Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 46

(Audrey’s POV)

The VIP room was uncomfortably quiet except for the muted hum of the club outside. I leaned back against the wall, crossing my arms over my chest as if it could seal the growing ache enclosing my heart. Every moment in this dimly lit room only deepened the humiliation gnawing away inside me.

Arthur’s words echoed in my head. His cold assurance that he would “handle it” as he made sure I’d stay hidden. As if I were a problem he needed to keep tucked away.

Why does he always do this?

I pressed my hands against my temples, squeezing my eyes shut. The question was one I’d asked myself over and over, especially lately. But this moment, being locked away while he dealt with Victoria, stung worse than before.

Her voice carried through the door faintly, though I couldn’t make out the words. The fishing tone of hers was unmistakable. The lilting mockery, always edging close to triumph.

And Arthur…

I didn’t need to hear him to know he was placating her again. He was always ready to make excuses for her, guilty or not.

He didn’t even fight my accusations back in this room when I called him out for hiding me. His face showed some flash of emotion-a flicker of regret, anger, or confusion-but not enough words to defend me. And then, as always, Victoria took priority.

Somehow, it was worse than a thousand slaps across the face for me to stay cooped up here like a shameful secret.

Grace, my wolf, growled low in my mind, pacing. She hated it as much as I did.

“This isn’t the life we’re meant to live,” she rumbled inside my thoughts. “We’re an Alpha. And we let them treat us this way.”

“I know,” I whispered to her silently, closing my eyes. But knowing didn’t soften the heavy knot in my chest.

I couldn’t ignore the growing resentment blooming inside me like a wound that refused to heal. Arthur had marked me. Yet somehow, I’d never felt so unclaimed.

Time passed, though I couldn’t say how much. The noises outside finally quieted. I didn’t hear Victoria anymore, but I sat still, staring at the door, not trusting anything.

Finally, I mustered enough courage-no, enough anger-to leave.

—

I’d hoped the cramped hallway might feel like freedom, but it didn’t.

No sooner had I stepped out that I felt the weight of every gaze nearby. The side glances, the murmurs just loud enough to be unintelligible but far too quiet to be ignored.

Their stares burned through me.

I knew what they thought. They always thought it.

The mate. An outsider in the Moonstone Pack. Unwanted.

I rolled my shoulders back, forcing my head high. If they were going to judge me, I’d show them that I didn’t care. Even if, deep down, their whispers still clawed at me. Through my whole life, wolves had stared at me with suspicion or dismissal-for being an unaffiliated orphan, for being unaligned.

But I hadn’t survived alone all those years before Arthur by caving to their words.

Breathing steadily, I walked past the looks until they no longer mattered.

That was when Nathan spotted me by the edge of the bar. His sharp, piercing gaze softened slightly as he walked toward me.

“Audrey,” he said, his voice careful but steady.

I tried to wave it off. “Nathan. I’m fine.”

He frowned, his expression unreadable but his concern unmistakable. “Are you sure?” he pressed. “You don’t have to act fine if you’re not.”

Something in his calm patience eased the tension I was barely holding back, even if it was just a fraction.

“I’ll survive,” I said finally.

His frown deepened, but he didn’t push further. “Lucas and Sarah are out there,” he said, nodding towards a table in the distance. “Come join us. Distract yourself.”

The offer was kind, but I couldn’t stomach the thought of sitting there, pretending to enjoy myself while the weight of Arthur’s actions clung to me like chains.

“Thank you, but… I think I’m done for tonight,” I murmured, forcing a small smile.

Nathan studied me for a beat. Then, with a simple nod, he said, “I’ll take you home.”

—

The drive to Sarah’s house was calm-almost eerily calm after the storm raging inside me at the club.

Nathan hadn’t spoken a word since we left, respecting the silence I needed to sort through the mess of my thoughts.

But as we pulled into Sarah’s driveway, guilt weighed heavily on me.

“Nathan,” I said softly.

He glanced at me, one brow raised.

“Earlier. At the club. I… I’m sorry for how Arthur acted. He had no right to treat you, or… anyone that way.”

To my surprise, he chuckled softly, his relaxed smile returning.

“You need to stop apologizing so much, Audrey,” he teased lightly. “This makes it, what-three times now?”

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