After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 18

**TITLE: The Billionaire Who Claimed My Heart and Who Broke Fate for Me**
**Chapter 18**

**Elle’s POV**

The journey from the church to Brad’s opulent residence unfolded in a heavy silence, the kind that wraps around you like a thick fog. I found myself gazing out the window, lost in a world of my own thoughts as we passed rows of grand mansions, each hidden behind intricate wrought iron gates and lush, perfectly manicured lawns. My finger absentmindedly traced the fresh mark on my neck—Brad’s mark—an indelible symbol of our unexpected bond.

When we finally pulled up to his family home, I stepped out of the car, my wedding dress rustling softly with each step I took. The grandeur of the entrance was overwhelming, and as I followed Brad inside, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being swallowed by opulence. A team of staff members greeted us with bowed heads, their eyes carefully avoiding direct contact, as if we were royalty passing through their domain.

“This wing has been prepared for you,” Brad announced, his voice steady and devoid of emotion as he guided me down a long hallway adorned with artwork that seemed to whisper secrets of wealth beyond my understanding. “My grandmother had it arranged according to tradition.”

The “wing” he referred to turned out to be a suite of rooms that dwarfed my entire family’s apartment. The bedroom alone was a vast expanse, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked a private garden, and a bed so large it could easily accommodate five people. Everything around me radiated luxury, from the plush carpets beneath my feet to the exquisite furnishings that adorned the space.

“I’ll give you some privacy,” Brad said, his voice breaking through my reverie as he slipped away through a door that I assumed led to a bathroom.

I sank onto the edge of the enormous bed, my fingers instinctively returning to the mark on my neck, the reminder of my connection to a man I barely knew. The sound of running water filtered through the closed door, and I realized Brad was taking a shower, leaving me alone with my swirling thoughts.

My mind drifted back to the conversation that had shattered something deep within me.

“The money, obviously. She’s all yours, Alpha sir.”

Those words echoed in my mind, a painful reminder of the transactional nature of my relationship with Brad. I had been such a naïve fool.

Staring down at my hands, I noticed they were no longer trembling. The shock had faded, leaving behind a strange clarity. This arrangement with Brad, while far from ideal, was necessary. It was for my child—our child—and for my mother.

The sound of water ceased, and a few moments later, the bathroom door swung open, releasing a cloud of steam that enveloped the room. Brad emerged, a towel wrapped low around his waist, his muscled torso glistening with droplets of water.

I quickly averted my gaze, feeling a rush of heat flood my cheeks. Despite everything that had transpired between us, seeing him like this ignited a mix of discomfort and undeniable attraction within me.

He crossed the room, stopping just a few feet away, his intense gaze studying me as if trying to decipher the thoughts swirling in my mind. I forced myself to meet his eyes, my heterochromatic irises reflecting the soft moonlight streaming through the windows.

“The mark has taken well,” he remarked, his voice low and almost intimate as he reached out, his fingers grazing the spot where his teeth had pierced my skin.

A shiver raced down my spine at the brief contact, an unexpected reaction that left me breathless.

I swallowed hard, the question forming on my lips, “What happens now?” My voice sounded small, almost fragile, and I hated how vulnerable I felt.

Brad’s expression remained inscrutable, a mask of calm that revealed nothing. “The marking is complete, but you need rest,” he replied, stepping back to create space between us. “You can sleep in the study next door tonight.”

“Just Elle is fine,” I replied automatically, feeling a twinge of discomfort at the formal title. “Where’s Brad?”

“Mr. Rayne left for Rayne Group headquarters early this morning,” Alex explained, his demeanor professional. “He asked me to ensure you’re comfortable and have everything you need.”

“He did?” I couldn’t mask the surprise in my voice.

Alex nodded, a hint of understanding in his eyes. “He mentioned you should take time to adjust to your new home. The staff has been instructed to accommodate any requests you might have.”

I frowned, frustration bubbling to the surface. “Adjust? I don’t need to adjust! I need to work!” The thought of lounging around in this enormous house all day made me feel trapped, claustrophobic. “I have bills to pay, Alex. I need to send money back to my mother in the human district.”

Alex shifted uncomfortably, clearly caught off guard. “Mr. Rayne anticipated you might say that. He assured me that the money—”

“But not until after the baby is born,” I interrupted, recalling the terms of our arrangement with a sinking feeling.

Running a hand through my hair in frustration, I continued, “I need to keep working, Alex. If I can’t send money home, my grandmother will make my mother’s life hell. You saw how she is.”

As I absentmindedly picked at a piece of toast, my thoughts drifted to my mother, alone with Grace. The image of her suffering while I resided in this palace of luxury twisted my stomach with guilt, a stark reminder of the sacrifices I had made.