Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 226

(Florian’s POV)

“Yes,” Cassandra confirmed, her voice sharp with excitement through the pack comm-link. “My acquaintance has met Alpha Luna Riverwind twice at territorial gatherings in the past moon cycle.”

I adjusted my position in the wheeled healing chair, ignoring the dull ache in my leg. “And?”

“She managed to connect with Luna Riverwind on the pack comm-link,” Cassandra continued. “Apparently, Luna Riverwind posted something interesting on her pack social feed last moon cycle.”

My interest piqued immediately. “What did she post?”

Cassandra made a frustrated sound. “That’s the thing. Her posts have been visible only to close pack connections for the past six moon cycles.”

“Then how did your acquaintance see it?” I demanded, my patience wearing thin.

“She didn’t see the exact content,” Cassandra explained. “But from what others have mentioned, it was about receiving a ‘gift from the Moon Goddess’ or something similarly dramatic.”

I drummed my fingers against the arm of my wheeled healing chair. “A gift? What kind of gift?”

“The post included a scent-marked image of Luna Riverwind with a she-wolf in her twenties,” Cassandra said. “Everyone in her pack circle has been talking about it.”

Something clicked in my mind. I immediately pulled up an image of Lyra Riverwind-the impostor who had pretended to be Serena Shadowcrest two years ago and sent it to Cassandra.

“Ask your acquaintance if this is the same she-wolf from Luna Riverwind’s post,” I instructed.

“I’ll send it right away,” Cassandra replied. “Though she might be busy with pack council duties.”

I leaned back, my golden eyes narrowing as I contemplated the implications. How could a daughter in her twenties suddenly appear in Luna Riverwind’s life? If she was truly her daughter, where had she been until now? With her father’s pack, perhaps?

Something didn’t add up. And I was certain it had to do with me or Audrey Winter-or both.

“This can’t be coincidence,” I muttered, more to myself than to Cassandra. “Lyra Riverwind posed as Serena Shadowcrest two years ago in the Shadowcrest pack, and now she’s Alpha Luna Riverwind’s daughter?”

“You think there’s a connection?” Cassandra asked.

“There has to be,” I insisted. “I need to find a way to connect with Luna Riverwind, discover what she knows.”

“That won’t be easy,” Cassandra warned. “She’s notoriously selective about her pack connections.”

Before I could respond, Cassandra’s pack device chimed. “Hold on, my acquaintance is responding.”

There was a pause, and I could hear Cassandra’s sharp intake of breath.

“Florian,” she said, her voice tense. “She confirms it’s the same she-wolf.”

The confirmation sent my mind racing. What game was Luna Riverwind playing? And how did it connect to Audrey?

“I need to investigate further,” I decided, already formulating a plan. “This goes beyond simple manipulation. There’s something bigger at play.”

“Be careful, cousin,” Cassandra cautioned. “You’re still recovering.”

I smiled grimly. “Recovery can wait. Truth can’t.”

(Audrey’s POV)

I sat in my living area, lost in thought. The events of the past few days swirled in my mind like autumn leaves caught in a whirlwind-Florian’s anger, Nathan’s visit, the truth about my two years away still lodged in my throat like a bone.

“Sister Audrey?”

A soft voice pulled me from my reverie. Leo stood at the edge of the hallway, his small head peeking around the corner, his golden eyes wide and uncertain.

“Leo forgot he doesn’t have any territory clothes yet,” he said shyly, clutching the towel around his small body.

I smiled at his use of “Sister Audrey”—a step down from his previous “Luna Aunt” but still endearingly affectionate. Rising from the sofa, I went to my bedroom and rummaged through my clothing storage, eventually finding a soft tunic that might serve as a makeshift sleepwear for him.

“This should work for tonight,” I told him, returning to the hallway. “Tomorrow we’ll order some proper clothes through the pack delivery service.”

I had no desire to venture downstairs to Florian’s territory den after his behavior earlier, especially not for something as simple as Leo’s clothes. The pack delivery service would solve our problem without requiring any interaction with him. Leo nodded obediently, reaching for the tunic. As he did, I noticed several soap bubbles still clinging to his dark hair.

“Wait,” I said, unable to suppress a smile. “You still have bubbles in your hair. Let’s rinse them off first.”

“Okay!” Leo’s voice chirped before I could answer.

The pup dashed to the cooling unit in the kitchen area, his small body struggling to open the heavy door. Standing on his tiptoes, he reached for a flask, his face scrunched with concentration.

Sarah raised her eyebrows at me. “Is this Florian Stormhowl’s nephew?”

I nodded. I’d been chatting with Sarah daily via our pack comm-link, so she knew all about my houseguest. “Yes, isn’t he adorable?”

I walked over to help Leo, grabbing a flask of chilled moonlight nectar and handing it to him. He beamed with pride as he carried it carefully to Sarah, presenting it with both paws.

“Pack Sister Sarah! Have some nectar!” he said sweetly.

Sarah’s expression softened immediately. “Adorable, adorable,” she cooed, accepting the flask. “Oh my, it’s been moon cycles since a pup called me ‘Pack Sister’. You’re such a sweetie.”

Leo grinned widely. “Hehe, Luna Aunt Cassandra also says Leo is sweet!”

Since staying with me, Leo had been nothing but delightful-obedient when needed, playful at appropriate times, and always considerate. He knew when to be quiet while I worked on healing formulations and when it was okay to be boisterous.

Sarah caught my eye, a teasing glint in her gaze. “Luna Aunt, oh? When did you quietly become a Luna Aunt? I didn’t even know.”

I felt heat creep up my neck. “He’s just a pup; don’t take him seriously.”

Eager to change the subject, I moved to the largest travel pack and carefully opened it, ensuring my hands were meticulously clean and free of any lingering scents. Inside were two precious satchels of rare, enchanted herbs-exactly what I needed for Luna Riverwind’s special formulation.

I carried them reverently to my healing formulation workshop, a small, well-ventilated room that I had set up soon after moving in.

“Audrey, your pack device is chiming,” Sarah called from the living area. “It’s Luna Yvette Riverwind’s call.”

“Coming,” I called back, quickly securing the herbs before hurrying out.

I picked up my pack device and answered, “Hello, Luna, are you in Central Territory City?”