Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 209

(Audrey’s POV)

Sarah peered over my shoulder, her eyes narrowing at my phone screen. “What’s wrong? Whose message has you looking so shocked?”

I hesitated before answering, “It’s from Florian.”

“Florian?” Sarah’s eyebrows shot up. “Wasn’t he enough of a jerk at the restaurant? Now he’s messaging you too?”

I stared at the three messages again, conflicted. “He says his leg hurts.”

“And that’s your problem because…?” Sarah crossed her arms, wine glass dangling precariously from her fingers.

“It’s an injury from the explosion,” I explained, already reaching for my jacket. “I should check on him.”

Sarah set her glass down with a thud. “So you’re just going to drop everything and run to him? We were having friend time, remember?”

“I’m not abandoning you,” I promised, slipping my arms into my jacket sleeves. “I’ll bring back that spicy venison jerky you like from the night market.”

“This isn’t about snacks,” Sarah frowned. “I thought you were finally free of complicated relationships with powerful Alphas.” I grabbed my purse from the coffee table. “I just need to make sure he’s okay.”

“Why? Doesn’t he have a girlfriend to take care of him?” Sarah’s voice held a note of genuine concern beneath the irritation.

“You heard him-that’s his cousin, and she’s gone out,” I explained, relieved to finally have confirmation of their relationship. “I’ll be back soon.”

Sarah’s expression softened slightly. “Fine,” she sighed, practically pushing me toward the door. “Go play nurse to your grumpy wolf. Just be careful, okay?”

The drive to Moonlight Towers took longer than expected due to unexpected summer rain. Large droplets pelted my windshield as I pulled up to the security gate.

A guard stepped out from his booth, holding up a hand to stop me. “Sorry, miss. New property rule-no outside vehicles allowed in the premises after 10 PM.”

“What? Since when?” I frowned, checking the time on my dashboard. It was already 10:30 PM.

“Since last week,” he replied apologetically. “Security upgrade.”

I tried calling Florian, but he didn’t answer. With no other option, I reluctantly parked on the roadside.

“Could I borrow an umbrella?” I asked the guard sheepishly.

He handed me a large black umbrella with the Moonlight Towers logo. “Be sure to return it on your way out.”

Despite the umbrella, my long skirt was soaked by the time I reached the building entrance. My high heels splashed through puddles, sending water seeping into my shoes.

The elevator felt almost arctic compared to the humid summer night outside. I shivered, my wet clothes clinging uncomfortably to my skin. When the doors opened on Florian’s floor, I walked quickly to his door, eager to get this over with.

I pressed the doorbell, nervously shifting my weight from one soggy foot to the other.

The door swung open to reveal Florian in his wheelchair. He wore a simple black T-shirt and olive-green cargo shorts, his hair slightly disheveled. Dark circles underlined his golden eyes, giving him a haggard appearance.

“Audrey Winter,” he said, his voice distant and cool. “Visiting an unmarried man’s territory den so late at night? What would your mate think?”

I blinked, taken aback by his hostility. “I’m here because you messaged me about your leg.”

“Did I?” His tone was mocking, one eyebrow raised in feigned confusion. “Or perhaps you just missed being my little pet, telling me what to do and when to do it?”

“I was never-” I sputtered, stunned by the accusation. “Look, I received a message from you saying your leg hurt.”

“I sent no such message.” His eyes were hard, unyielding.

I pulled out my phone, showing him the screen. “Then how do you explain this?”

As I turned to leave, I noticed him reach down to massage his calf, his face contorting in pain. His arms seemed barely able to support himself as he leaned forward in the wheelchair.

Before I could stop myself, I stepped back into the room. “Let me help you with that.”

“Playing the virtuous Luna until the end, aren’t you?” His voice dripped with sarcasm.

Ignoring his remark, I knelt beside his wheelchair and gently placed my hands on his leg. Two years of studying under Master Elara had taught me various massage techniques for healing and pain relief.

“I know how to do this properly,” I said, carefully applying pressure to his calf muscle. “I learned therapeutic massage in the Sunstone Territories.”

His leg was rigid beneath my touch, the muscle knotted with tension. I worked methodically, feeling the tissue gradually soften under my fingers.

“Will you be able to stand again?” I asked quietly, concentrating on a particularly tight knot.

“My, my,” he drawled, avoiding the question. “Such skilled hands. You must have massaged many people to become this proficient.”

“Just my dog, Nova, actually,” I replied honestly. “He had joint problems.”

Florian’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Are you comparing me to a dog?”

“No!” I exclaimed, horrified. “You’re better than-I mean-that’s not what I meant at all.”

“Is this how you speak to Arthur Moonstone as well?” he asked, his voice suddenly tight with anger.

I looked up, meeting his golden eyes directly. “Arthur and I severed our mate bond,” I said softly, continuing to massage his leg. “We severed our mate bond, Florian.”