Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 231

(Audrey’s POV)

I was deep in conversation with Luna Yvette Riverwind when Arthur Moonstone was pulled away by a well-known pack Alpha to discuss territory alliance matters. I couldn’t help but feel relieved at his departure. Our earlier conversation in the car had been emotionally draining, and I welcomed the brief respite from his intense presence.

“Your healing formulation technique is absolutely revolutionary,” Yvette was saying, her elegant hands gesturing enthusiastically. “The way you blend traditional pack herbs with those rare moonstone extracts-brilliant!”

I smiled, genuinely appreciating her enthusiasm. “Thank you, Luna. I learned much from Master Elara, but I’ve been trying to develop my own style.”

A Beta server approached us, carrying a tray with a single glass of herbal tea. The aroma was pleasant—chamomile with hints of wolfsbane and juniper berry, traditional calming elements in werewolf beverages.

“For you, ma’am,” he said, extending the tray toward me.

“Thank you,” I replied, reaching for the glass.

Just as my fingers touched the cool surface, Lyra Riverwind appeared beside us. Her sudden presence startled me slightly, though I maintained my composure. She had carefully styled herself to look like the perfect pack princess-elegant yet approachable, powerful yet feminine.

“Lyra!” Yvette’s voice softened immediately. “Are you feeling better? Beta Thornwood mentioned you had a stomach ache earlier.”

Lyra dismissed her mother’s concern with a delicate wave of her hand. “I’m perfectly fine now, Mother.” Her gaze shifted to Luna Silvertail, who stood nearby. “Actually, I wanted to ask Luna Silvertail about joining her in the inter-pack showcase next moon cycle.”

I noticed the slight tightening around Yvette’s eyes-a subtle indication of her displeasure at being bypassed in this decision. Luna Silvertail, ever the diplomat, glanced between mother and daughter. “Well, the neutral territory business world is quite… complex,” she began carefully. “And as a mother myself, I understand Yvette’s protective instincts.”

Lyra seemed oblivious to these nuances. “I’m quite capable of handling myself,” she insisted, her voice carrying a childish determination that belied her sophisticated appearance. “I’ve been studying business operations for months now.”

I took a sip of the herbal tea, watching the family dynamics unfold before me. The liquid was pleasantly warm, though slightly more bitter than I expected.

Yvette sighed softly. “Perhaps we could discuss this after-“

“So I can join?” Lyra interrupted, her eyes gleaming with triumph.

Yvette nodded reluctantly. “We’ll arrange it.’

Luna Silvertail, perhaps sensing the tension, smoothly changed the subject. “Speaking of the showcase, Audrey, would you consider participating as well? It would be an excellent opportunity to introduce your healing formulations to a wider audience.”

I set down my tea, considering the offer. “I appreciate the invitation, Luna Silvertail, but I prefer a quieter life as a healing specialist,” I explained. “Fame has its downsides, after all.”

Luna Silvertail nodded approvingly. “A wise perspective. Quality speaks for itself, eventually.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Lyra asked sharply, her eyes narrowing.

Yvette quickly intervened, placing a gentle hand on her daughter’s arm. “Lyra, the Eastern Alpha is looking for you. He mentioned wanting a pack marking photo with you for the territory news.”

Lyra’s expression immediately brightened. “Really? I should go then.”

As Lyra moved away, Yvette turned to me. “Don’t forget about our healing formulation commission next week,” she reminded me. “I’ll have my Beta Assistant send you the specifics tomorrow.”

I nodded, suddenly feeling a wave of unease wash over me. “Of course. If you’ll excuse me, I need to use the territory washroom.”

The ceremonial den was cool, yet I felt uncomfortably warm. My skin seemed to prickle with sensitivity, and my heart rate had increased noticeably. Something wasn’t right.

In the elegant territory washroom, I splashed cold water on my face, trying to calm the growing irritability I felt. The sensation was familiar—too familiar. My hands began to tremble slightly, and a wave of dizziness swept over me.

With a jolt of realization, I gripped the marble counter to steady myself.

I’d been drugged with silver-laced medicine. The realization hit me with the force of a physical blow.

It had to be the herbal tea. The unusual bitterness suddenly made sense-it had masked the distinctive metallic taste of powdered silver. Not enough to cause serious harm to a werewolf, but certainly enough to create the symptoms I was experiencing.

I needed to leave immediately before the symptoms intensified. Looking at myself in the mirror, I could already see my pupils dilating a dead giveaway to any healer or experienced pack member.

Taking a deep breath, I straightened my ceremonial robe and prepared to make an exit that wouldn’t draw attention. I couldn’t risk causing a scene or damaging Luna Riverwind’s reputation by association.

Just as I stepped out of the washroom, I saw Lyra speaking with Arthur near the refreshment area. Their conversation appeared tense, with Arthur’s posture rigid and unwelcoming.

“I merely thought you’d want to know,” Lyra was saying, her voice carrying a false sweetness that made my stomach turn.” After all, you were her mate.”

Arthur’s response was cold. “You weren’t invited to approach me, Lyra. Not after your previous… issues with Audrey.”

Lyra’s expression hardened. “That’s in the past. And I’m Luna Riverwind’s daughter now.”

“A convenient new identity,” Arthur remarked dryly. “What were you saying about Audrey?”

“I just happened to overhear that she wasn’t feeling well in the washroom,” Lyra replied, feigning innocence. “I thought perhaps you, as her former-“

Keeping my eyes fixed on the exit, I moved as steadily as possible, trying not to draw attention. The faces of pack members blurred as I passed them, their scents mingling into an overwhelming cloud that threatened to suffocate me.

Just as I neared the main doors, Arthur appeared before me, cutting off my path. His dark eyes examined me intently, taking in my dilated pupils and the slight tremor in my hands.

“You’re not well,” he stated, not a question but an observation.

“No,” I confirmed, my voice sounding strange to my own ears. “I need to leave.”

“What happened?” His voice was low, concerned.

“Silver poisoning,” I whispered, aware we could be overheard. “Not lethal, but I need to get home.”

In that moment, despite our complicated history, I trusted Arthur more than anyone else in the room. He knew my medical history, my vulnerabilities. And he had the power to get me out of here without causing a scene.

“Take me home,” I asked, hating the desperation in my voice but unable to mask it in my compromised state.

Without hesitation, Arthur removed his jacket and draped it over my shoulders, partly concealing my face from curious onlookers. His hand on my elbow was steady as he guided me toward the exit.

“My driver is waiting,” he murmured, his body positioned to shield me from view.

Once outside in the cool night air, Arthur addressed the Beta driver waiting beside his luxury vehicle. “You’re dismissed for tonight,” he ordered. “I’ll drive.”

The Beta looked surprised but nodded respectfully. “Yes, Alpha.”

“It’s better this way,” Arthur explained to me quietly. “Fewer witnesses to preserve your reputation.”

I nodded gratefully as he helped me into the passenger seat. The world was starting to spin more violently now, my skin burning with hypersensitivity. I needed the antidote I kept at my territory den for emergencies.

Just as Arthur was about to close my door, a black territory transport screeched to a halt beside us. The driver’s window lowered to reveal Florian Stormhowl’s face, his golden eyes taking in the scene with cold assessment.

“Leo asked me to pick you up,” Florian remarked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “But now it seems that you don’t need someone to send you off.”

His gaze traveled from me to Arthur and back, his jaw tightening as he misinterpreted the situation entirely.