After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Elle’s POV

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In an instant, I transformed my reluctance into eager enthusiasm, my face lighting up with a radiant smile as I turned to Luna Ada. I slipped my arm through Brad’s and leaned into him with affection.

“Luna Ada,” I said warmly, “I heard you’re a steak enthusiast! What do you say we make this lunch special?” I gave her a conspiratorial wink. “There’s something magical about watching your meal come together right before your eyes. It’s like the difference between reading about love and actually falling in love. The best

things require a little effort, right honey?”

I tilted my head up to Brad, my sparkling with manufactured adoration. My voice lilted upward playfully as

I squeezed his arm.

Brad’s eyes darkened as they met mine. His arm slid around my waist, his fingers splaying possessively

against my hip as he pulled me closer.

“Always so determined,” he said, his voice a low rumble. He brushed a strand of hair from my face with surprising tenderness. “Most women would take it easy in your condition, but not my Elle. Elle prefers

doing it herself.”

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from snapping at him. This entire charade was his idea! But outwardly,

I maintained my loving expression.

“Our guests deserve the best welcome we can offer,” I countered, deliberately wrinkling my nose. “And please, I’m barely showing. A little cooking isn’t going to hurt me or the baby.”

‘I never could win an argument with you,” Brad sighed dramatically, tapping the tip of my nose with his

finger.

Alpha Otto and Luna Ada watched our exchange with approving smiles. “Your mate has spirit, Brad,” Alpha

Otto commented. “A good quality in a Luna.”

As soon as I stepped out of the reception room, I sagged against the wall and rubbed my aching cheeks. “God, my face hurts,” I muttered. “How do people smile hat much without breaking something?”

Alex appeared beside me. “The executive kitchen is on the 33rd floor,” he said, guiding me toward a private elevator. “Our chef has prepared everything. You’ll just need to oversee the final preparation.”

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Chapter 40

The tension melted from my shoulders. “Thank goodness. I was worried I’d have to start from scratch.”

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The elevator doors opened on the 33rd floor, revealing space that looked more like a luxury restaurant than a company cafeteria. My jaw dropped.

“This is a company cafeteria?” I whispered in disbelief.

Multiple cooking stations represented cuisines from around the world, each helmed by chefs in pristine

whites. Two rows of chefs bowed in perfect unison as I entered.

“Welcome, Luna,” they called out in harmony.

I followed Alex to a private demonstration area where several chefs were arranging ingredients around a

central cooking island.

“These are Japanese A5 Wagyu cuts,” the executive chef explained, gesturing to perfectly marbled meat. “We’ve also prepared German Black Angus for Alpha Otto-a taste of home with our American preparation.”

I was carefully slicing imported mushrooms when I felt strong arms wrap around my waist from behind. Brad pressed against my back, his chest solid against my shoulder blades.

“What are you doing?” I hissed, heat flooding my face. “We’re in the middle of a crowded kitchen!”

“I came to check on my mate’s progress,” Brad murmured, his lips close to my ear. “The steaks smell

perfect.”

I was about to elbow him away when he tightened his grip slightly. “Alpha Otto and Luna Ada just entered.

They’re watching us now.”

My resistance vanished instantly. I forced myself to relax into Brad’s embrace, tilting my head back slightly as if enjoying his closeness.

Brad pressed his lips against the spot just below my ear and whispered, “Good little bunny… just like that.”

The unexpected intimacy sent a jolt through my system My hands trembled so badly I had to set the knife

down before I cut myself.

As our guests approached, I elbowed Brad in the ribs, forcing him to give me some breathing room. He smoothly straightened, keeping a possessive hand at the small of my back.

“It seems Elle has nearly finished preparing our meal,” Brad announced. “We can dine shortly.”

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“The Rayne Group’s resources are truly impressive,” Alpha Otto nodded appreciatively. “Even your employee dining area surpasses most fine restaurants in Berlin.”

Brad smiled with quiet confidence. “Only exceptional talents work at our headquarters. My grandmother taught me that surrounding yourself with excellence requires providing excellence in return.”

With the help of the kitchen staff, I quickly finished the preparations. The steaks were cooked to perfection -rare for the werewolves and medium-well for my human palate.

“You’ve gone to such thoughtful effort, Mrs. Rayne,” Luna Ada said warmly as we sat down at an elegantly set private dining table. “Alpha Brad is truly fortunate to have found a mate who puts such care into the

details.”

“Indeed,” Brad replied, reaching for my hand across the table. His thumb stroked small circles on my palm as he gazed at me with a tender look. “Sharing meals with Elle has become the highlight of my day.”

His smile was so genuine that for a moment, I almost believed him myself. If I didn’t know the truth-that we were merely bound by a arrangement-I might have been completely fooled.

I squeezed Brad’s hand and maintained my smile as I explained the special characteristics of the meal to Luna Ada. Our conversation flowed surprisingly naturally.

Alpha Otto, seeing his Luna so pleased, exchanged a meaningful look with her before nodding slightly.

Relief flooded through me. We’d actually done it!

But just then, the double doors to our private dining area burst open with a dramatic bang. Every head turned toward the unexpected interruption.

A stunningly beautiful woman stood framed in the doorway, her posture radiating fury and hurt. She had the kind of face that belonged on magazine covers-high cheekbones, full lips, and almond-shaped eyes currently blazing with anger.

“Brad,” she called out, her voice carrying clearly across the now-silent room. “How could you do this to

me?”

She took several steps forward, pointing an accusing finger at me. “I should be your mate, not her! We’ve known each other our entire lives!” Her voice broke slightly. “How could you choose

human over me?”

The room froze in collective shock. I felt Brad’s hand tighten painfully around mine as the blood drained from my face.

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Chapter 40

What the fuck is she talking about?

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