Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 78

(Audrey’s POV)

“You have disrespected this pack, Victoria!” George’s sharp words pierced through the otherwise quiet floor. “You may be under the mistaken impression that your ambitions give you the entitlement to undermine the structure of this pack, but let me remind you-Audrey Winter is still Arthur’s marked mate. She is still your Luna!”

I stiffened. Luna. That title felt more foreign on my skin than ever, like a name that no longer belonged to me. But hearing George defend it, defend me, stirred something deep and conflicted within.

Victoria’s shrill voice responded, drenched in feigned innocence. “I don’t know why you continue to cling to someone who’s abandoned their role!” Her words struck at me like small thorns. “George, you of all people should see that Audrey’s presence here only creates chaos in this pack! You’re allowing her to manipulate you… She’s manipulating everyone!”

I swung my legs over the side of the bed despite the protest from my back. I couldn’t sit idly as my name was dragged through the mud again.

When George entered the room moments later, his old features etched with frustration but layered with respect, my gaze turned towards him. He inclined his head toward me with a small reverent bow.

“Miss Audrey,” he said firmly, standing tall despite the tension in the air. “The elders and respected members of the Moonstone Pack recognize your sacrifices. They will continue to stand by your rightful place, no matter the animosity from certain parties.”

“Thank you, George,” I replied quietly, my voice even yet hollow. His words rang with loyalty, but they weighed heavily on me. Rightful place? How much longer could I pretend I belonged to this fractured structure?

As George left, his footsteps deliberate and heavy, Victoria stormed in right behind him, her expression thunderous.

“Manipulative little witch!” she seethed, jabbing a sharp finger in my direction. “Did you put him up to this? Is this your master plan, Audrey? Crying your way into sympathy from the elders and clinging to pity votes like a… like a desperate, lost pup?”

I straightened, meeting her glare with cold steel behind my eyes. “Your paranoia is unraveling faster than your fake public facade, Victoria. I don’t need to convince anyone of what you’re doing to this pack. You’re doing that all on your own.”

Her cheeks flushed red, and for a moment, I thought she’d shriek. But before she could retort, a sharp voice chimed behind her.

“Victoria, the only one manipulative enough to cause this much drama is you,” Sarah snarled as she strode into the room.

“Of course,” Victoria sneered, her voice dripping with venom as she turned to face Sarah. “The guard dog shows up. Cling to Audrey all you want, Sarah. But helping a sinking ship doesn’t make you noble. It makes you pathetic.”

Sarah walked right up to her, leaving mere inches between them. Her sharp eyes burned brightly as she glared at Victoria. “You listen to me,” Sarah snapped with a steely edge to her voice. “You may have fooled Arthur, but the rest of the world sees you for the toxic, scheming viper you are. So why don’t you crawl back to whatever hole you slithered out of and leave us alone?”

Victoria flinched at the words, her mouth opening and closing like a fish gasping for air. She seemed overwhelmed by the sharpness in Sarah’s tone, and her put-together demeanor cracked completely.

“I-uh, I was just here-” she stumbled over her words now, shrinking before Sarah’s relentless aggression like a child caught misbehaving. “-to check on Katherine’s condition.”

“Then go check on her. Away from here. Now,” Sarah dismissed her with a flick of her hand, like swatting away a bothersome fly. The condescension in her tone only seemed to fuel Victoria’s humiliation.

Victoria huffed, collecting herself with a sharp breath. It didn’t help her case. With a glare directed at both of us, she tossed her hair over her shoulder and marched out, leaving a suffocating tension in her wake.

(Sarah’s POV)

As soon as the door closed behind Victoria, I turned back to Audrey, crossing my arms tightly over my chest. “That woman is like a roach that won’t die no matter how many times you stomp on her,” I grumbled, shaking my head in disbelief.

Audrey’s lips quirked into the faintest of smiles, though I could see the exhaustion filling her expression. “Thanks for stepping in,” she murmured softly. “But really, Sarah, you didn’t have to.”

I rolled my eyes, pulling a chair to her bedside and plopping down with purpose. “Don’t start with that ‘you didn’t have to’ nonsense,” I said firmly. My sharp tone softened as I glanced at her bandaged forearm. “How are you holding up? And don’t even think about lying to me.”

She hesitated, tilting her head slightly to the side as if debating how honest to be.

“It’s… day by day,” she admitted finally, her voice barely above a whisper. “Some days feel like I can handle it. Others feel like the walls are closing in.”

I frowned but didn’t press further. Instead, I decided to change the subject to lighten the heavy mood.

“I didn’t go back to work.” The words slipped out of my mouth before I could fully think them through.

Audrey blinked at me, her emerald eyes narrowing slightly in confusion. “What do you mean? You stayed here with me?”

I nodded, shrugging nonchalantly. “Sort of.”

Juliette shook her head, tears spilling over again. “I kept them hidden… in the same cabinet as the household supplies. That’s how he found them. I had to hide them there to stop him from pawning them off before!”

My anger simmered just beneath the surface, but I tried to keep my voice even. “Aunt Juliette, do you understand now? This cycle isn’t going to stop. He’ll destroy you. He’ll destroy everything if you let him.”

Her lip quivered, and she looked down at her trembling hands. Slowly, she nodded. “You’re right. I’ve been a coward for too long. It took me far too long to see the burden I placed on you… I’m sorry, Audrey. I want to leave him this time-for good.”

“If you don’t, I can’t keep supporting you,” I warned, my words firm but resolute. “If you let him keep dragging you down, I can’t keep picking up the pieces.”

Juliette looked up at me, her watery eyes filled with shame but also determination. “I swear to you… I’ll leave him. And I’ll find a way to make this right. For you, and for myself.”

Somewhere deep down, I hoped she meant it this time.

—

For nights, I’d been wrestling with strange sensations in the dark. A quiet presence brushing against my senses. A kiss on my forehead as if from a ghost. A hand holding mine for mere seconds before vanishing into the stillness.

And tonight – a familiar whisper of footsteps reached my ears just before I was about to drift off.

Arthur.

He froze when our gazes locked, guilt flooding his expression. His disheveled look and faint whiskey scent gave me pause. Something about him seemed so… unraveled.

“Audrey,” he began, his voice low and raw, “couldn’t sleep. I had to… I only wanted to make sure you’re alright.”