After One Night with the Alpha Chapter 145

Elle's POV

"I've made up my mind," I whispered, my voice breaking. "I'm going to end things with Brad before... before my feelings get any deeper. Maybe it'll hurt him less this way."

Sophia's silver eyes filled with sympathy. "Elle..."

"We're just not meant to be," I continued, wiping my cheeks with the back of my hand.

Sophia sighed deeply, running her fingers through her silver hair.

I managed a weak smile and stood up, brushing the tears from my face. "Come on. Let's go back. I need to... adjust to this new reality."

We walked back to the main house in comfortable silence, both lost in our own thoughts.

---

When I returned to my room at the Blair estate, a message was waiting for me. Alex had called to inform me that Brad had already left Moon Lake City on urgent business, but he'd left behind all the gifts he'd given me over the past few months. More importantly, he'd left a bank card in my name with instructions to deposit money regularly.

"He wants to make sure you don't shortchange yourself or the baby," Alex had told the Blair family housekeeper who'd taken the message.

---

Over the next three days, Moon Lake City was buzzing with two major pieces of gossip.

The first was the Blair family's formal recognition of me as their goddaughter. The announcement had caused quite a stir in the human community, especially since my resemblance to the late Dakota Blair was so striking. People were calling it a miracle, a second chance for the grieving family.

The second piece of news spread just as quickly: Alpha Brad Rayne of Moonshade Bay had reunited with his werewolf ex-girlfriend, Mira Collins.

As both Brad's former mate and the Blair family's new goddaughter, my silence on both matters only fueled more speculation. The entire city—both humans and werewolves—waited to see how I would respond.

I didn't. I stayed locked away in my room at the Blair estate for three full days, processing everything that had happened.

On the fourth day, I finally emerged to prepare for an important dinner engagement. Tonight wasn't just any social gathering—it was a strategic move to help expand the Blair family's jewelry business into Moon Lake City's market.

I stood before the mirror in my room, adjusting the delicate dress Stella had commissioned especially for this occasion.

When I walked downstairs, the reaction was immediate and dramatic.

Raymond Carter, who was waiting in the foyer to escort me, actually stopped mid-sentence in his conversation with Martin. His eyes widened, and he stared at me as if he'd seen a ghost.

"Jesus Christ," he breathed. "It's like Dakota just walked down those stairs."

Martin nodded slowly, his own eyes misty. "The resemblance is... extraordinary."

Stella appeared beside me, carrying a bracelet that perfectly matched my hairpin. The deep green stone seemed to glow against my skin as she fastened it around my wrist.

"You look perfect, darling," she said, stepping back to admire the full effect. "Absolutely perfect."

I turned to Raymond, offering a genuine smile. "Thank you for arranging tonight. I love this outfit—it makes me feel like I'm honoring something important."

"You are," Harper Blair said, joining us from the drawing room. "You're representing our family's expansion into Moon Lake City's jewelry market. But Elle, dear, please don't feel pressured. If anything becomes uncomfortable—"

"I want to do this," I interrupted gently but firmly. "I'm part of the Blair family now, and I want to prove that humans can contribute just as much value as anyone else."

Raymond offered me his arm with a gallant smile. "Shall we?"

---

The car ride to Moon Lake City's most exclusive hotel was comfortable, with Raymond keeping up a steady stream of light conversation about the evening's attendees. Sophia was already at the venue, having gone ahead to ensure everything was properly arranged.

As our car pulled up to the hotel's grand entrance, I could see Sophia waiting by the doors.

Her reaction when she saw me step out of the car was everything I could have hoped for.

"Elle," she breathed, approaching with obvious amazement. "You look... God, you look stunning."

Raymond chuckled, offering his arm to both of us. "I told you she'd turn heads tonight. Everyone in that room is going to be captivated."

As we entered the hotel lobby, Sophia filled us in on the evening's guest list. "Some very influential people are curious to meet the Blair family's new goddaughter."

The elevator dinged softly as we reached our floor, and Sophia led us down a carpeted hallway toward the largest private dining room the hotel offered.

"Ready?" she asked, her hand on the door handle.

I nodded, squaring my shoulders.

The door opened, and I stepped inside.

The room was elegantly appointed with warm lighting and several seating areas arranged around low tables. The atmosphere was sophisticated but comfortable, designed for intimate business discussions among the city's elite.

And there, sitting on one of the plush sofas with Mira Collins beside him, was Brad.

*He is back?*

The sight of him hit me like a physical blow, but I managed to keep my expression serene. He looked as devastatingly handsome as ever in his dark suit, but there was something different about him—a tension in his shoulders, a tightness around his eyes.

When our gazes met across the room, I watched his entire body go rigid. His eyes widened with what looked like shock, then darkened with an intensity that made several nearby guests turn to see what had captured the Alpha's attention so completely.

For a moment, his famous self-control seemed to waver. His hands clenched into fists on his knees, and I could practically feel the Alpha dominance radiating off him even from across the room.

Mira noticed his reaction immediately, following his gaze to me. Her own expression shifted from confident satisfaction to something much more uncertain as she took in my transformed appearance.

The entire room had gone quiet, every guest turning to stare at me. I heard whispered comments in multiple languages, expressions of amazement at my resemblance to Dakota, admiration for my elegant styling.

Raymond smoothly stepped forward, his hand on my lower back in a gesture that was both protective and possessive. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I present Miss West, goddaughter of Martin and Stella Blair."

He guided me to an empty seating area, ensuring I was comfortable before taking his place beside me as my escort for the evening.

I allowed my gaze to sweep the room once more, acknowledging each guest with a polite nod. When my eyes met Brad's again, I offered him the same courteous smile I'd given everyone else—no more, no less.

The evening was just beginning.