After One Night with the Alpha Chapter 50

Elle's POV

Three days in the hospital felt like an eternity, but finally, the doctors gave me clearance to leave. I was finally going to see my mom again.

Brad chose a sleek but understated black SUV rather than his usual flashy sports car or the intimidating motorcade I'd half-expected.

"There's no need to provoke unnecessary attention in your community," he explained simply when he caught me staring at the car. This unexpected consideration caught me off guard. Was the cold Alpha actually capable of thoughtfulness?

The drive to the human district was mostly silent.

When we pulled up, I spotted my mother immediately. She was standing by the entrance, thin and frail-looking, but her face lit up when she saw me. Beside her, several steps away, stood my father. His posture stiffened noticeably when Brad stepped out of the car.

I rushed to Mom, wrapping her in a tight hug. "I've missed you so much," I whispered, feeling her familiar warmth.

"My sweet girl," she said, her voice wavering. She pulled back to look at me, her eyes scanning my face as if memorizing it. "You look... different. Healthier."

She turned to Brad with a respectful nod. "Thank you for bringing her back to visit us, Mr. Rayne."

Tony quickly stepped forward, extending a slightly trembling hand. "Welcome to our home, Mr. Rayne." His voice was unnaturally deferential, nothing like the gruff, often angry tone I was used to.

Brad shook his hand briefly, his expression unreadable. "Mr. West."

As we entered the small apartment building, I felt a strange disconnect. This had been my home for most of my life, yet after just weeks away, it felt foreign. The narrow hallway with its peeling wallpaper, the lingering smell of cheap cooking oil and mildew—it was all exactly as I remembered, yet somehow worse.

When Tony unlocked the door, I was shocked by what I saw. The apartment looked even more run-down than when I'd left.

Brad's gaze swept over everything, his face impassive but his eyes missing nothing.

"Elle!" My grandmother's shrill voice broke the awkward silence as she hurried from her bedroom. Her eyes widened at the sight of Brad, and instantly her demeanor transformed. "Mr. Rayne! What an honor to have you in our humble home!" The simpering tone made my skin crawl.

Behind her appeared my cousin Megan, who stared at Brad with undisguised fascination before shooting me a look of pure jealousy.

"Please, sit down," Mom gestured to our small living room. "I'll make some tea."

While Grandma Grace led Brad to our threadbare couch, heaping compliments on him that made me want to gag, I followed Mom into the kitchen.

"What happened?" I whispered, looking around at the deteriorating conditions. "Last time Brad sent money—"

Mom's eyes immediately filled with tears. She glanced over her shoulder to make sure we weren't overheard. "Your father gambled it all away, Elle. Every penny Mr. Rayne gave us... gone in three days." Her voice shook. "He said it was an 'opportunity,' a sure thing." She unconsciously rubbed her wrist, and I noticed the faint yellowish bruise there. "After he lost, he was... more volatile than usual. And he owes people money now."

I gripped the counter, feeling dizzy with anger and disappointment. "That money was supposed to help make things better."

"I know, sweetheart." She patted my hand. "But it's not your fault. How are you doing? The baby?"

I placed a protective hand over my slightly rounded belly. "We're both fine. The doctors say everything's developing normally."

"And... him?" She nodded toward the living room. "Is he... good to you?"

I hesitated, unsure how to answer. "He's... complicated. But I'm safe, Mom. And well taken care of."

She seemed relieved but not entirely convinced. Before she could ask more questions, Grandma Grace called from the living room: "Susan! Where's that tea? Don't keep Mr. Rayne waiting!"

Dinner was an excruciating affair. Tony had clearly been drinking before we arrived, though he tried to hide it. In Brad's presence, he was overly polite, almost subservient, but I didn't miss the dark glances he shot at my mother whenever Brad's attention was elsewhere. He kept pouring wine for Brad (who barely touched it) while secretly gulping down glass after glass himself.

"It's not easy being a human man these days," Tony said with a bitter smile, his eyes darting to Brad. "All the good jobs go to wolves. Doesn't matter what skills you have when you're competing with someone who can bench-press a car."

Brad regarded him with cool indifference. "Everyone has choices in how they respond to challenges. Some adapt. Others... make excuses."

The blunt statement landed like a slap. Tony's face reddened, and he stabbed viciously at his food, muttering something under his breath that I was glad Brad pretended not to hear.

Grandma Grace, desperate to salvage the conversation, turned to safer topics—or so she thought. "So, are you two officially married now?" she asked, her eyes fixed on Brad with naked curiosity. "Last time you visited, Elle said it was... what did you call it?"

I choked on my water. "Grandma! It's not—wolves don't call it marriage exactly. It's different."

"Oh?" Grandma looked confused. "But you are his... what is it called? Wife?"

"Mate," I corrected, my face burning.

"Fascinating!" Grandma exclaimed with false enthusiasm. "I don't know much about wolf customs, I'm afraid. Do you still have honeymoons? Or is there some special wolf version of that too?"

"Grandma, please," I begged, mortified.

After dinner, Mom showed us to my old room, which had been hastily cleaned but still smelled musty. "You'll both stay here tonight, of course," she said, looking nervous. "I changed the sheets and—"

"That won't be necessary," Brad interrupted smoothly. "I've arranged accommodations at the Crescent Hotel on the district border. We'll return tomorrow to continue our visit."

After promising to return in the morning, we left. I waited until we were in the car before exhaling deeply, feeling like I could finally breathe again.

"Thank you," I said quietly. "For not making us stay there."

Brad started the engine. "You're carrying my child. I won't have you sleeping in substandard conditions."

Of course. It was always about the baby.

At the hotel, Brad had arranged separate but connecting rooms. The luxury, though modest by his standards, was jarring after seeing my family's apartment. I sat on the edge of the bed, suddenly overwhelmed with emotion.

A soft knock came at the connecting door. When I opened it, Brad stood there, his expression unusually tentative.

"You seem disappointed," he said directly.

I wiped away a stray tear. "I thought... I thought your money would have made things better."

Brad leaned against the doorframe, his amber eyes reflective in the soft light. "Money cannot fix character flaws."

As he turned to go, I called after him, "Brad? Can I ask you something?"

He paused.

I took a deep breath. "I want to get my mom out of there."