After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 131

Chapter 131

Elle’s POV

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My mind raced back to yesterday-wasn’t he supposed to be at the party with Mira? And now here he was,

showing up at the Blair family estate like some conquering hero.

“You brought all these werewolves here-what’s the meaning of this?” I demanded, my voice sharper than I

intended. “Showing up uninvited with an entire pack is incredibly rude.”

I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks. The audacity of this man-this Alpha-was beyond belief.

Brad’s amber eyes studied me for a moment, and something shifted in his expression. Maybe it was the way

Mr. Blair nervously cleared his throat, or how Mrs. Blair looked genuinely intimidated by the werewolf

crowd, but Brad suddenly seemed to understand my point.

“Let them all go back to the cars and wait!” he commanded in a low growl that carried absolute authority.

I watched, still seething, as Alex immediately stepped forward to carry out Brad’s order, signaling for the

group of werewolves to disperse.

Mr. Blair visibly relaxed as the oppressive werewolf presence lessened, and I felt a small satisfaction that at

least the Blair family’s peace had been restored.

But I was still angry. Why was he here at all? I’d already accepted the reality of my situation-that I was

carrying his child, that our relationship was what it was Why couldn’t he just leave me alone to have this

one peaceful visit with human friends?

“I don’t understand why you’re still angry,” Brad said.

I stared at him, incredulous. He didn’t understand? How could he not understand that showing up like this,

making such a spectacle, was exactly the kind of behavior that reminded me how different our worlds

were?

Mr. Blair, bless him, stepped in with careful diplomacy. Alpha Brad, please, won’t you come inside for

lunch? We’d be honored to have you.”

His voice carried that careful deference that humans used when dealing with powerful werewolves, and it made my heart ache for the inequality of it all.

Brad stepped closer to me, and before I knew what was happening, he reached out and took my hand in

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Chapter 131

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his. His palm was warm, his grip firm, and I felt that strange sense of safety that his touch always brought

-even when I was furious with him.

“What are you doing?” I whispered, trying to pull my hand away, but his Alpha strength made it

impossible.

That insufferable smile played at the corners of his mouth-the one that made him look both dangerous

and devastatingly attractive. “Walking with my mate,” he said simply.

I was stunned speechless. Here I was, trying to understand why he’d come here after spending the night

with Mira, and he was acting like… like we were actually a couple instead of two people bound together by

an unplanned pregnancy.

The confusion must have shown on my face because his smile widened, as if my bewilderment was

somehow endearing to him.

“Sophia,” Mrs. Blair said warmly, clearly trying to redirect everyone’s attention away from the tension

between Brad and me, “I was just telling Elle about the pastries I packed for you both. There’s plenty for

lunch if you’re hungry.”

“That’s incredibly kind of you, Mrs. Blair,” Sophia replied graciously.

Mrs. Blair’s face lit up with genuine pleasure, and I felt a rush of gratitude toward Sophia for being so diplomatic. If it weren’t for Brad’s dramatic entrance, this would have been such a lovely, peaceful

morning.

I caught Brad’s eye and shot him a warning look and was surprised when his expression softened slightly. He even seemed to find my protective glare amusing, which only made me more frustrated.

“Thank you,” I said to Mrs. Blair, my voice warm despite my inner turmoil. “Your kindness means more than

you know.”

Once we were inside the elegant main room, Brad still hadn’t released my hand. The continued contact was

making me feel flustered and exposed in front of the Bir family.

Then Brad surprised me by examining the antique pian in the corner with genuine interest.

*1920s Steinway, German manufacture,” he said, his volge carrying unexpected expertise. “The sound

quality has suffered slightly due to inadequate humidity control.”

Mr. Blair’s face lit up with amazement. “That’s exactly right! I had no idea that Alpha Brad is so

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Chapter 131

knowledgeable about human classical music.”

My anger wavered slightly. I’d never heard Brad discuss music before, and his casual display of cultural knowledge was… impressive, actually.

“I have a professional piano tuner at Rayne Manor,” Bral continued smoothly. “I’d be happy to send him over to restore the proper sound quality.”

Mr. Blair’s initial wariness completely dissolved, replaced by genuine excitement at the prospect of discussing art with this surprisingly cultured Alpha.

Even Raymond looked grudgingly impressed, though I caught a flash of something like competitive

wariness in his eyes.

I stared at Brad, momentarily forgetting my anger as I watched him effortlessly charm his way past the Blair family’s defenses. There was something almost unfair about how easily he could win people over

when he wanted to.

He caught me staring and squeezed my hand gently, and I felt my cheeks burn as I quickly looked away.

“I need to use the restroom,” I said firmly, finally managing to extract my hand from his grip.

“What a coincidence,” Brad said with that maddening smile, “I was just thinking the same thing.”

My mouth fell open. “What?”

Mr. Blair immediately gestured for a servant to show us the way, clearly not about to question an Alpha’s

decision.

Once we were alone in the hallway, I whirled on him.

“Brad Rayne, what the hell do you think you’re doing?” The words burst out of me, tears of frustration threatening to spill over. “What do I have to do to make you satisfied? I already accepted that I’m having your child, I already agreed to everything you wanted. What more do you want from me?”

For a moment, he just stared at me, and I saw something almost vulnerable flash across his features as he took in my heterochromic eyes bright with unshed tear

Then, without warning, he stepped forward and pulled me into his arms.

His embrace was warm and secure, carrying that subtle scent that always seemed to calm my frayed nerves.

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Chapter 131

I found myself pressed against his chest, feeling his steady heartbeat, and despite everything-despite Mira, despite my anger, despite my confusion-I felt that traitorous sense of safety wash over me.

“What are you doing?” I whispered, my voice muffled against his shirt.

But he just held me tighter.

For a moment, I just let myself be held.

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After One Night with the Alpha