Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 36

(Audrey’s POV)

I sat in the Alpha Council Medical Center, the sterile scent of disinfectant mingling unpleasantly with my overly sensitive nose. My ankle still ached faintly, but it wasn’t the pain that kept my mind churning. I was trying – failing, really – to piece myself together after everything that happened with Arthur.

The room was quiet, save for the faint hum of the ventilation system and the muffled voices from the hallway. I rested a hand protectively over my stomach, fingers splayed over the slight curve that seemed more visible to me now than ever before. The realization of my pregnancy still lingered heavily, like weight pressing on my chest.

Three years ago, I had convinced myself I might be pregnant shortly after Arthur marked me as his mate. I’d felt fleeting hope then, fooling myself into believing that a pup might strengthen a mate bond that had always felt one-sided. Back then, I imagined celebrating the news together. I imagined joy.

This time, the emotions were wildly different. There was no shared joy or anticipation. Just fear. Fear of how he would react. Fear of the growing rift between us. Fear of losing these pups before they could even draw breath.

My thoughts spiraled further as I stared at the pristine walls around me. Grace, always so attuned to my feelings, whined softly inside me, her emotions mirroring my troubled heart.

The door creaked open suddenly, and Dr. Juliette reappeared. She offered me a warm smile, though there was a flicker of concern in her gaze.

“You’re all set, Audrey,” she said, her tone kind. “And remember, follow my advice on managing stress. It’s crucial for both you and the pups.”

I nodded silently, words sticking in my throat. As much as I appreciated her warmth, I felt too raw to respond meaningfully.

Dr. Juliette hesitated, then patted my shoulder lightly. “Take care of yourself. And don’t hesitate to call if you need anything.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” I murmured finally, pushing myself off the examination table. I clutched the envelope containing my test results tightly, unsure whether it felt heavier from its actual weight or the significance it carried for my future.

Exiting the room, I glanced toward the seating area, expecting to see Arthur waiting. I felt an irrational sting of disappointment when I didn’t.

Instead, there was a simple note left on the reception desk, hurriedly scrawled in familiar bold handwriting.

Urgent pack matter. I’ll handle it. Wait for me at home.

The sense of abandonment that rose within me was immediate. He hadn’t even bothered to wait. Again.

—

As I drove back to the house, I couldn’t fight the frustration bubbling within me. My grip on the steering wheel tightened as memories of Arthur’s countless absences replayed cruelly in my mind. I had been foolish to hope-foolish to think this news about the pups might bring us closer.

By the time I arrived home, my pent-up emotions had reached their peak. I resisted the urge to slam the front door behind me and threw my keys onto the small side table with more force than necessary.

The house felt oppressive in its emptiness. The silence only seemed to amplify everything I was feeling.

I dropped the unopened envelope onto the coffee table and sank into the couch, rubbing at my temples. My thoughts swirled endlessly, and Grace remained quiet – subdued. She had no answers for me.

Out of instinct, I grabbed my phone and dialed Sarah. She always knew how to steady me, even when I struggled to find my footing.

The phone barely rang twice before she answered, her voice carrying its usual brash concern. “Audrey, what’s wrong? Did something happen at the doctor?”

“I’m pregnant,” I said bluntly, the words pouring out before I could hesitate.

There was a long pause on the other line, followed by an audible exhale. “Oh, sweet Moon. Audrey…”

Tears welled in my eyes, and I struggled to hold back the crack in my voice. “What do I do, Sarah? I don’t know what to do.”

“Hey, hey,” she said quickly, her voice softening. “We’ll figure this out. I’ll help you.”

I sniffled, holding the phone closer. “I don’t even know how to tell him. What if… what if he doesn’t want them? Or worse, what if this news doesn’t change anything between us at all?”

There was another brief silence, and then her voice came stronger this time. “You’re not doing this for him, Audrey. This is about you, and those pups. You’re carrying them, not him.”

“I know,” I murmured, though my voice trembled. “But some part of me still wants this to work, Sarah. I don’t know why, after everything, but I still…”

“You still love him,” she finished for me gently. “That’s the mate bond, Aud. You’ve spent years tied to him. It’s not easy to just stop feeling something.”

Despite her words, the tears fell freely now. “It feels so foolish, though. Loving him when he’s made it so clear where he stands.”

“It’s not foolish,” Sarah said firmly, her tone unapologetic. “It’s loyalty. And it’s what makes you stronger than any of us. But you’ve got to decide what’s best for you, Audrey. Not just him.”

I nodded, though she couldn’t see it. “Thank you, Sarah.”

“Always,” she replied, her voice lighter now. “Lean on me anytime you need to.”

The drive back to the medical center was tense and uneventful, save for my heart thudding harder every time I thought of Arthur’s avoidance.

Stopping at a red light, my thoughts were yanked from spiraling when a black Maybach streaked past, running the light at a reckless speed. My chest tightened. Arthur?

I reached the center shortly after. It was unusually chaotic for this time of night. Wolves mingled near the emergency entrance, talking in hushed murmurs.

Curious despite my fraying nerves, I walked closer, picking up snippets of conversation.

“Frantically rushed her inside…”

“Covered in blood… practically carrying her…”

My pulse heightened. I tried to dismiss it, telling myself it was just pack talk about someone unrelated.

That was until I stepped inside the emergency hallway.

And I saw him.

Arthur was a mess. His shirt was stained with blood, his hands clenched into fists like he was barely holding himself together. His eyes were wild, his focus completely on the room beyond the closed doors of the emergency ward.

Every instinct told me to approach him. To confront him. Demand answers.

But my body froze when the faint name slipped from my lips, scarcely above a whisper.

“Victoria.”

The realization crashed over me like a tidal wave, pulling me under.

All the weight of my emotions, the questions, the slight hope I carried – shattered on the hospital floor.

Arthur didn’t even notice me. His entire world now centered on someone else.