hour when our turn finally approached. The pack healer called my name, and I stood up shakily, eager for relief.

Just as I took my first step toward the treatment room, the door burst open with such force that it slammed against the wall.

Mrs. Shadowcrest stormed in, panting heavily, her usually perfect appearance disheveled. Two burly Beta wolves flanked her, their expressions grim. Her desperate eyes scanned the room until they landed on me.

“Ms. Winter!” she cried, her voice stripped of its usual condescension. “Serena has collapsed-she has silver poisoning and needs a rare wolfblood transfusion.”

She turned to the Beta wolves who had accompanied her mother, barking orders with frightening confidence. “Don’t just stand there-bring her for extraction. And take everyone’s pack devices; delete any recordings. Hold Sarah Mitchell in place.”

Within seconds, I was hauled from my seat. Strong hands gripped my arms, dragging me to a separate chair in the corner of the room. Silver-laced restraints were produced from somewhere and wrapped tightly around my wrists and ankles, burning my already sensitized skin.

I cried out in pain, but my protest was ignored.

Emma leaned close, her lips curling into a smirk that didn’t match the supposed gravity of her sister’s condition.

“Your life is so precious, Audrey Winter,” she whispered, her breath hot against my ear. “Too bad fate’s fair, and I must control it.”

The sadistic pleasure in her eyes told me everything I needed to know. This wasn’t just about saving Serena-this was about hurting me.

Outside in the hallway, urgent footsteps approached once more. Through the half-open door, I heard Elder Shadowcrest’s concerned voice.

“So quickly you’ve found a kindhearted donor willing to give wolfblood to Serena?”

Mrs. Shadowcrest’s response was immediate, her tone brightening. “Yes-you need not worry. Serena’s suffering will soon end; The Moon Goddess has watched over her.”

I struggled against my restraints, the silver burning deeper into my flesh. With a surge of desperate energy, I managed to twist my legs partly free of the chair.

The pack healer approached with a silver needle, preparing for the blood extraction. In that moment, I summoned every ounce of strength I possessed and kicked out with my legs, connecting with the mobile treatment cart beside me.

The cart toppled with a thunderous crash, sending instruments and vials scattering across the floor. The commotion drew immediate attention from the hallway.

“What’s happening in there?” a stern voice demanded. “Are those inside donating wolfblood voluntarily?”

I recognized Florian Stormhowl’s voice instantly, relief washing over me despite my pain.

“Alpha Stormhowl,” Sarah’s voice rang out from behind, breathless and urgent, “they’ve bound Audrey! She’s still suffering from an allergic reaction-forcing her to donate could kill her!”