Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 146

146 /261

(Audrey’s POV)

The office door swung open with a force that made our newly installed bell jingle violently. Mrs. Shadowcrest appeared, chest heaving slightly as if she’d hurried up the stairs rather than waiting for the elevator. Her eyes scanned the room quickly before landing on Emma with maternal concern.

Anyone could see at a glance how much she cared about her daughter. The expensive jewelry adorning her neck glinted under our office lights, a stark reminder of the power differential between us.

Emma, seeing her reinforcement had arrived, immediately adopted a wounded expression. Her lower lip protruded in a practiced pout, and her eyes glistened as if she was about to cry.

“Mom,” she whimpered, “I felt sorry for her recent mate bond severance, so I came to support her healing practice, but she and her friend actually insulted me and called me a rogue wolf!”

The transformation was impressive-from threatening our business moments ago to playing victim now. I had to admire her commitment to the act.

Mrs. Shadowcrest’s perfectly shaped brows furrowed deep lines into her forehead. She turned her glare on me, her eyes flashing with maternal outrage.

“Audrey Winter, don’t be so ungrateful! Apologize to my daughter!” Her command rang through our small waiting area.

Sarah, who had been barely containing herself beside me, finally exploded.

“What do you mean, ungrateful? Who’s begging your daughter to support our business? I already said we wouldn’t take her custom formula order, but she insisted on pestering us!”

I winced at Sarah’s bluntness. She never had learned the art of pack politics-speaking without saying anything of substance.

Mrs. Shadowcrest’s lips curved into a sneer, her gaze sliding from Sarah to settle on me. The threat in her eyes was unmistakable.

“Audrey Winter, last time I let her off for your sake. If your friend can’t control her muzzle this time, I’ll make her disappear from the territory.”

My blood turned cold at the casual way she delivered the threat. This wasn’t just posturing-the Shadowcrests had the influence to make good on such promises.

Sarah, never one to back down, was further provoked. “You have the ability-”

“Sarah!” I quickly cut her off, grabbing her arm. I knew I had to act fast. “Stop it, go back to the office and wait for me!”

I wasn’t afraid for myself-I’d weathered worse storms than the Shadowcrest mother-daughter duo. But Sarah was different. She had no pack protection, no powerful mate, just her own fierce independence. And that wouldn’t be enough against the Shadowcrests.

Sarah looked at me with disbelief. “I’ll stay here with you…”

“Go in and wait for me!” I insisted, my voice firmer than usual.

It was obvious that Emma was deliberately looking for trouble, and now with her mother’s arrival, both were eager to throw their weight around. If Sarah stayed, she would definitely lose her temper after a few more exchanges and be further provoked.

I physically guided Sarah toward the inner office, my hand firmly on her back. She resisted all the way to the door.

“Audrey, they will bully you!” Her wolf eyes flashed with protective anger.

“Let them have their way with words, it won’t cost me any fur off my back,” I replied quietly.

The truth was, until our healing practice built its reputation, we would always be at the mercy of clients like the Shadowcrests. There would likely be even more demanding customers in the future. If I wasn’t mentally prepared for this, I wouldn’t succeed at creating custom healing formulas.

I smiled, trying to reassure her. “You just watch from inside. If they try to lay a paw on me, then come out. I definitely won’t stop you then.”

“But you…” Sarah looked torn.

“Then stay away from them, in case they do try something, so I have time to stop them!” she finally conceded.

“Okay.” I readily agreed, needing her safely out of the way.

Taking a deep breath, I closed the office door behind Sarah, fully aware of the smug looks on the Shadowcrests’ faces. I returned to my seat and looked directly at Emma.

“Miss Shadowcrest, can you now tell me your requirements and preferences for the healing herbs formula?”

“Apologize to Emma first!” Mrs. Shadowcrest demanded sharply, her voice laced with disdain.

She leaned forward, her manicured claws tapping against our brand-new reception desk. “She specially asked you to create a healing formula for her. It shows her kindness and generosity, but you don’t seem to understand your place.”

Her eyes narrowed as she delivered the final blow. “Do you still think you’re Luna Moonstone?”

The barb was meant to wound, to remind me of what I’d lost. But strangely, it didn’t hurt anymore. My mate bond with Arthur was severed, and with it, the power those words held over me.

“Mrs. Shadowcrest,” I smiled faintly. “Actually, I don’t need Miss Shadowcrest to be so kind and generous as to support my healing practice. So, please leave.”

I expected anger, but the sheer outrage that crossed Mrs. Shadowcrest’s face exceeded even my expectations.

“How dare you!” She abruptly stood up, pulling Emma’s arm. “Emma, let’s go! What good healing could someone like her create? I’ll contact a top Northern territory healer for you…”