After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 83

Chapter 83

Elle’s POV

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The moment I stepped through the grand gates of the Rayne family estate, I was greeted by a sight that took my breath away. Every ingredient I could possibly need for dinner had been meticulously prepared and arranged in the kitchen. Fresh vegetables were washed and neatly organized, meats were properly

marinated.

A human maid rushed forward to help me change into house slippers, whispering conspiratorially, “Alpha

ordered us to prepare everything, but he specifically said we weren’t allowed to interfere with your

cooking.”

I felt heat rise to my cheeks as I realized Brad must have called ahead. Behind me, I could sense his

presence as he followed closely, not showing the slightest irritation at my leading the way. In fact, when I

glanced back, there was something that looked almost like satisfaction in his amber eyes.

The kitchen became my sanctuary. After washing my hands thoroughly, I grabbed a knife and got to work,

my movements automatic and practiced. Living independently in the human community for years had

taught me efficiency, and my hands moved with confident precision.

Brad leaned against the doorframe, and I could feel his intense gaze tracking my every movement. The

scent of cooking food seemed to work some kind of magic on him the tension I’d sensed in his shoulders

from his earlier anger began to melt away.

–

I started with the main course – a protein-rich roasted meat, while simultaneously preparing a pan-seared steak. The bone broth went into a slow simmer, and I quickly tossed together a colorful vegetable salad for

contrast.

Within thirty minutes, I had a complete meal ready. It wasn’t fancy werewolf cuisine, but it was hearty,

home-cooked food that filled the kitchen with warmth and comfort.

“Done, I announced, wiping my hands on a dish towel,

Brad’s eyes seemed brighter than usual as he surveyed the spread.

Sitting across from Brad at the dinner table, I felt my cheeks flush from the exertion of cooking. The candlelight made everything feel more intimate than I was comfortable with, especially the way it seemed to make my heterochromatic eyes more noticeable.

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Brad took a deep breath, and something shifted in his expression. “This smells… different. Better.”

“I only know how to make simply food,” I admitted, suddenly feeling self-conscious. “I hope it’s to your

taste.

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Brad made an exaggerated grimace. “I don’t usually eat such mild food,” he said, but his fork was already

cutting into the meat with obvious hunger.

“Your fork seems to disagree with your mouth,” I pointed out.

He actually smiled-a real smile that reached his eyes. My fork has terrible judgment.”

As we ate, something unprecedented happened: we began to argue over the last piece of steak. Brad made

a show of asserting his Alpha dominance, sitting up straighter and fixing me with what was probably

meant to be an intimidating stare.

“As the Alpha of this territory, I claim the right to the final portion,” he announced solemnly.

I met his gaze without flinching. “As the person who cooked it, I think I have the stronger claim.”

For a moment, we stared at each other across the table. Then Brad’s expression broke, and he pushed the

entire piece onto my plate with an exaggerated sigh.

I handed Brad a piece of the bone-in meat I’d prepared, and watched his eyes flash with that golden light

that meant his wolf was pleased. The satisfied way he accepted it made something warm unfurl in my

chest.

He ate with an appetite I rarely saw, finishing everything on his plate.

After dinner, I suggested a walk in the garden to help digest the meal. The moon was full and bright,

casting silver shadows across the carefully maintained grounds.

I started to tell Brad he didn’t need to accompany me, but stopped myself. Things between us had been

tentative lately, and I didn’t want to ruin the peaceful mood.

As we walked, Brad’s keen senses picked up on something I’d been trying to hide. “If you’re feeling

discomfort, we should go back inside,” he said quietly.

“I’m not tired,” I replied honestly. “It’s just… I feel like my belly is growing every day. Like I can actually feel changes happening.”

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Brad’s gaze dropped to my midsection, and I saw his nostrils flare slightly. Werewolf senses were so much

sharper than human ones.

“I can sense the changes too,” he admitted. Then, surprising me: “I want to personally accompany you to Rayne Medical Center tomorrow for your checkup. I’ll clear my schedule.”

I blinked in surprise. “I could just go to a regular human hospital-”

“No.” His tone brooked no argument. “Rayne Medical Center has the proper equipment for… special

circumstances.”

The next morning, Brad was true to his word. He finished his werewolf pack business early and personally

drove us to the medical center.

The entire facility seemed to spring to attention the moment we arrived. From the director to every nurse and technician, they all came out to greet us personally! The equipment looked far more advanced than

anything I’d seen in human hospitals.

The medical team treated the baby I was carrying like precious treasure, double and triple-checking every

result to avoid any possibility of error.

The specialist running the ultrasound moved the wand across my belly with careful precision. Suddenly,

her face lit up with excitement.

“Congratulations, Alpha Brad, Mrs. Rayne,” she announced with obvious joy. “You’re having a boy!”

The words hit me like a physical blow. A boy.

I turned to look at Brad, expecting to see satisfaction of political calculation in his expression. Instead, I

saw something that looked almost like… wonder. His hand moved unconsciously toward my belly, then

stopped, as if he wasn’t sure he had the right to touch.

“A boy,” he repeated quietly, and for the first time since I’d known him, Bradford Rayne looked genuinely

moved.

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After One Night with the Alpha