After One Night with the Alpha Chapter 107

Elle's POV

The drive back to the Rayne estate felt different from any other time I'd been in Brad's car. Maybe it was because I wasn't fighting him anymore, or maybe it was because Mom was sitting beside me, her eyes wide as she took in the changing scenery outside the window. Either way, there was this comfortable silence between Brad and me that felt... right.

I didn't ask about Jason or Marissa. I didn't want to know. Some things were better left buried, and the look in Brad's eyes when he'd found me in that warehouse told me everything I needed to know about their fate.

Mom's fingers kept fidgeting with the seat belt, and I could see her stealing glances at Brad through the rearview mirror. She was nervous as hell, but trying to hide it.

"We're almost there," Brad said softly, his eyes meeting mine in the mirror.

I nodded, placing my hand over Mom's to steady her fidgeting. She gave me a grateful smile, but I could still feel the tension radiating from her body.

When we pulled through the ornate gates of the downtown district, Mom's breath caught audibly. The contrast between this area and our edge community was like stepping into another world entirely. Manicured lawns, towering trees, and houses that looked more like small palaces lined the streets.

"Oh my God," Mom whispered, her voice barely audible.

And then we turned into the Rayne estate's driveway.

I'd been living here for months, but seeing it through Mom's eyes made me realize just how overwhelming it must be. The mansion sprawled across the landscape like something out of a fairy tale, all gleaming windows and elegant stonework.

Mom's mouth fell open. "Elle, this is where you live?"

Before I could answer, the car pulled to a stop in front of the main entrance. Martha was already waiting on the steps, her face beaming with a warm smile.

"Alpha Brad, Mrs. Rayne welcome home!" Martha called out as we stepped from the car. Her eyes immediately found Mom. "And Mrs. West, welcome to the Rayne estate!"

Mom looked like she might faint.

"Mom, this is Martha," I said quickly, taking her arm to steady her. "She's our head housekeeper. Martha, this is my mother, Susan West."

Martha stepped forward with genuine warmth. "Mrs. West, it's such an honor to finally meet you. Miss Elle speaks of you constantly."

"I... thank you," Mom managed, her voice shaky. "This place is incredible."

"Wait until you see the inside," I said, grinning at her reaction.

Brad appeared at my other side, offering his arm to Mom with old-world courtesy. "Mrs. West, would you allow me to give you a tour?"

The way he said it – so respectful, so gentle – made my heart do weird flippy things in my chest.

* * *

Dinner was a revelation.

The dining room, which usually felt formal and intimidating, somehow felt cozy with the three of us sitting together. The kitchen staff had outdone themselves, preparing dishes that catered to Mom's simpler tastes while still maintaining their usual elegance.

"This soup is incredible," Mom said, taking another spoonful.

Brad's lips twitched into an almost-smile. "I'll pass your compliments to the chef."

What really got to me was watching Brad. He kept glancing between Mom and me, and every time I laughed at something Mom said, his whole face seemed to soften. It was like seeing a completely different person from the cold, controlled Alpha I'd first met.

"So, Mr. Rayne," Mom said, setting down her spoon, "Elle tells me you run the biggest company in Moonshade Bay."

"One of them," Brad said modestly. "But tonight, I'm just Brad. And you're welcome to call me that."

Mom's eyebrows shot up. I could practically hear her thinking: *A powerful Alpha wants me to use his first name?*

"That's very kind of you... Brad," she said carefully.

The conversation flowed easier after that. Mom told stories about me as a kid that made Brad actually chuckle out loud – a sound I was still getting used to. And when she mentioned how proud she was of how I'd adapted to life here, Brad's hand found mine under the table.

"Elle's incredible," he said simply, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. "I'm lucky to have her."

The way he said it, so matter-of-fact and sincere, made my chest tight with emotion.

* * *

After dinner, I walked Mom to the guest room Martha had prepared. The space was bigger than our entire living area back home, complete with a four-poster bed and an en-suite bathroom that screamed luxury.

Mom sat on the edge of the bed, running her hands over the silk comforter. "Elle, sweetheart, I had no idea..."

"I know it's a lot," I said, sitting beside her.

"When you told me you'd been chosen by Mr. – by Brad – I knew it meant you'd be living differently. But this..." She gestured around the room. "This is like something from a movie."

I could see the worry creeping into her expression.

"Mom, what is it?"