After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 128

Chapter 128

Elle’s POV

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I watched Ivy’s retreating figure disappear around the corner of the villa. “She was pretty gbvious about it, actually. The whole innocent

act while trying to manipulate me into either feeling guilty or looking arrogant.”

Raymond shook his head, looking genuinely frustrated. “I’m sorry you had to deal with that. The Blair family would be mortified if they

knew how Ivy was representing them.”

“It’s fine,” I said, though I felt drained from the encounter. “I understand family politics can be complicated.”

“Speaking of which,” Raymond said, glancing around to make sure we were alone, “I actually came looking for you for a different reason.” He gestured to a small decorative box I hadn’t noticed he was carrying. “I wanted to bring you something.”

I looked at the box suspiciously. “If this is another attempt to convince me to visit the Blair family-”

“I’m not,” Raymond interrupted quickly, raising his free hand. “I’m here to bring you food! Those fancy werewolf canapés aren’t exactly

filling, are they?”

He had a point. My stomach had been growling for the past hour.

“That’s… actually really thoughtful,” I admitted, feeling sóme of my wariness fade.

Raymond gestured toward a quiet corner of the garden where there was a small bench surrounded by flowering bushes. “Shall we sit? You look like you could use a break from all the drama.”

I followed him over, grateful for both the food and the company. Raymond opened the box to reveal an assortment of delicate pastries and small cakes, each one perfectly crafted and beautifully presented.

–

“These look incredible,” I said, taking one of the pastries. The first bite was heavenly sweet but not cloying, with layers of flavor that seemed to melt on my tongue. “This is wonderful. Where did you find a chef with this kind of skill?”

Raymond didn’t answer immediately, instead watching me cat with an expression I couldn’t quite read.

“Is it good?” he asked instead,

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“It’s amazing,” I said, taking another bite. “The flavor is so unique I’ve never tasted anything like it. Is this some kind of Carter family secret recipe?”

Raymond shook his head, looking almost amused. “It’s not that I want to keep the technique secret. It’s just…”

I raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

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Chapter 128

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He took a deep breath, as if deciding whether to tell me something important. “These weren’t made by our chef, Elle. They were made by

Stella Blair herself.”

My hand froze halfway to my mouth. “Mrs. Blair? But why would she-

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“The ingredients come from the Blair family’s ancient medicinal herb garden,” Raymond continued. “These pastries contain specific herbs that help with… well, with pregnancy. Especially for humans carrying werewolf children.”

I set the pastry down, staring at him. “You’re serious.”

“Completely serious. Stella found this recipe in the Blair family’s ancient texts,” Raymond explained. “It’s been lost for generations. She spent an entire day researching it, cross-referencing old medical journals to make sure every ingredient would be safe for a human

mother.”

A warm feeling spread through my chest, completely unexpected. “She did this for me? But she doesn’t even know me.”

“She didn’t want me to tell you,” Raymond said softly. “She was afraid you’d feel obligated or uncomfortable. But I couldn’t take credit for

someone else’s kindness.”

I picked up the pastry again, looking at it with new eyes.

After my own mother Susan, I couldn’t remember the last time someone had shown me such thoughtful, selfless care.

“Elle?” Raymond’s voice was gentle. “Are you alright?”

I realized there were tears in my eyes – not the painful ones I’d been shedding lately, but quiet tears of gratitude.

“I can’t just ignore this kindness,” I said, wiping my eyes. “I need to thank her properly.’

Raymond smiled, seeming to have expected this response. “Should I tell the Blair family you’d like to visit?”

“Yes, Please tell them I’ll come tomorrow and tell Mrs. Blair that I love it,”

Raymond nodded, standing up. “I will. She’ll be so pleased to hear that.”

After he left, I sat alone for a few minutes, carefully putting the remaining pastries back in the box. The kindness of a stranger had touched something deep inside me, calming the turmoil that had been building since Mira’s return.

I was just standing up, ready to head back inside, when I heard familiar voices approaching

“Oh wow, these look gorgeous!”

I turned to see Mira walking toward me with Brad beside her. She spotted the pastry box in my hands and, without asking, reached over and plucked it right out of my grasp.

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Chapter 128

These are so pretty,’ she said, opening the box and helping herself to one of the pastries. “Mmm, delicious!”

She broke off a piece and turned to Brad. “Here, Brad, try this.”

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I watched, my heart sinking, as she fed him a bite of the pastry that Stella Blair had made specifically for me and my baby. Brad chewed thoughtfully, his amber eyes flickering toward me briefly.

“It is good,” he agreed, his voice neutral.

Mira looked pleased with herself, like she’d somehow won a point in a game I didn’t know I was playing. The casual way she’d taken something meant for me, the intimate way she’d fed Brad – it was all so effortlessly territorial.

“Do you two need something?” I asked, my voice coming out cooler than I’d intended.

Brad’s expression sharpened at my tone. As an Alpha, he was probably picking up on the shift in my emotions, even if he didn’t

understand the cause.

“Elle, I wanted to formally introduce you two,” he said, gesturing between Mira and me.

My heart sank.

Before I could respond, Mira looped her arm through mine with that casual werewolf friendliness that always caught me off guard.

“Elle, you’re not mad at me, are you?” she asked, her voice warm and concerned. “I know this situation is complicated, but I want you to know that Brad and I are just good friends now.”

Just friends. The way she said it, like she was being so generous by allowing me to exist in Brad’s life.

“I understand,” I said quietly.

‘I’m glad,’ Mira continued, squeezing my arm. “I’d hate for there to be any awkwardness between us.”

“Good,” I interrupted, pulling my arm free gently. “I’m sorry, but I’m actually pretty tired. I think I’ll head up to rest.”

Brad stepped forward, his hand reaching out like he wanted to stop me. “Elle-

”

‘Actually, there is one thing,” I said, cutting him off. I met his eyes directly, keeping my expression as neutral as possible, “I was hoping to discuss something with you. The next three days are going to be pretty busy with celebrations, and honestly, I’d prefer not to be in the middle of all the excitement. Would it be possible for me to go away for a few days? Just to get some air?”

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After One Night with the Alpha