After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 140

Chapter 140

Elle’s POV

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“Hi everyone, I’m Elle West.” I began, trying to project confidence despite the butterflies in my stomach.

“Good morning, Mrs. Rayne!” they chorused in unison.

Brad’s hand tightened slightly on my back, and when I glanced at him, I could see the satisfaction in his eyes. He looked pleased-proud, even.

From across the room, I caught sight of Mira standing with a group of marketing staff. Her hands were clenched so tightly her knuckles had gone white. Even from this distance, I could see the pain and jealousy

written across her face.

“Elle,” Brad said, drawing my attention back to the room, “I’d like you to meet Sophia Luke from our

alliance, Frostclaw Pack.”

Sophia stepped forward with that graceful confidence that seemed to come naturally to pure-blood werewolves. Her silver hair caught the light as she extended her hand.

“It’s wonderful to meet you officially in a professional setting, Elle,” she said with a warm smile that

reached her eyes.

“And this is Mira Collins, our new Market Manager,” Brad continued, his tone noticeably cooler.

Mira approached, but her usual poise seemed shaken. She looked pale, and her smile appeared forced.

“Hello, Elle,” she managed, but I could hear the strain in her voice.

Sophia was clearly enjoying Mira’s discomfort, and I caught the slight smirk she tried to hide.

Mira, on the other hand, looked like she was barely holding it together. The proud werewolf facade was

cracking, and she couldn’t seem to reconcile how a human could be standing where she believed she

belonged.

After the introductions, Brad guided me to his office were Sophia followed.

“Sophia,” Brad said, settling behind his desk, “Lester let you here to help me, and honestly, I don’t have

many requirements. Just help me take care of Elle, and hat’s all I need.”

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Warmth spread through my chest at his words. Even in professional setting, his protective instincts

toward me were evident.

Sophia laughed, crossing her legs elegantly. “Don’t worry, Brad. I’ve got this handled. No one’s going to hurt Elle on my watch.”

At ten o’clock sharp, Raymond Carter and Abigail Carte had arrived with their team, and the room buzzed with nervous energy.

I led my assistant team to our designated corner, laptops open.

The meeting exploded into action almost immediately.

My fingers flew across the keyboard, trying to keep up with their rapid-fire exchanges. The pace was absolutely brutal-I felt like my fingers were about to cramp from the intensity.

About an hour in, I paused for just a moment to stretch my cramping hand, unconsciously placing my other hand on my belly. It was such a small, instinctive gesture-just trying to ease the discomfort from sitting so long.

But the effect was immediate.

Both Brad and Raymond stopped talking mid-sentence, their attention snapping to me. Brad’s protective instincts kicked in instantly, his eyes scanning my face for any sign of distress.

Sophia, who had been watching the proceedings from the side of the room, immediately appeared with a cushion, sliding it behind my back without a word.

“Two of the most brilliant negotiators I know,” I said with a smile, looking between Brad and Raymond, “and you’ve probably talked enough that you’re both thirsty. Alex, could you brew some of that tea l brought for them?”

Before Alex could respond, Mira spoke up from her seat “Elle, we’re in a company meeting right now, not

at home.”

Her tone was sharp, clearly designed to put me in my place in front of everyone. The implication was obvious-I was overstepping by inserting myself into business matters.

I turned to face her directly, my voice calm but firm. “A Brad’s Assistant Team Lead, don’t I have the

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authority to suggest he take a break? Or as Raymond’s friend, don’t I have the right to offer him some tea?”

Abigail Carter laughed from across the table. “Actually, I’m getting pretty thirsty myself. Could I get some

of that tea too, Elle?”

Brad stood up, and the room fell silent. “Elle’s right. Even though this is a company meeting, that doesn’t

mean we abandon basic courtesy.” He looked at Raymond with a slight smile. “What do you say we break

for lunch and continue this afternoon?”

Raymond nodded, his eyes twinkling with amusement as they settled on me. “Sounds perfect.”

As people began filing out of the conference room, Mira approached me. Her expression had shifted to

something that looked vulnerable and hurt, but there was an edge to it that put me on guard.

“Elle,” she said, biting her lip with what appeared to be nervous hesitation, “could I talk to you alone for a

moment?”

She was still doing that thing where she made herself look small and pitiful. But there was something

about her werewolf presence that felt… threatening, even when she was trying to appear harmless.

Sophia stepped closer, clearly picking up on something couldn’t quite identify. “Actually, Elle, we should

probably-”

“It’s okay,” I interrupted, though part of me was screaming that it wasn’t. I was thinking about office

politics, about how it would look if people thought I was using my position to bully someone who used to

be involved with Brad. “Sophia, you can wait outside. I’ll catch up with you in a few minutes.”

Sophia’s expression made it clear she thought this was terrible idea, but she nodded. “I’ll be right outside

the door.”

Once the room emptied except for Mira and me, her entire demeanor changed. The tears came immediately

-not subtle crying, but full-on sobbing that seemed to shake her entire frame.

I had to admit, her acting skills were impressive. If I didn’t know better, I might have actually felt sorry for

her.

“Elle,” she gasped between sobs, grabbing my hand before I could pull away, “I’m so sorry, I know this is horrible of me to say, but I can’t hold it back anymore!”

I extracted my hand and took a step back, putting some distance between us. “What exactly are you trying

to tell me,

Mira?”

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Chapter 140

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“Please,” she said, tears streaming down her face, “I’m begging you. Let me have Brad back. I love him so

much, and I can’t live without him!”

And there it was.

“You don’t understand what we had together,” she continued, her voice breaking. “He waited for me for six

years. Six years, Elle! He told me he loved me when I was only sixteen, but he waited until I was of age to

be with me.”

“He only told me we could just be friends because of you-because you’re carrying his child and he feels

responsible. But he told me that you being his mate is just biology, just duty. He said his heart has always

belonged to me.”

I watched her performance with a strange sense of detachment.

After yesterday-after Brad’s confession that he was falling for me, after the way he’d held me this morning

-Mira’s words felt like lies designed to hurt me.

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After One Night with the Alpha