Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 67

(Audrey’s POV)

“Nathan,” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, unsure if I even wanted to know the answer, “how did you find out?”

His eyes, sharp and filled with something I couldn’t quite read, rested on mine. He hesitated, as if he was deciding whether or not to tell me.

“I came to visit you,” he finally said. His tone was steady, but there was something underneath it. “At the Alpha Council Medical Center. I was…” He paused, his jaw tightening ever so slightly. “I was heading to your room, but I overheard the staff talking.”

He sighed deeply, running a hand through his dark brown hair.

“They weren’t exactly careful with their words,” he continued, anger creeping into his steady voice. “They mentioned your injuries from the accident… and the…” He froze, his fists clenching as if he was trying to hold something back. “Complications.”

I felt my heart twist painfully. I looked down, unable to meet his intense gaze. “I see,” I said, though my chest ached heavily as the memories I had tried to push away slammed into me again.

His next words were softer, careful. “That’s when I knew something had gone terribly wrong. That’s when I knew Arthur… he…” He stopped himself abruptly, shaking his head as if the mere thought made him furious.

“He wasn’t there,” he added, his voice sharper now.

I let out a bitter laugh at that. It was short and hollow. “He’s never there,” I whispered, the words more for myself than for Nathan.

He didn’t say anything, but his silence held something heavier than words.

I looked up at him, seeing his restrained anger and frustration so clearly written across his face. “Is that why you confronted him?” I asked, my tone almost accusing now.

“I couldn’t stay silent after what I heard,” he admitted, his steel-grey eyes darkening. “The way they spoke about what you’d been through, and to know that the one person who should’ve protected you wasn’t by your side-how could I not confront him?”

I tried to keep my breathing steady, tried to calm the storm of emotions building inside me.

Nathan leaned slightly closer, his voice dropping so only I could hear. “Audrey, you deserve better,” he said firmly, his words a sharp contrast to the gentle tone of his voice. “You deserve someone who doesn’t fail you.”

I felt tears prick the back of my eyes, but I blinked them away quickly. My throat was tight, but I forced myself to respond. “It’s not just about Arthur,” I managed through the lump in my throat. “I feel like I’ve lost… everything. Elder William, the pups…” My voice cracked, and I could no longer keep my tears from falling. “I’ve lost so much, Nathan. And now I don’t even know who I’m supposed to be without them.”

Nathan straightened slightly, his expression softening, though the fire in his eyes didn’t disappear. He looked at me for a long moment, as if he was weighing his next words carefully.

“Come with me,” he said suddenly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I blinked up at him, confused. “What? Where?”

“There’s somewhere I want to take you,” he said simply. Then his tone shifted slightly, gentler. “Just trust me.”

—

I hadn’t been to the Silver Moon Diner in years. The second I stepped inside, I was hit with a wave of nostalgia. Everything looked exactly the same-the familiar red vinyl booths, the soft yellow light of the overhead lamps, and the faint scent of wolf-safe herbal teas. It was comforting in a way that surprised me.

“I can’t believe you remembered this place,” I said quietly, my eyes taking in every little detail.

Nathan’s soft smile appeared briefly as he gestured to a booth in the corner. “Of course I remembered,” he said lightly. “This place was your go-to spot back at the academy. I figured it might still hold some comfort for you.”

I gave him a small, genuine smile as we slid into the booth. The waitress came over almost immediately, her notepad ready. I started to speak, but before I could, Nathan held up his hand.

“The warm herbal tea for her,” he said without hesitation. His tone was firm yet polite, leaving no room for debate.

I raised an eyebrow at him, a spark of amusement breaking through the sadness clouding my chest. “You’re ordering for me now?”

“You’re still recovering,” he replied matter-of-factly, leaning back in his seat with his arms crossed. “Caffeine wouldn’t help, and you know it.”

I sighed, shaking my head lightly. “You’re bossy.”

His eyes met mine, the corner of his mouth twitching up just slightly. “You need it,” was his only reply.

For the first time in what felt like ages, I let out a soft laugh. It wasn’t much, but it was something.

When the tea arrived, I wrapped my hands around the warm cup, letting the heat seep into my cold fingers. The silence that followed wasn’t awkward-it was comfortable, familiar. But I could feel Nathan watching me, and that gentle concern in his eyes made my chest tighten again.

“I’m taking you somewhere else after this,” he said suddenly, breaking the silence.

I glanced up at him, surprised. “Where?”

“You’ll see.”

He left no room for argument.

(Nathan’s POV)

The air was crisp at Moon Ridge Overlook, and the stars were brighter than they had been in weeks. I parked the car and stepped out, but I waited a moment before turning to Audrey. She looked so tired. Not just physically, but in a way that made my heart ache.

“There was this one wolf,” I began, my voice soft. “She found me by the silver lake after I lost my mother.”

Understanding flickered in her eyes, but I continued before she could say anything.

“She told me something I needed to hear,” I said. “She said that love doesn’t disappear. Just because someone is gone, it doesn’t mean they stop loving you.”

Her lips parted slightly, but no words came.

“That wolf,” I said quietly, my steel-grey eyes locking onto hers, “she reminded me that there was still hope. That there was still something worth holding on to. And for the last twenty years… she’s been the one wolf I’ve cherished above all else.”

(Audrey’s POV)

Back in Sarah’s house, I felt the insistent pull of Arthur’s attempts to connect through our mate bond. Each push felt like a hammer against my already fragile defenses.

When I finally answered his call, his anger crackled through the phone like lightning.

“Where are you?” he demanded without preamble. “I went to the territory house. You’re not there.”

I laughed bitterly. “Oh, now you care about my whereabouts? That’s new.”

“Don’t play games with me, Audrey,” he growled. “Are you with him? With Nathan?”

The accusation in his voice made my blood boil. “And what if I am?” I challenged. “Would that finally make you see me as something more than an afterthought to Victoria?”

“You’re my mate!” His voice rose dangerously. “Stop lying about where you are and come home now!”

“Home?” I scoffed. “Where exactly is that, Arthur? The corner of the mansion where you keep me while running to Victoria’s every whim?”

His breathing grew heavy with barely contained rage. “Audrey…”

“If you want to find me so badly,” I taunted, “come look for me yourself. Or is Victoria’s latest crisis more important?”

I hung up before he could respond, my hands shaking slightly. Seconds later, I felt it – the overwhelming presence of an Alpha’s power radiating from outside.

Arthur’s voice boomed through the night air. “Audrey Winter! Come down here now!”