Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 238

(Audrey’s POV)

“Okay, thank you, Cassandra,” I replied, tapping the send button on my pack comm-link.

Sarah leaned over my shoulder, her curiosity piqued. “Florian Stormhowl’s message?”

“No, his cousin Cassandra’s,” I explained, showing Sarah my pack device. “She’s inviting us to Florian’s birthday celebration tomorrow. Want to go have some fun together?”

Sarah’s expression darkened instantly. The afternoon’s confrontation with Kevin was clearly still raw in her mind. She crossed her arms, her lips forming a tight line.

“After what his friend did to our business application? You can’t be serious.”

“It must be a misunderstanding,” I insisted, touching her arm gently. “Kevin will probably be there too. Why not see them tomorrow and ask him in person? If it’s truly a misunderstanding, it’s a good opportunity to clear things up.”

Sarah gave me a look of mock disappointment, shaking her head at my optimism. “For your sake, fine!” she conceded with an exaggerated sigh. “But don’t expect me to play nice if that Beta gives me any trouble.”

“Thank you,” I said, giving her a quick hug before turning my attention to Leo, who was playing quietly with his territory puzzles. I picked him up, his little body warm against mine. “Leo, would you like to go pick out a gift for Uncle Florian’s birthday tomorrow?”

I already had a gift prepared for Florian – a custom-blended healing salve I’d formulated specifically for his leg injury. But if we were going to be surrounded by his friends, something so personal might raise eyebrows.

Leo’s eyes widened with excitement, pure joy lighting up his face. “Yes! Can I choose it? I know what Uncle likes!” He bounced in my arms, his enthusiasm infectious.

“Of course you can help choose,” I laughed, setting him down. “We’ll go to the pack market tomorrow morning.”

(Third-person’s POV)

Morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the Alpha’s office at Storm Territory Technology. Melody Moonhowl sat behind her desk, quickly reviewing the information her Beta analyst had just delivered. Her eyes narrowed as she processed the surprising details.

Everyone in their circles had assumed Audrey Winter had been peacefully living as Luna Moonstone in Central Territory for the past two years. Yet according to these records, she had actually gone to the Sunstone Territories. And what’s more troubling the reports indicated she had suffered from severe spirit sickness and had attempted to end her life by cutting her wrists with silver.

“Was this attempt because of Florian Stormhowl?” Melody murmured to herself, tapping her manicured claws against the polished wooden surface of her desk.

She considered what Florian’s reaction might be if he discovered this side of Audrey Winter. The information could devastate him or worse, intensify his obsession. After a moment of careful deliberation, Melody extracted one data-slate from the pile and handed it to her Beta analyst.

“This information,” she said firmly, “has never been shared, seen, or investigated. Do you understand?”

The Beta analyst nodded silently, taking the data-slate with practiced efficiency.

“Dispose of it immediately,” Melody added, her tone brooking no argument.

After the Beta analyst left to incinerate the data-slate, Melody leaned back in her chair, her mind working quickly. She had just removed the most damning evidence of Audrey’s suffering-evidence that might have convinced Florian that Audrey hadn’t simply abandoned him for another wolf.

The door to her office opened again without warning. Beta Kael strode in, his expression suspicious.

“You just had that data-slate destroyed,” he said without preamble. “Wasn’t that concerning the matter Alpha asked us to investigate?”

Melody maintained a casual facade, though her heartbeat quickened. “My, aren’t you a nosy wolf today,” she chided, her tone deliberately light. “Have you forgotten the Alpha’s rule of minding one’s own pack business?”

Kael’s eyes hardened as he stared at her. “Don’t forget Audrey Winter’s place in Florian Stormhowl’s heart,” he warned. ” You’re playing with fire by interfering in her affairs.”

Melody smiled, the expression not reaching her eyes. “No one will know if you don’t tell,” she pointed out sweetly.

“This is betrayal,” Kael accused, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl.

In response, Melody began to loosen her formal pack tunic, letting it slide slightly off one shoulder. Her movements were deliberate, calculated to distract and disarm.

