Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 237

(Third-person’s POV)

Cassandra Stormhowl shifted uncomfortably under her cousin’s penetrating golden gaze. She’d unintentionally touched a nerve with her question about Audrey Winter, and now Florian was staring at her with dangerous intensity. “Understand what?” he’d challenged. “Please, enlighten me on what you think you understand about my situation.”

Sensing his growing irritation, Cassandra quickly changed tactics. “Remember what day is tomorrow?” she asked brightly, her voice deliberately cheerful.

Florian blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the sudden change of subject. “Tomorrow?”

“Your birthday, you emotionally constipated wolf!” Cassandra exclaimed with exasperation. “How can you forget your own moon-turning day?”

Florian shrugged, his shoulders relaxing slightly as the tension dissipated. “Just another day.”

“Just another-” Cassandra sputtered through the pack comm-link. “Florian Stormhowl, you are impossible! It’s your thirty- third birthday. That’s an important milestone in wolf years.”

He snorted dismissively. “What do you suggest? A cake with candles and party howls?”

“Actually,” Cassandra replied, warming to her idea, “I was thinking something more sophisticated. A small gathering at that new territory den restaurant by the lake. Intimate. Just a few childhood friends… and perhaps Audrey Winter?”

Florian’s expression sharpened at the mention of Audrey’s name.

“Think about it,” Cassandra continued eagerly. “It’s the perfect opportunity! Introduce her to your oldest friends, show her this side of your life. Let her see you relaxed among wolves who care about you.”

“She’s not interested in celebrating my birthday,” Florian muttered, but there was a hint of uncertainty in his voice. Cassandra pounced on this weakness. “How do you know? Have you asked her? Besides, after last night’s… incident, she might welcome a normal social interaction with you.”

Florian absently rubbed his throbbing leg, considering her words. “I don’t think—”

“That’s right, you don’t think!” Cassandra interrupted. “You overthink, which is an entirely different problem. Leave the arrangements to me. I’ll organize everything. All you have to do is show up and be charming – if you can remember how.”

Before Florian could protest further, she continued, “This is your chance, cousin. A relaxed setting, good food, friendly faces. It’s the perfect opportunity to show Audrey there’s more to you than wounded pride and possessive growling.”

Florian opened his mouth to argue, then closed it again. Perhaps Cassandra had a point. A less intense environment might help ease some of the tension between him and Audrey.

“Fine,” he conceded reluctantly. “Nothing extravagant.”

“Of course not,” Cassandra agreed quickly – too quickly. “Nothing says ‘I’m a desperate wolf’ like an over-the-top birthday celebration. Trust me, I’ll handle everything with taste and restraint.”

Florian wasn’t entirely convinced, but he was too tired to argue further. “Keep it small,” he warned.

“Tiny,” Cassandra promised. “Minuscule. You won’t even notice it’s happening.”

After ending the call, Florian slowly made his way to the territory washroom, each step sending sharp pains up his leg. The wolf healers had warned him against overexertion, but having Audrey in his arms last night had been worth the discomfort he was feeling now.

In the washroom, his eyes fell on the grey territory robe hanging on the hook – the one Audrey had worn. He carefully removed it, noting that it was now dry. The fabric still held traces of her scent, a delicate mixture of pine and winter flowers beneath his own mint-forest smell.

He folded the robe with meticulous care and brought it to his bedroom, placing it on his bedside table. Beside it sat a small wolf figurine – one Audrey had carved for him over twenty years ago, when they were just pups. A faint smile touched his lips as he remembered the day she’d given it to him, her small hands trembling slightly with nervousness.

A thought suddenly struck him. He reached for his pack device and dialed Melody’s number.

“Alpha?” she answered promptly.

“I need you to investigate something,” Florian said without preamble. “I want records of Audrey Winter’s travels from two years ago.”

There was a brief pause before Melody replied carefully, “That might require accessing restricted pack travel records.” “I’m aware,” Florian acknowledged. “This is personal, Melody. Not pack business.”

“May I ask why?” There was a slight hesitation in her voice.

“No,” he answered bluntly. “But if it eases your conscience, I’m not planning anything nefarious. I simply need to confirm something.”

Melody sighed softly. “Very well, Alpha. I’ll see what I can find.”

Florian took a deep breath, organizing his thoughts. “Audrey claims she wasn’t with Arthur Moonstone these past two years. If that’s true, and yet her whereabouts remain unknown…”

“You think she might have been in the Sunstone Territories?” Melody suggested, catching on quickly.

My breath caught. “Fourth-ranked Alpha?”

Sarah nodded grimly. “He went on to say that this mysterious Alpha already has ‘good she-wolves’ around him and would never be interested in someone as ‘fickle’ as you.”

The pieces suddenly clicked into place. I couldn’t stop the small, knowing smile that formed on my lips. “He won’t have anyone else by his side.”

Sarah stopped her pacing, staring at me with widening eyes. “Wait. You know who this ‘fourth-ranked Alpha’ is?”

I nodded slowly. “Florian Stormhowl.”

“That two-faced, manipulative—” Sarah began, her voice rising in volume before I cut her off.

“I don’t think Florian was behind this,” I said quietly. “It doesn’t sound like him.”

Sarah threw her hands up in exasperation. “Are you serious? Who else could it be? Who else would have the influence to block our business and the motive to keep you isolated?”

I considered this carefully. “Florian is protective, yes. Even possessive at times. But he’s never tried to control my choices or career. That’s not his style.”

“Then whose style is it?” Sarah demanded.

“I’m guessing one of his friends,” I replied thoughtfully. “Someone acting on what they believe are his best interests, without his knowledge.”

Sarah looked unconvinced, opening her mouth to argue further when my pack device chimed with an incoming message. I glanced down at the screen.

“It’s from Cassandra,” I murmured, opening the message.

The text was brief but clear: coordinates for a territory den restaurant by the lake, a time for tomorrow evening, and a simple message: “Florian’s birthday celebration. Small gathering. He’d be thrilled if you came, though he’s too proud to ask. Wear something pretty!”

I looked up at Sarah, who was peering curiously at my screen.