After One Night with the Alpha Chapter 32

Elle's POV

I blinked in surprise at Brad's sudden announcement. "Dinner? Tonight?"

"Yes," he replied, his amber eyes studying me carefully. "A werewolf gathering."

My mind raced with anxiety, still worried about whether he could smell my old apartment on me. I'd only told him about meeting Sophia, not about renewing my lease. Now he was throwing this curveball at me.

"A werewolf gathering?" I asked, my voice rising slightly. "And I'm not supposed to embarrass you?"

Brad's expression remained impassive. "Martha has prepared everything. Go get ready."

As he turned to leave, confusion and panic swirled inside me. Why would an Alpha werewolf want to bring a human to a high-class social event? Wouldn't I be out of place by definition?

I trudged upstairs to my room, my mind heavy with worry. Why bring me? I was just the human carrying his child. My only value was the Alpha heir growing inside me.

"If he needs a date, why not choose someone from the company?" I murmured, collapsing onto my bed. "There must be dozens of werewolf women dying for his attention."

A soft knock interrupted my spiraling thoughts.

"Ms. West? May I come in?" Martha's voice called from the other side of the door.

"Yes, come in," I answered, quickly composing myself.

Martha entered, her face serene as always. "Mrs. Rayne, I'm glad you've returned. Mr. Rayne has instructed that a stylist will be arriving shortly to prepare you for tonight's event. I've drawn a bath for you already."

I winced at the title she used but didn't correct her. "Thank you, Martha."

After she left, I trudged to the bathroom, my mind heavy with worry. The enormous marble bathtub was filled with steaming water and what smelled like essential oils.

As I slipped into the hot water, I grabbed the soap and scrubbed myself quickly.

By the time I returned to my bedroom wrapped in a plush robe, a petite woman with sleek brown hair was arranging various gowns across my bed. She looked up and smiled warmly.

"Mrs. Rayne, I'm Vivian, your stylist for tonight."

"Please, just call me Elle," I said automatically. "This all seems unnecessary. Can't I just pick something simple?"

Vivian looked horrified at the suggestion. "Oh no, that won't do! Tonight's gathering is quite important."

Before she could elaborate, Brad appeared in the doorway. My breath caught in my throat. Both Vivian and I fell silent.

"Tonight is not an ordinary gathering," Brad said, his voice deep and commanding. "You're representing the Rayne family, and appearances matter."

He approached the bed where the dresses were laid out. I clutched my robe tighter around myself, suddenly aware of my bare legs and damp hair.

Brad surveyed the selection of gowns, his nostrils flaring slightly as he leaned closer to each one. I realized with a start that he was smelling them.

"This one," he finally said, pointing to an emerald green gown with intricate beading.

Vivian nodded enthusiastically. "Excellent choice, Mr. Rayne. I'll prepare it immediately."

As I tried on the dress, it became painfully obvious that it was too large. Vivian clicked her tongue disapprovingly.

"My goodness, Ms. West, you're so thin! This is already the smallest size from this season's collection."

She promised to make adjustments and hurried downstairs to fetch her sewing kit, leaving me holding the dress against my body to keep it from slipping off completely.

I struggled to maintain my grip on the fabric when Brad stepped forward unexpectedly.

"Here," he said, his voice softer than usual. "Let me help."

His warm hands brushed against my bare back as he held the dress in place. The touch sent an involuntary shiver down my spine. Werewolves ran hotter than humans, and I could feel the heat radiating from his body.

"Th-thank you," I stammered, feeling my neck flush red.

Brad's amber eyes flickered across my exposed collarbone and up to my face. I could sense something shifting in his expression—his pupils dilated slightly, and the amber seemed to glow more intensely.

"Your heart is racing," he observed quietly, and I cursed the werewolf's enhanced hearing.

His fingers brushed my hair away from my neck, exposing my throat and the mark he'd left there. My body tensed automatically.

"I... I can hold it myself, Mr. Rayne," I said, pulling away slightly.

His jaw tightened at my words. "Don't call me that."

"What?"

"Mr. Rayne. We're... bound now. Call me Brad." His voice had taken on a rough edge that made my pulse jump. "Mates don't need such formality."

The dress slipped from my grasp, exposing more of my back than I intended. Brad's eyes flashed, changing to a deeper amber color for a split second. I froze, not daring to move.

"Say it," he commanded softly.

"Brad," I whispered.

Before I could process what was happening, rapid footsteps approached, and Vivian burst back into the room, breathless and clutching her sewing kit.

"I've got everything we need!" she announced, then paused, sensing the tension.

Brad stepped back abruptly, his expression cooling as he moved toward the door. "I'll wait downstairs. Don't keep the pack waiting too long."

When the door closed behind him, I exhaled shakily. "God, that was intense. His eyes changed color. I thought he was going to—" I stopped myself, not sure what I'd been about to say.

Vivian worked quickly, her nimble fingers adjusting the gown with practiced ease. "There," she said finally, stepping back to admire her work. "You wouldn't believe it was altered at all."

I stared at my reflection in the mirror. The dress hugged my figure perfectly now.

"Most clients need adjustments because their waistlines aren't slim enough," Vivian chatted as she began working on my makeup. "Especially the werewolf executives who sit at desks all day," she added in a conspiratorial whisper.

As she applied the finishing touches to my hair and makeup, I found myself thinking about my life in the human community—the struggles, the simplicity, the sense of belonging despite everything.

"Are you alright, Ms. West? You look sad," Vivian asked, applying a final touch of lipstick.

"No, it's nothing," I forced a smile. "I was just thinking about some things from before. You've done a wonderful job. I hope I won't embarrass him at this werewolf gathering."

As I looked at my reflection one last time, I barely recognized myself. The woman staring back at me looked elegant, polished.