After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 154

Chapter 154

Elle’s POV

Sophia and I arrived at the downtown cinema. I handed our mysteriously acquired tickets to the usher, still puzzled about how we’d received reservations we never made.

“Section C, rows 8 and 9,” the usher directed us with a smile. “The preview screening starts in just a few

minutes.”

As we entered the darkened cinema and looked for our eats, I had a sinking feeling about what we might

find. I’d already suspected the mysterious movie tickets were Brad’s doing, and if he’d gone to the trouble

of arranging them…

Of course.

There they were, sitting just a few rows ahead in premium seats beside ours – Brad and Mira.

I wasn’t surprised, exactly. More like resigned. I should have known he wouldn’t just let us go off to enjoy a

movie without inserting himself into the situation.

Sophia noticed my knowing expression and followed my gaze. A slow, amused smile spread across her face.

“Let me guess,” she murmured, her voice barely audible “someone’s been very busy making arrangements?”

“Of course he has,” I whispered back, a mixture of exasperation and reluctant admiration in my voice.

As we settled into our seats, I found myself sitting next to Brad.

As the lights dimmed and the opening credits began, I tried to focus on the screen. But within minutes, I

felt warm fingers slip over mine.

I instinctively tried to pull away, but Brad’s grip was gentle yet unyielding.

“Brad,” I whispered, tugging at my captured hand.

He didn’t respond verbally, but I felt his thumb begin tcing slow, deliberate circles over the ring he’d

given me.

Even during our worst conflicts, I’d never removed this ing. I’d been hurt, confused, and angry, but

somehow I’d never been able to bring myself to take it off. And Brad had definitely noticed.

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Chapter 154

After a few minutes of futile resistance, I gave up and tied to concentrate on the movie. But it was impossible to ignore the steady warmth of his hand.

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Stealing a glance at Brad, I realized he wasn’t watching the film at all. His attention was completely absorbed by our joined hands, his long fingers playing with mine like he was memorizing every detail. His entire body had angled toward me, unconsciously closing the distance between us despite Mira sitting right

beside him.

Poor Mira was clearly struggling with this turn of event. She kept shifting restlessly, making increasingly loud sounds of irritation as she realized Brad’s focus was entirely elsewhere. Her werewolf senses would be picking up his scent, probably detecting the contentment and satisfaction radiating from him as he held my hand. At one point, she “accidentally” knocked over her drink, creating enough noise to earn several

annoyed glares from nearby moviegoers.

Brad didn’t even glance in her direction.

Sophia, I noticed with amusement, was thoroughly enjoying both the movie and the live drama playing out in our row. She’d glance over at us periodically with barely contained entertainment.

When the credits finally rolled, I looked down at our still-intertwined fingers with surprise. His hands were beautiful elegant and strong – and there was something deeply intimate about how perfectly they fit

–

with mine. Throughout the movie, several couples had glanced over at us with expressions of approval and even envy. In this neutral zone, our connection was seen as romantic rather than problematic.

Brad seemed as reluctant as I was to break the contacts people began filing out around us.

Mira stood abruptly, her face a mask of barely controlled fury. The look she directed at our clasped hands

could have burned a hole through steel.

We joined the crowd moving toward the exit, and I noticed Brad’s grip actually tightened rather than

loosened,

“That was lovely,” Sophia commented as we reached the lobby, though her eyes sparkled with amusement that had nothing to do with the film’s plot.

Just as we stepped outside into the afternoon sunlight, my phone rang. I glanced at the caller ID with

growing concern.

Stella Blair.

“I should take this,” I said, gently extracting my hand from Brad’s reluctant grip. He stayed close as I

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Chapter 154

answered, his protective instincts clearly activated.

“Hello, Stella?”

“Elle, darling, where are you right now?” Stella’s voice carried an edge of panic I’d never heard before.

“I’m out with Sophia seeing a movie. What’s wrong? You sound upset.”

There was a pause filled with urgent background voices that made my stomach clench with anxiety.

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“Elle, I need you to listen carefully. I’m going to be away for a few days, and I need you to promise me you won’t go back to Moonshade Bay. Stay in the Blair estate.”

“Stella, what’s happening? You’re frightening me.” I pressed the phone closer to my ear, straining to catch

every nuance.

She didn’t answer me.

“Stella, is there anything I can do? After everything you’ve done for me, if there’s some way I can help-

“Oh, sweetheart.” Her voice softened with affection.

“Please, tell me what’s happening.”

Another pause, then a heavy sigh. “It’s Ivy. There’s been an… incident. I can’t say more now, but I need to handle this delicately. The family’s reputation is at stake.”

Ice formed in my veins. Ivy Blair – the cousin who’d made it clear she saw me as a threat to her position in the family. If she was involved in some kind of scandal..

“I’m coming back to the estate immediately,” I said firmly.

“Elle-”

“Stella, I’m coming home.”

I ended the call and turned to find three pairs of eyes fixed on me with varying degrees of concern. Sophia looked worried, Mira appeared almost hopeful that I was being summoned away, and Brad…

Brad’s expression was intensely protective, his Alpha instincts clearly triggered by whatever he’d overheard.

“I need to get back to the Blair estate right away,” I announced. “Something’s happened with Ivy, and

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Chapter 154

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Stella’s genuinely worried about how it might impact the family.”

Without hesitation, Brad stepped forward. “I’m coming with you.”

“Brad, that’s not necessary-”

“If the Blair family needs support from the Rayne family or the werewolf council to resolve this situation, I

can provide it.” His voice carried that unmistakable Alpha authority.

“Alright,” I agreed, feeling a surge of gratitude despite our complicated history. “Let’s go.”

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After One Night with the Alpha