After One Night with the Alpha Chapter 147

Elle's POV

"Elle West, what the hell do you think you're doing?"

Brad's voice cut through the air like a blade, each word dripping with accusation and fury. I stood frozen in place, the bloodied hairpin still warm from where it had fallen from my numb fingers.

My heart felt like it was being torn apart, but somewhere deep inside, a bitter laugh threatened to escape. Here he was, accusing me—a human—of attacking a werewolf. Me, who couldn't even match Mira's supernatural strength if I tried. The irony was so twisted it was almost funny.

"I don't care whether you believe me or not," I said, my voice taking on a cold, detached tone I barely recognized as my own. "I didn't do it."

The words came out steady, but inside I was screaming. How could he not see through Mira's obvious manipulation? How could the Alpha who claimed to be falling for me so easily believe I was capable of this?

But Mira wasn't done with her performance. She clung to Brad's arm, blood still trickling down her forehead, putting on the most pathetic display I'd ever witnessed.

"Brad, please don't blame her!" she sobbed, her voice trembling with fake magnanimity. "She was just so angry... I really don't blame her for what she did!"

The way she said it—like she was some saint forgiving my supposed sins—made my blood boil. She was literally painting me as the villain while playing the perfect victim. And Brad was buying every goddamn word of it.

"Elle!"

I turned to see Sophia rushing toward us with Raymond close behind. Sophia immediately positioned herself between me and Mira, her protective instincts kicking in.

"Stay away from her," Sophia whispered urgently in my ear, her voice low but fierce.

Raymond's concerned eyes found mine. "Elle, are you alright?"

His simple question, his genuine worry for my wellbeing, seemed to trigger something explosive in Brad. His amber eyes flashed with an anger I'd never seen before.

"Of course she's fine!" Brad's voice rose, and I could feel other dinner guests starting to peer out of the private dining room. "Can't you see it's Mira who's injured? How could you be so cruel, Elle? How could you attack her like that?"

The accusation hit me like a physical blow. My face went white, and I felt my hands begin to shake. Not from fear, but from pure, unadulterated rage at the injustice of it all.

"Since you've already decided I'm guilty," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm, "why don't you tell me—as your mate—how much compensation you want me to pay your ex-girlfriend for her medical bills?"

I saw Brad flinch at my words, and for a moment, something like regret flashed across his face. But my sharp response had clearly stung him too.

Before he could answer, Raymond stepped forward smoothly.

"If money is an issue," he said calmly, "I'd be happy to cover any expenses."

The temperature in the hallway seemed to drop ten degrees. Brad's face darkened as he stared at Raymond, then at me, and I could practically see the wheels turning in his head. He was jumping to all the wrong conclusions, thinking I'd already found my "next option."

"How much would be enough?" Brad asked through gritted teeth, his voice barely controlled. "Tell me, Elle—what's the price for hurting Mira?"

But before I could respond, Mira played her final card. She looked up at Brad with those manipulative tears still streaming down her face.

"Brad, I don't want any money," she said softly, as if she was the most generous person in the world. "I just... I want to go home. Please, can you take me home?"

I couldn't watch this pathetic show anymore.

"Well then, Miss Collins," I said, my voice steady despite the chaos inside me. "Raymond, Sophia—we're leaving."

I turned on my heel, determined not to give them the satisfaction of seeing me break. But Brad's voice followed me, loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Don't worry, Mira. It will heal fast."

The words made me stumble, and I nearly fell forward. Only Raymond's quick reflexes kept me upright, his strong hand steadying me.

I paused for just a moment, breathing deeply, fighting the urge to turn around and say something I'd regret. Instead, I kept walking, my head held high.

Once we rounded the corner, away from Brad's line of sight, I finally let my composure crack slightly.

"I'm sorry," I whispered to my friends. "I'm sorry you had to see that."

Raymond's hand was still on my arm, gentle and reassuring. "Elle, I meant what I said. I'll never let anyone hurt you. Not ever."

Sophia nodded approvingly at Raymond's words. "Can't blame a guy for taking his shot when he sees an opening," she said with a wry smile. "That's just human nature."

But I shook my head. "I need to go back in there."

Both of them stared at me like I'd lost my mind.

"Elle, after what just happened—" Sophia started.

"The Blair family's jewelry expansion into Moon Lake City," I said firmly. "I can't let my personal drama ruin their business opportunities. I won't be the reason their plans fail."

Raymond studied my face carefully. "I could make some calls, pull some strings..."

"No." The word came out sharper than I intended. "I want to do this myself. I entered the Rayne family, and I'll prove my worth through my own abilities, not by relying on others."

Raymond looked impressed.

I straightened my shoulders and walked back toward the dining room, my friends flanking me. When I entered, conversations quieted as people looked up from their meals.

"I apologize for the interruption," I said with a bright smile that I hoped looked genuine. "Now, where were we?"

The other guests, having witnessed the attention both Brad and Raymond paid to me, treated me with a newfound respect. No one dared to dismiss me anymore.

"Actually, I wanted to discuss the Blair family's plans for expanding into the Moon Lake City jewelry market—"

Suddenly, a sharp movement low in my abdomen made me gasp. My hand flew to my stomach instinctively.

The baby. The baby was moving.

"Elle!" Raymond was beside me in an instant, his face tight with concern. "What's wrong? Should I call a doctor?"

All eyes in the room turned to me.