Alpha's Regret After His Pregnant Luna Left

Chapter 1: The Perfect Gift

Chapter 1: The Perfect Gift

(Audrey's POV)

I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the neckline of my emerald green dress. The color matched my eyes, the eyes that always betrayed a hint of my wolf, Grace. Tonight was supposed to be special — our third marking anniversary.

I let out a shaky breath. Everything was ready. The table was set with our best silverware, the candles flickered delicately, and the aroma of the dishes I had prepared with care filled the dining room. The wine-braised lamb sat waiting alongside the chocolate soufflé, which had taken me several attempts to perfect earlier in the day.

This was supposed to be a celebration. A reminder of the bond we had shared for three years, a bond that, at least to the pack, appeared strong and unshakable. Grace purred softly in the back of my mind, but I felt her unease.

I smoothed my hair one last time. The dress hugged my figure perfectly. For a moment, a tiny flicker of hope made its way into my chest. Maybe tonight, despite the odds, Arthur would surprise me.

Then, my phone buzzed, cutting through the quiet anticipation like a knife. At first, I thought it was yet another congratulatory message from a member of the pack. But the name on the screen didn’t belong to a well-wisher.

It was from Sarah Mitchell, a lone wolf I had befriended during my time with the Moonstone Pack. She didn’t send texts for casual reasons. My thumb hovered as Grace stirred uneasily.

When I opened the message, my heart stopped.

Attached was a video. The image was shaky but clear enough. It was Arthur, standing in an extravagant jewelry store — the same one I had walked past with him weeks ago, where I had admired that exquisite moonstone necklace behind the glass.

I had never asked for it outright. It wasn’t my nature to demand material things. But Arthur had noticed the way my eyes lingered on it, and for a fleeting moment, I thought maybe... maybe he’d understood.

But the video told a different story.

Arthur’s large hands carefully held the necklace, the silver chain catching the light. The warm smile on his face wasn’t directed at me. It was directed at another woman.

Victoria Moonstone. His stepsister.

The video cut to him fastening the necklace around her neck. “A new beginning,” I heard his deep voice say as if the words were burnt into my mind.

My chest constricted painfully. Grace howled in my mind, her anguish echoing like a storm I couldn’t quiet.

Today wasn’t just our marking anniversary. It was the day Victoria had announced that she had successfully severed the bond with her mate. The pieces clicked together like a cruel joke.

I sank into the dining chair. The meal in front of me, the flickering candles — it all felt like a cruel taunt now.

The betrayal burned hot and sharp, but I forced myself to stay calm. My hands trembled as I picked up my phone again. The PACK forum was abuzz, packed with celebratory posts. One headline stood out: "Alpha King Spends Huge Amount of Money to Please His Luna."

For a second, bitterness filled me. The man they praised and admired wasn’t the man who had walked out of this house today. The man I had bonded with.

Minutes turned into hours. I didn’t know whether it was Grace’s frantic pacing in my mind that kept me awake or the raging storm of questions I had no answers to.

The food grew cold. The candles dimmed. Midnight came, and with it, the faint sound of the key turning in the lock.

Arthur walked in, his tall, commanding frame filling the doorway. His dark eyes were sharper than ever, and his presence, as always, demanded attention. He paused when he saw me sitting there, still dressed and waiting.

“You’re up late,” he said casually, tossing his keys onto the counter.

I clenched my hands under the table, drawing in a steadying breath. “I was waiting for my anniversary gift.”

For a fraction of a second, something flickered in his gaze — guilt? Shame? Maybe I was imagining it.

“Anniversary,” he repeated, as if the concept had completely slipped his mind.

“Yes,” I said, meeting his gaze dead-on. “Three years today.”

He tugged at his tie and wandered over to the bar, casually pouring himself a drink. “Sorry, Luna. I’ve been busy with pack matters. I forgot.”

The calm tone in his voice made Grace bristle. He was lying. I knew it, and so did my wolf.

“I thought...” I started, carefully choosing my words. My voice didn’t shake, but there was a tightness in my throat I couldn’t control. “I thought I’d seen you with something special today.”

Arthur didn’t turn to face me. “What do you mean?”

“The necklace,” I said simply. “The moonstone one.”

“Oh,” he said, finally turning to face me, leaning casually against the bar. “That. I bought it for a friend. A thank-you gift.”

My heart sank further, but I kept my expression neutral. “All I want is the necklace,” I said softly.

He frowned slightly, his drink pausing midway to his lips. “I’ll... I’ll ask my friend about it,” he said finally.

The air between us grew heavy. The lie was obvious, hanging between us like a wall I couldn’t ignore.

Arthur moved toward the dining table next. His frown deepened when he saw the untouched food. "You worked all night for this,” he said, gesturing at the plates. There was a hint of disapproval in his tone, but it was masked by concern.

“I wasn’t hungry,” I said simply.

Arthur began clearing the plates. The domesticity of his actions felt oddly jarring. “Don’t waste tonight,” he said over his shoulder. “I’ll cook something fresh for both of us.”

He moved quickly, rolling up his sleeves and pulling ingredients from the fridge. He knew exactly what to make — venison and spaghetti. My favorite.

The smell wafted through the air, but I didn’t speak. I hardly moved, and as I watched him cook, that tiny flicker of hope from earlier tried once more to surface. But Grace wouldn’t let it. She was restless, her growls reverberating through my mind.

“Come on,” he said after setting the plate in front of me.

I forced myself to take a few bites. The food was good, as always, but I couldn’t taste it.

After dinner, Arthur headed to the shower, and I sat frozen in my chair, my thoughts swirling. Grace paced back and forth, her emotions chaotic. The image of that necklace being placed around Victoria’s neck wouldn’t leave my mind.

When Arthur came to bed, his mood seemed light. He slid into his side, his hand trailing along my hip. His touch, usually comforting, felt foreign.

I shifted away slightly. “Not tonight, Arthur.”

His hand paused. “What’s wrong?”

“Just... my stomach,” I lied.

Concern flickered across his features. “You’ve been off for a while now,” he said. “You should go see someone. Maybe Rebecca at the therapy center. You know she’s good.”

I turned over, blinking back tears. His tone was full of care, but it felt hollow. He couldn’t see what was truly wrong. Or maybe he refused to see it.

Five weeks. That’s how far along I was.

I hadn’t told him yet. The original plan was to share the news during dinner, but now? Now everything was up in the air. The pups growing inside of me would change everything. But could we raise them together if this necklace, this betrayal, wasn’t addressed?

No.

I couldn’t let them grow up in an illusion. If the necklace wasn’t returned, I’d have to make a decision. A difficult, heart-wrenching decision.

Morning came with a heaviness I couldn’t shake. I barely had time to think before a knock came at my door.

“Luna?” Mary Bennett’s gentle voice called from the hallway.

I clasped my robe tightly and opened the door. The beta-ranked housekeeper bowed her head slightly.

“Miss Victoria Moonstone is here to return something,” Mary said, her voice low but calm. “She’s carrying a jewelry box.”

I stiffened. Grace growled softly.

The moment of truth was here.