After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 84

Chapter 84

Elle’s POV

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This wasn’t just about having a child. For Brad, this was about legacy, about continuing the pure Rayne bloodline that had ruled Moonshade Bay for generations.

I couldn’t sense the mate bond that apparently connected us, but lying here with this life growing inside me, I felt something I couldn’t quite name. The baby seemed to pulse with an energy that was distinctly

other-distinctly werewolf.

“Mrs. Rayne,” the doctor continued, and I flinched at the title, “the fetal development is exceptional. Alpha

genetics are already manifesting.”

Before I could process what that meant, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed in the hallway outside. The medical center staff suddenly looked nervous, straightening their postures as if preparing for royalty.

The door burst open, and Elizabeth Rayne swept in like a force of nature, followed by an entourage of human servants and several Beta werewolves. Her usually composed demeanor was replaced by something

that looked almost like glee.

“Wonderful news, Elle!” she exclaimed, her eyes bright with satisfaction. “You’ve brought a precious gift to

the Rayne family!”

I struggled to sit up, still disoriented by the ultrasound gel and the overwhelming scents of multiple werewolves in the small room. “Mrs. Rayne… I didn’t expect-”

“Of course you didn’t, dear child.” Elizabeth’s hand found mine, patting it with genuine warmth that caught me off guard. “I dropped everything at the Council the moment I heard. An Alpha male heir!”

Her gaze kept drifting to my belly with an expression that was equal parts protective and possessive. I felt

like a prize broodmare who’d just proven her worth.

“Elle,” Elizabeth continued, her tone taking on that authoritative quality I’d learned to recognize, “you’ll need to stop managing company affairs immediately. With your belly growing larger and your movements becoming more restricted, it’s best if you rest at home. We have professional human staff who can care for

you properly.”

*I… Mrs. Rayne, I appreciate your concern, but-” I looked desperately at Brad, seeking any kind of support.

“The pregnancy is still early stages, and I need to-”

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“Grandmother.” Brad’s voice cut through my stammering, calm but firm. “Elle is still in her early months, and she needs appropriate activity. Complete bed rest i’t recommended at this stage.”

He was actually standing up for me.

Without really thinking about it, I shifted closer to Brad, my hand finding his arm. The contact sent a jolt of warmth through me, and I felt rather than saw his sharp intake of breath.

“Yes,” I managed, forcing my voice to stay steady. “I’d really prefer to maintain some… normalcy. For the

baby’s sake.”

Brad’s gaze dropped to where my hand rested on his arm, and something shifted in his expression.

“You have no idea what you’re doing to me,” he murmured, so low only I could hear it, and the rough edge

to his voice made my pulse skip.

Elizabeth was watching this exchange with sharp eyes, and I saw the exact moment she recognized the

shift in dynamics between Brad and me.

“Very well,” she said finally, though her tone carried warning. “But we’ll be doubling your security guards. And Elle-” Her voice turned stern. “I know about your habit of dismissing your assistant and guards when you want privacy. If you try that again, you’ll be confined to the estate.”

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Rayne! I won’t do it again!” The words tumbled out of me before I could stop them. Anything to keep my freedom.

“I’ll ensure her safety personally,” Brad added, his Alpha aura expanding in what I was learning to recognize as a promise. “Wherever I go, I’ll make sure she’s protected.”

Elizabeth nodded approvingly. “Good. Brad, you’re about to become an Alpha father. Your responsibilities to the family and territory are greater now. Some things will require your own judgment.”

As we prepared to leave the medical center, I couldn’t shake the feeling that everything had just changed. I was no longer just the human woman carrying Brad’s child-I was the mother of the future Rayne Alpha

heir.

The weight of that realization should have terrified me. Instead, as Brad’s hand found the small of my back to guide me out, I felt something I hadn’t expected: a fierce protectiveness for the life growing inside me.

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“Where are we going?” I asked as Brad drove past the usual route to the estate.

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“Shopping, he replied, and there was something almost boyish in his excitement that made me do a

double-take.

We pulled up to an upscale shopping center that screamed luxury. But instead of browsing the stores, Brad led me to a private VIP suite where staff members wheeled in rack after rack of baby items.

These are all… for the baby?” I asked, staring at the elaborate cribs and impossibly soft blankets.

“The Rayne family Alpha heir uses only the finest,” Brad said, and I caught the slight flush creeping up his neck. “Even the diapers are hand-crafted by our research team and made by werewolf artisans.”

I couldn’t help it-I burst out laughing. “Seriously? Now?”

Instead of being offended, Brad’s expression softened. His hand moved to touch my hair, a gesture that felt surprisingly intimate. “You think it’s excessive.”

“I think,” I said, still grinning, “that even powerful Alphas can get excited about becoming fathers.”

The look he gave me then was so warm, so genuinely pleased, that my breath caught. For a moment, he didn’t look like the intimidating Alpha who controlled Moonshade Bay. He looked like a man who was genuinely happy about having a child.

“In werewolf society, every detail matters for an Alpha heir,” he said, but his tone was gentler now. “But you’re right. I might be… getting ahead of myself.”

The look that passed between us felt different somehow-warmer, more genuine. As we left the shopping center with an absurd amount of baby items ordered for delivery, I caught myself stealing glances at Brad, seeing glimpses of the man beneath the Alpha facade.

For the next two days, the Rayne household settled into what could almost be called harmony. Brad didn’t disappear for mysterious werewolf business. I stopped bracing myself for confrontation every time we were in the same room. It was… peaceful.

Two days later, I was lounging in the sunroom of the Rayne estate, finally feeling like I could breathe freely. The modified lounge chair was surprisingly comfortable, and for the first time in weeks, I felt genuinely relaxed,

Alex appeared in the doorway, holding my phone with a hesitant expression. “Elle, there’s been a call. It’s been ringing repeatedly.”

L

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I took the phone, curious. When I answered, a familiar voice made my blood run cold.

“Elle, this is Jason’s mother. I’m in Moonshade Bay now Can we meet?”

My hand tightened on the phone as memories flooded back-this woman demanding I leave her son

because I wasn’t worthy of Jason.

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After One Night with the Alpha