Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 21

(Audrey’s POV)

Arthur’s heavy footsteps echoed behind me as I reentered my house. The air felt thick, the tension suffocating after the uncomfortable dinner and the events that had followed.

I was already irritated by how the evening had unraveled. And Arthur, standing in my space, towering over me like the Alpha King demanding his territory-it made the irritation bubble into genuine anger.

He stood there, his dark eyes holding onto me like he had something important to say but couldn’t get the words out. His presence, commanding yet frustrating, made Grace restless inside me.

“Arthur, for the last time, leave,” I said, trying to keep my voice even.

He didn’t move. Not even an inch. His gaze darkened. “Audrey, stop this.”

“Stop what?” I laughed bitterly. “Stop demanding you leave my space? Or stop trying to distance myself from someone who couldn’t care less about me for three years?”

His jaw tightened, frustration flickering across his otherwise composed mask. “You think I never cared?” he shot back, his voice low and raw.

“That’s rich,” I countered, folding my arms. “You’ve done a fantastic job showing it.”

He suddenly closed the distance between us. In one swift, startling movement, he pulled me into his arms. The heat of his body, the strength in his hold-it was relentless, overpowering.

I froze, my breath catching.

“I never meant for this to happen,” he murmured, his deep voice cracking slightly, almost sounding vulnerable. “For us to…”

I didn’t let him finish.

The scent hit me like a punch to the gut. That familiar floral undertone. Sweet and cloying. Victoria.

The smell clung to his clothes, practically seeping into the air between us like an undeniable truth.

It sobered me instantly.

“Let go of me,” I said coldly, shoving his chest with as much force as I could muster.

He staggered back slightly, his expression shifting into one of confusion and guilt.

“Audrey, I-“

“Don’t,” I cut him off. “Don’t even try to make excuses.” I ran a hand through my hair, trying to steady myself. The disbelief, the anger-it all boiled to the surface. “You come here, acting like you care. Telling me you didn’t want this to fall apart. And yet…”

I motioned toward him, bitterness dripping from my voice.

“You reek of her, Arthur. You can’t even come to me without carrying her scent!”

The hurt in his eyes flickered, but it wasn’t enough. Not for me.

Before he could respond, a figure appeared in the doorway.

Nathan stood there, his tall frame casting a shadow that seemed to cool some of the tension in the room. His eyes darted between us, assessing the scene with a calm yet purposeful demeanor.

“I can drive Lucas home if needed,” Nathan said, his voice smooth and steady, like he hadn’t just walked into this chaotic whirlwind.

Arthur’s expression hardened immediately, his jaw tightening as he stepped back from me. “I wasn’t going to ask you for help,” he muttered, his voice clipped and defensive.

Nathan ignored him, looking at me directly. His gaze softened, concern evident in his piercing blue eyes.

“Audrey,” he said gently, “are you alright?”

I took a deep breath, nodding. “I’m fine. But yes, Lucas needs to go home.”

Nathan nodded, stepping further into the room.

I followed him, relieved to leave Arthur’s overpowering presence, even if it was just for a moment.

—

Nathan and I guided the semi-lucid Lucas to the door. Despite being drunk, Lucas managed to stagger along with minimal assistance.

Truthfully, I knew Nathan didn’t need my help. His strength and agility were unmatched, even without much effort. But he was giving me something else-a reprieve.

We reached the garden gate, the crisp night air brushing against my skin. I inhaled deeply. The atmosphere out here felt lighter, contrasting sharply with the stifling weight I’d just left inside.

“Thank you for stepping in,” I said softly, glancing over at Nathan.

He tilted his head slightly, his expression warm. “You seemed like you needed someone to step in,” he replied simply, his words carrying no judgment-just understanding.

As we neared the parked car waiting for Lucas, I noticed Nathan observing me.

“You’ve had a rough evening,” he said gently, his tone careful.

I offered him a small, weary smile. “That’s one way to put it.”

He stopped walking, turning to face me fully. “Audrey,” he began, his voice quieter now, “I heard about your decision to sever the bond with Arthur.”

I tensed slightly, unsure of where this conversation was heading.

He continued, “I just want to say-be sure. Severing a mate bond isn’t something to take lightly. There’s no going back once it’s done.”

I met his gaze, steady and resolute. “I’ve thought about it, Nathan. And I have no regrets about my decision. None at all.”

Nathan searched my expression for a long moment, as if looking for cracks, hesitations.

Finally, he nodded. “As long as you’re sure,” he murmured.

We approached the car, and he opened the door for Lucas, helping him inside with ease.

When he turned back to me, I could see the unspoken questions lingering in his eyes. But instead of asking them, he simply said, “Take care of yourself, alright?”

“I will,” I assured him.

As I watched him close the car door and signal for the driver to leave, a memory struck me.

“Wait,” I said, taking a cautious step forward. “How did you know… about my food preferences earlier?”

He smiled faintly, an almost nostalgic look crossing his features.

“Do you remember that time at the Inter-Pack Academy?” he asked.

I frowned slightly, the memory surfacing slowly but clearly.

The lightheartedness of the moment felt like a lifeline.

—

Later, as I got ready for work at the therapy center, Sarah found the ruby-studded silver earrings Arthur had given me the previous night.

“You’re wearing these,” she announced firmly, holding them up like they were sacred artifacts.

“Sarah,” I began hesitantly, “they’re-“

“Beautiful,” she interrupted. “And you’re going to walk into that center like the Luna you are.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Thinking of forming a pack bond, are we?”

“If it means getting you away from Arthur, I’ll even be the Alpha,” she quipped, her grin mischievous.

I couldn’t help but laugh at her antics.

In the end, I reluctantly agreed, putting the earrings on and letting my hair fall to partially cover them. They felt almost too precious, too heavy-both literally and figuratively.

—

At the therapy center, the day started like any other-chaotic and demanding. My first sessions passed quickly as I threw myself into my work. The world beyond my small office disappeared as I focused on my patients.

But that brief peace shattered when the door to my office burst open.

Victoria stormed inside, her impeccably styled hair wild and her pale eyes practically glowing with anger.

“You,” she hissed, her voice sharp enough to cut through my focus.

I sighed heavily, placing my pen down and raising a brow. “Victoria, I’m in the middle of-“

“You don’t deserve to sit there pretending to care about this severance,” she interrupted, slamming her hands on the desk.

Her fury was almost laughable. Almost.

“What exactly are you talking about?” I asked, my voice calm, though my wolf growled inside me, irritated at her intrusion.

She leaned closer, her voice dripping with venom. “You’re dragging this out. You’re not serious about severing the bond with Arthur. You’re faking it, using it to manipulate him.”

My patience snapped. I leaned forward, matching her intensity, my voice low but steady. “I’m not faking anything. If you have a problem, take it up with Arthur. Not me.”

Victoria’s lips curled into a smug smile. “You really don’t get it, do you?”

She straightened, tossing her perfectly coiffed hair over her shoulder. “Arthur never fully chose this bond. His marking of you? It wasn’t entirely voluntary.”

Her words hit me like a slap.

What did she mean?