After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 54

Chapter 54

Elle’s POV

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My heart pounded against my ribcage as Brad’s amber eyes narrowed dangerously. The tension in the air

was so thick I could barely breathe.

Before I could form a coherent response, Brad suddenly shot out his hands, gripping my shoulder with

enough force to make me wince.

“Brad, you’re hurting me,” I gasped, but he wasn’t listening.

His amber eyes flashed with something I’d never seen before-a barely contained fury that made my skin crawl. Without warning, his fingers roughly brushed against my lips, wiping harshly at the corner of my

mouth as if trying to erase something.

The unexpected touch startled me. I slapped his hand away hard. “Mr. Rayne, what the hell is wrong with

you!”

His entire demeanor changed in an instant. The controlled businessman disappeared, replaced by something primal and dangerous. The Alpha wolf had emerged.

“What’s wrong with me?” he growled, his voice dropping to a terrifying register. “It seems I’ve been too lenient with you lately! You’ve become increasingly bold, haven’t you?”

I glanced around the room, noticing how every staff member had lowered their gaze, refusing to make eye contact. The atmosphere had become suffocating. I needed to get away from him-from whatever this was.

I turned, attempting to leave, but had barely taken a step when strong hands seized me from behind. Brad spun me around and pushed me toward the sofa with enough force to make me stumble backward. Before I could regain my balance, he was there, towering over me, his body caging mine against the cushions.

“Brad, you’ve lost your mind!” I cried out, shock and fear mingling in my voice. In all our time together, he had never physically intimidated me like this.

“Yes, I have lost my mind,” he snarled, his face inches from mine. “I lost it when I gave you so many privileges! When I allowed you freedoms no human has ever enjoyed in my household!”

I stared up at him, utterly bewildered by this outburst. What had happened? What could possibly have triggered this level of rage?

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Chapter 54

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Brad’s eyes were dark with something beyond anger-something that looked disturbingly like betrayal and jealousy. I didn’t understand. We had an arrangement, a contract of convenience. Why was he acting like a possessive lover?

“Brad, please,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “Ion’t know what’s going on, but you need to calm

down. You’re scaring me.”

He ignored my plea, instead capturing my wrists in one hand and pinning them above my head. I struggled against his grip, but it was like fighting against steel.

“Elle West,” he said, his voice cold and accusing, “when you became my mate, was it against your will?”

The question caught me off guard. “What are you talking about? We agreed on this arrangement together! We said this was just to give our child a proper identity and home. We had a deal, remember? This is just

an agreement between us-”

My words were cut off as his mouth crashed against mine. The kiss was nothing like the careful, controlled ones we’d shared for appearances. This was harsh, punishing, completely devoid of tenderness. I twisted beneath him, desperately trying to free myself.

When I finally managed to turn my face away, tears were streaming down my cheeks. I looked up at him, my heterochromatic eyes wide with a silent plea. Please don’t hurt our baby. Please stop.

Something in my expression seemed to reach him. His grip on my wrists loosened slightly, though he didn’t release me. A flicker of uncertainty crossed his face as he stared at my tears.

Was this was about Raymond Carter? How did Brad even know I had met him?

Before I could question him, Brad abruptly changed tactics. “When did the doctor say it’s safe for pregnant women to have sex?” he asked coldly.

From somewhere in the room, Martha’s timid voice answered, “Three months after conception and before

the seventh month, sir.”

“And how far along is Ms. West now?”

“Three and a half months, sir.”

The implication of his questions sent ice through my veins. My hands and feet went cold with dread as I

realized what he was considering.

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Chapter 54

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“Take Ms. West to the bathroom for a bath,” Brad commanded, his eyes pinning me to the sofa like nails.

Two female staff members approached, their expressions apologetic but firm. They helped me to my feet and guided me toward the bathroom, their grip gentle but unyielding. I wanted to fight, to run, but where would I go? This was Brad’s territory, his domain.

In the bathroom, they efficiently undressed me and guided me into the warm water. I sat there, numb with shock, as they bathed me thoroughly. I felt like a doll being prepared for some unknown purpose, stripped of agency and choice.

Just as they finished, the bathroom door was kicked open with such force that water splashed over the sides of the tub. Brad stood in the doorway, his expression thunderous.

“Get out. All of you,” he ordered, and the staff scurried past him, several getting splashed in their haste.

Brad strode into the bathroom, grabbed a large towel, and wrapped it around my wet body. Before I could protest, he scooped me up in his arms and carried me out.

“Brad, you’ve completely lost your mind!” I shouted, my voice breaking with panic. “You’ll hurt the baby! Doesn’t the Rayne family care about this child above all else?”

His grip tightened as he carried me to the bedroom. “I’ll be gentle,” he said, his voice slightly softer but no less determined. “I won’t harm our child.”

He laid me on the bed, and I immediately tried to scramble away, but he followed, his body looming over

mine once more.

“Brad, please,” I begged, tears forming again. “This isn’t you. Something’s wrong-”

“The only thing wrong,” he interrupted, capturing my lips again, “is that we haven’t had sex for too long.”

As he kissed me, I realized with horror that part of me was responding to him despite my fear and confusion. Each kiss felt different, more intense than the last, as if he was discovering something new each

time our lips met.

I pushed against his chest, but only succeeded in disheveling his shirt, revealing glimpses of his perfectly sculpted body beneath. Up close like this, I could see details I’d never noticed before-the smooth contours of muscle, the faint traces of old scars.

Brad’s mouth moved to my ear, his breath hot against my skin. “If you don’t want to hurt our child either, then stop struggling,” he whispered harshly.

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After One Night with the Alpha