Chapter 170
Brad’s POV
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I made my way toward Lester’s temporary quarters, following the scent trail through the celebration
grounds. The sound of laughter and music from the bonfire celebration grew fainter as I walked deeper
into the area where the visiting pack leaders had set up their accommodations.
Lester had sounded urgent on the phone, mentioning some rare Canadian whiskey he wanted to share. But
something felt off.
My Alpha instincts were on edge.
I pushed aside the canvas flap of his tent and stepped inside, expecting to find my old friend waiting with
glasses and a bottle. Instead, I froze.
Mira Collins stood in the center of the tent, her back to me. She was wearing nothing.
“Brad,” she breathed, her voice sultry and inviting. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
My jaw clenched. “Where’s Lester?”
Mira stepped closer, her hips swaying with practiced seduction. “He’ll be back later. Right now, it’s just us.” She reached up to touch my chest, her fingers trailing along the fabric of my shirt. “Just like old times.”
I caught her wrist, stopping her advance. “What the hell is this, Mira?”
She looked up at me with those familiar green eyes, the ones that had once stirred something in me. Now they left me cold. “I know you still care about me, Brad. I can see it in the way you look at me sometimes. We were good together – we could be again.”
“You’re delusional.” I released her wrist and stepped back, putting distance between us.
But Mira was persistent. She moved closer again, pressing herself against me. “Your heart is racing,” she whispered, though she was wrong. My heart was steady unaffected by her proximity. If anything, I felt annoyed by this obvious setup.
Before I could push her away, she rose up on her toes, her lips aiming for mine. “Brad, tonight I’m yours,” she murmured. “You can do whatever you want. Let me have your baby…”
I pressed my finger against her lips, stopping her before she could complete the kiss. My amber eyes
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18:57 Wed, Dec
Chapter 170
flashed with the cold light of my wolf. “Are you done playing games?”
Mira’s eyes widened with shock and hurt. “Brad, what-
“Get dressed,” I said, my voice cold as the winter wind that swept through Moonshade Bay. I grabbed a
blanket from nearby and threw it at her. “This pathetic display is beneath both of us.”
“I don’t understand,” Mira stammered, clutching the blanket to her chest. “I thought… we used to be so
good together. Everyone said we were the perfect match”
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“I’ve forgotten everything about our past,” I said, my Alpha aura radiating rejection and finality. “You don’t need to keep bringing it up because the Brad Rayne who cared about you died six years ago. The Brad
standing here now already has his fated mate.”
With that declaration, I turned and walked out of the tent, not sparing her another glance.
Outside, I found Lester waiting, his expression guilty and defensive. “I didn’t know she would try something like that,” he started. “Brad, I just thought you two might-”
“Lester,” I cut him off, disappointment heavy in my voice. “Don’t.”
I walked past him without another word, heading back toward the celebration. Behind me, I could hear Mira’s muffled sobs coming from inside the tent.
“Mira?” Lester’s voice was concerned as he entered the tent to comfort her.
I was halfway back to the bonfire when I heard Sophia’s voice, sharp with anger and hurt.
“I’m so sorry to interrupt, Alpha Lester! Please, continue with whatever this is!”
I turned to see Sophia standing at the tent entrance, her face a mask of fury and pain. Through the open flap, I could see Lester holding a blanket-wrapped Mira in what looked like an intimate embrace.
“Sophia, wait-” Lester called out, but she was already storming away, her werewolf pride wounded.
I shook my head. What a fucking mess Lester had created with his misguided matchmaking attempt.
Elle’s POV
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18:58 Wed, Dec 31 D
Chapter 170
I raised an eyebrow. “This about Lester?
“What? No!’ Sophia said quickly, then caught herself. mean… maybe? God, this is so stupid.”
I waited patiently while she gathered her thoughts.
“I saw him with somebody,” she finally admitted. In his tent. They looked… intimate. And it made me feel sick to my stomach, which is ridiculous because Lester and I are just friends. We argue constantly. I
shouldn’t care who he’s with,”
I handed her one of the honey cakes from my plate. “But you do care.”
“But I shouldn’t!” Sophia protested. “He’s infuriating and controlling and thinks he knows what’s best for
everyone.”
“Sophia,” I said gently, “do you have feelings for Lester? The romantic kind?”
She laughed, but it sounded forced. “Ha! That’s ridiculous! How could I have feelings for my Alpha? No way. Whatever he does is his business. I just need to focus on finding a nice companion tonight and forget all
about this.”
I couldn’t help but smile at her obvious denial.
I could see the hurt in her eyes. Whatever she’d witnessed had cut deeper than she wanted to admit.
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Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.

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The readers' comments on the novel: After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle)
Not sure how the story ended without completing the circle on what happened to Sophia and Lester. That loop was just left hanging... what happened with the Blair contract of having to married Raymond? All Eleanor wanted was a piece of Rayne industries?...