After One Night with the Alpha Chapter 68

Elle's POV

I took several deep breaths, trying to compose myself. The tears had finally stopped, leaving my eyes puffy and my throat raw. Sophia's silent support had been exactly what I needed - no empty platitudes, just someone willing to witness my pain without judgment.

"Ready to go?" Sophia asked gently, still rubbing small circles on my back. "Let's find somewhere quiet to sit."

I nodded, grateful for her presence. "Yeah, I think I'm okay now. Thank you for... for just being here."

As we turned to leave the hotel corridor, a familiar voice called out behind us.

"Elle, wait for me!"

My body tensed instantly. Marissa. The last person I wanted to see right now.

Sophia sensed my discomfort and turned around protectively. Her eyes narrowed as she took in Marissa's approaching figure. The two women sized each other up, an unspoken hostility crackling between them.

"Elle," Marissa said, ignoring Sophia completely. "Can we talk? Privately?"

I stared at the floor, unable to meet her eyes. "I don't think we have anything to discuss."

"Please," she persisted. "I'm sorry about what happened back there. I just... I couldn't help myself."

She stepped closer, lowering her voice to a pained whisper. "Before you and Brad became mates, I loved him so much. I still do."

My jaw clenched. Was she seriously trying to justify what I'd just witnessed?

"Elle, please. Just a few minutes alone. I'm begging you."

I remained silent, hoping she'd take the hint and leave. But Marissa was nothing if not persistent.

"Look at me," she pleaded. "I only have months left to live. Can't you spare me a few minutes? What are you afraid of?"

Sophia let out a cold snort. "Elle, let me take you somewhere to rest."

Before I could respond, Marissa grabbed my arm. "Elle, come with me."

Sophia's eyes flashed dangerously at the contact, but I sighed in resignation.

"Fine. Let's talk over there." I just wanted this to be over.

Once we were alone, Marissa did something I never expected. She dropped to her knees in front of me.

"What are you doing?" I gasped, instinctively reaching to pull her up. "Get up!"

"Elle..." Her eyes filled with tears. "I know what I'm about to ask is terrible. But Elle, I don't have much time left."

She gripped my hands tightly, her eyes boring into mine. "I don't want to die with regrets! Brad Rayne was the love of my life!"

I tried to pull away, uncomfortable with both her words and her position. "Marissa, please—"

"Since I'm going to die anyway," she continued, her voice breaking, "could you... could you give Brad back to me? Just for a month?"

I froze, certain I had misheard. "What?"

"Just one month," she pleaded, tears streaming down her face. "I'll only take him for one month! Then he's all yours again!"

I stared at her in shock, my face draining of color. "Brad isn't an object to be passed around, Marissa."

"I know, I know," she nodded frantically. "I just want to spend my last month remembering what we had together. I swear I won't do anything inappropriate!"

She must have sensed my hesitation because she pressed on, her words cutting deep. "You and Brad don't have any real feelings between you! You said yourself you're leaving after the baby is born!"

Her words hit like physical blows. Each one perfectly targeted to my deepest insecurities.

"I can't live without him, Elle. This is my dying wish!" Her grip on my hands tightened. "Just one month. Please!"

I felt cold all over, my mind spinning with confusion and hurt.

"You saw it yourself," she continued relentlessly. "Brad hasn't gotten over me. He's only being nice to you because of the baby and his Alpha responsibilities!"

I closed my eyes, remembering how distant Brad had been lately. How he'd left after we'd been intimate. How he seemed to light up around Marissa.

"He was supposed to be my mate," Marissa whispered. "You accidentally got pregnant and came between us!"

She was right, wasn't she? I was just an accident in their story. A temporary inconvenience.

"Elle," she gripped my arm tighter. "Help me create a chance for us to meet. Brad is always surrounded by security and assistants. An outsider like me can't get close."

She looked up at me, eyes shining with tears. "I won't bother you again after this!"

I stared at her in disbelief. "You want me to help you... meet him?"

"Yes! Please, Elle. You're my only hope."

Something inside me broke. What did it matter anyway? Brad clearly had feelings for her.

"Fine," I said, my voice hollow. "Do whatever you want."

Marissa's expression brightened instantly. "You mean it?"

"Brad isn't mine to give or take," I said wearily. "If he still has feelings for you, who am I to stand in the way?"

"Tonight, I won't return to our room," I continued, feeling dead inside. "I'll stay with Sophia."

I reached into my pocket and pulled out my key card. "This is the room key. I'm sure you already know where our room is."

Marissa took the card, her eyes gleaming with triumph.

"Before I go," she added, "Brad told me that if it weren't for your feelings, he would have wanted to have sex with me that night we last met."

My heart shattered completely. I suddenly remembered Brad receiving a late-night call a few days ago, rushing out afterward.

"That night he got a call and left..." I whispered. "Was that you?"

Marissa's smile said everything.

So he did still love her.

As she practically skipped away, Sophia approached, concern etched on her face.

"What happened? What did she say to you?"

I looked at her, utterly defeated. "Marissa and Brad were supposed to be together before I accidentally got pregnant."

The words spilled out, each one more painful than the last. "That night, Brad got into the wrong bed. The Rayne family had to accept me to ensure the baby would be born healthy."

Sophia listened without interrupting, her expression unreadable.

"Marissa told me Brad confessed he's never forgotten her," I continued, my voice breaking. "She asked me to help them meet."

"And?" Sophia prompted gently.

I let out a hollow laugh. "I gave her the key card to our room."

I looked up at Sophia, confusion and pain overwhelming me. "Why does my heart hurt so much? I don't even love Brad."

I thought of Jason, my ex-boyfriend who had abandoned me for money and privilege. "Before becoming Brad's mate, I had a boyfriend I loved deeply, even though he left me for money."

Tears threatened to spill again. "I'm not supposed to have any feelings for Brad, right? We didn't even know each other. But we just fucked each other and ruined everything!"

Sophia sighed softly, shaking her head. "Oh, you little fool..."

I wiped my eyes and cleared my throat. "Sophia, after dinner tonight, I might need to stay in your room..."

"I can't face seeing them..." I couldn't finish the sentence.

Sophia nodded. "Alright."

I attempted a smile, but it felt like a grimace. "Thank you."