(Audrey’s POV)
When I woke the next morning, I felt a suffocating stillness in the air. The moment I glanced out the window, I realized why.
Pack guards were stationed at every exit of the pack mansion.
My stomach dropped.
The truth hit me like a slap. Arthur had locked me in.
At first, I told myself it couldn’t be true. There had to be a reason. Perhaps it was an overreaction, a misunderstanding. But as I moved through the halls, testing doors and exits, it became painfully clear that I was a prisoner.
I stormed toward the main entrance, where two familiar Beta-ranked guards were stationed. Their alert postures and unblinking gazes felt like brick walls in my path.
“I’m leaving,” I announced, my voice sharp and unwavering. “Step aside.”
“Alpha Arthur’s orders,” one of them replied, his tone neutral yet firm.
I clenched my fists. “I am still your Luna. You should obey my command.”
The other guard hesitated, his eyes flicking to his partner for reassurance. But his stance didn’t waver.
“I’m sorry, Luna,” he said, lowering his gaze slightly. “We have direct orders from Alpha Arthur. No one is allowed out without his approval.”
Fury bubbled in my chest. “Where is Arthur now?”
“He left early,” came the calm response. “Pack business. George Thompson is with Elder William’s arrangements.”
My wolf growled within me, a low simmer of frustration and pain. How had it come to this? How had the mate I once trusted completely turned into someone who would trap me like this?
Three years. Three long years as Luna, standing by his side, doing my best to bridge the widening chasm between us. And this was what it had come to. He didn’t see me as his equal anymore. I was just another piece to manipulate on his Alpha chessboard.
I turned on my heel, fighting back the sting of tears as I headed back inside. My heart ached as memories of better times clawed their way back to the surface.
—
Later, my phone buzzed with messages. Sarah sent condolences, her usual sarcasm absent in the thoughtful words. Nathan’s brief message caught me off guard.
“Take care of yourself, Audrey,” it read.
For a moment, I stared at the screen, a small flicker of warmth breaking through the storm inside me. A simple message, but it was enough to remind me that someone cared, someone beyond this suffocating mansion.
I wanted to call Arthur, to demand an explanation. Instead, Daniel Hayes answered.
“He’s in a meeting,” Daniel said, his tone brisk but polite. “Pack territory disputes.”
I exhaled shakily, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Tell him to call me back immediately. And Daniel”-my voice grew colder-“inform him that I won’t tolerate being kept here against my will.”
“Understood, Luna.” The line went dead.
—
Frustrated and fueled by anger, I placed another call-this time to the Pack Council’s Inspector. Enough was enough.
“I need to report an incident,” I said firmly, pacing the room. “I am being unlawfully detained by Alpha Arthur Moonstone within the pack mansion. My departure is blocked by guards on his orders.”
There was a pause on the other end. “Ms. Winter,” the inspector responded cautiously, “this is a serious claim. Are you certain of this?”
“Absolutely,” I snapped.
“We’ll send someone immediately to investigate.”
Relief washed over me, but it was fleeting. I knew Arthur wouldn’t let this slide.
—
(Arthur’s POV)
When the inspector arrived, I was already waiting. The sound of her formal tone grated on my nerves.
“Alpha Moonstone,” she began respectfully, “we’ve received a report of unlawful detainment. May I ask why Ms. Winter is being confined to the pack mansion?”
I met her eyes steadily. “My grandfather passed away,” I started, keeping my voice calm. “Audrey is his Luna and must remain here for the funeral arrangements. Moving her elsewhere during this time would disrupt the pack’s mourning period.”
Her brow furrowed, but she nodded slowly. “A fair point, Alpha, but Ms. Winter expressed her desire to leave the premises.”
I clenched my fists at my sides, careful to keep my Alpha authority steady without appearing hostile. “Is it unreasonable for me to want unity during a time of mourning? I need her here-for the pack.”
Audrey’s sharp voice cut through the tension. “You need me here? Or are you just trying to trap me?”
I turned to face her, my façade cracking as frustration bled into my voice. “Why is it so difficult for you to stay? Why do you want to leave so badly?”
“Because I’m done,” she said coldly. “I offered to sever our mate bond. You refused. And now you’re forcing me to stay. Do you even see how insane this is?”
Her words hit harder than I wanted to admit. My inner wolf whimpered, but I masked it with a cold exterior.
Pack members murmured soft condolences, their gazes full of sympathy-or pity. I nodded woodenly, barely hearing their words over the roar of grief in my chest.
As we approached the front, a sharp cry pierced the air.
I turned to see Victoria, her face streaked with tears as she wailed dramatically.
Arthur stiffened beside me, but before he could react, I glanced at George Thompson and gave a quiet nod.
“Remove her,” I said firmly.
Victoria instantly bristled, her voice rising. “Who are you to order me? I have every right to be here!”
I raised a brow, then turned to Arthur with deliberate precision. “That’s your decision, isn’t it, Alpha?”
Victoria’s tears stopped as her attention shifted fully to him. She clung to his arm, her voice soft now. “Arthur, please… don’t let her keep me away.”
His expression turned cold as he detached her grip. “Are you not supposed to be recovering?” he asked, his tone sharp.
She faltered. “I… I wanted to pay respects.”
“Yet you come with no signs of pain,” he countered. His gaze shifted to me briefly. “Audrey has the right to make these decisions.”
“That’s ridiculous!” Victoria snapped. “You’re severing your mate bond anyway! Why does it matter what she thinks?”
Arthur met George’s gaze and gave a single nod.
Victoria shrieked as George moved to escort her out. “Arthur, how can you let this happen? She’s humiliating me!”
Before she could fight further, Richard Moonstone appeared. He wrapped an arm around Victoria, glaring at both of us.
“You think you can bully her like this?” he spat.
Arthur’s Alpha presence flared, silencing the murmurs of pack members nearby.
“Leave,” he ordered coldly. “Both of you. Do not disturb my grandfather’s rest.”
Victoria pointed a shaky finger at me. “She’s the one who doesn’t belong here!”
Arthur turned to her, his voice like ice. “Audrey will remain my Luna for life.”
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left