After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 52

Chapter 52

Elle’s POV

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“Hungry?” Brad’s voice broke through my thoughts.

I glanced over, suddenly aware that it was already past moon and I’d barely eaten anything all morning.

“Actually, yes.”

“There’s a place on the way back. Laurent’s. French cuisine.” He said it matter-of-factly, as if suggesting we stop for fast food instead of what I suspected was an exclusive restaurant.

“Isn’t that a Michelin star restaurant?” I asked, remembering seeing something about it in the local news.

Brad nodded, his eyes still on the road. “The chef is a wolf from the French Alps. His lunch menu is

exceptional.”

I almost laughed at how normal this conversation felt. After the emotional intensity of the morning- confronting Tony, moving my mother, the overwhelming emotions of it all-here was Brad Rayne, feared Alpha wolf, casually suggesting lunch as if we were any normal couple.

“Okay,” I said, surprising myself. “That sounds nice.”

Twenty minutes later, we pulled up to an elegant building with a subtle sign. A valet appeared immediately, greeting Brad by name. Inside, the restaurant was all understated luxury-natural light streaming through large windows, crisp white tablecloths, and fresh flowers on every table.

The maître d’ practically bowed when he saw Brad. “Mr. Rayne, always an honor. Your usual table is ready.”

His usual table. Of course he had a usual table.

Once seated in a private corner, I felt acutely out of place. Everyone here seemed to exude wealth and confidence. I smoothed down my simple dress, suddenly conscious of how underdressed I was.

“You look fine,” Brad said, catching my nervous gesture

I raised an eyebrow. “Are you actually complimenting m?”

A hint of amusement flickered in his eyes. “Simply stating a fact.”

We ordered-or rather, Brad ordered for both of us after a brief consultation. The sommelier had just

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brought a bottle of sparkling water when Brad’s phone ang. His expression darkened as he checked the

screen.

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“I need to take this,” he said, standing. “Excuse me.”

I watched him walk to a quiet corner, his posture stiffening with each word of the conversation. When he

returned, his face had hardened into the mask of the businessman I was more familiar with.

“There’s an issue at the company that requires my immediate attention,” he said, his voice clipped. “I can

leave the car for you-”

“No,” I shook my head. “You take the car. I’ll be fine. I can get a taxi back.”

He hesitated. “You’re sure?”

“Positive. The emergency sounds important.”

Brad nodded, looking genuinely regretful. “I’ll have the staff take care of your meal. Text me when you get

home.”

Then he was gone, leaving me alone at the table for two.

The first course arrived, a delicate arrangement of seafood that I barely tasted.

“Mind if I join you?”

I looked up, startled to find Marissa Hopkins standing beside my table. The beautiful mixed-blood wolf

model was the last person I expected to see.

“Marissa?” I set down my fork, immediately on guard. “What are you doing here?”

“I saw Brad leave.” She slipped into his vacant chair without waiting for an invitation. “I’ve been wanting to

talk to you. Alone.”

“You’ve been following me?” Alarm bells rang in my head.

She had the grace to look slightly embarrassed. “I was having lunch across the street when I saw you two arrive. I’ve been trying to gather the courage to approach you for days.”

I didn’t bother hiding my skepticism. “Why would you need courage to approach me? Last I checked, you

were yelling at me.”

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Marissa winced. “I deserve that. I’ve been… horrible to you.” She looked down at her hands. “I want to

apologize. For everything I’ve said and done.”

I stared at her, stunned by this unexpected turn. “Why the sudden change of heart?”

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“It’s not sudden, exactly.” She took a deep breath. “Brad and I have known each other since we were

children. Our families have been close for generations. A sad smile crossed her face. “I’ve loved him my

entire life. I always thought… well, it doesn’t matter what I thought.”

“Is there a point to this?” I asked, uncomfortable with where this was heading.

Marissa’s eyes met mine. “I have this DNA Imbalance Syndrome.”

I blinked, not recognizing the term. “What’s that?”

“It’s a genetic condition they just identified in my latest tests,” she explained, her voice steady despite the subject matter. “My doctors have known for years that I have certain genetic anomalies-it’s why Elizabeth ultimately rejected me as a potential mate for Brad, because it affects my fertility.”

She paused, her fingers tracing invisible patterns on the tablecloth. “But last week, my new specialist ran more advanced genetic sequencing and found that it’s… much worse than anyone thought.”

I searched her face for signs of deception, but found only exhaustion and what appeared to be genuine fear

beneath her composed exterior.

“They don’t know much about it yet-it’s so rare they’ve only documented a handful of cases. But the prognosis isn’t good.” Her voice remained even, though noticed her hand trembling slightly. “A year, maybe two, before major organ systems start failing.”

“I’m… sorry,” I said cautiously, still not sure if I should believe her. “But why are you telling me this?”

“Because I need you to understand why I was so cruel.” Her voice trembled slightly. “I’ve known about the genetic issues for years, but I always held onto hope that maybe the doctors were wrong, that maybe 1 could still be the one for Brad someday. When you appeared and he marked you something in me just…

broke.”

She shook her head. “I lashed out. It was childish and patty, and I’m truly sorry.”

I remained silent, processing her words.

“I’m not asking for forgiveness,” Marissa continued. “But I am asking… please don’t push for Brad to cut me

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out of his life completely. Her eyes were pleading now.

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She leaned forward slightly. “I promise I won’t interfere in your relationship. I know Brad has chosen you, and I… I hope you’re what he truly needs. Someone he can genuinely love, not just a political match his mother approves of.”

“I don’t control who Brad associates with,” I said carefully.

“But you influence him, she insisted. “More than you probably realize. She paused. “All I’m asking is for

the chance to be… a friend. To both of you. In whatever time I have left.”

I studied her face, searching for signs of manipulation.

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11:00 Tue, Dec 30 DR

After One Night with the Alpha