Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 73

(Audrey’s POV)

The poisonous whispers of the Moonstone Therapy Center had spread faster than wildfire. By the time I reached my temporary home, the atmosphere buzzed with tension.

“I heard Audrey plagiarized the research she submitted,” one audacious voice had said on the forums. Another chimed in, “How did someone so low as her even get into the research arena?”

With every comment I read, it felt like venom sinking into my veins. Victoria’s handiwork, clearly. Even Nathan’s assurances that he was holding back on taking action couldn’t stop my blood from boiling.

Online, they hailed Victoria as the perfect Luna candidate and victim. My name lay shredded in the mud. I clenched my fists. Tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough.

—

The next morning, I arrived at the North American Alliance of Werewolf Therapists headquarters. Nathan waited by the entrance, his familiar calm presence a small comfort.

“You ready for this?” he asked, his piercing blue eyes scanning me intently.

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” I muttered.

He opened the door but paused before we stepped inside. “Remember, no matter how loud Victoria gets, her lies won’t hold up. Hold your ground.”

I nodded, inhaling deeply. Every nerve in my body felt coiled, ready to leap into this fight.

Before we entered, the sound of screeching car tires drew my attention. My breath hitched as Arthur’s sleek black Maybach pulled up. And then, like clockwork, the queen of chaos herself stepped out.

Victoria’s golden locks shimmered in the morning light as if she’d planned the moment perfectly. She wore a fitted designer dress, one hand rested delicately on her stomach-a gesture clearly meant to remind everyone of her supposedly fragile, pregnant state.

“Ah, Audrey,” Victoria called, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “Fancy seeing you here. Doesn’t it feel strange to walk into a room knowing everyone’s about to discover your secret?”

I paused just before the entrance, spinning to face her. “It might if I had a secret,” I said coolly.

Her lips curled into a mocking smile. Arthur hadn’t exited the car, but it didn’t matter. She’d elevated herself enough just by arriving in it.

“I don’t understand why you’d stoop so low as stealing,” she said with a dramatic sigh, placing one perfectly manicured hand on her chest. “It would’ve been easier to ask for help. But I suppose it’s pointless now.”

I tilted my head. “Almost as pointless as appearing composed when everyone’s about to learn the truth.”

Her facade cracked ever so slightly, but she recovered quickly.

“Why don’t we make this simple?” she cooed, stepping closer. “Admit what you did. Apologize to me and Arthur publicly, and I’ll consider letting this drop.”

I crossed my arms, my rage simmering but restrained. “You think submitting it first makes you right?”

Her eyes sparkled with malice, but she didn’t respond. Instead, she raised her chin, basking in her self-proclaimed victory.

“Let’s stop wasting time,” Nathan interrupted, his icy tone cutting through the exchange. He held the door open for me, his tall frame blocking Victoria’s view as I entered. “Come on, Audrey. We have smarter people waiting inside.”

I didn’t look back at her as I stepped inside.

—

(Nathan’s POV)

The room buzzed with whispers, tension thick in the air. Representatives from packs all over the region filled the seats, some whispering about the scandal while others eyed both sides with interest.

“Did you hear? Victoria’s carrying Arthur’s pup,” someone murmured nearby.

“If true, there’s no way she’d tarnish herself with such amateur plagiarism,” another said.

I kept my expression neutral as we entered the room, guiding Audrey to the center. She didn’t show it, but I could sense the tension in her stiff posture. She felt their stares.

Victoria made her entrance moments later, basking in the collective gaze. She stopped, placing a hand theatrically on her stomach again. Arthur may not have accompanied her inside, but his name was whispered alongside hers. It was enough of an armor for her manipulations.

Audrey stood firm beside me. I let my voice reverberate through the hall.

“Audrey Winter,” I began, my gaze sweeping across the assembly, “is here to present her case on the recent accusation of plagiarism. She is a respected healer and, more personally to me, a trusted colleague from the Inter-Pack Academy. There is no doubt where her work originates. Audrey will now address the matter fully.”

—

(Audrey’s POV)

Stepping forward, I could feel the weight of their scrutiny. After all these years, standing in front of people who doubted me still burned. But this time, anger fueled me.

Victoria’s exit was every bit as dramatic as I’d expected. Before storming off, she glared daggers in Audrey’s direction.

“You’ll regret this,” she hissed. “I am Arthur Moonstone’s intended Luna, and no one will dare speak ill of me.”

The murmurs didn’t stop as she left, and for the first time, they weren’t in Victoria’s favor.

I stayed back briefly to handle questions from the other representatives. But by the time I turned to find Audrey, she was already waiting by the elevator.

“You handled that well,” I told her.

She smiled faintly. “Thanks, Nathan. For everything.”

I offered her to visit my office, but she declined politely. “I need rest. Let’s catch up later.”

—

(Audrey’s POV)

As I waited by the elevator, the representatives began flocking near me. Apologies poured from every direction.

“We’re sorry. We had no idea,” one said.

“Victoria fooled us all,” another added. “We’ll make it right and ensure the truth spreads.”

It was overwhelming-the sudden shift in opinion. Just yesterday, they’d dismissed me. Now they clamored for my favor, hoping my association with Nathan would benefit them.

I gave them polite nods, acknowledging their apologies without committing to anything.

As the elevator doors closed, the weight on my shoulders lifted just slightly. Small victories mattered.