Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 52

(Audrey’s POV)

Elder William’s voice thundered through the study like a storm rolling through the packlands. “You’ve brought shame to your mate, Arthur, and to this pack!” His fist slammed onto the table, rattling the neatly arranged stack of ancient scrolls. “You think taking the Moonstone name grants you immunity from responsibility? No! It demands you carry this pack as an Alpha worthy of respect!”

Arthur stood there, stiff and silent. His jaw was clenched tight, his usual imposing Alpha aura dimmed under his grandfather’s fury.

“I-” Arthur started to speak, his voice steady but subdued.

“No excuses!” Elder William cut him off. His sharp tone was like a whip that lashed through the tension in the room. “You let rumors run rampant. Audrey-your rightful Luna-is humiliated by your actions. And now Victoria parades around this pack as though she owns it!”

“She’s pregnant,” Arthur said, finally breaking his silence, his voice firmer now but lined with weariness. “She needs care.”

Elder William narrowed his eyes, his wolf roaring just beneath his words. “Pregnancy does not make her the Luna! Your responsibility to the pack outweighs any promises you made to Katherine!”

Arthur didn’t back down. “Katherine sacrificed herself for me. I owe her that. Victoria is her daughter, and I promised to protect her.”

“Protect her?” Elder William’s laugh was cold, biting. He grabbed his teacup-a silver-laced heirloom-and hurled it at Arthur with force.

Arthur flinched minimally as it struck his shoulder, splitting the skin before clattering to the ground. The faint wisp of smoke rising from the silver contact made my own wolf whimper inside.

“Your promises don’t absolve you of your responsibility to your mate!” Elder William’s voice softened, as if sadness now mingled with his anger. “Audrey is your Luna. And yet you allow Victoria to make her seem like an outsider. You’ve thrown her to the wolves, Arthur.”

Arthur’s shoulders stiffened, but he didn’t defend himself this time. Blood seeped through his shirt from the silver wound, but he didn’t flinch nor make a single move to heal himself-almost as though he welcomed the punishment.

“She’s strong,” he finally said. His voice was quieter now, teetering between defensiveness and something more vulnerable. “Audrey… she’s not like anyone else. She can handle herself.”

Elder William stared at him, disbelief flickering in his aged eyes. “Strong. You call her ‘strong’ as if being forced to endure makes her less deserving of kindness! She’s strong because you and this pack gave her no choice! She’s made of iron because you, her mate, let her walk through fire alone.”

Arthur blinked at the words, as though finally seeing them for what they were. He lowered his gaze slightly, jaw tightening further. “I didn’t know…”

“You didn’t care to know,” Elder William snapped. He turned his back to Arthur, his shoulders sagging under the weight of disappointment. “Leave. I won’t waste my strength pointing out truths you’ve ignored.”

Arthur inclined his head slightly-a silent acknowledgment-and turned to leave the study.

—

(Arthur’s POV)

The moment I stepped out of the study, the weight in my chest doubled. The pain in my shoulder burned-a sharp, relentless ache worsened by the silver stain. My wounds were nothing compared to the shame sinking its claws into me.

I turned into the dim hallway and stopped abruptly.

Audrey stood there, leaning against the wall, her arms crossed over her chest. Her vivid green eyes darted to my shoulder, then away just as quickly. Even though her expression barely flickered, I could sense her wolf’s faint distress through the bond we shared.

“Don’t look at me like that,” I murmured, my lips curving into a wry smile despite the throbbing pain. “You’ll make me think you care.”

She exhaled sharply, scowling. “Don’t flatter yourself. I’d feel pity for any injured wolf, rogue or not.”

The corner of my mouth twitched upward, but the teasing fell flat between us. “Then by all means, show some of that pity and help me before I bleed through my shirt.”

Audrey stared at me, clearly debating whether or not to walk away. Her fingers flexed against her arms, betraying the pull of our bond. I didn’t miss the way her wolf stirred slightly, drawn to my pain despite her obvious frustration.

I pressed harder on the wound this time, drawing a grimace from him.

“Satisfied?” he asked, his smirk faltering.

I stood abruptly, now thoroughly annoyed. “You’re fine. You can handle the rest yourself.”

As I turned to leave, his voice stopped me. “Wait. My back-“

I froze. “Your back?”

He leaned forward slightly, his body stiff as if exaggerating his discomfort. “Elder William’s Alpha aura-it hit harder than it looked. I might’ve strained something.”

I stared at him, my patience running thin. “Call a healer. Or better yet, have Victoria handle it. If I recall correctly, she’s good at tending to you.”

He dragged a hand through his hair, exhaling. “Audrey, we’re still bound. We both know the bond won’t let you walk away completely.” He met my gaze, steady and unyielding.

“And besides,” he added, pulling the moonstone pendant from his pocket, “you still wear this. What does that say about you?”

My eyes widened as the pendant glinted in the dim light. His hand extended slightly, the chain dangling between his fingers like a challenge.

“You see,” Arthur murmured, his voice softer now, “you can’t let go either.”