After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Elle’s POV

I stood outside the Rayne Group headquarters, still having no idea where to go.

“Shit,” I muttered, remembering my car had been sent to repair shop after that minor accident. I hadn’t

mentioned it to Brad.

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What was I supposed to do with myself? Go shopping like Brad suggested? The thought almost made me

laugh.

Then it hit me-my old apartment. I still hadn’t officially moved out or packed up my things. The rent was paid through the end of the month, and it might be my only chance to sort through my belongings.

My shoulders relaxed as I finally had a destination.

Then a sleek black car pulled up beside me, its engine purring quietly. The tinted window rolled down, revealing a strikingly beautiful woman.

I recognized her immediately-Sophia Luke, Beta of the Canadian Frostclaw Pack.

“Elle?” she called. “What are you doing out here alone?”

“Ms. Luke,” I said, trying to sound composed. “I was just… heading somewhere.”

She studied me with piercing blue eyes. “Where’s your car? Does Brad know you’re wandering around by

yourself?”

I shifted uncomfortably. “My car’s being repaired, and I was just going to my old apartment to pack some

things up,”

“Get in,” she said, not a request but a command. “I’ll drive you.”

I hesitated for a moment-something about her intense stare made me nervous-but I couldn’t think of a polite way to refuse. I climbed into the passenger seat, he leather interior so luxurious it made me self- conscious about my department store clothes.

As Sophia pulled away from the curb, her driving smooth and confident, she glanced at my midsection. “Carrying an Alpha’s heir means you shouldn’t be walking alone. Brad should know better.”

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Chapter 31

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“It was a last-minute decision, I explained, trying not to sound defensive. “I didn’t want to bother him

with something so trivial.”

She made a soft humming sound. “Does Brad know you e going to the human district by yourself?”

My heart skipped a beat at her direct question. “Like I said, it was a spontaneous decision.”

“Alphas are extremely protective of their mates carrying their young,” Sophia said, her tone casual but her

words pointed.

I shifted the conversation away from my predicament. You and Brad seem to have a good working

relationship. The timber rights negotiation went smoothly.”

She smiled, revealing perfect white teeth. “The Frostclaw Pack has maintained alliances with the Raynes for generations. Our territories complement each other well. She navigated through traffic with effortless precision. “Business aside, Brad has always been… particular. I’ve never seen him give special attention to a

human before.”

I didn’t know how to respond to that, so I gave her directions to my apartment instead.

The contrast couldn’t have been more stark when we arrived. My old building was in the affordable housing section of the human district-the peeling paint and cracked concrete steps a far cry from the Rayne estate’s manicured perfection. I felt a flash of embarrassment as I led Sophia up to my tiny one-bedroom

apartment.

The space was exactly as I’d left it-small, modest, and now covered in a thin layer of dust. I hurriedly cleared off a chair for Sophia, feeling ridiculous offering such shabby accommodations to someone used to

luxury.

“You lived here?” She didn’t try to hide her surprise as she looked around.

“Yes,” I answered simply, not apologizing or explaining.

Sophia settled into the chair, her elegant presence making my furniture look even shabbier. “Brad publicly announced you’re carrying his heir. It’s caused quite a stir in werewolf circles.”

I poured her a glass of water-probably the only thing I could offer that wasn’t expired-and unconsciously placed a protective hand over my stomach. “I’m aware.”

Sophia took the water with a graceful nod. “A human carrying an Alpha’s mixed-blood heir is unprecedented in Moonshade Bay’s history.”

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Chapter 31

My discomfort grew as her penetrating gaze seemed to see right through me. I remained silent, unsure

what she wanted from me.

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“Do you understand what that means?” she asked, her voice softening slightly. “You’ll be at the center of

attention from both species.”

As she spoke, I couldn’t help comparing myself to her. Sophia was everything I wasn’t-confident, powerful, beautiful in that otherworldly way all werewolves seemed to possess. Men-both human and werewolf- probably threw themselves at her feet without her having to lift a finger.

My thoughts drifted to Brad. Had he felt anything when he first saw Sophia?

I caught myself and mentally slapped away those thoughts. What was I doing? Brad and I weren’t a real couple. We weren’t in love. He was only treating me well because of the child I carried-his heir, his bloodline, his future. Once the baby was born, we’d probably barely see each other except for formal events

where we’d pretend to be the perfect family.

The thought left a hollowness in my chest that I refused to examine too closely.

“I’m still adjusting to everything,” I finally said, my voice quieter than I intended.

Sophia seemed to accept my non-answer with grace, rising to her feet. “I should get going. Can I give you a

ride back to the Rayne estate?”

“No, thank you,” I said quickly. “I want to stay here a bit longer.”

She nodded and walked to the door. Before leaving, she paused without turning around.

“If you’re only with Brad temporarily for his money and using this child as leverage, I suggest you prepare an exit strategy. The werewolf world plays by rules far more complex than you can imagine, especially for a human. Don’t wait until after the child is born to find yourself abandoned by the entire pack with nowhere

to go.”

With that, she left, the door closing softly behind her.

I stood frozen in place, her words echoing in my head. The realization that my relationship with Brad might truly end once our child was born hit me with a force I hadn’t expected. My previous plan to terminate the lease suddenly seemed foolish.

I gripped my keys tightly, my mind made up. This apartment-shabby and small as it was-would be my safety net, my exit strategy if Sophia’s warning proved true.

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With shaking hands, I pulled out my phone and called my landlord, arranging to continue the lease and

transferring the payment immediately.

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When I returned to the Rayne estate that evening, I found Brad waiting in the living room.

“Where were you?” His voice was deceptively calm.

My heart stuttered. Could he smell Sophia’s scent on me? Could he tell I’d been to my old apartment? I

avoided his direct gaze, afraid those penetrating amber eyes would see right through me.

“I ran into Sophia Luke,” I said, offering a partial truth. We talked for a while.”

Brad studied me, his expression unreadable.

I held my breath. Could he have already noticed that I was lying?

Instead, his features shifted, the intensity replaced by something more businesslike. “There’s a dinner

tonight you need to attend with me. Don’t embarrass me.”

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10:50 Tue, Dec 30 DR

After One Night with the Alpha