After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 100

Chapter 100

Elle’s POV

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“Being friends with me? I’m flattered.”

Raymond’s eyes crinkled with genuine amusement. “No, I should be flattered.”

I found myself relaxing despite my earlier wariness. Truth was, there was no point in making an enemy out

of Raymond.

My strategy was simple: don’t offend, don’t get too close. And if I ever needed help down the line – well, having Dakota’s face might work in my favor.

“Alright,” I said, managing a genuine smile. “Mr. Carter.

Raymond’s expression shifted, a warmth spreading across his features. “Still calling me ‘Mr. Carter’?” His blue eyes sparkled with humor, suggesting something more intimate.

I kept my voice even, casual. “Raymond.”

The moment I said his name, I saw something flash across his face – his pupils contracted sharply, as if hearing his name from my lips had struck something deep. For a split second, he looked almost stunned, lost in some memory I couldn’t access.

What the hell was that about?

Before I could analyze it further, Raymond seemed to snap back to the present, though I could see something working behind his eyes – some internal struggle or memory.

“I’m sorry,” I said, glancing at my watch. “I should head back. It’s already noon.”

I could see something flicker in Raymond’s eyes – reluctance, maybe disappointment – but he controlled himself well. “Of course. Let me have someone drive you home.”

“Thanks, but I have my driver.” I needed to maintain some distance, especially given the complicated web between Raymond and Brad,

As I stood up, my right hand instinctively went to my lower back. The baby was getting heavier each day, and the discomfort was becoming more noticeable.

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Raymond’s attention sharpened immediately. “Are you feeling alright? Do you need me to call a doctor?”

“No, thank you.” I rubbed my slightly rounded belly absently. “I’ve just been feeling heavier these past few days. It’s nothing serious.”

“Take care of yourself,” he said softly.

I nodded politely. “See you around.”

But as I started to walk away with Amy and my security detail, Raymond’s voice called out behind me.

“Elle!”

I stopped mid-step and turned around slowly, curious despite myself.

Raymond was approaching quickly, his assistant already at his side with an elegant gift box. “This is for

you,” he said, offering it with casual grace.

“For me?” I couldn’t hide my surprise, my heterochromatic eyes widening slightly.

“Since we’re friends now, it’s normal for friends to exchange gifts, right?” Raymond’s expression was disarmingly gentle – the kind of face that made it hard to stay suspicious. “Don’t worry, it’s nothing expensive. Just a small gift that all the diamond VIP shoppers received today.”

I hesitated for a moment. Accepting a gift shouldn’t complicate things too much. “Well, I won’t be rude

then. Thank you.”

I took the box and handed it to Amy, then gave Raymond a polite farewell. “I’ll be going now. Thanks

again.”

“Take care,” Raymond replied with a slight nod.

But as I walked away, I could feel his eyes on my back. When I glanced over my shoulder, he was still

standing there, watching me leave with an unreadable expression.

Back at the Rayne estate, I found myself genuinely delighted with Amy’s gift. The box contained over twenty porcelain dolls – boys and girls, each one incredibly lifelike and detailed. I couldn’t help but smile as I arranged them on the living room shelf, directing the maids to remove the expensive art pieces that

had been there before.

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“Remove the original items from the shelf,” I told Mart, who was helping me dust and sanitize each doll before placement. “These are much more interesting.”

Martha smiled as she handed me another doll. “You really like these, Miss West?”

“They’re adorable!” I said, carefully positioning a little girl doll with pigtails. “This shelf was so boring with all those stuffy ornaments. This is much more fun.”

“You all need to behave, okay?” I said seriously to the assembled figurines. “You’re the newcomers here, and that blue vase next to you is worth fifty thousand dollars, while you’re only worth about five hundred…” I paused dramatically. “But don’t let that get you down. A doll should have ambition!”

The staff around me chuckled, and I heard a soft sound from behind me. When Martha noticed Brad and announced his return, I turned to find him looking down at me with an amused smile.

“You like them?” he asked, his voice warmer than usual

“Yes,” I answered, probably sounding a bit dazed.

Brad’s gaze shifted to the shelf. “Remove everything else,” he told the butler. “If Miss West wants to

decorate with these, then that’s what we’ll do.”

The butler looked shocked. “But sir, these are your favorite pieces…”

“Not anymore,” Brad said simply.

Brad reached out and took my hand, his fingers intertwining with mine as he led me toward the dining room. The moment his skin touched mine, I felt that familiar electric current shoot through me, making

my entire body feel warm and tingly.

Why does this keep happening?

We sat down to dinner.

The dinner was surprisingly peaceful, filled with easy conversation and shared glances. But then, as I was reaching for a glass of water, something completely unexpected happened.

A sudden movement in my belly made me gasp. “Oh!”

The sharp exclamation startled everyone at the table, and Brad immediately grabbed my hand, his face

filled with concern. 1

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“What’s wrong? Are you hurt? Get the doctor!” His voice was tight with worry.

“No, no!” I said quickly, one hand pressed to my stomach. “The baby just kicked me!”

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“What?!” Brad’s expression transformed from concern to pure wonder. He pulled me closer, his voice filled

with awe. “The baby can kick now?”

“Yes,” I nodded, unable to suppress my smile. “It started yesterday. The little troublemaker is getting

stronger.”

Without warning, Brad dropped to one knee beside my hair, his ear pressed gently against my belly. I

could see the anticipation and nervousness in his eyes as he waited.

And then it happened again – the baby kicked, right where Brad’s ear was pressed.

The look of pure joy that crossed Brad’s face was unlike anything I’d ever seen from him. This powerful, always-controlled Alpha was kneeling on the floor, overcome with emotion about feeling his child move.

“That’s our baby,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “Our son.”

I stared down at him, my heart doing strange things in my chest. Brad, who was always so image- conscious, was kneeling in front of the entire household staff, completely lost in this moment.

The happiness radiating from him was so genuine, so raw, that it took my breath away.

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