After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 98

Chapter 98

Elle’s POV

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I let out a soft sigh and tried to collect myself. After all the emotional turmoil of the past week, I needed

to get out and clear my head. Being cooped up in the house, even with my newfound freedom, wasn’t

helping my mental state.

“Amy, would you like to come with me to do some shopping?” I asked my assistant, who had been.

practically bouncing off the walls during what she called our “torturous week” of house arrest. 1

Amy’s face lit up like Christmas morning. “Really? We can actually leave? Oh my God, yes!”

Amy was my new personal assistant – a cheerful human girl in her early twenties who Brad had assigned to help me with daily tasks. She’d started working for me just when my house arrest began.

Within minutes, we were in the car with the driver and security detail Brad had assigned to me. The driver

suggested the new luxury shopping center that had just opened in Moonshade Bay – apparently it was all

anyone could talk about.

As we pulled into the parking garage, I was struck by the sheer size and elegance of the place. Even the

parking area looked expensive.

“Wow,” Amy breathed, pressing her face to the window. This place is incredible!”

She wasn’t wrong. The moment we walked toward the main entrance, I could see crowds of people – mostly

humans – streaming in and out. Many seemed to be window shopping, drawn by the allure of werewolf

luxury brands they couldn’t afford.

I’d barely stepped onto the main floor when my security detail fell behind, momentarily separated by the

crowd. That’s when several men in light gray suits materialized in front of me, moving with synchronized

precision.

They all bowed simultaneously. “Excuse me, are you Miss West?”

I blinked in surprise. “I’m Elle West. You are…?”

“We’re here on our CEO’s orders,” one of them explained smoothly. “He specifically instructed us to welcome Miss West.”

“Your CEO?” I repeated, genuinely confused.

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“Mr. Carter was concerned about your safety and wanted to ensure you were properly taken care of.”

The pieces clicked into place. “Raymond Carter?”

At their confirming nods, I felt a mix of surprise and wariness. So he owns this place. How did Raymond know I was coming here?

Still, I reminded myself that I was here to relax and have a good time, not to analyze every social

interaction. “That’s… thoughtful of him.”

The next few hours were surprisingly pleasant. I spent most of the time accompanying Amy as she shopped

with obvious delight, trying on clothes and accessories with the enthusiasm of someone who rarely got to

indulge. I bought very little for myself, content to watch her enjoyment, though walking around in flats

was starting to make my feet ache.

“Mrs. Rayne, you’re being so patient with me,” Amy said clutching her shopping bags. “Here you are,

pregnant and walking around, just so I can shop.”

“Don’t worry about it,” I assured her. “I’m enjoying watching you have fun.”

That’s when she produced a small box from one of her bags, her expression turning shy. “Actually, Miss

West, I got something for you too!”

I accepted the box with surprise, opening it to reveal a row of delicate porcelain figurines. They were adorable some clearly human figures, but others… others looked distinctly wolf-like in their design.

“They’re so cute!” I exclaimed, genuinely delighted. “Thank you so much!”

Amy scratched her ear, embarrassed. “I’m glad you like them, Miss West!”

I carefully handed the box to one of my security guards for safekeeping, touched by the thoughtful gesture.

By the time we decided to take a break, my feet were definitely feeling the strain. I found a quiet rest area

and turned to my entourage.

“You all don’t need to hover around me. Go explore, buy something for yourselves.”

They exchanged uncertain glances. None of them seemed comfortable leaving me alone, probably terrified of what Brad would do if something happened to me on their watch.

That’s when I heard a voice from the entrance: “Mr. Carter, Miss West is resting inside.”

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“I see. You can all step back now,” came the familiar, calm reply.

I looked up to see Raymond Carter approaching.

“Mr. Carter,” I said with polite formality. “You’ve really given me the VIP treatment today. I feel almost embarrassingly special.”

Raymond smiled, gesturing for his assistant to pull out chair for him. As he sat down, he waved everyone else away, leaving us alone in the seating area.

“I hope you don’t mind the direct approach, Elle,” he said, those blue eyes of his studying my face intently. “But I was hoping to have a word with you.”

I set down my water glass and met his gaze. “Mr. Carter I’m not sure what I could possibly help you with.”

“Actually, Elle, may I ask you a few questions?” he said quietly.

I felt my eyebrows rise. “Mr. Carter, what exactly do you mean by that?”

But even as I asked, warning bells were going off in my head. Raymond and I might both be human, but we existed in very different worlds. I was Brad’s mate – which meant that publicly, I had to stand with the

Rayne family’s interests.

And Raymond’s new shopping center? It was in direct competition with Rayne Group properties. Brad and Raymond might cooperate in energy sector deals, but in retail, real estate, cosmetics, fashion, and

advertising, they were rivals.

So why is Raymond suddenly trying to get cozy with me?

I could feel my expression growing more guarded, and apparently Raymond noticed too.

“Elle,” he said with a rueful smile, “you seem… less than thrilled to see me.”

I took a sip of water to buy myself time, mentally cursing. Was I being that obvious?

“Mr. Carter, I think you misunderstand,” I said carefully. “It’s just that when it comes to business matters, I really don’t know anything. If you’re hoping to gain some kind of advantage through me, I’m afraid you’ll

be disappointed.”

“No,” Raymond said suddenly, his voice strained. “What want to ask isn’t about business.”

Then he said something that made my blood run cold.

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“Elle, what if I told you I could help you safely leave the Rayne family? Help you get away from Brad

Rayne? What would you do?”

I shot to my feet so fast my chair nearly toppled over, my face draining of color.

“Mr. Carter, you’re quite the jokester!” I managed, my voice higher than usual. “I have to go. I have… things

to do.’

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After One Night with the Alpha