Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 85

(Audrey’s POV)

“The results are conclusive, Audrey,” George Thompson’s voice crackled through my phone. “The scent markers on Elder William’s medicine definitely belong to Victoria.”

I gripped the phone tighter, sinking onto my couch as the confirmation hit me. Even though I’d suspected it, hearing it confirmed made my stomach twist painfully.

“You’re absolutely certain?” I asked, needing to be sure before proceeding.

“The odor is faint now,” George explained, his voice carrying the weight of the discovery. “But our specialist confirmed it without doubt. Victoria’s scent markers are on the medicine.”

I closed my eyes, feeling an unexpected wave of sadness wash over me. This wasn’t the vindication I had imagined. Instead, grief for Elder William’s unnecessary death overwhelmed me.

“I don’t understand,” I whispered, more to myself than to George. “Why would she do this to him? Elder William might not have fully accepted Victoria, but he never actively worked against her until…”

“Until he tried to protect you,” George finished my thought.

I nodded, forgetting momentarily that he couldn’t see me through the phone.

“He always stood between Victoria and me,” I acknowledged, my voice catching slightly. “He was the only one who saw through her manipulations.”

The pieces were fitting together, but a crucial question remained unanswered.

“George, what could Victoria possibly have said to provoke such a severe reaction from Elder William?” I wondered aloud. “I’ve seen him unleash his Alpha power against Arthur in anger, and even that didn’t trigger an episode like this.”

“It’s troubling,” George admitted. “Especially given the… incident just now in your home.”

I touched my bruised knuckles, recalling the confrontation with Victoria.

“It’s the same pattern,” I realized, sitting up straighter. “She provoked me into striking her, then made it look like I was the aggressor when Arthur arrived.”

“You think she deliberately provoked Elder William into a fatal episode?” George asked, his voice grave.

“It fits her modus operandi,” I said, the realization chilling me to the bone.

A strange thought suddenly crossed my mind – an outlandish possibility that had been nagging at me since Sarah first suggested it at the mall.

“George, is there any possibility that Victoria could be… Richard’s biological daughter, not just his stepdaughter?” I asked hesitantly.

George’s sharp intake of breath was audible through the phone.

“That’s… a significant accusation,” he said carefully. “But I can assure you, thorough investigations were conducted when Katherine and Victoria joined the pack. DNA tests confirmed Victoria is solely Katherine’s daughter from her previous mate bond.”

I felt slightly foolish for even suggesting it. “Of course. It was just a passing thought.”

“A natural one, given their… inappropriate closeness,” George acknowledged diplomatically.

After a moment of heavy silence, George spoke again. “What do you intend to do with this information, Audrey?”

I stood up, pacing across my living room. “I need to tell Arthur.”

“Do you think he’ll believe you?” George’s skepticism was evident. “Scent evidence alone might not be enough to convince him, especially when it concerns Victoria.”

“I have to try,” I insisted. “Elder William deserves justice, and Arthur deserves to know the truth about his grandfather’s death.”

I made my decision. “Send me the scent analysis report, George. I’ll give it to Arthur and let him investigate the matter himself.”

“Are you sure that’s wise?” George asked cautiously.

“No,” I admitted honestly. “But I have to believe there’s still enough trust between us for him to at least look into it. And with his Alpha resources, he can investigate more thoroughly than either of us could.”

“Vengeance for you is one thing,” George observed. “But justice for his grandfather… that’s different.”

“Exactly,” I agreed. “Arthur might find excuses for her actions toward me or our lost pups, but this? This is an injustice against his own family.”

George sighed. “I’ll send the report within the hour.”

“Thank you, George. For everything.”

After ending the call, I quickly changed into fresh clothes. My hands were still trembling slightly from the aftermath of my confrontation with Victoria. The report would be arriving soon, and I needed to clear my head.

I decided to go downstairs to check my mailbox, hoping the short walk would calm my nerves. As I stepped outside, my phone rang again. Nathan’s name flashed on the screen.

“Audrey,” his voice was warm and professional. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

“No, not at all,” I replied, heading toward the mailboxes. “What is it?”

“About joining the North American Alliance of Werewolf Therapists,” he explained. “The position is still open if you’re interested.”

With everything that had happened, I’d completely forgotten about his job offer.

“Nathan, I’m sorry, I haven’t had time to-”

I struggled to sit up, wincing as the silver restraints burned my skin.

“So what’s your plan?” I asked, fighting to keep my voice steady. “Ransom me to Arthur Moonstone, I assume?”

“Smart girl,” Raspy Voice sneered. “Your mate pays up, you go free. Simple business.”

I almost laughed at the absurdity of it all.

“You’re making a serious mistake,” I informed them. “Howard and I aren’t close. And Arthur and I are severing our mate bond next month.”

The driver’s eyes met mine in the rearview mirror, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his features. But Raspy Voice remained unmoved.

“Doesn’t matter how close you are to your uncle,” he said dismissively. “And mate bond or not, you’re still under Moonstone’s protection. He’ll pay.”

“You don’t understand,” I insisted, desperation creeping into my voice. “Arthur and I are practically strangers now. He won’t pay anything for me.”

Raspy Voice pulled out a phone, displaying Arthur’s contact information on the screen.

“We’ll see about that,” he said, his finger hovering over the call button.

My heart raced as panic threatened to overwhelm me. If they contacted Arthur, there was no telling how he would react after our earlier confrontation.

“Please,” I tried again. “You’re making a terrible mistake. Arthur Moonstone is the Alpha King of the most powerful pack in the region. If you harm me, he won’t just pay you-he’ll hunt you down and destroy your entire pack.”

“Big talk,” Raspy Voice scoffed. “But we’re just doing business. Your uncle owes us, and we’re collecting. That’s all.”

“And if Arthur refuses to pay?” I challenged.

A cold smile spread across Raspy Voice’s face. “Then we’ll have to show him how serious we are.”

The implication chilled me to the bone. I was trapped in a moving van with two wolves who clearly had no idea who they were dealing with.

“You have no idea what you’ve done,” I warned them, trying one last approach. “Arthur Moonstone’s influence extends far beyond his territory. If you think you can kidnap his mate and walk away unscathed, you’re even stupider than you look.”

“Bold words for someone in silver restraints,” Raspy Voice remarked, unimpressed by my warning. “Now shut up while I make this call.”

Despite my fear, I continued to deny any connection to Arthur, attempting to dissuade them from contacting him. I warned them about Arthur’s influence and power as Alpha King, a warning they dismissed as irrelevant to their objective.