After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 190

Chapter 190

Elle’s POV

That opened the floodgates. Soon everyone was sharing stories about the best meals they’d ever had.

Sophia, clearly in her element, started telling everyone about a specialty barbecue she’d tried in the Frostclaw Pack territory. “They use this special smoking technique that’s been passed down for generos The meat practically falls off the bone, and the flavor…” She kissed her fingers dramatically.

As the chatter continued around me, I found myself staring out the window, watching the landscape blur past. The miles were putting distance between me and Moonshade Bay, between me and all the complicated mess I’d left behind.

But even as the scenery changed, I couldn’t shake thoughts of Brad. What was he doing right now?

I pressed my hand to my stomach, feeling the small bump that was becoming more noticeable each day. The truth was, I’d been running from a situation that was never really mine to control. Victoria Rayne had made it clear that I didn’t belong in her son’s world, and maybe she was right. Maybe I’d been fooling myself, thinking that love could bridge the gap between our species, our social classes, our completely

different lives.

Brad had tried to protect me, but how many times could he stand between me and his family? How many fights could he have with his mother before it destroyed their relationship? I’d seen the pain in his eyes every time Victoria dismissed me, every time she made it clear that I was a burden, an embarrassment, a problem to be solved.

Maybe my leaving was the right thing. Maybe it gave him the space he needed to figure out what he really wanted, without the pressure of having to defend me constantly.

I had four months left of this pregnancy. Four months to figure out what my life was going to look like as a single mother. Maybe it was time to stop fighting destiny and start making my own path.

“Elle?” Abigail’s voice broke through my thoughts. You okay? You look like you’re plotting something”

I turned to her with what I hoped was a convincing smile. Just thinking about how good it feels to get away for a while.”

And it was true. For the first time in weeks, I felt like I could breathe.

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Chapter 190

After more than two hours of driving, the bus finally piled into a parking area near what looked like a marina. Through the windows, I could see a massive white cruise ship with four decks, gleaming in the

afternoon sun.

“Holy shit, I whispered, then immediately looked around to make sure no one had heard me curse.

Susan’s eyes were wide as she stared at the ship, “Malcolm, this is… this is huge.”

“And expensive as hell,” Abigail added under her breath,

Malcolm was practically bouncing with excitement. “Wait until you see the dining facilities. They have five different restaurants on board, plus the festival booths.

As we gathered our things, I could see Susan starting to look overwhelmed. She kept smoothing down her shirt and checking her reflection in the bus windows.

“Hey,” I said, bumping her shoulder with mine, “you look great. And Malcolm’s lucky to have such a

beautiful date.”

“Malcolm,” I continued with a grin, “I’m officially putting you in charge of taking good care of Susan.”

Malcolm laughed.

Susan blushed furiously. “Elle!”

“What? I’m just saying, if you’re going to be part of the family, you better treat her right,” I said, wagging my finger at Malcolm in mock seriousness.

“Don’t worry,” Malcolm said, offering Susan his arm as we approached the ship. “I’ll take excellent care of

her.”

As we reached the gangway, a crew member in crisp whites approached us with a clipboard.

“You must be Malcolm’s group,” the crew member said cheerfully. “We’ve been waiting for you you’re the

last to board!”

The ship was even more impressive once we boarded. The main deck was bustling with activity as festival booths were being set up, and the smell of cooking food from a dozen different cuisines filled the air.

A staff member approached with room keys. “Miss West We have you in the Serenity Suite on deck three.

It has excellent ocean views and should be nice and quiet for resting.”

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Chapter 190

I took the key, surprised. “That sounds… really nice. Thank you.”

:)))

6%

As we headed toward the elevators, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the room assignment wasn’t random. A quiet suite with ocean views sounded like exactly what someone would request for a pregnant woman

who needed peace and comfort.

But that was ridiculous. Malcolm worked for a cruise company that occasionally did business with werewolf firms, but they were competitors with Rayne Group. There was no way Brad could have arranged this.

Although… lately, I’d been having the strangest sensation that Brad was nearby, even when I knew he wasn’t. Maybe it was just wishful thinking, or maybe it was some side effect of the pregnancy combined

with whatever mate bond residue I might be feeling.

I shook my head, dismissing the thought. I was just missing him so much that my brain was creating phantom connections.

“Elle!” Sophia called from down the hallway. “Come on, let’s get you settled so you can change clothes.”

I hurried to catch up with her, pushing thoughts of Brad to the back of my mind. I was here to have fun, to relax, and to figure out my next steps. Whatever games my heart wanted to play, I wasn’t going to let them

ruin this trip.

But as I slid the key card into my room door, a voice behind me made me turn.

“Miss West?”

A uniformed steward was standing there with a large box in his hands.

“Yes?”

“The captain heard that you were a guest of particular importance, so he wanted to send you a special gift.` The steward placed the box on the small table just inside my room. “If you could just sign here to confirm

receipt?”

I stared at the box, that familiar sensation of Brad’s presence suddenly stronger than ever.

“The captain?” I asked carefully.

“Yes, miss. He specifically requested that this be delivered to you personally.”

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After One Night with the Alpha