After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 201

Chapter 201

FlexPOV

“Listen, how shout we head inside and 111 cook lunch for everyone? I’m starving I said quickly, forcing myself to focus

Sophia face immediately lit up. Oh, that sounds wonderful! I’ve been dying to try more cuisine.

On our way back to the ship’s gathering hall, Sophia practically bounced beside me, a bag of fresh vegetables in her arms.

“We have this incredible smoking technique that’s been passed down for generations, she was saying, her silver–gray hair catching the afternoon light. “The meat comes out so tender you can cut it with a fork, and the flavor is just…

But I noticed something else. Lester Harrison was walking parallel to us about twenty feet away, keeping his distance but clearly within earshot. His eyes were fixed on Sophia with an intensity that made the air feel thick and suffocating. He wasn’t saying anything, just watching her with this complex mix of

longing and pain that made my chest tight.

The moment Sophia saw him, everything changed. The bright smile vanished from her face, replaced by a cold, distant expression. She quickly looked away, as if seeing him physically hurt her, and deliberately turned her back to him.

Lester’s face crumpled at her rejection. The raw anguish in his expression made me want to look away.

This was so fucked up.

Inside the ship’s gathering hall, Susan and I signed up for cooking station number ten. The setup was incredible – each family team had their own fully equipped kitchen space, complete with professional–grade appliances and plenty of counter space.

Alright, everyone, Susan said, immediately taking charge with the kind of efficiency that came from years of managing a household on limited resources. Sophia and Abigail, why don’t you take the assistants and start prepping the vegetables? There are proper prep stations in the back.

Malcolm stepped forward without being asked, hefting the heaviest bags with ease. I’ll get these to the cold storage,” he said, his eyes soft as he looked at Susan. Don’t want the meat spoiling

Soon it was just Susan and me at cooking station ten.

So, I said, trying to keep my voice casual as I started sorting ingredients. Are you happy with Malcolm?

Susan’s cheeks turned pink, and she ducked her head with a shy smile that made her look twenty years younger. “Hes… he’s very kind to me, Elle. Very

patient?

The simple way she said it broke my heart a little. Susan had been treated so badly for so long that basic kindness felt like a miracle to her.

“Mom,” I said, setting down the vegetables and turning to face her fully. I hope you fl be happy. I want to pay for your wedding – whatever you want. Dress, flowers, reception, everything?

Her eyes immediately filled with tears, and she pulled me into a fierce hug. Oh, sweetheart…

No matter what storms rage outside, this will always be your safe harbor, she whispered into my hair. “You know that, right? No matter what you always

have a home with me.”

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Chapter 201

I felt my own eyes start to burn. We’ve been through worse, haven’t we? All those years with Grace, all the struggles in the community. We can handle

whatever comes next.

Susan pulled back to look at me, her hands gentle on my shoulders. That’s right, baby. We’ve survived so much already. Whatever this thing with Brad turne into, whatever the future holds we’ll get through it together. We’ve been through worse hardships, why should we be afraid of a little storm?

”

With Susan here, supporting me, loving me unconditionally, I felt like I could face anything.

I spun around to find him standing there – tall, imposing, wearing that same silver mask that somehow made him even more magnetic. His voice was deep

‘I… My face heated as he stepped closer, backing me toward the wall.

I tried to reach for his mask, desperate to finally see his face, but he caught my wrist before I could touch it. His fingers interlaced with mine, pinning my hand against the wall above my head in a gesture that was both intimate and controlling.

“What’s wrong?‘ I pushed against his chest with my free hand, but he didn’t budge. “Let me go.”

He leaned down until his breath whispered against my ear. “What’s the matter? Did you want to kiss me?”

‘No!” I squeezed my eyes shut, admitting defeat. ‘I don’t want to kiss you.”

–

But that was a lie, and we both knew it. Because standing this close to him, breathing in his scent, feeling the heat radiating from his body – my own body was betraying me. I could feel something deep inside responding to his presence like a tuning fork struck at just the right frequency. It was the same feeling I got around Brad, that sense of rightness, of belonging.

‘I’m looking forward to your performance tomorrow, he murmured, his voice vibrating through my chest.

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The casualness of it, the way he just dropped that information like it was nothing, snapped me back to reality.

Who the hell are you? I demanded. I feel like I know you somehow, but I can’t figure out how. And your scent…/

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