Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 180

(Audrey’s POV)

As soon as the Pack Beta announced Emma’s return, Mrs. Shadowcrest’s eyes darted across the hall. She locked her gaze on her husband and practically yanked him by the arm.

“Come, dear, we must greet them properly,” she whispered loudly enough for those nearby to hear.

The excitement in her voice was unmistakable. She straightened her expensive pack robes and touched her hair, as if preparing for an important photograph rather than a pack meeting.

Sarah nudged me with her elbow. “This should be good,” she murmured, fighting to keep her expression neutral.

Within moments, a noticeable commotion rose from the entrance of the banquet hall. Heads turned and conversations faltered as the new arrivals made their entrance.

Arthur Moonstone stepped into the hall first, his presence commanding immediate attention. He wore a formal black pack Alpha attire that emphasized his broad shoulders and tall frame. His obsidian eyes swept the room with practiced detachment, his noble features set in that familiar cold expression I knew so well.

Julian Reed followed half a step behind him-the perfect Beta position. The easy rapport between them was visible to anyone with pack experience. Emma and her parents flanked them, the Shadowcrests practically glowing with self-satisfaction.

A hush fell over the gathering as recognition dawned on the assembled wolves. This was Arthur Moonstone-former Alpha of Moonstone Pack, now revealed as the mysterious Northern Alliance Alpha.

The same Arthur Moonstone whom the Shadowcrests had quite publicly rejected as a mate for their daughter just days ago.

I felt a twisted sense of satisfaction at the irony. Overnight, the pack dynamics had completely inverted: the formerly spurned Alpha now held all the cards in this territorial game.

Several curious she-wolves drifted toward Mrs. Shadowcrest, their expressions a mixture of schadenfreude and genuine confusion.

“Alpha Moonstone must be here for Emma, right?” one whispered, loud enough for others to hear. “He was just rejected by your pack, wasn’t he?”

Mrs. Shadowcrest’s smile remained fixed, though her eyes flashed with momentary discomfort. She recovered quickly, her voice dripping with false modesty.

“Why bring up the past?” she replied, waving a dismissive hand. “I was far too impulsive back then-and nearly lost Emma a perfect mate marking. Fortunately, Alpha Moonstone is both powerful and forgiving.”

Mr. Shadowcrest looked mortified. He cleared his throat loudly, nudging his wife with an embarrassed cough.

“My dear, perhaps we shouldn’t presume Alpha Moonstone’s intentions,” he muttered through clenched teeth.

Turning to Arthur, he adopted a more dignified tone, though I could hear the strain behind his words.

“Alpha Moonstone, I never imagined Northern Alliance belonged to you as well. Youth truly overwhelms age.” His voice carried both awe and entreaty. “I only hope you’ll show leniency toward the Shadowcrest Pack in future territory negotiations.”

The subtext was clear to everyone. Northern Alliance’s relentless territorial acquisition had already seriously endangered the Shadowcrest family’s hold on its most crucial hunting grounds. This wasn’t just a social call-it was about survival.

Julian’s thin smile didn’t reach his eyes as he stepped forward slightly.

“Alpha Shadowcrest,” he said smoothly, “talk of mercy is all well and good. But when Emma pressed so mercilessly on Alpha Moonstone before, you gave her no heed.”

The words hung in the air, casting the Shadowcrests into uncomfortable silence. Several nearby wolves exchanged glances, enjoying the public humbling of the typically arrogant family.

Mr. Shadowcrest forced a wry grin, knowing when to surrender with grace.

“Emma is young, reckless, and lacked restraint,” he conceded, throwing his daughter under the bus without hesitation. “Rest assured, we won’t ever again bring up mate marking alliances.”

From where I stood, I could see Emma’s face flush with humiliation. First her grandmother, now her father-everyone seemed eager to sacrifice her dignity to salvage the pack’s standing.

Mrs. Shadowcrest, however, wasn’t ready to abandon her ambitions. She grabbed Emma’s arm and practically dragged her forward, maternal determination overriding any sense of decorum.

“Arthur,” she addressed him directly, dropping all pretense of formality, “my earlier decision to reject the mate marking had nothing to do with Emma. It was her father and I who felt you weren’t in the right frame of mind for forming a bond.”

Emma looked like she wanted the floor to swallow her whole as her mother continued.

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