After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 7

**The Billionaire Who Claimed My Heart and Who Broke Fate for Me**

**Chapter 7**

Elle’s POV

I found myself utterly transfixed by the expectant expression on Elizabeth Rayne’s face, the weight of her inquiry pressing down on me like a tangible force. The small hospital room felt as though it were closing in, the air thinning, suffocating in its intensity.

Everything in my life had spiraled out of control in the span of a mere hour. Pregnant. A mate with heterochromatic eyes. A rare genetic ability that set me apart. And now, three seemingly impossible choices lay before me, stark and unforgiving, like cards dealt in a rigged game of fate.

I turned my gaze toward Brad, searching for something—reassurance, perhaps? Guidance? His eyes met mine for a fleeting moment before he looked away, his jaw set in a tense line. The silence between us was heavy, filled with unspoken words and a whirlwind of emotions.

“Well?” Elizabeth urged, her impatience creeping into her voice, a sharp edge that cut through the tension.

Drawing in a deep breath, I braced myself for the reality that loomed before me. It was harsh and unforgiving, yet unmistakably clear: I had no real choice at all.

“Fine,” I said, forcing myself to meet Elizabeth’s gaze head-on. “I accept.” My voice gained strength as I continued, “I understand you need this child. I will become your… mate or whatever you choose to call it, and I will carry this baby.”

Brad’s expression remained inscrutable, yet I detected a flicker of something in his eyes—perhaps surprise at my unexpected assertiveness. Before I could utter another word, he turned away, heading for the door.

“Since you’ve agreed, prepare yourself,” he said, his tone flat and devoid of emotion. “You can take leave from work to adjust. I have matters to attend to.”

The following morning, I awoke in what the staff referred to as the “VIP suite.” It was a hospital room that bore a striking resemblance to a luxury hotel, complete with plush furnishings and an air of opulence that felt surreal given my predicament.

A dedicated team of werewolf nurses and doctors seemed to check on me incessantly, their focus clearly on the potential Alpha heir I carried rather than on my well-being. Their noses twitched slightly as they entered, as if they were assessing my scent for any subtle changes that might indicate a problem.

“Your vitals are excellent,” the head nurse informed me after what felt like the fifth check of the morning. “The Alpha has arranged for you to remain here until we are certain that the pregnancy is progressing smoothly.”

I nodded numbly, feeling more like a prized breeding mare than a person. The thought of being confined to this lavish room, no matter how luxurious, made me feel increasingly claustrophobic.

“I need some air,” I declared, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. “I’m going for a walk in the garden I saw from the window.”

The nurse’s eyes widened in alarm. “Ms. West, I’m not sure that’s advisable given your condition—”

“My condition is being six weeks pregnant, not an invalid,” I interrupted, pulling on the silk robe that had mysteriously appeared in my room overnight. “I just need to stretch my legs and clear my head.”

Before she could voice any further objections, I slipped past her and out the door. The hallway was eerily quiet, my bare feet making no sound on the plush carpet. I navigated my way to the elevator, descending to the first floor and following the signs that led to the garden.

The garden was a breathtaking oasis, meticulously landscaped with vibrant flowering shrubs and winding paths that seemed to invite exploration. I noticed some unusual plants I had never encountered before—likely species favored by werewolves for their unique scents or properties. Breathing in the fresh air, I felt some of the tension in my shoulders begin to dissipate.

I had barely walked fifty feet when I was suddenly surrounded by a group of werewolf nurses in crisp uniforms, their expressions tense and alarmed. The head nurse I had eluded earlier rushed toward me, her nostrils flaring as she took in my presence.

“With all due respect,” she said, her tone a mix of respect and admonition, “you’re carrying a potential Alpha heir. You shouldn’t be outside without guards.”

The chef smiled knowingly, as if he had encountered my reaction before. “The Alpha will be joining you for lunch, ma’am. This is his normal midday meal.”

My stomach dropped at the realization. “Wait, what? Brad is coming here? To eat lunch?”

Before the chef could respond, a chorus of respectful voices echoed from the hallway: “Alpha Brad.”

My body tensed instinctively, my back still turned to the door. I could feel the atmosphere in the room shift, the air pressure itself seeming to change with Brad’s arrival.

I hesitated, suddenly unsure how to face the man who was now, by formal agreement, my mate, yet still felt like a stranger—an enigmatic, powerful werewolf who held the reins to my future.

Measured footsteps entered the room, and I felt a jolt of awareness.

“Why are you just standing there?” Brad’s deep voice sliced through the silence. “Sit down and eat. You need to maintain your nutrition.”

I turned slowly to face him. Brad stood there, exuding an air of authority. Every human staff member had their eyes downcast, their movements becoming more precise and careful in his presence.

He approached the table with a predatory grace, reaching into his pocket to retrieve a silver lighter. He flicked it open and closed a few times—a habitual gesture, I guessed—before accepting a hot towel from an attendant. I watched, captivated despite myself, as he meticulously cleaned his hands with not one, but three towels before finally taking a seat.

Only then did he look up at me, his amber eyes inscrutable. “Your food will get cold.”