Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 196

(Audrey’s POV)

“Did I ever say I would form a mate bond with you?” I challenged, raising an eyebrow at Florian Stormhowl’s audacious assumption.

His golden eyes glinted with amusement as a confident smile spread across his face. “Everything else is up to you, but this decision is mine.”

I felt my cheeks flush with indignation. The nerve of this wolf! First Arthur with his fake mate severance certificates, and now Florian acting like my future was already decided.

“You can’t force me,” I warned, turning away from him and striding toward the parking area.

To my surprise, instead of arguing, Florian simply fell into step beside me. “Where are we going?” he asked casually, as if we hadn’t just been discussing our potential mate bond.

“We? I’m going to my hotel.”

“Perfect.”

When we reached my pack car, Florian circled to the passenger side and got in before I could object. I stood outside for a moment, keys dangling from my fingers, debating whether to kick him out.

“Aren’t you getting in?” he called through the window, that infuriating smile still playing on his lips.

With a sigh, I slid into the driver’s seat. “Where’s your car? Don’t you usually have that flashy Pagani?”

“My Beta driver took it,” he replied, making himself comfortable. “I knew I’d be riding with you.”

I started the engine with perhaps more force than necessary. “So presumptuous.”

As we pulled away from the Wolf Medical Center, I expected Florian to doze off as he typically did in cars. Instead, he remained alert, watching me with those perceptive golden eyes.

“What did you discover from your aunt?” he asked after a few minutes of silence.

The question caught me off guard. With everything that had happened at the medical center, I’d almost forgotten about my conversation with Aunt Juliette.

“You were right,” I admitted, keeping my eyes on the road. “I was kidnapped as a pup.”

Florian’s posture tensed slightly. “Tell me everything.”

“My adoptive father found me in the northern woods,” I explained, recalling Aunt Juliette’s deathbed confession. “I had escaped from my kidnappers and was hiding beneath some fallen leaves near a stream.”

“You escaped?” Florian sounded impressed. “Even as a pup, you were resourceful.”

I smiled faintly at the compliment. “During the search, my adoptive parents overheard the kidnappers mention ‘Mrs. Shadowcrest.’ They thought the Shadowcrest matriarch had orchestrated my abduction.”

“Elder Shadowcrest?” Florian frowned. “That’s impossible.”

“No, not Elder Shadowcrest,” I corrected, glancing at him briefly. “Mrs. Shadowcrest-the Alpha’s mate. Do you think she could have been behind it?”

Florian considered this for a moment, his golden eyes darkening. “It’s likely. Though I never suspected her before.”

“Why not?”

“Because before your kidnapping, Mrs. Shadowcrest was actually quite kind to you,” he explained. “Everyone in the pack commented on how she doted on you.”

The revelation struck me like a physical blow. “That’s why she seemed familiar when we first met. She was someone I once called ‘mother.””

The word felt strange on my tongue, connecting me to a she-wolf who had tried to poison Elder Shadowcrest and had made me kneel in the snow until my limbs burned with cold.

“There’s more evidence,” I began, reaching for my necklace. “My aunt gave me—”

“Turn left here,” Florian interrupted, pointing to an upcoming territory junction.

I frowned, slowing the car. “This isn’t the way to the territory hotel.”

“I know,” he said simply.

Curious despite my irritation, I made the turn. The road narrowed, winding through an older section of Northern Territory that I didn’t recognize.

“Now, about the evidence-” I tried again.

“Let’s wait until we reach our destination,” Florian suggested, a playful gleam in his eye. “It’s more dramatic that way, don’t you think?”

I couldn’t help but laugh at his obvious mimicry of my earlier suspense-building. “I see I’m learning from the Alpha.” “Indeed you are,” he agreed, looking entirely too pleased with himself.

Following Florian’s directions, I navigated through a series of increasingly narrow streets until we emerged in what appeared to be an old-fashioned territory den community. The buildings were well-maintained but clearly from an earlier era-elegant stone structures with carved wolf emblems and traditional pack markings.

I parked where he indicated, in front of a charming two-story territory den with large windows and a small garden. To my surprise, Florian got out and retrieved both our travel packs from the trunk.

“What are you doing?” I asked, watching him skeptically.

“We won’t be staying at a territory hotel this time,” he replied, handing me my pack.

I hesitated, not reaching for it. “And where exactly will we be staying?”

Florian’s lips quirked upward. “What, are you imagining a scene where I force my mark on you?” He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper. “Should I be flattered?”

Heat rushed to my face. “Of course not!” I snatched my pack from his hands. “I know you’re not that kind of wolf. Florian, I’ve always trusted you.”

“She was a Winter?” I whispered, stunned. “So I wasn’t just randomly given the Winter name…”

The territory bell chimed suddenly, interrupting my thoughts.

“Let me treat you to fresh venison,” I offered, reaching for my pack wallet. “As thanks for sharing all this with me.”

“No need,” Florian replied, moving toward the door. “I’ve taken care of it.”

He returned moments later with two large bags of hunting supplies, handed to him by a Beta delivery wolf in a crisp pack uniform. Florian nodded his thanks and closed the door, then began efficiently unpacking the supplies.

“I didn’t realize you planned this far ahead,” I remarked, watching him arrange fresh cuts of venison and various herbs on the counter.

“I’m an Alpha,” he reminded me with that insufferable smirk. “Planning is what we do.”

He paused in his unpacking, giving me a sidelong glance. “How’s Alpha Moonstone’s hunting, by the way? Is he good at it?”

The question seemed casual, but I could detect the subtle competitive edge beneath.

“He’s quite good,” I answered honestly.

Florian’s shoulders tensed slightly. “I see.”

“Why do you ask?”

“No reason,” he replied too quickly. “I’ll prepare some venison for you.”

“You?” I couldn’t hide my skepticism. “Can you even cook?”

His pride visibly wounded, he straightened to his full impressive height. “What, you think I survive solely on pack house meals and territory restaurants?”

“Well…”

“Worried I’ll poison you with wolfsbane?” he asked sarcastically, gesturing to the fresh herbs.

I laughed, recognizing his bruised ego. “Not at all. In fact, your venison preparation looks Alpha-council level. I’m impressed.”

My flattery worked exactly as intended. His chest puffed out slightly, and he gestured toward the comfortable sofa.

“Go relax. I’ll let you know when it’s ready.”