“Is it betrayal to protect our Alpha from pain?” she asked, her voice dropping to a seductive purr. “You’ve seen how he suffers. Wouldn’t you do anything to spare him more anguish?”

Kael swallowed hard, visibly fighting to maintain his composure. “Respect yourself and your rank,” he said stiffly, averting his gaze from her exposed skin. “This behavior is beneath you.”

Melody’s smile turned knowing. “You don’t find me appealing, Beta Kael?” she asked.

(Audrey’s POV)

I heard Leo’s excited voice from the living room, where he was supposed to be napping. Curious, I peeked in to find him clutching my pack device to his ear.

“Happy birthday, Uncle!” he was saying, his little face alight with excitement. “Are you at your territory den or at the Storm Territory Technology office?”

There was a pause as he listened to Florian’s response.

“Den,” Leo repeated, nodding seriously. “Can we go to your birthday party tonight? Aunt Audrey said we’re going to bring you a present!”

Another pause.

Leo’s expression suddenly shifted, his little brow furrowing in confusion. “Which Sister?” he asked, clearly responding to something Florian had said.

There was a loud crash from Florian’s end, followed by static. Melody Moonhowl smiled in satisfaction as she ended the call and returned to her work. She had learned long ago that in matters of the heart, only success matters-and she intended to succeed where Audrey Winter had failed.

In his den, Florian’s golden eyes were bloodshot, his body trembling with rage. He had just kicked a waste receptacle across the room, scattering its contents. Ever since Audrey had reappeared in his life, he had become less prone to these outbursts of anger. But now, the fury burning within him was even more intense than before.

With shaking hands, he reached for the vial of potent spirit-calming elixir on his side table. He uncapped it and swallowed a few drops without water, grimacing at the bitter taste. Then he collapsed onto his sofa, his gaze unfocused, betrayal coursing through his veins like poison.

(Audrey’s POV)

“Hello, the pack comm-link you dialed is temporarily unavailable…” The cold, mechanical voice echoed in my ear for the fifth time. Frustrated, I tossed my pack device into my travel pack and looked down at Leo.

“Uncle Florian still isn’t answering,” I told him with a worried frown. “Should we go up and knock on the door?”

I had spotted Florian’s pack transports still parked in their designated spots in the territory building’s bay. Unless he’d left on foot or with someone else, he should still be in his den.

Leo nodded eagerly, clearly excited at the prospect of seeing his uncle. Sarah, who was speaking on her pack device about some business matter, gestured for us to go ahead.

“I’ll wait for you here,” she mouthed, holding her hand over the device’s speaker.

Taking Leo’s small hand in mine, I led him to the elevator. The ride up to the fifth floor was quick, and soon we were standing outside Florian’s territory den. I pressed the doorbell, my heart inexplicably racing.

The door opened almost immediately, revealing Florian. The moment I saw his face, I knew something was terribly wrong. His expression was icy and distant, his normally warm golden eyes now devoid of any light. He leaned against the doorframe with casual indifference, but there was nothing casual about the coldness radiating from him.

“Florian?” I asked hesitantly. “Is everything alright?”

His lip curled in a sneer. “Audrey Winter, aren’t you tired of acting?” he drawled, his voice laced with venom.

I took a step back, stunned by the hostility in his tone. “Acting? What are you talking about?”

His gaze shifted downward toward Leo, who was clutching my hand tightly. “You’re acting like you really like me?” he continued, the words dripping with sarcasm. “Taking such good care of my young cousin… it’s quite the performance, isn’t it?

Leo released my hand and stepped forward, his little face flushed with indignation. “Uncle! You are talking nonsense!” he protested, stamping his foot. “Aunt is very nice to me, extremely nice! You are not allowed to bully Aunt!”

Florian reached down and grabbed Leo’s arm, pulling him away from me with surprising gentleness despite his obvious anger. “You should not call someone ‘Aunt’ who doesn’t want to be your Aunt.”