Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 242

(Audrey’s POV)

I found myself genuinely surprised by how much I was enjoying Florian’s childhood friends. The private dining room overlooking the moonlit lake had a warm, intimate atmosphere that made me feel welcomed rather than scrutinized.

“So you’re telling me Florian used to steal honey cakes from the pack kitchen when he was seven?” I asked Asher Silverclaw, unable to suppress my laughter.

Asher’s silver-tipped hair caught the candlelight as he nodded enthusiastically. “Not just steal them. He’d convince the kitchen omegas that he was ‘testing’ them for quality control.”

“I was ensuring pack food safety,” Florian protested from beside me, his arm draped casually across the back of my chair. “A very serious responsibility for a young pup.”

Kevin, who had undergone a complete personality transformation since our arrival, jumped in eagerly. “Tell her about the time you tried to ‘help’ with the harvest moon ceremony preparations!”

I glanced at Florian, whose golden eyes held a mixture of embarrassment and fondness. “What did you do?”

“He decided the ceremony was too boring,” Kevin explained, his previous animosity replaced by genuine warmth. “So he released a pack of moon rabbits into the ceremonial circle.”

“They were supposed to add ‘natural authenticity,'” Florian said dryly.

“The chaos lasted for hours!” Asher chimed in. “Alpha Cornelius was so furious he made Florian clean the entire ceremonial ground with a single brush.”

Leo, who had been quietly coloring with crayons Sarah had found in her pack, suddenly looked up with bright curiosity. ” Uncle, when will you and Aunt Luna get officially mated?”

The entire table fell silent. I felt heat rise to my cheeks as Florian’s arm tightened slightly around my shoulder.

“When your Aunt Luna decides she’s ready for such a troublesome mate,” Florian replied smoothly, pressing a gentle kiss to my temple.

Leo considered this seriously, his little brow furrowed in concentration. “Is Uncle troublesome?”

Sarah snorted with laughter. “Very troublesome, Leo. But your Aunt Audrey likes troublesome wolves.”

“I do not,” I protested weakly, though I couldn’t deny the flutter in my chest at Florian’s casual display of affection.

The conversation flowed naturally after that, with stories and laughter filling the air. Kevin was particularly animated as he discussed Winter’s Remedy’s expansion plans with Sarah, his earlier hostility completely forgotten.

“The location on Moonstone Boulevard would be perfect,” he was saying earnestly. “High foot traffic, excellent visibility, and the rent is completely reasonable.”

“Reasonable for whom?” Sarah asked skeptically.

“For Audrey’s future mate,” Kevin replied without thinking, then immediately flushed. “I mean, for successful healing specialists. Which you both clearly are.”

I caught Florian’s amused expression and had to bite my lip to keep from laughing. His friends’ acceptance meant more to me than I’d expected.

Just as the dessert course arrived, Florian’s pack device buzzed insistently against his pocket. He pulled it out discretely, his expression immediately shifting as he read the message. The change was subtle, but I’d grown adept at reading his moods.

He typed a quick response and slipped the device away, but I noticed the tension that had settled in his shoulders.

“Everything alright?” I asked quietly.

“Pack business,” he replied, his tone carefully neutral. “Nothing urgent.”

I didn’t press, but I made a mental note to ask about it later when we were alone.

As the evening progressed, the atmosphere remained warm and celebratory. Leo had charmed everyone at the table, including the server who brought him an extra portion of moon berry cake without being asked.

“Uncle Florian,” Leo said seriously, his face smeared with frosting, “your friends are nice. But they tell embarrassing stories about you.”

“All the best friends do,” Florian assured him. “It’s how you know they truly care about you.”

Leo nodded wisely, then turned to me. “Do you have embarrassing stories about Aunt Luna?”

“So many,” Sarah said before I could respond. “Would you like to hear about the time she tried to cook venison stew and nearly burned down her entire territory kitchen?”

“Sarah!” I protested, but I was laughing despite myself.

As the celebration began to wind down, other guests starting to make their departures, Florian leaned close to my ear. “Walk with me? There’s something I need to discuss with you.”

A chill ran through me as I thought about Nathan’s visits to the Sunstone Territories. His constant concern for my wellbeing. The way he always seemed to appear just when I needed help most.

“What evidence?” I asked weakly.

“Communication records. Financial transactions. Lyra admits to receiving instructions from him.” Florian’s voice was gentle but firm. “More concerning is what we’ve discovered about my accident.”

My heart stopped. “What about it?”

Florian pulled me closer, as if trying to shield me from an unseen threat. “The explosion at my research facility wasn’t an accident, Audrey. Someone wanted me dead. They nearly succeeded.”

My hands flew to his face, tracing the familiar lines with trembling fingers. “Who would do such a thing?”

“We’re still investigating, but the preliminary evidence suggests-“

“Uncle! Aunt Luna!”

Leo’s excited voice shattered the heavy moment as he burst onto the balcony, having clearly escaped from the main party. “Come back!” he chirped happily. “Sarah says there’s going to be territory cake! The special kind with moonstone frosting!” The interruption broke through my shock, grounding me back in the present moment. Florian’s expression immediately softened as he looked down at the enthusiastic pup.

“Territory cake?” he asked, ruffling Leo’s hair affectionately. “Well, we can’t miss that, can we?”

Leo shook his head vigorously. “No! It’s your birthday cake! You have to blow out the candles and make a wish!”

I took a shaky breath, trying to process everything Florian had just told me while maintaining a calm face for Leo’s sake.

“We’ll discuss this more tomorrow,” Florian promised me quietly, his golden eyes filled with concern and something deeper. “For now, let’s just enjoy the celebration.”

I nodded, forcing a smile for Leo’s benefit. “Lead the way, little wolf. We can’t keep the birthday cake waiting.”

As we followed Leo back inside, I couldn’t shake the feeling that everything I thought I knew about the past two years was about to change.