After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 181

Chapter 181

Elle’s POV

“Martha, thank you for taking care of me these past months.”

She nodded, pressing her lips together to keep from crying.

I turned and walked through the gates. Behind me, I heard Martha’s quiet sob, but I didn’t look back.

Sophia was already waiting in the car, engine running. The moment I settled into the passenger seat, she pulled away from the werewolf residential district, heading toward the mixed zones in the city center.

Neither of us spoke during the drive.

The hotel room Sophia booked was modest but clean, with two beds and a small sitting area by the window. As we settled in, the weight of our shared circumstances became apparent.

“So,” Sophia said, sitting heavily on one of the beds. “Here we are. Two heartbroken females who lost their Alphas to the same she-wolf.”

I looked at her in surprise. “You and Lester-”

“Were never actually together,” she finished bitterly. “But that doesn’t make it hurt less, does it?”

I sank onto the other bed, my hand instinctively moving to my belly. “I’m sorry, Sophia. I should have realized you had feelings for him.”

“Don’t.” She held up a hand, mirroring my earlier gesture to Martha. “This isn’t your fault. Hell, I should be apologizing to you. I’m a Beta werewolf, and I was so messed up by my own drama,“

“You did help,” I protested. “And honestly, what could you have done? You couldn’t go against everything just to help a human.”

Sophia’s laugh was hollow.

We sat in silence for a moment, both lost in our thoughs.

“What are we going to do now?” I asked, finally.

<

1/4

10

I dont kom Maybe trayed for a while Clew my head **** M

I took a deep breath. I’m going her to Modded to do wytw

Sophie reterd en wysnow. To you do fay

an event

When i called them yesterday, S**************, Law w dny umiez masemen

Will you come with me?’ I asked impalekowy, 1 coxada trend, ma pav sex you out yet!

r

co

Sophie’s smile was the first genuine one I’d seen from KAN SIZZATAN, UN TAKE A Yoss fo find some answers/

The next morning, Sophia drove me to the Plate family date in verged City, Fox Somiller sign of the elegant home brought tears to my wing-hwin, wwwwww,

Martin Blair met us at the door, his face lighting up on he www M, Sex, dimens surprise?

But his expression quickly shifted to concern when he stood my one way and soughties gearense

behind me.

“Martin,” I said, “We need to talk?

Martin and Stella ushered me into the living room will Sophia waited directly in the

everything about the mate bond, the pregnancy, Victor’s

st

radiating matom, and Krado atlity to and apanes

his family’s united front.

When I finished, Martin was on his feet, pacing with beeby controlled ga

Even if he’s an Alpha werewolf, that doesn’t give him the right to treat his mate this way wanted 300 voice rising. Abandoning you and his child-

“Martin, Stella said softly, but her com eyes were brige with tears. Elle, homary, ya ve we’ll ass you, right? Whatever you need

She reached over and took my hands. We don’t care its Alpha or not. The Blair family takes care of own, and you’re our daughter now. We’ll raise this batter if we have to

714

19:23 Wed, Dec 31

Chapter 181

4%

“I want to go back to Moonshade Bay,” I told them. “With Sophia. There are things about my background. I

need answers.”

Martin nodded slowly. “That makes sense. But I don’t like the idea of you traveling without protection. The

Rayne family should have people watching over you-its basic Alpha responsibility.”

“I told them not to,” I said. “I want a clean break from werewolf society.”

“Then we’ll provide our own protection,” Martin decided. “Harper will go with you, and I’ll arrange for two

of our security people to accompany you.”

Stella squeezed my hands. “Whatever you find out there remember that you have a home here. You and

your baby.”

At the airport, I wasn’t surprised to see Abigail Carter at our gate. But I was surprised to see Raymond

Carter beside her.

As a human who’d risen to such a prominent position, Raymond’s presence anywhere was notable. Seeing him on a flight to Moonshade Bay was downright shocking.

“Good morning, Elle,” Raymond said, approaching our small group.

Harper and Abigail exchanged greetings. Harper’s eyes lingered on Raymond with a knowing look.

“I’m escorting Elle on family business,” Harper said smoothly, her tone suggesting she knew exactly who Raymond was and what his presence might mean.

“What brings you here?” I asked Raymond directly. “Shouldn’t you be staying to handle the projects with?”

Raymond smiled, but there was something tired about. “Actually, Brad gave me notice yesterday that I can take a well-deserved break. He’s taking over all the engineering projects himself-even the ones that require negotiating with other packs.”

My heart clenched. I understood immediately what that meant.

Brad was burying himself in work. Taking on projects that would keep him busy, that would require him to travel. He was running away-from his family’s pressure from having to watch Mira settle into what should have been my place, from the guilt of not fighting harder for us.

<

3/4

19:23 Wed, Dec 31 D

Chapter 181

“How thoughtful of him,” I said, keeping my voice carefully neutral.

*

.4%

As we boarded the plane, I found myself thinking about Brad throwing himself into work that would take him away from Moonshade Bay. Away from his mother’s matchmaking. Away from Mira’s attempts to

reclaim their relationship.

I settled into my seat, one hand resting on my belly where our child grew. The irony wasn’t lost on me-we were both running back to where we’d started. Him to his world, me to the human community where I’d

always belonged.

Maybe it was better this way. Maybe trying to bridge our two worlds had been foolish from the start.

The plane lifted off, carrying me away.

Brad, I thought, pressing my hand more firmly against my stomach. you gave me this beautiful dream of being your mate, now you feel the pain of our bond breaking?

The questions followed me into the clouds, unanswered and aching.

Comments

凸 2

Write Comments

<SHARE

4/4

19:23 Wed, Dec 31

After One Night with the Alpha