After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 149

Chapter 149

Elle’s POV

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“Think about it, Elle. After the baby is born, you’re going to receive a substantial settlement from the Rayne family for giving birth to Brad’s heir.”

I hadn’t really thought about that aspect. “You think I should tell the Blair family about the money?”

“Not just tell them about it,” Sophia said, steering the car around a gentle curve. “Make it clear that you have your own financial security and that you have no interest in the Blair family’s intellectual property- their alchemy patents, their traditional medicine knowledge, all those valuable family secrets. If Ivy knows

you’re not after any of that, she might relax.”

I considered this as we drove through the quieter residential areas leading to the Blair estate. It actually made a lot of sense. Ivy’s coldness probably stemmed from fear that I was there to take advantage of her family’s generosity and wealth.

“That’s… actually a really good idea,” I said. “I could have that conversation with her tomorrow.”

Sophia seemed pleased with herself, though I noticed she kept checking the rearview mirror. When I started to turn around to see what she was looking at, saw Brad’s car following.

I decided not to say anything about it.

Sophia quickly engaged me in other topics, effectively distracting me.

As we approached the Blair estate, I felt some of the tension leave my shoulders. The familiar sight of the wrought-iron gates and the tree-lined driveway felt like coming home in a way that surprised me. When had this place become such a refuge for me?

Sophia parked near the main entrance, and we made our way inside. The house was quiet-most of the family had probably retired for the evening. We headed upstairs to the guest wing where I’d been staying.

“Thank you for driving me,” I said as we reached my room. “And thank you for agreeing to stay, I really did need the company tonight.”

“Anytime, Elle. That’s what friends are for.”

As Sophia headed to the guest room down the hall, I settled into my own space and finally allowed myself

to process the day. The business meeting had been a success, which felt good. But underneath that

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satisfaction was a persistent ache that I was trying very hard to ignore.

I fell asleep that night with my hand on my stomach, feeling the baby’s occasional movements and trying not to think about the father who was no longer part of our lives.

Brad never went to find me since that night.

A week later, I was kneeling in the Blair estate’s garden carefully trimming the camellia bushes that Stella had asked me to help maintain. The repetitive work was soothing, and I’d found that spending time in the garden helped clear my mind.

Following Sophia’s advice, I’d had that conversation with Ivy a few days after the business dinner. I’d been direct but gentle, explaining that I had no interest in the Blair family’s wealth or proprietary knowledge, and that I would have my own financial support from the Rayne family for the baby. The change in her attitude had been almost immediate. She’d actually smiled at me over breakfast yesterday and asked how I

was feeling.

I was just reaching for a particularly stubborn branch when I heard two of the household staff talking

nearby.

“That car is there again,” said Maria, one of the maids.

“Which car?” asked the groundskeeper.

“The one that’s been coming every night for the past week. Parks right outside the gates around midnight, leaves before dawn. Never gets out of the car, just… sits there.”

I froze, my pruning shears halfway to the branch.

“Maybe it’s a security guard?” the groundskeeper suggested.

Maria shook her head. “Mr. Blair would have mentioned if he’d hired additional security. Besides, there’s something… intense about whoever’s in that car. You can feel it, even from a distance. Not human energy, if you know what I mean.”

My heart started beating faster. “Excuse me, Maria,” I called out, trying to keep my voice casual. “What kind

of car is it?”

She looked over at me with a slight frown. “Dark colored, expensive looking. One of those modified sports

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Chapter 149

cars. Why do you ask, Miss Elle?”

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I set down the shears, my hands suddenly shaking. “Just curious. How long did you say this has been going

on?”

“A week now. Every single night.”

I didn’t wait to hear any more. I walked quickly toward he front of the estate, my heart pounding with a mixture of dread and something else I didn’t want to name.

When I reached the ornate front gates, I could see it clearly-a sleek, dark car parked in the public area just beyond the Blair family’s property line. Even from this distance, I recognized it immediately. The distinctive modifications, the particular way it sat low to the ground, and most telling of all, the license

plate.

It was Brad’s car.

I stood there staring at it, a thousand emotions swirling through me. Why was he here? Why was he sitting outside the Blair estate every night? What could he possibly be hoping to accomplish by watching from the

shadows?

The car was too far away for me to see if anyone was inside, but I knew. Somehow, I knew he was there, just as surely as I could feel my own heartbeat.

I wrapped my arms around myself, feeling suddenly cold despite the warm sunset. After everything that had happened, after I’d asked him to reject our mate bond, after he’d chosen Mira over me again and again -why was he here?

I wanted to be angry. I wanted to feel nothing but frustration at his presumption, at the way he seemed to think he could just hover around the edges of my life without explanation or invitation.

Instead, standing there looking at his car, all I felt was deep, aching sadness and a confusion that threatened to undo all the emotional progress I thought I’d made,

Whatever he was doing, whatever he thought he was acomplishing by keeping this silent vigil, I wasn’t going to face it.

I turned and walked back toward the house, leaving the car and its occupant to their mysterious watch.

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After One Night with the Alpha