After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 45

Chapter 45

Elle’s POV

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“You both came to Silverpeak too,” Sophia continued, smiling warmly at us.

I returned her smile with a small nod. “Hi, Sophia.”

Brad’s posture stiffened slightly beside me, but his expression remained neutral as he acknowledged her

with a brief nod.

“I finally managed to steal some time away from my duty,” Sophia explained, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Never imagined I’d run into Alpha Brad and his Luna here! What are the odds?”

She glanced between us, then suggested, “Since we’ve bumped into each other, why not grab a drink? I’d

love to hear how you’re adjusting to your new identity, Elle.”

I blinked in surprise at the invitation. Sophia had been kind to me. Before I could overthink it, I found

myself nodding. “That sounds nice.”

Brad’s jaw tightened, but with me having already accepted, he had little choice but to agree. “Fine,” he said

tersely.

As we prepared to leave, the store manager and staff lined up to bid us farewell, bowing respectfully. I still wasn’t used to this level of deference, but Brad and Sophia seemed to take it completely in stride.

We found a high-end café nearby, settling into a corner table that offered some privacy. Even here, Sophia’s elegant werewolf presence and Brad’s commanding Alpha aura drew curious glances from other patrons. Brad naturally took the seat beside me, his arm casually draped across the back of my chair-a subtle but clear statement about our relationship.

A waiter approached nervously, pen hovering over his notepad.

“What would you like to drink?” Sophia asked me with genuine interest. “Their chamomile blend would be perfect for your current condition.”

“Chamomile blend sounds good,” I said, appreciating her thoughtfulness.

“Make sure it’s the non-stimulating blend,” Brad interjected. “Add a small amount of honey.”

Sophia’s lips curved into an approving smile. “I see Alpha Brad knows Elle’s needs well.”

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Chapter 45

Sophia ordered a special coffee blend, while Brad simply requested black coffee. As the waiter hurried

away, Sophia leaned forward, her expression turning curious.

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“So, Elle, how are you finding life as an Alpha’s Luna?” he asked, her tone friendly but her eyes sharp and observant. “It must be quite the adjustment.”

“It’s…” I paused, searching for the right words. “Different. Everything moves so fast.”

Brad’s hand settled on my shoulder, a possessive gesture that wasn’t lost on Sophia, whose smile widened

slightly.

“I can imagine. One day you’re living a normal human life, and the next…” She took a sip of her water. “The

learning curve must be steep.”

“Martha has been helping me,” I offered. “She’s very patient.”

“Ah, Martha Thompson,” Sophia nodded. “She’s trained three generations of Rayne mates. You’re in good

hands.”

Brad’s fingers tensed slightly against my shoulder at the mention of “mates,” but his expression remained

impassive.

“I heard Marissa caused some… trouble during Otto’s visit?” Sophia asked, getting straight to the point.

I felt my expression falter at the mention of Marissa. The memory of her storming into the lunch and

slapping me was still raw.

“It was an unfortunate incident,” Brad replied, his voice cold. “It’s been handled.”

“I bet it has,” Sophia said with a knowing look.

I glanced at Brad, wondering what exactly had happened after I fled the scene. His face revealed nothing.

“And how are you finding Silverpeak, Elle?” Sophia asked, smoothly changing the subject. “It’s quite

different from Moonshade Bay, isn’t it?”

“It’s beautiful,” I admitted. “More modern than I expected.”

“The city has grown considerably in the last decade,” Sophia agreed. “The Frostclaw Pack has investments here too, though nothing like the Rayne holdings, of course.”

Our drinks arrived, and Brad leaned over, sniffing my tea before allowing me to take it. The gesture was so

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Chapter 45

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protective it made my cheeks warm. I took a sip, then frowned slightly when I noticed a small smudge on

the rim of the cup.

Brad caught my expression immediately. Without hesitation, he switched our cups. “Use mine.”

“The Alpha’s protective instincts are impressively thorough,” Sophia remarked, watching our interaction with keen interest. “That’s a good sign, Elle. It means the bond is strong, even if you can’t feel it the way

he does.”

I nearly choked on my tea. “What do you mean?”

“The mate bond,” Sophia explained, looking surprised at my reaction. “Surely you’ve noticed how attentive he is to your needs? Humans can’t sense the bond directly like we do, but there are… signs.”

Brad cleared his throat. “Elle is still learning about our customs.”

“Of course,” Sophia nodded, though her eyes gleamed with curiosity. “Well, if you have questions about anything, I’m happy to help. Sometimes it’s easier to talk to another female about these things.”

anything, th

I felt

a sudden wave of exhaustion wash over me, and I couldn’t suppress a small yawn.

Brad noticed immediately. “It’s getting late. Elle needs rest. We have plans for tomorrow.”

Sophia nodded understandingly. “I’ll be in Silverpeak for a few more days. Elle, perhaps I could take you shopping tomorrow?”

I perked up at the suggestion, looking hopefully at Brad “Can I?”

Brad considered for a moment, his eyes moving between Sophia and me. Finally, he gave a single nod.

“Fine.”

“That would be wonderful,” I told Sophia gratefully.

Brad stood, clearly ready to end our meeting. I rose too feeling suddenly tired as the day’s events caught up with me. He placed a steadying hand at the small of my back as we said our goodbyes.

The drive back to the villa was quiet. Once there, I headed straight for a shower, letting the hot water wash away the day’s tensions. When I finished, wrapped in a plush robe, I hesitated outside the bedroom door.

My mind flashed back to earlier that afternoon, when Bad and I had napped together on the same bed. The memory of his scent and warmth made my ears burn. Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door open.

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Chapter 45

Brad was already in bed, the sheets pooled around his waist, suggesting he wasn’t wearing much

underneath.

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Wait, hold on a second.

My pulse quickened as I stood frozen in the doorway.

“What are you standing there for?” he asked bluntly. “Aren’t you going to sleep?”

I swallowed hard, my eyes darting around the room for alternatives. “I… um…”

“We came here in a hurry. Only the master bedroom was prepared,” Brad explained matter-of-factly. “This is my home. I have the right to sleep in any room I choose.”

He paused, then added pointedly, “There’s no couch here either. If you don’t care about the baby and insist on sleeping on the floor, that’s your choice.”

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After One Night with the Alpha