After One Night with the Alpha Chapter 177

Elle's POV

Sophia's face flushed with anger, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. "What the hell are you trying to say?"

But before she could continue, Abigail grabbed my arm, her grip firm and warning. "Elle," she whispered urgently, "don't get involved. Sophia needs to handle this herself as Lester's Beta."

I wanted to step forward, wanted to defend my friend, but Abigail was right.

Sophia's mask of calm professionalism finally cracked completely. "Mira," she said, her voice dripping with disdain, "smart she-wolves are very popular, but self-important bitches are just annoying as hell!"

The insult hung in the air like a challenge.

"Everything about your past with Alpha Lester?" Sophia continued, her voice growing stronger and more authoritative. "As his Beta, I have zero interest in knowing! I respect Alpha Lester because of my duty and loyalty."

Mira's face crumpled as if Sophia had physically struck her. She pressed a hand to her chest, looking genuinely pained by Sophia's cold, business-like attitude toward Lester.

"But you don't understand—" Mira started.

"Oh, I understand perfectly," Sophia cut her off. "And just so we're clear – I would be wary of Brad because of Elle, but I wouldn't dislike you just because of Elle. Because honestly? I find your manipulative behavior disgusting all on its own!"

The words hit like a thunderclap. Even I felt stunned by Sophia's directness, and from the shocked expression on Mira's face, she hadn't seen it coming either.

That's when I heard footsteps approaching. Heavy, familiar footsteps that made my heart rate pick up for entirely different reasons.

"Sophia!" Lester's voice cut through the tension like a whip crack. "How can you speak to Mira like that?"

I saw both Lester and Brad approaching Mira.

Mira immediately switched tactics, her whole demeanor transforming from confrontational to wounded. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she turned toward Lester with the most pitiful expression I'd ever seen.

"Lester, please don't blame her," she said, her voice trembling with what sounded like genuine distress. "This is all my fault. I shouldn't have brought up the past!"

Lester's jaw tightened. "Sophia, you need to apologize to Mira."

For a moment, I thought Sophia might actually explode. The tension in her shoulders, the way her hands trembled slightly.

Instead, she took a deep breath and spoke with careful control. "Alpha, I request to temporarily leave this alliance mission. I believe my current state of mind may not be suitable for the task. If you don't agree, I'll apply to return to our territory to handle accumulated business."

The formal request hung in the air like a gauntlet thrown down. I could feel the tension radiating from everyone present – this was pack politics at its most dangerous.

Lester's face darkened with displeasure at his Beta's public defiance, but before he could respond, Mira stepped in again.

"Oh, Sophia, please don't leave because of me," she said, her voice sweet as honey and twice as sticky.

Sophia's control finally snapped, just for a second. "If you're so concerned about that," she said, her voice deadly quiet, "perhaps you could take over my responsibilities yourself."

"Sophia!" Lester barked, his Alpha authority flaring.

But Mira was already deflecting, her hand fluttering to her throat in a gesture of wounded innocence. "I would never presume to interfere with Lester's choices. My heart belongs only to Brad. I would never try to influence any other Alpha's decisions."

Sophia gave Lester a formal bow, her movements sharp and military-precise. "I'll await your decision, Alpha Lester."

Without another word, she turned and walked away, her spine straight and her stride controlled. But I could see the hurt in every line of her body, the way she held herself like she was keeping from flying apart.

Lester started after her, then stopped, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. The conflict on his face was painful to watch.

"Well," Abigail murmured beside me, "Mira really is a master at stirring up shit."

Before I could respond, Mira was moving again, this time toward Brad. My stomach clenched as she approached him with that same sweet, innocent expression.

"Brad," she said, her voice soft and contrite, "I need to apologize for last night. I should never show up naked and try to seduce you. I just couldn't help myself!"

The words hit me like a physical blow. Last night, when Brad had left for half an hour after getting that call.

My vision actually blurred for a moment as the implications crashed over me. She'd been there. With Brad. Naked. And he'd...

"It was just my emotions getting the better of me," Mira continued, tears still streaming down her cheeks. "I know it was inappropriate."

Lester immediately stepped in to defend her. "She was just trying to win back old feelings, Brad."

My chest felt like it was caving in. I couldn't breathe properly. All I could think about was Brad with Mira, and her naked body...

Abigail started to say something, but then seemed to think better of it and fell silent.

Mira pressed on, playing her final card. "Please don't banish me from the city, Brad. Your mother is coming back soon, and I... I hope we can still be friends. For her sake."

I watched Brad's expression soften slightly at the mention of his mother. Of course. Victoria Rayne had always liked Mira, had probably been hoping for their reunion.

"As long as you understand it was wrong," Brad said finally, his voice measured but not harsh. "Don't do anything that impulsive again. When my mother returns, she'll need old friends around for the transition."

Relief flooded Mira's features, and before I could process what was happening, she launched herself forward and wrapped her arms around Brad's waist.

The hug was intimate, trusting. Brad's body went rigid.

But from where I stood, watching the woman who'd been naked in front of him just last night now holding him close while he stood there and accepted it... it looked like acceptance. Like forgiveness. Like maybe she was winning him back after all.

The world seemed to tilt around me. My heart hammered against my ribs as I watched them together, watched him not push her away, watched her cling to him like she belonged there.

I truly wondered if I was fighting a battle I'd already lost.