After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 30

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

**Chapter 30**

**Elle’s POV**

“Life has a way of turning on a dime,” I murmured softly to my reflection in the glass, my gaze locked with my own uncertain eyes. They seemed to question my very existence, and I felt a pang of confusion, as if I were staring at a stranger.

As we navigated through the bustling mixed district, a sudden jolt from behind sent a shockwave through the vehicle. The impact was unexpected, causing me to instinctively clutch the folder I was carrying tighter against my chest, as if it were a lifeline.

“What was that?” I exclaimed, my heart racing like a runaway train. Panic surged within me—were we under attack? Had someone discovered that I was transporting the Alpha’s heir?

The driver’s brow furrowed as he glanced into the rearview mirror. “Someone rear-ended us, Mrs. Rayne. It doesn’t appear to be anything serious.”

With a deep breath, I opened the car door and stepped out.

The luxury SUV bore the marks of the collision—a significant scrape marred its rear bumper, the Rayne family insignia partially erased. I winced at the sight, imagining Brad’s reaction. This incident would surely set us back, and he needed those documents for a crucial meeting. Would he lay the blame at my feet? Most likely.

“I am so sorry about that,” a deep voice called from behind me, breaking through my thoughts.

Turning around, I found myself face-to-face with a tall, muscular man who was stepping out of the car that had collided with us.

His eyes widened in shock the moment they met mine, and he froze, the color draining from his face as if he had seen a ghost.

“Dakota?” he whispered, his voice suddenly thick with emotion. “Dakota, is it really you?”

A wave of confusion crashed over me, leaving me reeling. Who on earth was Dakota?

“Excuse me?” I replied, my voice sharper than I intended, the anxiety making my heart thud loudly against my ribs.

He took a hesitant step closer, his gaze fixed on my face, studying me with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. “Dakota,” he repeated, reaching out for my hand before I could retreat. “It’s really you.”

I yanked my hand back, alarm bells blaring in my mind. Was this some sort of con? A trap? Or was he genuinely mistaking me for someone else? “I don’t know what you’re talking about. My name is Elle West… Rayne,” I corrected myself, gesturing to the family insignia on the car, hoping the Rayne name would deter him. “Who are you?”

His expression was one of disbelief, as if he were grappling with something incomprehensible. He seemed to struggle to regain his composure, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. “I—I apologize. The resemblance is… extraordinary.” He fished a business card from his jacket pocket and handed it to me.

“Raymond Carter. I’ll cover all damages, of course, including any additional fees.”

I took the card reluctantly, noting its minimalistic design and the absence of a company name—just his name and the title “Private Consultant.” What kind of vague profession was that? My instincts told me that people who were ambiguous about their jobs often had something to hide.

“I’ll have the Rayne family legal department contact you,” I replied stiffly, taking a step back toward our vehicle. Every fiber of my being screamed at me to distance myself from this man.

Should I mention Raymond Carter now? Here, in front of everyone?

“You’ve done well. Take the rest of the day off,” he said, his voice carrying a warmth I rarely heard. He glanced down at the documents before looking back at me. “Why don’t you go downtown and do some shopping?”

I blinked in surprise, caught off guard by both the suggestion and how easily he was dismissing me. My eyes quickly scanned the room, and that’s when it hit me—Alex wasn’t by Brad’s side as usual. No wonder he had me deliver the documents instead of sending his ever-present shadow.

Mystery solved. I had been drafted as the delivery girl because the regular errand boy was unavailable.

“Sure, I could do that,” I replied with a nod, feeling a sense of relief wash over me as I prepared to escape the heavy atmosphere of the meeting room, with all those werewolf eyes boring into me.

As the meeting resumed, I made my way to the door, but not before catching Brad’s gaze once more. He was watching me intently, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was aware of my internal turmoil.

Once in the hallway of the executive floor, I pulled out Raymond Carter’s business card again, staring at the simple text while my thoughts spiraled. Who was this Dakota, and why did Raymond believe I was her?

Then, I decided to let the question simmer for now.

What am I going to do next? Shopping?

“I don’t even know what I’d buy,” I muttered to myself, tucking the card back into my pocket. What was I supposed to do with this unexpected freedom?