Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 198

(Audrey’s POV)

“I’m certain now, after our conversation has reached this point, that you have no other choice.” Alpha Stormhowl’s words hung in the air between us, heavy with implication.

I stared at Florian’s father, this powerful wolf who was used to having his commands obeyed without question. His golden eyes-so like his son’s yet lacking all warmth-bore into mine, waiting for my surrender.

But for once in my life, I wanted to be selfish. I was tired of being pushed around by Alphas who thought they knew what was best for me.

I stood up, squaring my shoulders. “Alpha Stormhowl, if you can’t do it, I don’t think I can either.”

His brow furrowed slightly. “Excuse me?”

“I won’t make decisions for Florian in the name of what’s good for him,” I clarified, my voice steadier than I expected. “He’s a grown wolf capable of choosing his own path. Whatever he decides, I’ll respect it.”

Alpha Stormhowl’s expression sharpened, his eyes narrowing to dangerous slits. “Right now, he’s blinded by love, acting impulsively, willing to give up everything for you.”

He stepped closer, his Alpha presence filling the room like a physical force. “But what about later? When he falls from the top of the pack hierarchy, how much of that initial passion will remain?”

Each word landed like a stone in my stomach.

“Have you thought about three moon cycles from now? Five cycles? Ten cycles?” he continued relentlessly.

I remained silent, which he took as invitation to press harder.

“When he watches his mother and sister pay the price for his mate choice, will he blame you for being the stumbling block in his path?” A cold laugh escaped him, utterly devoid of humor.

I had to admit, the older generation knew exactly how to hit where it hurt. Every carefully chosen word struck at my core insecurities.

Hadn’t I already lived through one mate relationship that crumbled under pack pressure? Arthur had once loved me too, before duty and pack politics twisted whatever feelings we’d shared.

“Whether you’re Luna Moonstone, just Audrey Winter, or actually Serena Shadowcrest,” Alpha Stormhowl said, buttoning his formal pack attire with deliberate slowness, “I hope you can think clearly.”

His golden eyes-so eerily similar to Florian’s-pinned me in place. “He waited for you all these years-should he sacrifice his entire pack for you? If so, you don’t deserve his feelings!”

I flinched despite myself.

“Or perhaps you don’t see how the Moonstone Pack is pressuring the Stormhowl Pack step by step.” His voice dropped lower, almost conversational. “Do you want to drag down not just Florian but our entire bloodline?”

The unspoken accusation hung between us: I was already tainted by Arthur Moonstone’s mark. Now I would bring that conflict directly into Florian’s pack.

“Two days,” he said abruptly. “You have two days to consider whether Florian Stormhowl should remain the powerful Alpha heir he was born to be or become an ordinary wolf stripped of the Stormhowl pack’s influence.”

With that parting shot, he walked out, leaving me alone with my tumultuous thoughts.

I sank onto the sofa, hands trembling slightly. The territory den that had felt so welcoming last night now seemed to close in around me.

My phone rang, startling me. Florian’s name flashed on the screen. I took a deep breath before answering.

“Hey,” I said, trying to sound normal.

“Audrey.” His voice was warm but tired. “I need to cancel our plans today. Some pack matters came up unexpectedly.”

My heart squeezed painfully. I suspected he was actually at the Wolf Medical Center with Elder Stormhowl, feeling guilty about what had happened to her.

“Is everything okay?” I asked, striving for casualness. “Can I help with anything?”

“Nothing’s wrong, just some unexpected pack business,” he assured me, but I could hear the strain beneath his light tone.

I moved to the window, gazing out at some unknown wolfsbane flowers blooming brilliantly in the small garden. My chest felt hollow.

“Really nothing happened?” I pressed gently.

“Are you cursing me? So eager for something bad to happen?” he teased, trying to lighten the mood.

I forced a soft laugh. “Of course not.”

“Stay home and work on your healing formulations,” he suggested. His voice softened slightly. “And in your spare time… think about our matter.”

“What matter?” I asked playfully, despite the heaviness in my heart.

“Don’t pretend you don’t know-” he began, but I heard another voice interrupt him—an elegant middle-aged she-wolf’s voice that must belong to his mother.

“Someone’s calling you to a pack meeting,” I said quickly, giving him an easy exit. “You should go.”

He hesitated. “Audrey-“

“We’ll talk later,” I promised, then ended the call before he could hear the tremor in my voice.

As soon as the call disconnected, my vision blurred with tears. The brilliant purple flowers outside became just a wavering smudge of color.

Night fell slowly. I wandered through the territory den, my gaze lingering on the kitchen. Just last night, Florian had bustled about clumsily there, pretending to cook for me. Now he seemed so far away.

Alpha Stormhowl’s words weren’t meant to threaten me–they were a warning. And deep down, I feared he was right.

“We’ll talk later,” I promised, then ended the call before he could hear the tremor in my voice.

As soon as the call disconnected, my vision blurred with tears. The brilliant purple flowers outside became just a wavering smudge of color.

Night fell slowly. I wandered through the territory den, my gaze lingering on the kitchen. Just last night, Florian had bustled about clumsily there, pretending to cook for me. Now he seemed so far away.

Alpha Stormhowl’s words weren’t meant to threaten me–they were a warning. And deep down, I feared he was right.

The morning brought no clarity, only confirmation of my worst fears. When I checked the pack forum on my cell phone, the top announcement read: “#Stormhowl Pack’s Second Alpha Son Returns#.”

I felt physically ill as I read about this previously unknown offspring with a fabricated background story of being “lost during a territory dispute.” Now he was officially welcomed back into the Stormhowl pack.

More announcements followed throughout the day, each more ominous than the last:

“#Alpha Stormhowl’s Mate Collapses from Emotional Distress#”

“#Second Alpha Son Enters Stormhowl Hunt Grounds#”

“#Second Alpha Son Meets with Northern Alliance#”

Maybe to myself.

I was used to being cautious, always considering consequences before acting. Maybe I just wasn’t meant to receive someone’s wholehearted love. I didn’t want to be a stumbling block in Florian’s life or make him lose everything for me.

In some ways, I realized bitterly, I was just like Arthur Moonstone-so self-righteous in deciding what was best for others!

I walked barefoot to the window, opened it, and leaned out slightly. The cool air dried the tears on my cheeks but did nothing to ease the ache in my chest.

Behind me, the wolf-shaped mug fell with a thud but didn’t break thanks to the carpeted floor. I pulled myself back inside, slid down the wall, wrapped my arms around my knees, and broke down in uncontrollable sobs.

I don’t know how long I sat there, crying until I had no tears left. The room had grown dimmer, shadows lengthening across the floor.

Eventually, I grew calmer, though the hollow feeling remained. My eyes felt swollen and my throat raw. This was the pain of knowing what I had to do what was right—even if it meant breaking my own heart in the process.

The room suddenly darkened slightly as a shadow fell across the floor. I looked up with a start.

“I called your cell phone but there was no response,” a familiar lazy voice said from the doorway. “I thought something happened to you, but you’re just hiding here daydreaming?”