After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 86

Chapter 86

Elle’s POV

I stormed into my apartment, still fuming about the whole Jason situation. What a pathetic display that

had been! The nerve of him, grabbing onto my legs like some desperate-

“Mrs. Rayne!” Martha’s cheerful voice interrupted my angry thoughts. “Perfect timing! A delivery just

arrived for you.”

I turned to see Martha practically bouncing with excitement, holding an elegant box. The Rayne family

crest gleamed from the top.

“What’s this?” I asked, setting down my purse.

Martha’s eyes sparkled as she carried the box to the coffee table. “Alpha Rayne had this specially prepared

for you! The delivery person said it’s a gown flown in directly from Milan-the designer worked two days

and nights straight to complete it!”

Despite my lingering irritation, I couldn’t help but smile at Martha’s enthusiasm. “Okay.”

“Oh, let’s open it right away!” Martha clapped her hands together, clearly more excited than I was.

In the bedroom, Martha carefully lifted the lid, revealing the most beautiful gown I’d ever seen. It was

silver-white, made of some ethereal fabric that seemed to shimmer in the light. Beside it lay a pair of flat

shoes that looked like they’d been handcrafted by angels.

“That’s… unusual,” I murmured, studying the ensemble.

Usually, you’d pick a dress first and then find shoes to match. But this looked like the entire gown had

been designed specifically around these shoes. The hemline, the cut, even the draping-everything was

tailored to complement the flat soles perfectly.

I ran my fingers over the delicate fabric. Only a master designer could pull off something this complex,

creating an entire look that worked backwards from footwear. And considering my condition…

“He actually thought about the pregnancy,” I whispered surprised. The shoes were not only beautiful but

practical for someone who couldn’t wear heels for nine months.

“Would you like to try it on, Miss Elle?” Martha asked eagerly.

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I nodded, curious despite myself.

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With Martha and Alex’s help, I slipped into the gown. The moment the fabric settled around me, I gasped.

“Oh… this feels incredible.”

There was none of the restriction I usually felt in formal wear. The dress moved with me like a second skin, cleverly concealing my slightly rounded belly while emphasizing my natural curves. The flat shoes felt like walking on clouds.

“The designer is truly gifted,” I said, admiring how perfectly everything fit.

“You look absolutely gorgeous,” Martha beamed.

I was adjusting the neckline when a familiar voice made me freeze.

“You look beautiful in that dress.”

I spun around to find Brad leaning against the doorway his amber eyes taking in every detail of the gown.

“How did you-” I started, but he was already walking toward me.

“Let me,” he said, stepping closer. His fingers brushed mine as he took over fastening the last few buttons

at the back of the neck.

His touch sent an unexpected shiver down my spine. I tried to step away, but his hands settled gently on

my shoulders.

Martha had quietly retreated to give us space, and I suddenly felt very aware of how alone we were.

Brad’s fingers traced the silver chain, and I felt my breath catch when his eyes focused on the two rings

hanging there.

I watched his expression change-surprise, then something that looked almost… happy?

Brad reached for the clasp of my necklace. “You are still wearing these?”

His tone was carefully casual, but something in his voice made me snatch the rings away from him.

“Are you kidding me?” I glared at him. “You want me to just throw them away? Do you have any idea how

wasteful that would be?”

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Brad blinked, clearly not expecting that reaction.

“These are obviously antique silver rings,” I continued, lutching them protectively. “They’re probably worth a fortune! If you don’t want them, at least let me sell them. I could use the money!”

I saw something flicker across Brad’s face-amusement Relief?

“Elle,” he said slowly, extending his hand palm up. “They’re meant to be worn as a pair.”

I stared at his outstretched hand, confused. “What do you mean?”

“You can’t seriously be planning to wear both rings yourself?”

“I never said I was going to wear them!” I protested, though I had no idea why he was asking for his hand.

“These are matching rings,” Brad explained patiently. “One for each of us.”

I looked down at the rings in my palm, then back at his expectant hand. Oh.

“But I thought-” I started to I thought these were meant for Marissa, but Brad was already taking the

smaller ring from my hand.

The one with the Celtic knots and crescent moon caught the light beautifully as he held it up.

“Give me your hand,” he said softly.

I hesitated. “Brad, I don’t think-”

“Elle.” His voice carried that Alpha authority that made arguing pointless.

Reluctantly, I extended my left hand. Brad’s fingers were warm as they slipped the ring onto my ring finger. The moment the metal touched my skin, I felt a strange tingling sensation, like electricity dancing across

my nerve endings.

“There,” Brad murmured, not letting go of my hand immediately.

The ring fit perfectly. Too perfectly. Like it had been made specifically for me, which was impossible.

I stared down at the beautiful piece of jewelry, my face growing warm. “Your turn,” I said quickly, picking

up the larger ring.

Brad offered his left hand, and I tried to focus on the task instead of how his skin felt under my fingertips.

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The wolf head design was intricate, the amber stones in its eyes seeming to glow.

I slid the ring over his knuckle. For a moment, the amber stones seemed to flicker, and both our hands

trembled slightly.

“Have you…” Brad’s voice was unexpectedly husky. “Have you ever put a ring on someone before?”

“No,” I answered automatically.

“You’re the first,” he said immediately after, his eyes locked on mine.

We both went still at the weight of those words. Something indefinable passed between us, and I found

myself unable to look away from his intense gaze.

My heart was pounding so hard I was sure he could hear it.

When I tried to pull my hand back, Brad caught it, intertwining our fingers.

“This is our first pair of matching rings,” Brad said, his voice low and serious. “Don’t you want to take a photo to remember?” 1

I looked up sharply, but his head was tilted down, so I couldn’t read his expression.

Before I could respond, I heard the soft click of his phone camera capturing our joined hands, the rings

glinting in the light.

Only then did Brad release my fingers.

I stood there, staring down at the ring on my finger, fighting against the emotions threatening to

overwhelm me.

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Elle, what the hell are you thinking? I scolded myself silently. He’s wonderful, yes, but he doesn’t belong to you.

You knew this from the very beginning. You can’t let yourself fall for him. You just can’t.

If you fall for him, how will you ever be able to leave when this baby is born?

The ring suddenly felt heavy on my finger.