After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 161

Chapter 161

Elle’s POV

For the past two days at the Blair estate, he barely left my side, working from his laptop while I recovered

from the whole Ivy situation.

“Ready to go back?” Brad asked as we finished breakfast on the third morning.

“Yeah, I think so.” I was actually eager to return to work The Blair estate felt too quiet after everything

that had happened.

The drive to Rayne Group felt different this time. Brad’s hand rested on my thigh as he drove, casual and possessive in a way that made my stomach flutter. When we pulled into the executive parking garage, I

noticed something immediately.

“The atmosphere feels… lighter,” I said as we entered the building.

Brad’s mouth quirked up in a satisfied smile. “That’s because Mira’s gone. I sent her to Silverpeak City yesterday morning for ‘corporate restructuring meetings. She’ll be there for the foreseeable future.”

“You mean permanently?”

“Let’s just say the main office has plenty to keep her busy.” His amber eyes flashed with something predatory. “And if she has any thoughts about returning early, she’ll find her access cards mysteriously

deactivated.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s ruthless.”

“I told you I’d choose you. I meant it.”

O

In Brad’s office, I settled into the chair across from hisesk to sign some documents he’d mentioned. Most were routine – insurance updates, emergency contact changes, that sort of thing. But as I worked through the stack, one file caught my attention.

“The Moonvale Town project,” I read aloud, frowning at the status report. “This hasn’t moved at all in three

weeks.”

Brad looked up from his own paperwork. “That’s the one outside Moon Lake City, right?”

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“Yeah, but look at this.” I flipped through the pages. “No progress meetings, no site visits, no vendor

agreements. It’s like it’s completely stalled.”

A knock on the door interrupted us. “Come in,” Brad called.

James Morrison, the project manager, entered looking harried. “Mr. Rayne, I’m sorry to bother you, but Ms.

West asked about the Moonvale situation yesterday…”

“I was just looking at the file,” I said. “What’s the holdup?”

James shifted uncomfortably. “It’s… complicated. The area has six different small packs, and they all have overlapping territory claims. Every time we try to start negotiations with one group, another pack leader

shows up claiming we’re trespassing on their land.”

“Territory disputes,” Brad mused. “That would explain the delays.”

“It gets worse,” James continued. “These packs have feuds going back generations.”

I studied the map in the file. “What about local intermediaries? Someone who knows all the pack

dynamics?”

“Well,” James hesitated, “the Carter family has been doing business in that area for years. They seem to understand the local politics better than anyone else.”

Before we could discuss it further, another knock echoed through the office. This time it was Sophia, and

she looked stressed.

“Sorry to interrupt,” she said, then focused on me with desperate eyes. “Elle, I need a huge favor.”

“What’s wrong?”

“My Alpha’s coming here!” Sophia’s voice was just barel controlled panic. “Lester called this morning and said he’s driving down from the border today. When he gets here looking for me, you have to tell him I’m

with you, okay? Please?”

Brad raised an eyebrow. “Why would you need an alibi?

Sophia shot him a look. “Because I have a date. With someone I met online. And if Lester finds out I’m meeting some random werewolf without his approval, ll lose his shit.”

“A date?” I couldn’t help but smile. “Sophia, that’s great Where are you meeting him?”

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“That’s… well, that’s why I need the cover story.” She looked embarrassed. He wants to meet in Moonvale

Town. He thought it would be nice to show me around the traditional pack lifestyle.”

My head snapped up. “Moonvale Town?”

“Yeah, why?”

I looked at the stalled project file, then at Sophia’s nervous face, then at Brad’s intrigued expression. An

idea was forming.

“Sophia,” I said slowly, “what if I told you we could all go?”

She blinked. “What?”

*Think about it. If we make it a work trip, you won’t be sneaking off to meet a stranger.’ You’ll be accompanying the company on a business scouting expedition.”

Brad leaned back in his chair, looking amused. “A business scouting expedition?”

“Why not? We need to understand the local pack dynamics for the project anyway.” I was getting excited about the idea. “We could make it a weekend trip. Part work, part, part… group bonding.”

Sophia’s face lit up. “That’s… actually brilliant.”

Brad’s hand found mine. “You want to organize a weekend trip to a bunch of feuding werewolf territories?”

“I want to solve a business problem while helping a friend. And yes, I think a group trip could work.”

Brad squeezed my hand. “What kind of group were you thinking?”

“Company leadership, obviously. Maybe Alex, some of the department heads. Raymond and Abigail definitely they know the area. Sophia, of course.” I said.

–

–

By the time I finished making calls, we had fourteen people committed to the trip, not counting security and support staff. The response had been overwhelmingly positive apparently the idea of a weekend away from Moon Lake City appealed to them.

Sophia hugged me enthusiastically when I confirmed the final headcount. “You’re amazing! This is perfect!”

“Just promise me something,” I said, pulling back to look at her seriously. “You and your mystery man – don’t do anything crazy, okay? Get to know him first, see how you feel.”

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“I promise.” She grinned.

By late afternoon, we were loading into a convoy of vehicles. Brad and Raymond had both brought their luxury SUVs, followed by several additional off-road vehicles for the security team and luggage. The sight

of our little caravan was pretty impressive.

I found myself in Brad’s SUV along with Abigail, while Sophia rode with Raymond’s security team in the vehicle behind us. Brad had insisted on driving, which meant I got to sit in the passenger seat and watch the landscape change as we headed toward the Moonvale Town outside Moon Lake City.

“This is really thoughtful of you,” Abigail said from the back seat, where she was setting up a travel chess set on the fold-down table. “I never thought you’d invite Raymond and me to something like this.”

I glanced back at her with a smile. “Everyone’s been working hard lately. A weekend away seemed like a

good idea.”

“And it has nothing to do with Sophia’s romantic situation?” Abigail’s eyes twinkled with mischief.

“Maybe a little,” I admitted, then looked at Sophia’s SUV in the side mirror. “She’s been good to me. I want

to return the favor.”

“You’re very loyal to people who are kind to you,” Abigail observed, moving a chess piece. “Your move, by

the way.”

Sophia suddenly joined Abigail and me at the chess board. “Your move, Elle.”

I was contemplating my next move when Sophia suddenly reached over and moved one of my pieces

without asking.

“Hey!” Abigail protested. “Observers don’t play.”

I laughed as Abigail huffed in mock indignation.

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After One Night with the Alpha