After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 106

Chapter 106

Elle’s POV

21

Mom’s words hung in the air like a loaded gun, and I felt my entire body go rigid. My hands gripped the hospital bed sheets so tightly my

knuckles turned white.

“Mom, wait- I interrupted, my voice sharper than I intended. “Why are you bringing this up now?”

I could feel my heart hammering against my ribs. This conversation was heading somewhere I didn’t want to go, somewhere that could

complicate everything I’d already planned.

“Mom, I told you before, I’m not interested in my real identity,” I said firmly, cutting off whatever she was about to say. “Not at all.”

I forced a smile, trying to keep my voice light despite the turmoil inside. “These past years living in the outskirts haven’t been so bad. I’m

content with what I have. I’m grateful for the life you’ve given me.”

But Mom’s expression grew more serious, and she reached for my hand with a bittersweet smile that made my stomach drop.

“Elle, sweetheart, when I found you, you were still in swaddling clothes, abandoned on a small road in the border area. You were covered

in blood and still had your umbilical cord attached-clearly a newborn who’d just been born.”

My breath caught in my throat. The clinical way she described it made it feel so real, so immediate.

“I’ve kept the little blanket you were wrapped in all these years,” she continued, her voice growing softer. “Maybe it’s the key to finding

your real family.”

I felt my whole body tremble, and I could see Mom notice my reaction. She stopped talking, reading the resistance written all over my

face.

I stared down at my hands, my mind racing. Of course I’d wondered about my origins before. How could I not? But every time those thoughts surfaced, I pushed them away because I knew-I fucking knew-that digging into my past would only bring complications and

pain I wasn’t ready to handle.

My life plan was simple: have this baby, take Mom, and disappear from this place forever. Start fresh somewhere nobody knew us.

Twenty-three years of struggling, of scraping by. Twenty-three years of watching Mom work herself to the bone while Grace West treated

us like dirt.

And now, when I finally had a chance to escape it all, when I could give Mom the peaceful life she deserved, she wanted to drag up the

past?

Twenty-three years. Even if my biological parents were still alive, what did it matter? There were no bonds left, no connections that

couldn’t be broken.

1/3

10:19 Wed, Dec 31

Chapter 106

:

21

The silence stretched between us, heavy and uncomfortable. I could feel Mom watching me, waiting for some kind of response, but I had nothing to give her.

Then footsteps echoed in the hallway, followed by a gentle knock on the door.

Alpha Brad is here,” Alex announced from the doorway.

Both Mom and I looked toward the door as Brad walked in. His eyes immediately found mine, and I saw him notice the tear tracks on my cheeks. His expression darkened with concern.

“How are you feeling, Mrs. West?” Brad asked Mom, his voice respectful but warm. “Has the medical team been taking good care of you?”

“They’ve been wonderful, thank you,” Mom replied, and I could hear the genuine gratitude in her voice.

“Would you like to stay in our place for a few days?” Brad suggested. “Elle she could use someone close by to help take care of her.”

Mom shook her head with a small smile. “Thank you for the offer, but I know you have plenty of staff to help her. I’d probably just be in

the way.” She glanced between Brad and me, then stood up. “I think I’ll go outside and get some fresh air.

The message was clear-she was giving us privacy.

Once we were alone, Brad sat down beside me on the bed. I immediately felt compelled to apologize.

“I’m sorry,” I said, looking down at my hands. “I caused so much trouble.”

“What about them?” I asked, meaning Jason and the others who’d been involved in the kidnapping. “What happened to them?”

Brad’s eyes glinted with something dark. “Oh? You’re still concerned about your ex-boyfriend who betrayed you?”

“No! The word came out sharper than I intended, and I felt anger flash through me. I never want to see them again! I just… my mom is so innocent in all this. She didn’t deserve what they put her through.”

Brad’s expression softened. ‘Don’t worry. You’ll never have the chance to see them again. They’ve been sent somewhere… far away.”

I felt a wave of relief wash over me, not bothering to ask what ‘far away’ meant. Some things were better left unknown.

Brad pulled me gently into his arms, and for once, I didn’t resist. His warmth surrounded me, making me feel safer than I had in hours.

‘When you were in danger, you called my name,’ he said quietly. “That made me very happy.”

‘I promise you, Elle. I’ll never let you get hurt like this again.”

His words hit me like a physical blow. I stared up at him.

2/3

Chapter 106

He looked away and changed the subject, “Your mom’s first time in downtown, isn’t it? She should stay for a few days, see the sights.”

My eyes lit up at the suggestion. ‘Really?”

“Of course. You can go anywhere you want together, just be careful and stay safe.”

I felt my heart flutter with excitement. For so long, I’d wanted to take Mom somewhere special, somewhere she could just enjoy herself without worrying about Grace or household duties or community obligations.

She’s always been too busy, I thought, remembering all the times I’d suggested little trips only to have Mom decline because she had to take care of Grace or handle some family emergency.

Finally, she could have some time that was just hers.

“That sounds wonderful,” I said, and I could hear the genuine happiness in my own voice.

Brad’s expression grew warm as he watched my reaction. Seeing me happy seemed to brighten his entire mood.

A few minutes later, Alex entered with a stack of cards in his hand.

“These are membership cards for all the major chain stores in Moonshade Bay, Alex explained. “They’ve all been loaded with credit.”

I turned to look at Brad in amazement, feeling warmth spread through my chest. He’d thought of everything-not just permission to go

out, but the means to really enjoy ourselves.

I held the cards, not sure how to express what I was feeling. All I could do was smile at him, my eyes crinkling with genuine gratitude.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

Brad reached out and tapped my forehead playfully. “Silly girl. You don’t need to thank me for this.

I ducked my head, trying to hide my smile.

Comments

B 6

Write Comments

<SHARE

3/3

10:19 Wed, Dec 31

After One Night with the Alpha