After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 122

Chapter 122

Elle’s POV

I sat on the bench, my phone dark and silent in my lap. The street lamp above cast a weak circle of light around me, but it did nothing to chase away the cold that had settled deep in my bones. Two hours. I’d been waiting for two fucking hours.

My hand moved instinctively to my belly. “Your daddy said he’d be here soon,” I whispered. But as the minutes ticked by, that whisper felt

more like a lie.

I’d called his phone. It went straight to voicemail.

“Elle?”

I looked up to see Sophia approaching, her silver hair catching the streetlight.

“You’re still here,” she said, settling beside me on the bench. “How long are you planning to sit out here? An Alpha letting his human mate wait alone on a street bench? That’s not Brad’s style.”

I shrugged, not trusting my voice.

“Raymond’s been waiting too. He can drive us back to Roy’s place.”

I shook my head. “I can’t. He’ll worry if he comes and I’m gone.”

Sophia was quiet for a moment. “You know what? This is bullshit. You’re carrying his child, and he’s got you sitting out here like some

forgotten appointment.”

Her words hit harder than I expected. “Maybe he just got held up—”

‘Elle. I’m a Beta. When Alphas care about something, nothing stops them. Nothing.”

The truth in her words settled over me like a weight. I stood up suddenly, my legs shaking as feeling rushed back into them. The movement was too quick, and I swayed.

“Whoa, easy there.” Sophia was on her feet instantly. “How long have you been sitting?”

“Two hours,” I admitted.

“Damn it, Elle. Your body can’t handle that kind of stress.”

I tried to take a step and immediately stumbled, my legs refusing to support me.

1/4

10:22 Wed, Dec 31

Chapter 122

:

“Raymond!” Sophia called out, and suddenly he was there.

“What happened? His voice was sharp with concern.

“She’s been sitting for two hours. Her legs are completely numb.”

Raymond didn’t hesitate. “May 12” When I nodded, he swept me up into his arms.

Being carried by Raymond felt different than being held by Brad. There was no overwhelming scent of dominance, no crackling energy. Raymond smelled like soap and coffee and something uniquely human that was oddly comforting.

I buried my face against his shoulder, breathing in that familiar human scent. It reminded me of home, of a simpler time before Alphas

and mates and all the complicated politics of the werewolf world.

20

The car was already running, a middle-aged healthcare worker waiting in the back. Raymond had thought to have a doctor ready for my

condition. The kindness was more consideration than I’d gotten from my actual mate tonight.

Back at Roy’s mansion, Raymond saw us safely inside before taking his leave.

“Thank you,” I said as he prepared to go. “For everything tonight.”

“Don’t mention it,” he replied.

After he left, Sophia and I made our way to the guest room. The silence between us was heavy.

“Elle, Sophia began as we settled on the plush couches. “I need to ask you something. Are you in love with him? With Brad?”

The question hit me like a physical blow. I opened my mouth to deny it, but the words wouldn’t come.

Because the truth was, I was in love with him. Despite everything the deal, the circumstances, the fact that he’d chosen me because of

biology rather than choice.

“Yes,” I whispered. “God help me, but yes.”

Sophia nodded, “I thought so. I can sense the emotional bond from you.”

“Fat lot of good it does me,” I said bitterly.

“Elle, I know why Brad didn’t show up tonight.”

My blood turned to ice. “What?”

2/4

10:22 Wed, Dec 31

Chapter 122

“Mira’s been admitted to the werewolf medical center. She’s having some kind of health episode, and Brad… he’s been with her all

evening. He’s planning to stay the night.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I actually doubled over, my hand pressed to my stomach.

“He chose her,” I whispered. “Even with everything between us, even with the baby, he chose her.”

Elle-

“No.” I straightened up, something cold and final settling in my chest. “This is clarifying.”

I could feel something breaking inside me, some last desperate hope I’d been clinging to. The fantasy that maybe Brad could love me for

who I was rather than just what I represented.

“He made it clear where his priorities lie,” I continued, my voice growing steadier even as my heart shattered. “Mira gets sick, and suddenly his pregnant mate sitting alone on a bench doesn’t matter anymore.”

“That’s not necessarily—”

“Isn’t it?” I laughed bitterly. “I’m human, Sophia. I don’t understand the mate bond the way you werewolves do, but I understand this. When someone matters to you, you don’t leave them waiting. You don’t choose someone else.”

“So what are you going to do?”

I took a deep breath. “I’m going to have this baby. I’m going to be the best mother I can be. And I’m going to stop pretending that Brad and I are anything more than biological compatibility.”

“Elle, you don’t mean that.”

“Don’t I?” I stood up. “Tonight showed me exactly where I stand. I’m the human who happens to be carrying his heir. That’s all I’ll ever be

to him.”

“But you’re his mate-”

“His mate who he left sitting alone while he comforted another woman.” The words came out sharp. ‘I won’t make the mistake of thinking I’m anything special to him again.”

Sophia was quiet for a long moment. Finally, she sighed. “If you’re serious about this… about wanting some distance from Brad… I might

have an idea.”

Something in her tone made me look at her sharply. “What kind of idea?”

“Something that would give you options. A way to show Brad what he’s losing while giving you the chance to choose your own path

forward.”

3/4

Chapter 122

“Tell me.”

‘It’s risky, Elle. And it’s probably not a good idea.”

I thought about sitting on that bench for two hours, about the humiliation, the slow death of hope.

“I’m listening,” I said.

Comments

✩ 2

Write Comments

SHARE

20

4/4

10:22 Wed, Dec 31

After One Night with the Alpha