After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 104

Chapter 104

Brad’s POV

The moment I saw Elle pressed against that door with the silver hairpin at her throat, something primal and violent erupted inside me. My mate-my pregnant mate-was about to harm herself because of these fucking animals.

I moved faster than humanly possible, catching her wrist just as she was about to press the pin deeper. The relief that flooded through

me when I pulled her against my chest was overwhelming, but it was quickly consumed by a rage so pure and deadly that my wolf was

clawing to get out.

“Elle,” I whispered against her ear, my voice gentle even as my body trembled with barely contained fury. “So you were calling for me.”

I kissed her earlobe tenderly, then covered her eyes with my hand, completely blocking her vision. I couldn’t let her see what I was about

to do. Elle didn’t need those images burned into her memory.

“Alex,” I called without turning around, my voice deadly calm. “Get her out of here. Now.”

I spun Elle gently, pushing her toward the exit where Alex was waiting. The moment she was safely in his arms, I let the beast loose.

The shift happened faster than it ever had before. Bones cracked and reformed, muscles expanded, and my human consciousness merged with the predatory instincts of my wolf. But I maintained just enough control to avoid a full transformation-1 needed to send a message,

not become a complete animal.

My partially shifted form was a nightmare made real. Claws extended from my fingertips, my canines elongated into deadly fangs, and my amber eyes glowed with an otherworldly light. The Alpha power radiating from me filled the entire warehouse.

Jason, who had been stumbling toward where Elle had been standing, took one look at me and let out a shriek of pure terror. He fell to his knees, his drug-addled mind struggling to process what he was seeing.

“You wanted to touch my mate?” I growled, my voice distorted by the partial shift. Each word dripped with lethal intent.

Before he could respond, my clawed hand shot out with lightning speed. I raked my claws across his groin with surgical precision, shredding through fabric and flesh. His scream was inhuman as he collapsed, clutching himself and writhing in agony.

“That’s for even thinking about touching what’s mine, I snarled.

The metallic scent of blood filled the air, and Jason’s agonized wails echoed off the warehouse walls.

Marissa, despite her drug-induced state, seemed to understand the danger she was in. I watched with cold satisfaction as she tried to shift, her face contorting with effort. But nothing happened.

“Surprised?” I asked, my voice returning to something more human as I retracted my claws. “That wine you drank? It wasn’t just a aphrodisiac. I made sure to add a little something to suppress your shitting abilities.”

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Chapter 104

Her eyes widened in horror as the full implications hit her. She was trapped in human form, completely vulnerable, with her body burning from the drugs she’d intended for Elle.

I straightened my coat and walked toward her with measured steps. Each footfall echoed in the warehouse like a death knell. Alex appeared at my side.

“Marissa,” I said conversationally, as if we were discussing the weather. “You always did enjoy games. So let’s play one?

I nodded to my men, who brought forward a group of homeless men they’d gathered from the streets. The desperate look in their eyes told me they’d been promised payment for their services.

“Gentlemen, I announced, my voice carrying easily across the warehouse. “I bet you never fucked a she-wolf. See her over there? She’s yours. Consider it payment in advance.”

Marissa’s drugged state made her stumble toward me. “Brad, please! I’m burning… I need… please save me!”

I watched with cold detachment as my security held her back. “Now why would I do that? You were so eager to drug my pregnant mate. I thought you might enjoy experiencing the effects yourself.”

The homeless men needed no further encouragement. They descended on Marissa like vultures, and her screams filled the warehouse. I

felt nothing but cold satisfaction as I watched her get exactly what she’d planned for Elle.

A man was brought before me-the one who had switched Elle’s drink on my orders. He was trembling so violently I thought he might

collapse.

“Please, Mr. Rayne!” he begged. “I did exactly what you told me to do! I switched the drinks like you said! I didn’t know they were

planning to kidnap your wife!”

I smiled-a cold, predatory expression that made him whimper. Alex stepped forward and tossed a stack of bills at the man’s feet.

“Consider that your severance pay, Alex said with disgust. “Mr. Rayne is feeling generous today. Take the money and disappear before he

changes his mind.”

The man grabbed the cash and ran like his life depended on it-which it probably did.

My attention was drawn by a whimpering sound. Susan was huddled in the corner, clearly traumatized by everything she’d witnessed. I

gestured for my men to escort her out.

“Take her to the medical center, I ordered. “Full examination and treatment. And make sure she understands that none of this was her

fault.’

As Susan was led away, I turned my attention to the other criminals who had been part of this operation. They were kneeling in a line, awaiting their fate.

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Chapter 104

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“Each of you loses a hand and a foot, I announced matter-of-factly. “Cauterize the wounds so they don’t bleed out. I want them to remember this lesson for the rest of their lives.”

The screams that followed were music to my ears.

Marissa, even while being brutalized, managed to call out to me. “Brad! Why are you doing this to me? Did you ever love me?

I stood and walked over to where she was being held down. The homeless men stepped back at my approach, giving us a moment of relative privacy.

‘Love?” I repeated, as if the word was foreign to me. “Is that what you call trying to drug and assault my pregnant mate?”

Her eyes were glazed with drugs and tears. “I gave you everything! Why her? Why some worthless human girl?”

I crouched down so we were at eye level. “You want to know if I ever loved you, Marissa?”

She nodded desperately.

I thought about it for a moment.

“You want the truth?” I asked quietly.

Hope flickered in her eyes.

I stood and prepared to leave. “Enjoy your new friends. You’ve earned their attention.”

As I walked away, she screamed after me: “Answer me! Did you ever love me? Just tell me that much!”

I paused at the warehouse door and looked back at her one final time.

“You don’t deserve my love.” I said with contempt.

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After One Night with the Alpha