(Audrey’s POV)
My eyes grew slightly moist as I stared at Florian.
Something scratched at the bottom of my heart, a dull pain that wouldn’t subside. The weight of everything I’d been carrying-my spirit sickness, the search for him, those lonely nights in the Sunstone Territories-suddenly felt too heavy to bear alone.
“No, Florian, these past two years I’ve been-” I started, my voice faltering as I tried to find the courage to reveal everything.
“Never mind,” he interrupted, flashing a shallow smile that didn’t reach his eyes. His golden eyes were bloodshot, reflecting a pain so deep it made my chest ache. “Audrey Winter, I shouldn’t have had any expectations of you.”
His words struck me like a physical blow. I felt a sharp wound pierce my heart, and I fought desperately to keep the tears from spilling over. I wouldn’t cry in front of him-not now, not when he thought so little of me.
“You’re right,” I said, the words tasting like ash in my mouth.
What was the point of explaining? In his eyes, l was heartless—a she-wolf who had moved on quickly after his supposed death, finding comfort in another wolf’s arms.
He would never understand the nights I’d spent searchingfor any trace of him, the spirit sickness that had almost destroyed me when I thought he was gone forever.
Florian chuckled, a raw, angry sound that held no warmth or humor. Without warning, he grabbed my arm, his grip surprisingly strong for someone who’d been injured. He pulled me close, and for a brief moment, I thought he might kiss me.
Instead, his teeth grazed my lip harshly, a painful bite that drew blood. I winced at the metallic taste filling my mouth but remained still, afraid any sudden movement might hurt his injured legs.
“This time, I don’t care if you’re Audrey Winter or Lyra Riverwind,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous.” Just know that being with anyone else but me is a big mistake!”
Then, as suddenly as he’d grabbed me, he released me and wheeled his chair away, turning his back on me. The dismissal was clear, final. I touched my bleeding lip gently, the throbbing pain a dull echo of the hurt in my chest. –
“Leo is still taking a bath,” I reminded him quietly, suddenly remembering our young charge.
Florian didn’t turn around. “I’m busy lately. You take care of him,” he replied dismissively, his voice cold and distant.
I watched him leave, my heart breaking all over again.
How had we come to this? Two wolves who once sharedeverything, now unable to even speak honestly with each. other. I tasted blood on my lip, a bitter reminder of how far we’d fallen. The wounds we inflicted on each other ran deeper than any physical injury.
Part of me wanted to run after him, to force him to hear the truth. But pride and hurt kept me rooted to the spot. If he could think so little of me, then perhaps it was better this way. Let him believe what he wanted.
The sound of splashing from the bathroom reminded me that I wasn’t alone. Leo needed me, even if Florian didn’t. I wiped away the single tear that had escaped and straightened my shoulders. I would be strong, as I had been throughout these past two years. I had survived I worse than Florian Stormhowl’s rejection.
(Florian’s POV)
I wheeled myself back to my dark territory den downstairs, not bothering to turn on the lights. The only illumination came from the faint, silvery starlight filtering through the window, casting long shadows across the floor. Itsuited my mood-dark, turbulent, filled with a storm I couldn’t control.
Audrey’s perceived indifference consumed me. I had clung to the memory of Serena Shadowcrest-of her-for over twenty years. I had endured the agony of recovery, the excruciating therapy sessions, the humiliation of relearning to walk. And for what?
She hadn’t even searched for me after severing her bondwith Arthur Moonstone. Instead, she had gone to Nathan Snowfang. The thought of them together made my blood boil, her confession still ringing in my ears like a silver bell of betrayal.
Did she think so little of me? Was I truly worth so little to her that she could turn to another wolf so easily?
I slammed my fist against the arm of my wheeled healing chair, frustration and pain churning inside me like a violent whirlpool. All those sacrifices I’d made, the endless hours of torment during treatment-it all felt worthless if she could so easily turn away from me.
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