After One Night with the Alpha Chapter 212

Elle's POV

Three days after returning from the cruise, I finally made my way to the main Rayne family estate. The old manor where Elizabeth lived was different from the modern villa where Brad and I stayed—this was the heart of Rayne power, steeped in generations of Alpha authority and werewolf tradition.

The moment I stepped through the massive iron gates, I could feel the tension crackling in the air like electricity before a storm. The human servants moved with unusual urgency, their faces tight with worry as they hurried about their tasks. Even the werewolf guards, normally composed and confident, seemed more alert than usual, their amber eyes constantly scanning the grounds.

"Mrs. Elle," the butler approached me. "Mrs. Victoria Rayne is back from the Hamilton family."

My stomach clenched. Victoria Rayne—Brad's mother, the woman who had sacrificed so much to protect his position, and who had made it clear that my human blood was barely tolerable. I'd known this moment would come, but knowing didn't make it any easier.

"I see," I said carefully "Is she... expecting me?"

Martha's expression was diplomatically neutral. "Mrs. Victoria has requested to speak with you privately, at your earliest convenience."

Translation: now.

Amy appeared at my side. "If you need any assistance—"

"Thank you, Amy, but I think this is something I need to handle myself." I squared my shoulders. "Where is Mrs. Victoria?"

"The main hall, ma'am," the butler replied. "Shall I escort you?"

"Please."

As we walked through the opulent corridors of the estate, I couldn't help but notice how different this place felt from Brad's modern villa. Every portrait on the walls seemed to watch me with disapproving amber eyes, every piece of furniture spoke of centuries of werewolf nobility.

The main hall was as intimidating as I'd expected—high ceilings, massive stone fireplace. And there, in the center of it all, sat Victoria Rayne.

Her deep purple silk dress was perfectly tailored, and a silver-white fox fur coat draped elegantly over her shoulders. Her dark hair was styled in a sophisticated chignon, and those piercing amber eyes—so like Brad's—fixed on me with laser intensity.

I approached slowly, acutely aware of how my simple maternity dress and modest appearance must look to her. But I'd learned something important from my time with Brad—respect had to be earned, not demanded.

"Mrs. Victoria," I said, offering a polite nod.

Her amber eyes swept over me from head to toe, lingering on my pregnant belly. For a moment, something almost like satisfaction flickered across her features, but it was gone so quickly I might have imagined it.

"Everyone out," she commanded without taking her eyes off me. "Now."

The human servants scattered immediately. Amy hesitated for a moment, catching my eye, but I nodded slightly to let her know I'd be fine. He left with visible reluctance.

When the door closed behind the last servant, Victoria's expression shifted. The public mask of polite tolerance dropped, revealing something much more complex underneath.

"So," she said,. "Brad really has chosen to break family tradition for you."

Instead, I straightened my spine and met her gaze directly. "Yes, Mrs. Rayne."

Something flickered in her eyes—surprise, maybe, or approval. I couldn't tell which.

"You understand what this means," she continued, her tone formal and cold. "As my son's mate, you have certain... obligations. To this family. To our bloodline. To the preservation of what we've built over generations."

"Yes, Mrs. Rayne."

She studied me for another long moment, and I had the distinct feeling I was being evaluated like a business acquisition. Which, in a way, I probably was.

"Good," she said finally. "Because I won't tolerate any weakness that threatens what I've sacrificed to protect."

"May I ask you something, Mrs. Rayne?" I said carefully.

Her eyebrows rose slightly. "You may."

"Do you really object to my human heritage, or do you object to the possibility that I might not be strong enough to protect what you've built?"

The question caught her off guard. Her amber eyes sharpened, and for a moment, I saw a flash of something that might have been respect.

"Clever little human," she murmured, almost to herself. Then, louder: "Both, if I'm being honest. But Brad seems to think you're worth the risk."

"And what do you think?"

She was quiet for a long moment, studying me with those penetrating eyes. "I think," she said slowly, "that you're more perceptive than I initially gave you credit for. And I think you understand that your position here isn't about what you want—it's about what this family needs."

Before I could respond, she continued, her voice taking on a sharper edge. "Which brings me to why I really wanted to speak with you. Lucas Rayne is returning. Tomorrow."

My blood ran cold. Brad had warned me about this, but hearing it confirmed still sent a chill down my spine.

"I see," I said carefully.

"No, you don't," Victoria said bluntly. "Not yet. Lucas isn't the real threat—he's weak, unfocused, more interested in his next fix than family politics. The real threat is his mother."

Mary. Brad had told me about her, about how she'd deliberately provoked Victoria into losing control.

"Mary has been patient," Victoria continued, her voice growing harder. "She's waited years for this opportunity. And now that Lucas is coming back, she's planning to formalize her position in this family. Elizabeth supported it."

If Mary became an official member of the Rayne family, she'd have rights, influence, and most importantly, legitimacy. Everything Victoria had fought to prevent would be undone.

"That's why I need to know," Victoria said, leaning forward in her wheelchair. "Can I count on you?"