Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 219

(Audrey’s POV)

The young pup looked about three or four moon-cycles old, dressed in stylish territory clothes, and appeared as delicately crafted as a moonstone figurine. He gazed up at me with eyes that could melt any she-wolf’s heart. I was completely caught off guard by the “Luna Aunt” title he used so casually.

I crouched down, trying to process this unexpected intrusion into an already complicated day. The little boy’s bright eyes shone with innocent recognition, as if we’d met many times before.

“Luna Aunt?” I repeated, gently touching his soft hair.

The little boy’s chest puffed up with pride as he introduced himself. “I’m Leo Stormhowl!” His voice was adorably soft and clear, showing remarkable poise for a pup his age.

I couldn’t help smiling at his perfect manners. Most pups his age were wild little creatures, but this one stood with surprising composure, almost like a miniature Alpha in training.

“Hello Leo,” I said, staying at his eye level. “But…” I paused, glancing up at Florian who sat watching us with an unreadable expression. “Is he Cassandra’s son?”

Florian nodded, seeming oddly casual about the whole situation. “Yes. She’s leaving for the Western Territories tonight. Business trip.”

“And you’re…” I looked between the pup and Florian, confusion evident on my face.

“She asked me to look after him,” Florian explained with a shrug. “He has pack training to attend, and there wasn’t anyone else available.”

I couldn’t hide my skepticism. Florian Stormhowl, the man who could barely take care of his own injured leg, was planning to look after an energetic young pup? It seemed like a disaster waiting to happen.

“Are you sure you can manage?” I asked, eyeing his wheeled healing chair pointedly. “With your leg…”

Before Florian could answer, Leo suddenly flung himself at me, wrapping his small arms around my neck with surprising strength. He planted several sloppy pup kisses on my cheek, his affection completely uninhibited.

“Luna Aunt!” he exclaimed, his eyes wide with hope. “Please take care of me! Uncle Florian is boring and grumpy all the time!

The unexpected display of affection caught me off guard. My wolf instinctively softened toward the little pup despite my confusion. I looked up at Florian questioningly.

“Why is he calling me ‘Luna Aunt’?” I asked, trying to keep my voice level despite the turmoil of emotions this simple title stirred in me.

Florian waved his hand dismissively. “Just pup talk. Don’t take it seriously.”

I gently unwrapped Leo’s arms from my neck and held him at arm’s length, trying to explain. “Leo, you should call me ‘Pack Friend Audrey.’ ‘Luna Aunt’ would be for your uncle’s future mate, and my relationship with your uncle is just…’

Before I could finish my careful explanation, Leo’s face lit up with excitement.

“I know!” he interrupted, bouncing on his toes. “If wolves like each other very much, they form a mate bond! And Uncle Florian likes you very much! He always looks at your pictures on his cell phone when he thinks nobody’s watching!”

Florian’s eyes widened in alarm. He quickly reached forward and covered Leo’s mouth with his hand.

“That’s enough,” he said sternly. “You don’t understand anything about mate bonding.”

Leo squirmed free from Florian’s grasp, his small face scrunched in defiance. “I don’t like you!” he declared, turning back to me and throwing his arms around my waist. “Luna Aunt, can I go to your territory den instead? Please?”

My heart melted completely at his pleading expression. The instinctual part of me that had been denied motherhood responded strongly to his innocent request. For a brief moment, I imagined what it would be like to have this adorable pup around, filling a territory den with laughter and energy.

“I’m sorry, Leo,” I said, stroking his hair gently. “I’m currently staying at a territory hotel, not a territory den.”

Florian’s brow furrowed. “Why aren’t you staying at the territory den in Moonlight Towers?”

Her eyes brightened upon seeing us, and I was relieved to note that she seemed to recognize both of us clearly today.

“Why have you two come so early?” she asked, her voice stronger than I’d expected.

Florian immediately straightened in his wheeled healing chair, showing the respect due to a pack elder. He patted Leo’s head and instructed in a low voice, “Greet the pack elder properly.”

Leo stepped forward with perfect poise, offering a small bow that would have made any etiquette trainer proud. “Good morning, Pack Elder! I’m Leo Stormhowl! It’s an honor to meet you!”

grandma’s face softened at the young pup’s formal greeting. She reached out a slightly trembling hand to touch his head fondly. “What a well-mannered young wolf you are.”

“Leo is Cassandra’s pup,” Florian explained, skillfully directing the conversation away from his injury. “He’s staying with me for a few days.”

I watched as Florian’s entire demeanor shifted in the elder’s presence. He seemed determined not to let her worry about his leg condition, focusing instead on her comfort.

“How are you feeling today, Elder?” he asked with genuine concern.

Seeing us both together brought a smile to grandma’s face that seemed to erase years of illness. Her eyes shone with a happiness I hadn’t seen since my return. For a moment, I could almost believe that everything was as it should be that I was Serena Shadowcrest, standing beside my intended mate, just as had been planned since our childhood.

Then, grandma suddenly changed the subject, her voice becoming surprisingly clear and direct.

“Florian, when are you going to form a mate bond with our Serena?”