Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 79

(Audrey’s POV)

He was still standing there, his figure barely lit by the faint glow of the wall light. The tension in the room thickened with every passing second. His dark eyes carried something I hadn’t seen in him in a long time-vulnerability. Finally, he broke the silence.

“Audrey,” he began, his voice barely above a whisper. “I think… I finally understand.”

I narrowed my eyes. His hesitant tone wasn’t something I was used to hearing. “Understand what?” I asked sharply, though part of me already knew where this was heading.

Arthur’s shoulders slumped ever so slightly. His hands, usually steady, fidgeted with a sleeve. He took a shaky breath, the sound hollow and raw. “The pain,” he said quietly. “The pain of losing them. Losing our pups.” His voice cracked at the end, and he quickly looked away, as if facing me was too much.

I froze, his words catching me off guard. Then, like a floodgate bursting, a wave of resentment rose within me. I couldn’t believe him. Not now. Not when it was far too late.

“Losing them?” I repeated, my voice dripping with disbelief. I let out a bitter laugh that echoed off the quiet walls. “You’re just now understanding that, Arthur? Now? After months of ignoring me? After slapping me? After rushing past me on that street to be with her?”

He flinched as if I had struck him, his jaw tightening. “I made mistakes, Audrey,” he admitted, his voice so soft it barely reached me. “I… I wasn’t there when you needed me. I can’t ever make that right.”

“No. You can’t,” I spat, my voice sharper this time. I pushed myself to my feet, ignoring the dull ache in my legs. “What do you expect from me, Arthur? Sympathy? Forgiveness?” I shook my head, the bitterness in my tone growing. “Because you won’t get it. Not anymore.”

“I’m not asking for forgiveness,” he said quickly, his voice breaking slightly. “I… I know I don’t deserve it.” He looked up at me, his expression hollow yet pleading. “But I just-“

“You just what?” I snapped, cutting him off. “You abandoned me, Arthur. Over and over again. To be with her. To comfort her. To choose her. And now, what? You finally feel bad and expect me to… what? Welcome you back with open arms?”

Arthur looked like he’d been gutted. His dark eyes, usually so confident and piercing, now flickered with uncertainty. “I’m not asking you to welcome me back,” he said, shaking his head. “I just… I needed you to know. I needed you to know I understand what I’ve cost us.”

I stared at him, my chest heaving as months of anger bubbled over into my words. “You don’t understand anything. You’ll never understand,” I hissed. “Do you know what you cost me, Arthur? Do you even realize-” I stopped myself, my hands trembling at my sides. “No, it doesn’t matter. Because it’s done. What’s left to understand?”

He stepped closer, his movements uncertain and hesitant, like he didn’t know how to approach me anymore. “Audrey, I know I’m too late. I know I’ve failed you. But…” His voice dropped, barely audible. “I’ll do anything to fix it if you let me.”

The audacity of those words caused me to let out another bitter laugh. My eyes locked on his, cold and unforgiving. “Fix it? Fix it?” I emphasized, shaking my head in disbelief. “You can’t fix what’s already broken. The mate bond, Arthur. Me. Us. There’s nothing left for you to repair.”

The weight of my words seemed to crush him, and he took a step back, his expression crumbling further.

“I’ve set my date.” My voice was level now, calm but firm. “We’ll sever the bond next month. And after that…” I paused, letting my words sink in. “After that, you’ll never have to hear from me again. You’re free. You get what you want.”

His dark brows furrowed, his lips parting as if he was about to argue, but no words came. He exhaled slowly. “If that’s what you want,” he said, his voice hollow. “I… I won’t stand in your way.”

“Good,” I snapped. But despite his agreement, that unsettling feeling-that gut instinct-told me this wasn’t over. Not really.

—

The next morning brought a welcome distraction from the weight of the night before. My phone buzzed on the nightstand, jarring me awake. Groggily, I reached for it, my annoyance dissipating the moment I read the text: “Congratulations! You’ve won first place in the rare healing herbs research competition!”

“Nathan…” I murmured under my breath, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

Soon, that smile grew into a wide grin as the meaning of the message fully sunk in. I bolted upright, rereading it to be sure. I had won. I had actually won.

Sarah peeked in from the living area, her hair a wild mess and her mug of herbal tea in hand. “What’s got you so excited this early?” she asked, her tone teasing but curious.

I held up my phone with a triumphant grin. “Nathan says I won the competition!”

Her eyes widened, and she nearly dropped her mug in excitement. “You what?” she shrieked, rushing over and wrapping me in a tight hug. “Audrey, I told you! I told you your research was unbeatable!”

I laughed, tears of joy threatening to spill as her words sank in deeper. I had done it. I had proven my worth, not just to the Alliance but to myself.

“We’re celebrating tonight,” Sarah declared, pulling back and grinning like a maniac. “Dinner. Drinks. And you’re inviting Nathan. Obviously.”

“You’re inviting yourself?” I teased.

She smirked, plopping down on the chair next to me. “Like you’re going to leave me out of this. Dream on.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t stop smiling. For the first time in what felt like forever, something good had come out of all the chaos.

—

Richard stepped forward, his gaze steady as he studied me. “I hear you and Arthur are set to sever the mate bond soon.” His voice was smooth, practiced. “Good. It’s long overdue.”

I clenched my fists at his audacity, but before I could respond, Sarah spoke up.

“Wow, Richard,” she said mockingly, her brows raising. “Sounds like you can’t wait for Audrey to leave. Let me guess-you’re already planning the ceremony to name Victoria Luna, aren’t you?”

His smile tightened, his composure faltering just slightly. “I’m only concerned with everyone’s happiness,” he said smoothly. “Arthur deserves peace, and so does Audrey.”

“Peace. Right.” Sarah smirked. “That’s what you’re concerned about.” She tilted her head, feigning curiosity. “Not like you and Victoria have your own plans, right? Plans that include more than just jewelry shopping.”

Victoria’s expression darkened, her lips pressing tightly together. “Careful, Sarah,” she warned, her voice low and laced with barely concealed rage.

Sarah laughed, a sharp, unforgiving sound. “I hope you’re being careful too, Victoria. Careful where you put your hands. Or where Richard puts his.”

Richard’s face turned an alarming shade of red as Victoria sputtered in outrage. “You’re crossing a line,” Richard snarled, his voice finally betraying some of the control he prided himself on.

But Sarah, ever the provocateur, simply grinned. “Am I? Or am I just saying what everyone’s already thinking?”

Before either of them could respond, I grabbed Sarah’s arm and pulled her away. “Let’s go,” I muttered under my breath, my patience running thin.

As we walked away, Sarah was practically bouncing with satisfaction. “Did you see their faces?” she cackled.

I sighed, shaking my head. “Sarah, you’re going to push them too far one day.”

She shrugged, unapologetic. “And when I do, I’ll be ready.”

Despite myself, I couldn’t help smiling. With Sarah by my side, it was hard not to feel like I could handle anything-even Victoria.