Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 53

(Audrey’s POV)

The moonstone pendant twinkled faintly under the dim light, catching my eye as its gentle sway mirrored my restless thoughts. My fingers brushed against it, the old habit resurfacing without conscious intention. The familiar cool touch of its surface stirred memories I wished I could bury.

It was a parting gift, or so I had thought-a symbol of love and unity when Arthur had first marked me during our mate ceremony. Back then, it had been both a promise and a reminder. Now, it felt like a cruel taunt, a heavy chain around my neck rather than a token of affection.

I hadn’t realized how long I had been touching it until I caught Arthur watching me. His dark eyes, as always, betrayed nothing, but I could feel his wolf’s presence simmering beneath the surface, impatience and curiosity fused into one.

“You’re still wearing it,” he said, breaking the silence. His tone leaned more observational than critical, but there was an undercurrent of intrigue that I resented.

I dropped my hand suddenly, as though the pendant had burned my skin, and forced my features into neutrality. “I just forgot to take it off,” I answered, my voice cool. “Habits don’t break overnight.”

Arthur studied me, his gaze heavy and searching. His lips quirked upward slightly, though it wasn’t a smile. “Forgot, or chose not to?”

“Does it matter?” I nearly snapped before reigning myself in. I clenched my fists against my sides to stop the aggravation from seeping into my words any further. Taking a calming breath, I added, “It’s not like I’m keeping it. You’ll get it back soon enough.”

For just a moment, I thought I caught a flicker of something in his expression-uncertainty, perhaps even guilt-but it disappeared almost instantly.

He shook his head slightly, reaching up as though to brush against the pendant himself, but he stopped midway, his hand dropping before he touched it. “You’re its rightful owner. You know that,” he said softly, stepping closer.

I took a deliberate step back. The air between us immediately thickened, heavy with unresolved tension. “It was a marking gift,” I said sharply. “It belongs to my mate. And that’s… well, that’s obviously not going to be you for much longer.”

His jaw ticked, and the calm façade cracked just enough for a spark of frustration to gleam in his eyes. “What if I told you I didn’t want it back at all?” he asked quietly.

The honest tone in his voice made my chest tighten against my will, but I forced myself to hold firm. I shrugged, feigning indifference, even as my wolf whimpered at the lie. “That’s for you to decide, not me.”

Arthur stepped closer again, his wolf’s presence brushing against mine. Despite the subtle shift, he didn’t push further, sensing my boundaries. His gaze softened just slightly. “Let me rewrap the wound,” he said after a moment, motioning to his arm, where Elder William’s silver-infused cup had left a gash earlier that day. “You don’t have to…”

I quickly cut him off. “Get Victoria to do it,” I said flatly, raising my chin. “She’s perfectly capable, and you seem to trust her with everything else.”

Arthur flinched, as though the words were a slap, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he let his arms fall and stared at me, raking his hand through his dark hair in a way that betrayed his growing frustration.

“Is this it for you?” he asked suddenly. “Are you really going to walk away and start over-just like that?”

The sheer simplicity of his words frustrated me. Of course, it wasn’t ‘just like that.’ Nothing about this felt simple.

I took a moment before responding, my voice low and soft. “I don’t know if I’ll ever truly start over,” I admitted. “It’s not exactly easy to trust again after something like this. But I’m trying to focus on what matters. On moving forward.”

Arthur’s expression twisted briefly, a flash of disbelief before it settled into something heavier. “And Nathan Snowfang-is he part of that? Your… moving forward?”

The accusation in his voice sparked irritation deep within me. I met his gaze dead on, refusing to flinch. “You don’t get to question that.”

Arthur’s gaze hardened further, and a low growl escaped his throat, audible enough for me to hear but restrained enough to stay under control. “Do you have such low standards?” he asked gruffly, his voice cold.

I rolled my eyes, the sarcasm in my next words sharp enough to sting. “You’re one to talk about judgment, Arthur. But don’t worry-I do have standards. Just one, actually. My next mate won’t be someone who constantly leaves me wondering if I’m the priority. Someone who doesn’t stand at another she-wolf’s beck and call.”

His shoulders stiffened, the words clearly biting deeper than he’d prepared for. For a moment, he almost looked wounded. “So that’s how little you think of me?” he asked quietly, the hurt unable to be hidden in his tone.

I stared at him, my heart clenching at the raw honesty in his words. But I knew better. I had to protect myself. “At least you’re better than a rogue,” I replied with forced lightness, though the words made me feel sick.

Arthur opened his mouth to respond, but movement from the doorway made us both pause.

Victoria entered the room, her signature cheer radiating like a forced spotlight. Her eyes lit up upon seeing Arthur but dimmed almost immediately when her gaze landed on me.

I watched as Victoria’s face crumpled, her pitiful expression more obvious than effective this time. Without another word, she fled the room, leaving a strained silence in her wake.

Taking it as my cue to leave as well, I didn’t so much as glance at Arthur before heading toward the pack study.

—

When I entered the study, George Thompson stood near the hearth, his expression warm but quietly concerned. He motioned for me to sit.

“Elder William would like to speak with you,” he said gently.

Moments later, Elder William entered, his presence as commanding as ever but free of the earlier fury he’d directed at Arthur. He greeted me kindly, offering his wolfsbane-infused tea, which I accepted.

“Thank you, child,” he said kindly, setting his cup beside mine. “For all you’ve endured… and for finally standing tall for yourself. I’m proud of you.”

His words brought tears to my eyes as I thanked him quietly. I felt his unwavering support etched into each kind syllable.

Finally, I found the courage to voice what had plagued me. “Elder William,” I began hesitantly. “Why did you never… tell Arthur the truth? About Katherine?”

His expression turned solemn as he stared into his tea. He nodded quietly, acknowledging the gravity of my question.

“I thought I was protecting him,” he admitted at length. “But perhaps, I was wrong.”