Alpha’s Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left novel Chapter 86

(Audrey’s POV)

The van jerked to a stop, throwing me against the metal interior. My head throbbed from the lingering effects of the wolfsbane-infused ether. The silver restraints burned against my skin, a constant reminder of my captivity.

“We’re here, princess,” Raspy Voice sneered, yanking open the sliding door.

Harsh sunlight flooded in, momentarily blinding me. As my vision adjusted, I took in my surroundings – an abandoned den nestled in the woods at what smelled like the outer edge of pack territory. The building was dilapidated, with boarded windows and graffiti covering most of the exterior walls.

“Move,” Raspy Voice commanded, grabbing my arm and dragging me from the van.

I stumbled, my legs weak from the sedative and restraints. “This is absurd,” I said through gritted teeth. “I already told you – I’m not paying Howard’s debts.”

“That’s not your decision to make,” he replied, shoving me toward the entrance.

Inside, the abandoned den smelled of stale alcohol, cigarettes, and unwashed wolves. Several rough-looking pack members lounged around, eyeing me with undisguised interest as Raspy Voice pushed me into a chair.

“Got her, Blake,” the van driver announced to Raspy Voice, confirming his name.

Blake nodded, pulling out his phone. “I’ll call the Alpha King now. Let’s see how much his mate is worth to him.”

“For the last time, we’re severing our mate bond next month,” I insisted, struggling against my restraints. “You won’t get anything from Arthur Moonstone through me.”

Blake ignored me, dialing Arthur’s number and putting it on speaker. My heart raced as the phone rang once, twice, three times. Then someone answered.

“Arthur Moonstone’s phone.”

My blood froze. It wasn’t Arthur’s voice – it was Victoria’s.

“I need to speak with Arthur Moonstone,” Blake demanded, his eyes fixed on me.

Victoria’s saccharine voice oozed through the speaker. “He’s not available right now. Who’s calling?”

Blake hesitated, clearly not expecting this complication. “Tell him we have his mate, Audrey Winter.”

There was a pause, then Victoria’s laugh – light, mocking. “His mate? Oh, you mean his soon-to-be ex-mate. They’re dissolving their bond next month.”

Blake’s eyes narrowed as he looked at me. “Where is Moonstone?” Blake pressed.

“He’s out buying my favorite cake,” Victoria replied, her voice dripping with satisfaction. “Triple chocolate with raspberry filling. He always remembers the little things. I’ve been craving it since my… accident.”

The words stung more than they should have. In three years of our mating, Arthur had never once remembered my favorite cake flavor. Not once.

“I need to speak with him immediately,” Blake insisted.

“I’ll let him know you called,” Victoria said dismissively. “Though I doubt he’ll be concerned about Audrey. Our relationship has… progressed significantly since her departure.”

“Put Audrey on,” she suddenly demanded.

Blake held the phone toward me, and I cleared my throat. “Victoria.”

“Audrey, darling,” her voice dripped with mock concern. “Trouble follows you everywhere, doesn’t it? Should I tell Arthur you’ve been kidnapped or would you prefer I not disturb his day?”

I swallowed my rage. “Take it easy, Victoria. The unmating is proceeding as planned. I’m handling this situation.”

Victoria’s laugh was brittle. “Of course you are. Always so… capable.” She paused. “I’ll tell Arthur you said hello. When he returns with my cake.”

The call ended, and Blake stared at the phone in confusion.

“Seems like your mate has moved on already,” he commented, a cruel smile twisting his lips.

I met his gaze evenly. “I told you we were severing our mate bond. Now will you let me go?”

“Not so fast,” Blake said, dialing another number. “Alpha Grey needs to know about this development.”

He walked away as he spoke into the phone, but I could still hear snippets of his conversation. “She wasn’t lying… being unmated next month… still think we can get resources… Howard insists…”

My head snapped up at the mention of Howard’s name. Before I could process this information, Blake returned.

“Alpha Grey says to proceed,” he announced. “Even if you’re severing your mate bond, the Moonstone Pack will still pay to avoid the embarrassment of having their Alpha’s former mate held by rogues.”

“You’re making a terrible mistake,” I warned, but Blake just laughed.

“We’ll see about that,” he said, nodding to another wolf who grabbed my chair and dragged it deeper into the den.

As we entered a back room, my stomach dropped. There, sitting comfortably with a glass of cheap wolf whiskey, was Howard Mitchell – my uncle.

“Howard?” I gasped, momentarily forgetting my restraints as I tried to stand.

He looked up, his bloodshot eyes widening slightly before he attempted a casual smile. “Audrey! There you are.”

“You knew about this?” I demanded, fury building inside me. “You set me up?”

Howard had the decency to look uncomfortable, but not remorseful. “Now, Audrey, don’t be dramatic. It’s just a little misunderstanding about some debts.”

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