After One Night with the Alpha Chapter 125

Elle's POV

"I'm sorry, but I think you've mistaken me for someone else," I said gently, trying to step back.

But the man wouldn't let go. "Dakota, how can you say that to your father?"

The woman beside him - the same one I'd bumped into at the restaurant - moved closer, her eyes never leaving my face. "It's really her," she whispered. "Our Dakota. She came back."

"I'm sorry, you are Mr. Blair, right?" I said, recognizing them now. "I think I need to clarify something. I'm really not Dakota. My name is Elle West, and I'm from the edge human community in Moonshade Bay."

But my words seemed to fall on deaf ears. More people had gathered around us now, all staring at me with expressions of wonder and excitement. The Blair family members pressed closer, all talking at once.

"Dakota, you've been gone for two years! We thought we'd lost you forever!"

"You look so different, honey."

I felt overwhelmed by their intense emotions. These were all humans, I realized - people like me, living on the margins of werewolf society. Their joy at thinking they'd found their lost family member was so pure, so desperate.

Mrs. Blair stepped forward, her hands trembling as she reached for my face. "This is my daughter," she declared to the crowd. "My Dakota. You must have amnesia, sweetheart. That's why you don't remember us."

The crowd of human guests murmured sympathetically, moved by this apparent family reunion. I noticed some werewolf guests in the distance, watching this human drama with curious but detached expressions.

"Mrs. Blair, please listen to me," I tried again, but she pulled me into a crushing embrace.

"My baby girl," she sobbed against my hair. "You're home. You're finally home."

"Raymond!"

The familiar voice made me turn desperately. Raymond Carter was approaching, looking distinguished in his formal attire. As one of the successful human businessmen in our community, he commanded respect even here.

"Raymond!" I called out like he was my lifeline.

He saw my predicament and smiled, though concern flickered in his eyes as he took in the emotional scene.

But before Raymond could speak, Mr. Blair grabbed my hand and thrust it into Raymond's palm.

"Raymond!" Mr. Blair announced loudly. "My daughter is back! Your wedding can finally take place!"

Both Raymond and I froze. I felt the warmth of his palm against mine, and for a moment, time seemed suspended. Raymond's eyes widened as he stared down at our joined hands, something flickering in his expression that I couldn't quite read.

I pinched his palm hard, trying to snap him out of whatever trance he'd fallen into.

Finally, Raymond seemed to collect himself. He looked up at Mr. and Mrs. Blair with a serious expression.

"Mr. and Mrs. Blair," he said formally, "please allow me to introduce this lady properly. She's not Dakota. Her name is Elle West, from the edge human community in Moonshade Bay, and she's the mate of Alpha Brad Rayne of the Rayne Group."

The effect of his words was immediate. Mr. Blair's face paled.

"What? That's impossible. Dakota, how did you become that Alpha werewolf's mate? You're supposed to be Raymond's fiancée! And how can a human become a werewolf's mate anyway?"

The disbelief and pain in his voice made my heart ache. I could see how desperately he wanted to believe I was his daughter, how much he needed this reunion to be real.

But then I felt it - a change in the air that made my skin prickle. The crowd around us suddenly grew quiet, and I could feel eyes on me from a distance.

I turned and saw Brad approaching, his presence commanding immediate attention. But he wasn't alone. Mira was beside him, her hand resting on his arm as she whispered something in his ear.

Even from this distance, I could feel the dangerous energy radiating from Brad. His amber eyes had taken on that golden glow that meant his wolf was close to the surface. The human guests instinctively stepped back, though they probably didn't understand why.

"Oh fuck," I whispered under my breath.

Raymond immediately dropped my hand, stepping slightly away from me. "Mr. Blair," he said quickly, "you see? Elle's mate is here now."

Brad ignored everyone around us and strode forward, grabbing my hand possessively. His grip was firm and commanding as he started to pull me away.

But Mr. Blair wasn't giving up. He stepped between Brad and me, his human instincts clearly screaming at him to be afraid, but his paternal love overriding his fear.

"Sir," he said, his voice shaking slightly but determined, "where are you taking my daughter?"

Brad's aura intensified, and I saw several werewolf guests in the distance straighten with interest, recognizing the dominance display of a high-ranking Alpha. Mr. Blair's face went white, but he didn't back down.

"Brad," I said quickly, stepping forward before this could escalate further. "Don't."

Brad's golden gaze snapped to me, and for a moment, the dangerous energy around him subsided slightly. But I could still see the barely controlled anger in his posture.

"I apologize for the confusion, Mr. Blair," I said, turning back to the older man. "But I really am not your daughter."

I gently took Brad's hand, feeling his tension through our physical connection. "Let's go."

As we walked away, I could hear Mrs. Blair calling after us, still insisting I was Dakota. My heart broke a little for them, for parents who had clearly lost a beloved daughter and were desperately hoping for a miracle.

But I had my own family to protect now. And judging by the murderous look in Brad's eyes as we left the scene, the Blair family might be in more danger than they realized.

"Brad," I said quietly as we reached his car, "don't you dare do anything to that family."

He looked down at me, his expression still dangerous. "They tried to give you to another man."

"They thought I was their dead daughter! They're grieving parents who made a mistake."

"A mistake that could have taken you away from me."

The possessiveness in his voice should have thrilled me. Instead, all I could think about was how he'd shown up with Mira, how he'd spent last night with her instead of me.

"You can't hurt them," I said firmly. "Promise me."

Brad studied my face for a long moment, his amber eyes gradually returning to their normal color. "Fine," he said finally. "But if they ever try to take you from me again..."

He didn't finish the threat, but I heard it anyway.