After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 38

Chapter 38

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Elle’s POV

I burrowed deeper under the thick comforter, emotions weighing heavier on my chest than the layers of

down.

“Not now. I think I’ll just crash carly,” I mumbled, voice half-swallowed by the pillow. “You should go

ahead. Don’t let me hold you up.”

“Fine. Sleep well,” he replied, his tone clipped as he pulled the door closed.

I should have felt relieved to be alone, but instead, a strange emptiness hollowed out my chest. I flipped

from side to side, but sleep danced just beyond my reach despite my bone-deep exhaustion.

Finally giving up, I dragged myself to the window on bare feet. The cool glass felt soothing against my forehead as I pressed against it, just in time to catch Alex holding the car door open for Brad.

“Look at you, all dressed up like that at this hour,” I muttered bitterly, fingers tracing patterns on the window. “Like you actually wanted me to tag along. Just throwing out empty invitations, weren’t you?”

I watched until the taillights disappeared around the corner, an unexpected heaviness settling in my chest

like a cold stone.

“Jesus, Elle, pull yourself together,” I scolded myself, ripping away from the window. “What Brad does or where he goes is none of your damn business. This is just a deal, remember? Get it through your thick

skull.”

But the hollow feeling disagreed as I crawled back into bed, yanking the covers over my head. Sleep eventually claimed me, my face still pinched with a frown even as consciousness slipped away.

Morning light slashed through the curtains as I shuffled downstairs, still yawning wide enough to crack my jaw. Voices drifted from the dining room-Alex and Martha deep in conversation.

“Alpha called me out of the blue last night to pick him up,” Alex was saying, barely containing his excitement. “Martha, check this out-the Moonlight Tears collection. Alpha had me deliver it this morning. Worth thirty million dollars, can you believe it?”

I froze mid-step, pressing my back against the wall, my heart suddenly jackhammering against my ribs.

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Chapter 38

“So that’s why he rushed to the auction,” Martha replied, her voice warm with understanding.

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My hand flew to my mouth. The auction? Brad hadn’t gone to meet someone-he’d gone to buy jewelry?

For me?

A warm, tingling sensation spread through my chest like wildfire, and I felt my cheeks burn hot enough to

fry an egg. Against my will, my lips curved into a smile couldn’t squash if I tried.

By the weekend, the entire house was in absolute chaos. I sat in the eye of the hurricane, somehow the

most frazzled person in the room.

“Please, Mrs. Rayne, stop fidgeting!” the manicurist begged, kneeling before me. “Your nails keep popping

off the second I look away!”

Behind me, a stylist worked frantically on my hair, muttering curses under his breath about impossible

deadlines.

Martha appeared with a glass of warm milk, her face a picture of serene calm amidst the storm. “Drink this. We’ve got plenty of time, don’t worry yourself sick.”

“Do I really need all this?” I complained, eyeing the elaborate crystal-encrusted manicure with horror.

“Can’t we just skip the nails?”

The manicurist looked at me like I’d suggested setting the house on fire. “Absolutely not! Your nails must complement your jewelry perfectly. Such extraordinary pieces-I’ve never laid eyes on anything so magnificent! You’re truly blessed, Miss Elle.”

I sighed dramatically, already regretting my choice to wear the Moonlight Tears. Why the hell were we trekking all the way to Silverpeak City instead of hosting Alpha Otto here in Moonshade Bay?

Heavy footsteps on the stairs announced Brad’s arrival before I saw him.

“I’m almost ready!” I called without looking up, carefully waving my right hand with its freshly done nails. “Just give me five more minutes, I swear!”

Brad’s brow furrowed, impatience radiating off him in waves. “No time. Finish in the car. We’re leaving.

Now.”

Within moments, I was bustled into a stretched Hummer, the styling team climbing in after me with their

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equipment. I felt utterly ridiculous sitting there as they continued working on me like I was some kind of living doll.

“This is insane,” I muttered, glancing down at myself. “I don’t even recognize myself anymore.”

Brad looked up from his tablet, his gaze piercing. “Showing up dressed like you’re going to a coffee shop would insult Alpha Otto and his Luna. Is that what you want?”

“But I feel like I’m wearing someone else’s skin,” I protested, giving him my best puppy-dog eyes.

Brad raised his eyes to meet mine, and something in his expression softened unexpectedly. The corners of his eyes crinkled slightly, and his lips curved into a gentle smile that transformed his entire face from intimidating to breathtaking in an instant.

“Everyone out. Now,” he commanded, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl that raised the hair on my

arms.

Once alone, I exhaled in relief. Maybe now I could ditch this overdone look that made me feel like a Christmas tree. I carefully removed the bracelet, leaving just the necklace and earrings-they were honestly too gorgeous to give up. Then I undid the elaborate updo, using my fingers to braid my hair into something that actually felt like me.

From the corner of my eye, I noticed Brad watching me his expression unreadable but intense. As I finished, I spotted a pair of matching watches in a small velvet box. Curious, I picked one up and awkwardly attempted to fasten it around my wrist, fumbling with the delicate clasp.

“Give me your wrist,” Brad’s voice startled me out of my concentration.

I looked up to find him much closer than I’d expected. He took my wrist without waiting for permission, his warm fingers sending a jolt of electricity up my arm as he secured the watch with practiced ease.

Then, to my utter shock, he removed his own watch-probably worth a small fortune-tossing it aside like it was nothing, and extended his bare wrist toward me.

I stared blankly until his meaningful glance at the other watch in the box made his intention clear. Oh-he wanted us to wear matching watches! Right, we were supposed to be madly in love today. Gotcha.

My fingers trembled slightly as I fastened the second watch around his strong wrist, accidentally brushing against his warm skin. I couldn’t help noticing how small and pale my hands looked compared to his.

Brad snapped a photo of our matching watches with casual efficiency, then fixed me with a serious look.

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‘From now on, we’re playing the part of a devoted couple. Don’t screw this up.”

Something cold and heavy settled in my stomach. Right This was all for show-just business as usual.

What the hell had I been thinking?

“Don’t worry,” I forced a smile that felt like it might crack my face, “I won’t let you down.”

Three hours later The car finally rolled to a stop, and I stepped out, only to freeze in complete shock. Before me stood the Rayne Group headquarters in the Silverpeak City-an 88-story glass and steel

monstrosity that seemed to puncture the clouds.

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After One Night with the Alpha