Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 188

(Audrey’s POV)

“Take me home.”

Those four simple words from Florian Stormhowl struck me with unexpected force. In all my years as a lone wolf, no one had ever said that to me before. Not Arthur Moonstone during our mate bond, not any pack member, not even my aunt Juliette who had occasionally taken me in.

Home. Such a small word to cause such a large ache in my chest.

I blinked rapidly, fighting back the moisture gathering in my eyes. Despite my best efforts, a single tear escaped, trailing down my cheek before I could wipe it away.

“Florian,” I began hesitantly, my voice barely above a whisper, “if I’m not who you think I am… could we still be friends?”

The question seemed absurd even as it left my lips. Yet I couldn’t help the desperate desire to hold onto this warmth, this connection-even if only as packmates. After losing my mate bond with Arthur, after the betrayal and heartache, I’d convinced myself I didn’t need anyone. But Florian’s persistent presence in my life had somehow worked its way past my defenses.

Instead of answering immediately, Florian simply smiled that confident, knowing smile of his. His golden eyes held mine steadily as he replied with a single word: “Impossible.”

My heart sank. I couldn’t tell which question he was answering-whether it was impossible that I wasn’t Serena Shadowcrest, or impossible that we could just be friends if I turned out to be Audrey Winter after all.

I watched his tall figure disappear down the hallway, my emotions swirling in confused circles.

Back in my territory hotel room, I sat on the sofa staring blankly at the wall. My thoughts were a tangled mess, jumping between memories I was certain were mine and the unsettling possibility that my entire identity might be based on a lie.

The bathroom door opened, and Sarah Mitchell emerged in a cloud of steam, rubbing her wet hair with a towel.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” she remarked, taking in my expression. “What happened with Florian?”

I sighed heavily, trying to organize my thoughts. “He thinks I’m Serena Shadowcrest.”

Sarah’s eyebrows shot up. “Based on what?”

“Remember my allergic reaction to peanuts at the Shadowcrest pack’s Full Moon celebration?” I explained. “Apparently, the real Serena Shadowcrest has the exact same allergy-severe and immediate. But the wolf currently claiming to be Serena ate peanut-containing desserts without any reaction.”

“That’s… actually pretty compelling,” Sarah admitted, settling beside me on the sofa.

“There’s more,” I continued. “We share the same moon-turning day, similar blood types, and even the same preference for spicy venison jerky.” I ran my hands through my hair in frustration. “It’s either an incredible series of coincidences, or…”

“Or you’re actually the missing Shadowcrest pack daughter,” Sarah finished for me, her eyes widening with excitement. “Audrey, do you realize what this means? You could be the heiress to one of the most powerful Northern packs!”

Her enthusiasm only deepened my unease. “It also means I’m not who I thought I was for my entire life.”

Sarah’s excitement dimmed slightly as she considered this. Then a new thought seemed to strike her.

“What if the background Nathan Snowfang found for you actually belonged to the real Audrey Winter, not you?” she proposed. “What if you were adopted?”

The suggestion hit me like a physical blow. “You think my parents weren’t my biological parents? That perhaps their real daughter died, and they took me in?”

“It could explain why your identity was so hard to verify,” Sarah reasoned. “And why you’ve always had these gaps in your early childhood memories.”

I felt sick at the possibility. My parents had loved me fiercely, protected me with everything they had. The thought that I might not be their biological daughter was both devastating and confusing.

“So I’m not even who I thought I was all my life?” I whispered, my voice cracking slightly.

Sarah reached over and squeezed my hand. “You could ask your aunt Juliette. She might know something.”

I shook my head. “No, I’ll wait for the bloodline verification ritual results first. Two days isn’t that long to wait.”

“I’ve been investigating the current Serena again,” he revealed as we drove toward the Shadowcrest territory. “She’s definitely a packless runt-that much I’ve confirmed. But she couldn’t have orchestrated this scheme alone.”

“Who’s behind it, then?” I asked.

Florian’s expression turned guarded. “Multiple packs might be involved, each with their own territorial motives. The fake Serena is just a pawn in a larger game.”

When we finally arrived at the Shadowcrest residence, Elder Shadowcrest was waiting for us at the entrance. The elderly she-wolf’s eyes lingered on me, filled with a mixture of hope and uncertainty.

“Come,” she said softly, gesturing for us to follow. “Everyone is waiting in the pack gathering hall.”

My heart hammered against my ribs as we walked through the territory den. Florian stayed close beside me, his presence a steadying force.

The gathering hall fell silent as we entered. Mr. Shadowcrest and Mrs. Shadowcrest sat at the head of the long table, their expressions carefully neutral. Emma Shadowcrest sat beside them, her beautiful face twisted with barely concealed contempt.

And there, looking pale and drawn with dark circles under her eyes, sat the female wolf claiming to be Serena. She visibly trembled when she saw us enter, her hands clutching each other so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Florian guided me to a chair and helped me sit, his movements deliberate and protective. The silence stretched, thick with tension and unspoken accusations.

Finally, Mr. Shadowcrest cleared his throat and addressed Florian directly, his voice tight with controlled anger.

“Alpha Stormhowl, you must not be playing games with such an important pack matter.”