Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 5

(Audrey’s POV)

Victoria settled herself comfortably in the passenger seat. My chest tightened with frustration. Her presence there felt like an intrusion, an intentional act to unsettle me.

“Victoria, please sit in the back,” I said, keeping my voice steady though it grated on my nerves to remain calm. Grace growled softly in my mind, annoyed by the audacity in Victorias actions.

She turned her big, blue, innocent eyes on me, her lips forming a small pout. “Oh, but I always sit in the front with Arthur. The view is so much better from here.” Her voice dipped, almost as if she were reminiscing deliberately. “We used to go on drives like this all the time before… Well, before everything changed.”

I narrowed my eyes at her through the driver’s side mirror. Everything in her posture screamed fragility, but the way she glanced at Arthur said otherwise. She wasn’t innocent. She was self-serving.

She sighed dramatically, one hand going to her temple as if this whole ordeal was too much for her delicate self. “Please, Audrey, try to understand. As a woman who’s lost her partner, you should sympathize.”

Arthur shifted beside her, his expression unreadable. ” Just let it go, Audrey. She’s been through a lot recently.Something inside me snapped. I marched past Arthur and snatched the keys from his hand.

“Fine,” I said sharply. “If she’s so attached to that seat, let her stay.”

I opened the driver’s side door, sliding into the seat before anyone could stop me. “As Arthur’s Luna,” I added, biting off the words grimly, “it’s only fair that I show kindness to his dear sister.” I stressed the word ‘ sister’ just enough to make her uncomfortable.

Arthur frowned slightly, his brows knitting. “Audrey-” I silenced him with a look. He closed his mouth but not before letting out a heavy sigh.

Victoria, to her credit, looked a little surprised, though she quickly schooled her features into one of satisfaction as she folded her hands neatly in her lap.

The drive to the mansion was quiet. Too quiet. The tension in the car felt suffocating, the silence sharp enough to cut through steel.

Arthur, trying to break the tension, reached for the mini-fridge tucked neatly under the vehicle’s console. ” Here,” he said, handing me a glass of strawberry juice.

It was my favorite, and I had always appreciated these small gestures from him in the past.

I took a small sip, the taste sweeter than I remembered. It clung too heavily to my tongue, making me wince slightly.

“No thanks,” I said, handing the glass back to him.

Arthur didn’t seem to mind. He brought the glass to his lips and finished it himself without a second thought.

It was a small, familiar routine we often shared, something I never thought about twice.

But Victoria, of course, had something to say about it.

“That’s not very hygienic, is it?” she remarked, her voice carrying a pointed edge. “Sharing drinks like that?”

I shot her a glance through the rearview mirror, my emerald-green eyes locking onto hers. “Arthur and I are bed mates, Victoria.” The words came out sharper than I intended.

• “Sharing drinks is hardly an issue

when you compare it to kissing. Don’t you think?” Her lips twitched, almost like she wanted to smirk but held back. “Well, speaking of sharing… Do you remember the night of your marking ceremony, Audrey?”

The air in the car shifted. My grip tightened on the steering wheel.

Arthur turned his head to glare at her.”

“Victoria…”

She ignored him entirely, her voice taking on a falsely innocent tone. “Didn’t Arthur tell you? That night, I was in trouble. He rushed over to help me. Stayed with me all night, in fact.”

The words hit me like a physical blow. My wolf, Grace, howled painfully in the back of my mind. My thoughts froze, the implications of what she’d said crashing over me like a tidal wave.

The car lunged forward abruptly as my foot slammed on the brake. My pulse thundered in my ears, louder than the horns blaring angrily from the cars behind us.

“What did you just say?” I asked, my voice low, trembling with barely restrained anger.

Arthur shifted in his seat, his expression hard as he turned to Victoria. “Victoria, enough.” His tone was sharp, filled with warning.

Victoria tilted her head slightly, feigning surprise.” What? I’m just being honest. Mated couples shouldn’t have secrets from each other, right? I thought Audrey would know.”

I struggled to focus on the road ahead, my thoughts spiraling. That night-our marking ceremony-had haunted me for years. Arthur had left shortly after the ceremony, claiming pack business had required his attention.

“Arthur.” My voice cracked slightly as I forced the words out. “Is it true? Did you go to her that night?”

The elder’s eyes darkened as they locked on Arthur. ” Your sense of obligation toward Victoria is clouded, Arthur. Such misplaced loyalty could jeopardize the balance of this pack.”

“Elder William,” Victoria started, her voice trembling with faux vulnerability, “If this is causing so much discord, I’m willing to step down-”

The elder interrupted her with a curt wave of his hand.

“You cannot fool me, Victoria. Save your performative gestures. This pack deserves genuine leaders, not facade.”

Her face turned a shade of red l’d never seen before.

Her lips trembled as she turned and fled from the room without another word.

“I trust you’ll handle this, Arthur,” Richard said, placing a heavy hand on his son’s shoulder. “As Alpha, it’s your duty to ensure she receives proper care.”

Arthur hesitated briefly before sighing. He turned toward the doors where Victoria had just disappeared, though his jaw clenched tightly. I could see the storm in his eyes, but not once had he looked at me.

Against my better judgment, I followed after him.

I caught fragments of their heated conversation as l neared.

“What were you thinking?” Arthur’s voice was a harsh growl, his Alpha energy spilling out. “Why did you bring up that night?”

“I- I couldn’t help it,” Victoria stammered, her voice breaking. “I wasn’t lying, Arthur. Seeing you with her, it’s unbearable!”

“You’re jealous? Of Audrey?” His voice was filled with incredulity and barely restrained anger.

“Yes, I’m jealous!” she snapped, her voice shaky but loud. “I divorced him for you, Arthur. I’ve always loved you….”

My breath caught, my world tilting under the weight of her confession. Everything clicked into place-her actions, her constant presence, the countless stolen moments between them.

And now, nothing would ever be the same.