Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 186

(Audrey’s POV)

“Yes, it was peanuts,” I answered, my voice betraying my confusion at Florian’s intensity. “Why is that so important?”

The car swerved slightly as Florian abruptly pulled over to the side of the road, the tires screeching against the pavement. Before I could question him further, he grabbed my arm, his face illuminated by a mixture of intense curiosity and barely contained excitement.

His golden eyes stared at me without blinking. I had never seen him like this-so focused, so desperate for confirmation.

“You’re certain?” he asked, his voice tight with emotion. “You’ve always been allergic to peanuts? Since childhood?”

“Yes, since I was a pup. It’s well-documented in my medical records.” I frowned. “Florian, what’s going on?”

Instead of answering, he pulled me into a fierce embrace, completely different from his previous restrained hugs. His body trembled against mine as he held me like I was something precious he had lost and found again.

“I knew you were her,” he whispered into my hair, his voice thick with joy. “You must be her.”

He pulled back slightly, keeping his hands on my shoulders as he stared into my face. Then, with surprising gentleness, he pinched my cheek, a gesture so intimate it made me freeze.

“See, I told you I wouldn’t fail to recognize you,” he said, his smile radiant in the dimly lit car.

I pushed against his chest, needing space to process what was happening. “Florian, you’re not making any sense. What are you talking about?”

“Serena,” he said simply, as if that one name explained everything. “You’re Serena Shadowcrest.”

My heart sank. After everything we’d been through-after all his declarations that he was moving on-he was still fixated on his missing intended mate. Worse, he was now projecting her identity onto me.

“We’ve been through this,” I sighed, exhaustion creeping into my voice. “The bloodline verification ritual confirmed I’m Audrey Winter, not Serena Shadowcrest. And now you have the real Serena back at the Shadowcrest territory den.”

His smile never wavered. “Do I? Tell me, why are you so convinced that she’s Serena?”

I stared at him, confused. “The bloodline verification ritual-”

“Can be tampered with,” he interrupted. “Especially when there’s motivation to produce a specific result.”

“And why are you suddenly so certain I’m Serena?” I challenged. “Because I have a peanut allergy? Many wolves do.”

His eyes gleamed with triumph. “Yes, but not many wolves have a peanut allergy identical to Serena Shadowcrest’s. And not many wolves have your exact eye color-a color I would recognize anywhere.”

A strange chill ran down my spine. “What does my allergy have to do with anything?”

“The real Serena Shadowcrest has been severely allergic to peanuts since she was a pup,” he explained, leaning forward intently. “Her reaction is immediate and severe-exactly like yours.”

I blinked, processing this information. “But that doesn’t mean-”

“And the she-wolf who’s currently claiming to be Serena?” he continued, cutting me off. “She ate two peanut-filled dessert pastries at last night’s celebration without any reaction at all.”

My mind raced to catch up. “Wait, there were peanuts in the desserts?”

Florian nodded, his expression grim. “A last-minute substitution. Some of the original ingredients were spilled, and the kitchen staff used peanut flour as a replacement. It wasn’t on the menu-no one knew except the catering staff.”

“And she ate them,” I murmured, the implications dawning on me. “While I had an immediate reaction…”

“Exactly,” Florian said triumphantly. “An accident that exposed her, and another piece that confirms what I’ve suspected all along.”

He started the car again, his movements energized with purpose. “We’re going to the Shadowcrest territory den. Now.”

The drive passed in a blur as I tried to make sense of what Florian was suggesting. Could I possibly be Serena Shadowcrest? The idea seemed absurd. I had memories of my life as Audrey Winter-not complete memories, certainly, but enough to know who I was.

Before Elder Shadowcrest could respond, the door to her quarters swung open. The supposed Serena entered, followed closely by Mrs. Shadowcrest. I expected surprise at our presence, but Mrs. Shadowcrest’s face immediately contorted with anger when she saw me.

“Audrey Winter,” she spat, “how dare you come to our territory after refusing to help Serena during her emergency yesterday?”

She strode toward me, clearly intending to physically remove me from the room. “Get out! You have no right to be here!”

Elder Shadowcrest rose to her feet with surprising agility, her wolf presence flaring with authority. “This is my territory den,” she said sharply. “You do not give orders here, daughter-in-law.”

Mrs. Shadowcrest faltered slightly but didn’t back down. “We came because Serena needs your help,” she insisted, her voice softening as she gestured to the young she-wolf beside her.

“Actually,” Mrs. Shadowcrest continued, her tone shifting to something calculated, “we came to ask about last night’s desserts. It seems they contained peanuts, and Serena suddenly had an allergic reaction this afternoon.”

My eyes darted to the supposed Serena. Her skin was unmarked-not a hint of the angry rash that had covered my body after exposure.

Elder Shadowcrest’s gaze narrowed. “How curious,” she said slowly. “Last night she ate those same desserts without any symptoms. Yet Audrey was covered in hives immediately.”

Mrs. Shadowcrest waved her hand dismissively. “The pack healer explained it’s simply individual differences in allergic timing. Some reactions are delayed.”

“Is that so?” Florian’s voice cut through the tension like ice. “When she was a pup, Serena would break out in hives within two minutes of consuming peanuts. Her throat would swell, and her breathing would become labored.”

He stepped closer to the supposed Serena, his golden eyes filled with deep suspicion. “I remember carrying her to the pack healer myself more than once.”

The young she-wolf shrank back under his scrutinizing gaze.

“Isn’t that right, Serena?” Florian asked softly, his voice laced with challenge. “Or should I call you by another name entirely?”