Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 242

(Audrey’s POV)

I found myself genuinely surprised by how much I was enjoying Florian’s childhood friends. The private dining room overlooking the moonlit lake had a warm, intimate atmosphere that made me feel welcomed rather than scrutinized.

“So you’re telling me Florian used to steal honey cakes from the pack kitchen when he was seven?” I asked Asher Silverclaw, unable to suppress my laughter.

Asher’s silver-tipped hair caught the candlelight as he nodded enthusiastically. “Not just steal them. He’d convince the kitchen omegas that he was ‘testing’ them for quality control.”

“I was ensuring pack food safety,” Florian protested from beside me, his arm draped casually across the back of my chair. “A very serious responsibility for a young pup.”

Kevin, who had undergone a complete personality transformation since our arrival, jumped in eagerly. “Tell her about the time you tried to ‘help’ with the harvest moon ceremony preparations!”

I glanced at Florian, whose golden eyes held a mixture of embarrassment and fondness. “What did you do?”

“He decided the ceremony was too boring,” Kevin explained, his previous animosity replaced by genuine warmth. “So he released a pack of moon rabbits into the ceremonial circle.”

“They were supposed to add ‘natural authenticity,'” Florian said dryly.

“The chaos lasted for hours!” Asher chimed in. “Alpha Cornelius was so furious he made Florian clean the entire ceremonial ground with a single brush.”

Leo, who had been quietly coloring with crayons Sarah had found in her pack, suddenly looked up with bright curiosity. ” Uncle, when will you and Aunt Luna get officially mated?”

The entire table fell silent. I felt heat rise to my cheeks as Florian’s arm tightened slightly around my shoulder.

“When your Aunt Luna decides she’s ready for such a troublesome mate,” Florian replied smoothly, pressing a gentle kiss to my temple.

Leo considered this seriously, his little brow furrowed in concentration. “Is Uncle troublesome?”

Sarah snorted with laughter. “Very troublesome, Leo. But your Aunt Audrey likes troublesome wolves.”

“I do not,” I protested weakly, though I couldn’t deny the flutter in my chest at Florian’s casual display of affection.

The conversation flowed naturally after that, with stories and laughter filling the air. Kevin was particularly animated as he discussed Winter’s Remedy’s expansion plans with Sarah, his earlier hostility completely forgotten.

“The location on Moonstone Boulevard would be perfect,” he was saying earnestly. “High foot traffic, excellent visibility, and the rent is completely reasonable.”

“Reasonable for whom?” Sarah asked skeptically.

“For Audrey’s future mate,” Kevin replied without thinking, then immediately flushed. “I mean, for successful healing specialists. Which you both clearly are.”

I caught Florian’s amused expression and had to bite my lip to keep from laughing. His friends’ acceptance meant more to me than I’d expected.

Just as the dessert course arrived, Florian’s pack device buzzed insistently against his pocket. He pulled it out discretely, his expression immediately shifting as he read the message. The change was subtle, but I’d grown adept at reading his moods.

He typed a quick response and slipped the device away, but I noticed the tension that had settled in his shoulders.

“Everything alright?” I asked quietly.

“Pack business,” he replied, his tone carefully neutral. “Nothing urgent.”

I didn’t press, but I made a mental note to ask about it later when we were alone.

As the evening progressed, the atmosphere remained warm and celebratory. Leo had charmed everyone at the table, including the server who brought him an extra portion of moon berry cake without being asked.

“Uncle Florian,” Leo said seriously, his face smeared with frosting, “your friends are nice. But they tell embarrassing stories about you.”

“All the best friends do,” Florian assured him. “It’s how you know they truly care about you.”

Leo nodded wisely, then turned to me. “Do you have embarrassing stories about Aunt Luna?”

“So many,” Sarah said before I could respond. “Would you like to hear about the time she tried to cook venison stew and nearly burned down her entire territory kitchen?”

“Sarah!” I protested, but I was laughing despite myself.

As the celebration began to wind down, other guests starting to make their departures, Florian leaned close to my ear. “Walk with me? There’s something I need to discuss with you.”

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