After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 186

Chapter 186

Elle’s POV

The girl led us in. The room was simple yet ancient, with walls adorned with star charts and alchemical

symbols that seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy. My breath caught as I saw an elderly woman

with silver-white hair being helped to her feet from a meditation cushion by a middle-aged assistant.

Eleanor Blair.

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Her eyes-God, her eyes were terrifying. They seemed to look right through me, past my skin and bones, straight into my soul. I felt naked under that gaze, like she could see every secret I’d ever tried to hide.

Abigail immediately stepped forward and bowed respectfully. “Mrs. Eleanor Blair, it’s an honor to meet

you.”

Sophia followed suit, inclining her head with the deference a werewolf would show to someone who

commanded ancient power. “Mrs. Blair.”

They all looked at me expectantly. The word “grandma’ stuck in my throat like a piece of glass. I couldn’t

say it. Not to the woman who had thrown me away like garbage.

Eleanor Blair’s lips curved in what might have been amusement. “Please, sit.”

She gestured to the cushioned seating area, and I noticed she had someone bring a special pillow for my

back-clearly aware of my pregnancy. The middle-aged assistant served tea and then quietly withdrew,

leaving just the four of us in the room.

Eleanor Blair settled herself across from me, those penetrating eyes never leaving my face. “We finally

meet,” she said simply. “Though I wonder why you cannot bring yourself to call me grandmother.”

My hands clenched in my lap. “Maybe because grandmothers don’t usually abandon their granddaughters

to die.”

“Ah.” She nodded as if I’d confirmed something. “You want answers. Three questions, I imagine. Why I

choose Dakota over you. Why I left you to fend for yourself. And why I’ve ignored your return to the Blair

family.”

Fuck. She really could read minds.

“Let me tell you a story,” Eleanor Blair continued, her voice taking on the cadence of someone reciting

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Chapter 186

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ancient history. “The Blair family has practiced alchemy and witchcraft for centuries. We are guardians of prophecy, keepers of bloodline curses and blessings. When Dakota was born, our family’s prophecy crystals

glowed with warm, golden light. One minute later, when you were born…”

She paused, studying my face.

“Every prophecy stone in our ancestral collection cracked. Some shattered completely. The ancient

bloodline prophecies spoke of a Blair child who would bring destruction to the family line. As the

matriarch, I had to choose.”

I felt Abigail tense beside me, while Sophia’s sharp intake of breath was barely audible.

“Your second question,” Eleanor Blair continued relentlessly. “Your bloodline carries what we call the ‘curse of destruction.’ The better your life became, the more life force you would unconsciously drain from Dakota. Distance weakened the effect, but it never stopped entirely. I sent you as far away as possible to

protect my chosen heir.”

“But fate is cruel,” she said, and for the first time, something like regret flickered in her eyes. “When she turned twenty-one, she began sensing your presence. The curse activated fully, and within months, her life force was completely drained.”

My stomach turned. “You’re saying I killed my sister?”

Eleanor Blair’s gaze shifted to her briefly. “The curse doesn’t distinguish between intention and result.”

“Which brings us to your third question,” Eleanor Blair interrupted, looking back at me. “Your return to the Blair family was not ignored. It was orchestrated. I allowed it because you carry within you the solution to

your own curse.”

She gestured to my belly. “The child you carry-its bloodline is extraordinarily powerful and noble. Pure Alpha heritage. That kind of life force doesn’t just coexist with your curse-it neutralizes it. The Alpha blood nourishes your bloodline instead of being drained by it.”

I stared at her. “You knew I’d get pregnant?”

“I knew you’d find your way to an Alpha powerful enough to break the curse, yes. And now that Dakota is gone and your curse is resolved, the Blair family needs n heir.” Her smile was sharp as a blade. “So you see, dear granddaughter, I never truly abandoned you. I was simply… waiting for the right moment.”

“This is insane,” I whispered. “You’re talking about mage and curses like they’re real.”

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Chapter 186

The blood in your veins says otherwise, Eleanor Blair plied coolly. How else would you explaim povor

resemblance to Dakota? Your instant connection to our family?”

Sophia spoke up carefully. “If what you’re saying is true then Elle needs to return to the Blair family

permanently?”

“Oh, she will return, Eleanor Blair said with certainty. Because she has no choice. Only the Blair family’s

ancient practices can properly stabilize the Alpha bloodline in her womb. Without our guidance, there

could be… complications during birth.”

My blood ran cold. “Are you threatening my baby?”

“I’m offering to ensure its safe arrival,” she corrected. But that can only happen within the family’s

protection.”

And you’re not worried about the family destruction thing anymore?” I asked bitterly.

Eleanor Blair ́s laugh was like silver bells. “My dear child, your curse is broken. You’re no longer a threat to

the family-you’re our salvation. An heir carrying both Blair blood and Alpha wolf heritage? You’ll bring us

power beyond imagination.”

I wanted to argue more, but exhaustion was creeping in Eleanor Blair seemed to sense it.

“I’m afraid I’m quite tired,” she said, struggling to her feet. “We’ll continue this conversation next time.”

As we moved toward the door, she called after me. “Eller

I turned back.

“You’re wearing the bracelet,’ she observed, her eyes fixed on my wrist. ‘Good. That’s… destiny, I suppose.”

Then we filed out of the inner room.

Raymond’s POV

I emerged from the shadow of the room. ‘Impressive potion. Sophia really didn’t smell me.”

Eleanor Blair settled back into her chair, those terrifying eyes fixed on me. ‘Well?’ she asked. “Are you

satisfied with what you’ve heard?”

“You were just telling them truth.”

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Chapter 186

‘You’re really going to compete with Brad for a woman who’s carrying an Alpha’s child? Eleanor Blair

continued.

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“This is what our families agreed upon,” I said, my voice strained but determined.

“The Blair-Carter marriage pact, yes,” she acknowledged studying me with those unnerving eyes. “But Elle

still harbors resentment toward the Blair family. More importantly, she’s now the fated mate of an Alpha

wolf.

My chest tightened.

“I waited for Dakota,” I said quietly. “I can wait for Elle.

And you expect me to help you resist the werewolf world’s claim on her?”

I straightened my shoulders, meeting her gaze directly. You’re the only one with the power to do so.”

Eleanor Blair sighed, and for a moment she looked every one of her considerable years. “My influence has

limits, Raymond. The child she carries-its bloodline is too noble, too powerful. It’s the heir to the Rayne

family’s Alpha legacy.”

“I’ll take my chances. Thank you for… arranging today’s meeting.”

As I turned to leave, her voice stopped me one final time.

“Raymond. Be very careful. You’re dancing with a wolf. That’s a battle that could destroy you.”

“Maybe,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “But I have to try.”

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After One Night with the Alpha