After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 146

Chapter 146

Elle’s POV

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The elegant updo that Harper had arranged for me was a far cry from my usual simple ponytail back in the

human community. My soft makeup and red lips created a look I barely recognized as myself-refined,

polished, completely different from the plain girl who used to work in Rayne Group.

I could feel Brad’s intense stare burning into me from across the room. Those amber eyes hadn’t left me

since I’d walked in, and the focused attention made my skin flush.

From my peripheral vision, I caught Mira glancing between Brad and me, her face growing paler each time.

There was something desperate in her expression that I couldn’t quite read.

“Oh, you’re too kind,” I replied graciously to another guest’s compliment. “I’m just doing what little I can to

help. The Blair family affairs are really none of my business-I’m simply helping Harper with a small favor.”

The words felt natural now, the diplomatic phrasing Martha had drilled into me. But underneath the polite

surface, I was acutely aware of Brad’s amber gaze and Mira’s hostile stare.

I couldn’t take much more of this tension. There was nowhere left to run, and honestly? Mira should be

grateful for the six years she’d already had with him.

I turned to Raymond with an apologetic smile. “Excuse me, I need to use the restroom.”

Raymond immediately looked concerned. “Of course. Le me have someone accompany you.”

He gestured to one of the human female assistants who’d been helping with tonight’s event. I nodded

gratefully.

“Wait,” Mira’s voice cut through the air as I stood. “I need to go too.”

I turned back to her, offering what I hoped was a serene smile despite the dread pooling in my stomach.

After all the social training I’d received, I could at least project graceful composure.

I saw Brad’s reaction to my smile-his entire body went rigid, amber eyes darkening,

As we made our way toward the restrooms, I caught fragments of conversation from the table.

“She really does look exactly like Dakota…”

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Chapter 146

“…that whole demeanor…”

Behind us, Sophia stood as well. “I’ll come too!” she announced.

I saw Mira’s face darken at Sophia’s obvious protective esture.

The restaurant’s ladies’ room was elegantly appointed with marble counters and soft lighting. As soon as we entered, Mira’s carefully composed facade began to rack.

“Elle,” she began, her voice trembling with tears, “I’m so sorry about what happened at the company the

other day.”

I studied her reflection in the mirror as I checked my lipstick. The tears seemed genuine enough, but something about the timing felt calculated.

“Mira,” I said calmly, “there is no one else here. The performance is a bit much, don’t you think?”

Her face crumpled. “Elle, how can you say that? I know you don’t like me, but I’ve really been trying! I’ve been trying so hard to accept you-to accept that you’re human!”

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Sophia, looking disgusted, headed for the door. “I can’t stand it anymore. You can cry it out. I’ll wait in the

hallway.”

As soon as Sophia was gone, Mira’s entire demeanor shifted. The tears stopped.

“Elle, please listen to me,” she pleaded.

She stepped closer, her voice dropping to an almost pleading whisper. “Since you’ve already chosen to leave, can I… can I ask you not to appear in front of us anymore? Please?”

I turned to stare at her, speechless. Then I shook my head in disbelief.

I had no idea that Brad and Mira would be at tonight’s dinner! If I’d known they were coming, I wouldn’t have agreed to attend no matter what!

I continued fixing my hair, refusing to let her see how her words affected me.

“You have to understand,” Mira continued desperately, Victoria Rayne-Brad’s mother-she only accepts me. Not you. You’re human, Elle. You’ll never truly fit into the Rayne family. Never.”

She stepped closer. “Since you’re planning to leave anyway, why not make it easier for everyone? Why not let Brad move on completely?”

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Chapter 146

I turned to face her directly. “And how exactly do you propose I make Brad ‘move on completely’?”

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Her eyes lit up with desperate hope. “Tell him you’ve fallen in love with Raymond. Tell him you want to dissolve the mate bond. The baby… the baby can go to whoever you want! Elle, please. I’m begging you. I have nothing without Brad-nothing! He’s all I have in this world.”

I felt a chill run down my spine. “You want me to drag an innocent person into this mess?”

“Elle, please!” Mira grabbed my hand as I tried to move past her. “You’re leaving anyway, right?”

I looked down at her hand on my wrist. “Let go. I need to get back.”

That’s when we both heard footsteps in the corridor outside. Heavy, purposeful footsteps that could only

belong to one person.

Brad.

Mira’s grip on my hand tightened, and her tear-stained face suddenly transformed into something

calculating.

Before I could react, her free hand darted to my carefully arranged hair. With speed I couldn’t match, she yanked out one of the delicate silver hairpins Harper had chosen for me. Pain shot through my scalp as

several strands of hair came with it.

“Mira, what are you-”

But she was already using her strength to control my wrist, forcing my hand around the hairpin. I tried to pull away, but it was like trying to move steel.

In one swift, horrifying motion, she dragged the silver pin’s sharp point across her own forehead.

Blood began flowing down her face as she let out a scream of genuine pain.

“No, Elle!” she cried out loudly enough for Brad to hear

The bathroom door burst open.

“What the hell-” Brad’s voice cut off as he took in the scene: Mira bleeding and sobbing, me standing there with the bloodied hairpin still clutched in my hand.

He shoved me aside and gathered Mira into his arms.

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Chapter 146

“Jesus, Mira, you’re bleeding!” His voice was filled with Concern as he examined the wound.

I stood frozen, the hairpin falling from my numb finger to clatter on the marble floor.

Brad’s amber eyes found mine, and what I saw there male my heart shatter. Fury. Disappointment.

“Elle,” he said, his voice cold as winter, “what the hell do you think you’re doing?”

I felt like my soul was being torn apart.

I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. Could only stand thee as my world collapsed around me.

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After One Night with the Alpha