After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 105

Chapter 105

Brad’s POV

“Brad, Marrisa called out again, her voice hoarse and desperate. ‘Please, I need to know something.”

I stopped walking and regarded her with cold indifference. “You need to know something?”

‘Do you love Elle? She asked, her voice breaking.

“You want the truth?” I asked.

She nodded frantically.

I let a small smile play at the corners of my mouth. “If I didn’t love her, why the hell would I be here?”

The words hit her like a physical blow. Her chest heaved, and suddenly she doubled over, a stream of bright red blood spilling from her

mouth.

“No!” she screamed, the sound raw and animalistic. “You can’t love her! You can’t!”

She straightened up, blood still trickling from the corner of her mouth, her eyes wild with a manic desperation.

“I’m better than her in every way!” she shrieked. “I’m more beautiful, more sophisticated, more accomplished! I’m a fucking werewolf and she’s just a pathetic human! I’m everything she’s not!”

I straightened my coat and looked down at her with absolute finality. “I’ve said everything I came here to say. For old times sake, Ive given you more explanation than you deserved.”

Her face went from desperate hope to dawning horror as she realized what was coming.

“The wine,” she breathed. “Why was Elle unharmed while I… while I drank that poison?”

A cold chill ran through her as understanding dawned. She looked up at me with pure terror in her eyes.

“You knew,” she whispered. “You knew everything from the beginning, didn’t you? You were watching, waiting, letting me dig my own

grave.

I didn’t confirm or deny it. I didn’t need to. The truth was written all over my face.

Fear finally overtook every other emotion on her face. She knew me well enough to understand that when I made a pronouncement, I followed through. Always.

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Chapter 105

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I turned and walked away without another word. Behind me, I heard the sound of vehicles approaching-my men, arriving to collect what

was left of Marissa Hopkins.

They wrapped her limp form in a simple sheet and loaded her into the back of a truck like cargo. No ceremony, no dignity. Just the

efficient disposal of a problem that had been solved.

As I got into my car, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. One more obstacle between me and Elle had been eliminated. The memory of Elle calling my name in her moment of desperation echoed in my mind, filling me with a warmth that chased away the cold satisfaction

of revenge.

Now I could focus on what really mattered-getting to the medical center to make sure my mate and our child were truly safe.

Elle’s POV

The medical center smelled like antiseptic and hope. Mom and I sat side by side in the comfortable waiting area, both of us looking like

we’d been through hell-which, honestly, we had.

The doctor, a kind woman in her fifties, asked as she reviewed our test results. “Elle, you mentioned being forced to drink something you

suspected was drugged?”

“Yes,” I said, my hand instinctively moving to my stomach.

The doctor looked puzzled. “According to your blood work, you consumed nothing but pure water. Whatever was in that glass, it wasn’t

harmful.”

I stared at her in shock. “Water? But that doesn’t make sense. Why would she…?”

The pieces started clicking together in my mind. Someone had switched my drink. Someone had protected me without me even knowing

“Who saved me?” I whispered to myself.

Mom reached over and squeezed my hand. “Does it matter? You’re safe. That’s what counts.”

But it did matter. It mattered a lot. How had Brad known exactly when to arrive? How had my drink been switched? The timing was too

perfect to be coincidence.

“Elle, sweetheart,” Mom said softly, tears starting to flow down her cheeks. ‘I’m so sorry. This is all my fault.”

“No, I shouldn’t have fallen for her trap.” she continued, her voice thick with guilt. I put you and my grandchild in danger because I was

too naive.”

“I’m sorry, Mom,” I said, my own eyes filling with tears.

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I shook my head, still trying to process everything that had happened. I never imagined she would be capable of something this evil.”

Mom wiped her eyes and reached over to cup my face. “Well, thank God for Brad. He really is a good man,

Elle.”

I looked at her in surprise. Mom had been so worried about my relationship with Brad, always cautioning me to be careful.

“I’m not going to interfere in your relationship anymore,” she said firmly. “Whatever is between you two, whatever you’re building together -1 can see that he cares about you. And after today, I know he’ll protect you.”

She took a shaky breath. “I’ve completely cut ties with Grace and the rest of the West family. I’m done with all of that toxicity. As long as you’re happy, as long as you’re safe, that’s all I need.”

Her words touched something deep in my heart. I leaned against her shoulder like I used to when I was little, breathing in her familiar

scent of lavender and comfort.

“I love you, Mom.”

“I love you too, baby.”

We sat there in comfortable silence for a while, both of us processing the events of the day. I felt her eyes on me, and when I looked up, she was staring at my face with an odd expression-like she was seeing something that both fascinated and troubled her.

‘Mom? What’s wrong?”

She was quiet for a long moment, her fingers gently touching my cheek as she studied my eyes. I could see her struggling with something, some internal battle that was causing her obvious distress.

“Elle,” she said finally, her voice soft but serious. “I need you to promise me something. Don’t hate me for being selfish, okay?”

I frowned, confused by the sudden shift in her tone. “What do you mean?”

‘I don’t have the power to protect you,” she said, her voice breaking slightly. “I’m just a human woman in a world dominated by werewolves. But Brad… Brad has that power. He can keep you safe in ways I never could.”

She took my hands in hers, holding them tightly. “Elle, do you want to know the truth about who you really are? About where you came

from?”

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10:19 Wed, Dec 31

After One Night with the Alpha