After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 90

Chapter 90

Elle’s POV

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I stood frozen as this stranger continued to sob into my shoulder, her whole body shaking with emotion. Alex looked just as bewildered as I felt, his hand hovering near his comm device like he wasn’t sure if this

was a threat or just… whatever the hell this was.

“I’m sorry,” I said gently, trying to extract myself from her embrace without being rude. “I think there might be some mistake-

But before I could finish, Alex stepped forward. “Ma’am, I’m going to need you to step back from—”

“No, wait,” I said quickly, seeing the complete devastation in this woman’s eyes. Something about her grief felt too raw, too real to just push away. I held up a hand to Alex. “It’s okay.”

The woman finally pulled back, wiping at her tears with trembling fingers. “I’m so sorry! God, I’m so sorry for… for that.” She gestured helplessly at herself. “I just. when I saw you…”

I grabbed a tissue from the box on Abigail’s nightstand and handed it to her. “Are you alright? Do you need

to sit down?”

She accepted the tissue gratefully, her voice hoarse when she spoke. “I’m Harper. Harper Blair.”

Blair family. That explained the emotional reaction, at least partly. No wonder she’d been so shocked seeing

“Please,” I said, gesturing to the elegant chairs by the window. “Would you like to rest for a moment?”

Harper’s eyes immediately went to my rounded belly as we sat down. “You’re about four months along,

aren’t you?”

I smiled, surprised by her accurate guess. “Yeah, almost four months. It’s been growing so fast lately-feels like it changes every day.”

‘I came here to bring Abigail some jewelry,” Harper explained, her voice still shaky. “But seeing you… it’s just…” She shook her head, fresh tears threatening. “You look so much like her.”

When I mentioned I was twenty-three, Harper’s eyes lit up with obvious interest, like some puzzle piece had just clicked into place.

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“But I really don’t have any connection to the Blair family,” I said quickly, not wanting this to go where I suspected it might. “It’s probably just one of those weird coincidences.”

The sound of sharp heels clicking rapidly down the hallway interrupted us, followed by Abigail’s voice scolding someone: “Didn’t I tell you that when Harper arrives, you should escort her to the front parlor to

wait for me?”

“Abigail! Don’t blame them,” Harper called out immediately. “I insisted on coming here myself.”

Abigail appeared in the doorway, taking in the scene – Harper and me sitting together, the obvious signs that Harper had been crying. Her face showed a mix of concern and something that looked like guilt.

“I’m sorry, I… I didn’t know Harper would…” Abigail started.

I shook my head. “I don’t mind at all.”

Harper’s sharp eyes moved between Abigail and me. “You didn’t want me coming to your room because she

was here, didn’t you?”

“Please don’t let me cause problems between you two,” said quickly, trying to defuse the tension. “Actually, I should thank you for this misunderstanding I was getting pretty bored reading alone. Alex here isn’t exactly great at conversation.”

Alex shot me a look that clearly said thanks for throwing me under the bus, but the comment did break the tension. Both women smiled.

“Let me properly introduce you both,” Abigail said. Through her, I learned that Harper was the head of Blair family’s jewelry business

“Harper serves as the Blair family’s external spokesperson,” Abigail continued. “Since Dakota’s parents have… withdrawn from public life after losing her, Harper handles most of the family business.”

A businesswoman, I thought. Like Sophia. The type who’s used to being in control.

Harper had pulled herself together and was now clearly in her element – guiding the conversation like the experienced negotiator she obviously was. I found myself answering her questions, partly because I didn’t want her to think I was hiding some connection to her family.

“My name is West,” I emphasized. “Elle West. My mothe is Susan West.”

I tried to give Harper as much detail as I could about my background, hoping to convince her that any

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Chapter 90

resemblance to Dakota was purely coincidental.

“Elle?”

Brad’s voice from the doorway made me look up. He took in my slightly tired expression and immediately

moved to my side.

“You look exhausted,” he said, his hand finding the small of my back. “We should get you home.”

I glanced at Harper and Abigail.

“Of course, dear,” Harper said, rising gracefully. “You need your rest. It was truly wonderful meeting you.”

“Thank you for the lovely conversation,” I replied, meaning it despite the emotional intensity.

Brad guided me toward the door. “Ladies,” he nodded politely to Harper and Abigail before leading me out.

Once we were settled in the back of the car, Brad handed me a glass of what looked like fresh fruit juice.

I began, “Do you believe in fate?”

His amber eyes sharpened with curiosity. “Why do you ask that all of a sudden?”

“I met someone from the Blair family today,” I said, deciding I didn’t want to keep this from him. “And I found Dakota’s book in Abigail’s room. There was something almost… mystical about reading those words she’d written. Like fate was this invisible hand, pushing things forward, making connections happen.”

Brad stayed quiet, just running his fingers through my hair in a way that made me want to purr. I could tell he was pleased that I’d chosen to share this with him rather than keep it secret.

“Why are you so resistant to any connection with the Blair family?” he asked finally.

I laughed, but it came out bitter. “I guess most ordinary humans would be thrilled to have any link to a family like them, right? Especially someone with as little status as me…”

Brad seemed fascinated by my hair, running the strands between his fingers. “It’s so smooth and soft,” he

murmured. “And it always smells like you.”

“So why are you running from it?” he pressed.

I felt my chest tighten. I couldn’t tell him the real reason that I was planning to leave this whole world

behind after the baby was born.

D

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Chapter 90

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But Brad was too perceptive. I could see in his eyes that he’d caught my evasion, and it was making him

uneasy.

His expression shifted, becoming more intense. “Elle, you’re like a kite,” he said slowly. “I feel like I’m holding onto this thin string, and any moment it might snap and you’ll just… drift away.”

The thought of me leaving seemed to physically pain him. His jaw clenched, and his voice dropped to a growl: “No. I won’t allow it.”

Before I could ask what he meant, he’d cupped my chin in his hand, forcing me to look at him.

“Hey, what are you-”

But my words were cut off as Brad’s mouth crashed against mine. His kiss was sudden, fierce, and completely overwhelming. My eyes flew wide in shock as I stared at him.

Does he have to be this sudden every single time?

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11:17 Tue, Dec 30 GDR

After One Night with the Alpha