After One Night with the Alpha Chapter 69

Elle's POV

I took as long as I possibly could to get ready for dinner. After giving Marissa my key card, the thought of facing Brad again made me physically ill. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, noting the redness around my eyes that even makeup couldn't fully conceal.

"Why do I even care?" I whispered to my reflection. "This was always just an arrangement. I never wanted him anyway."

The lie tasted bitter on my tongue.

Taking a deep breath, I finally left the sanctuary of Sophia's bathroom and made my way down to the dining room. My footsteps felt heavy, each one requiring conscious effort. When I pushed open the door to the private dining room, I immediately felt Brad's eyes on me.

His gaze flickered with something that looked like irritation. The powerful Alpha wolf clearly didn't appreciate being kept waiting. Raymond Carter sat across from him, appearing much more relaxed, though his eyes followed me with curious interest.

"I'm sorry I'm late," I said, forcing my voice to remain steady. "I wasn't feeling well and needed to rest for a bit."

The moment the words "not feeling well" left my mouth, Brad's expression shifted. His eyes darted to my stomach.

But the coldness returned to his face almost immediately.

"If you're not feeling well, you shouldn't have come," Brad said flatly, though I detected a hint of something else beneath his harsh tone. Protection? Concern? It was impossible to tell with him.

I swallowed hard, remembering Marissa's words.

She was right. Everything he did was about the baby or his Alpha duty. Nothing more.

"Well, I'm here now," I replied, taking my seat and avoiding his eyes. My mind was already made up. Once this baby was born, I would make a clean break from Brad Rayne.

Raymond broke the uncomfortable silence. "Ms. West, please don't worry. We haven't been waiting long," he said with a warm smile, deliberately using my surname rather than calling me "Mrs. Rayne."

I returned his smile gratefully.

Brad's jaw tightened visibly. He clearly didn't appreciate another man offering me reassurance. Before I could respond to Raymond, Brad's commanding voice cut through the air.

"Sit here," he ordered, pointing to the chair beside him. His tone carried that unmistakable Alpha quality that made refusal almost impossible.

As I settled beside him, I noticed the challenging look Brad shot toward Raymond.

The tension between them was palpable.

"You two have quite the devoted relationship," Raymond commented smoothly. "It's admirable to see."

It seemed calculated to provoke Brad, and it worked.

I frowned slightly, catching the subtext beneath Raymond's words.

Brad leaned back in his chair, looking deceptively relaxed. "Yes, we surely do," he responded, his voice heavy with possessiveness.

Raymond smiled enigmatically but said nothing more. The awkward silence stretched uncomfortably.

"I'm actually feeling a bit hungry," I said, desperate to change the subject. The emotional turmoil of the day had left me drained, and despite everything, my pregnant body needed nourishment.

Both men seemed relieved by the interruption. Brad immediately signaled to the staff, and servers began bringing in dishes. I noticed that Brad had ordered special pregnancy-friendly foods for me, which made my heart ache with confusion. Why did he have to do thoughtful things like this when I was trying so hard to harden my heart against him?

Halfway through the meal, Alex appeared suddenly at Brad's side, leaning down to whisper something in his ear. I watched Brad's expression darken, his eyes narrowing dangerously. A flash of pure rage crossed his features before he controlled it.

My heart sank. I was certain Alex was telling him that Marissa was waiting in our room. The knowledge cut through me like a knife.

Brad's eyes shot to me, studying my face with an intensity that made me shiver. I quickly looked down at my plate, certain he could read the guilt and heartbreak in my expression.

When Raymond excused himself to use the restroom, I felt Brad's scrutiny grow even more intense. I kept my eyes fixed on my food, unable to meet his gaze, terrified that he could somehow read my thoughts and know what I had done.

Raymond returned and gracefully wiped his mouth with a napkin. "Thank you for the wonderful dinner," he said. "It's been a pleasure."

I set down my fork, relieved for an excuse to end this torturous evening. "I'm finished as well," I said softly, dabbing my own napkin to my lips.

Brad's eyes never left me as he observed our synchronized actions.

"Alex," Brad called sharply, "please escort Mr. Carter to his room. Whatever he needs, see that he gets it." His dismissal was clear.

Alex nodded respectfully and moved to guide Raymond out. Before leaving, Raymond gave me one last enigmatic look, one that held meaning I couldn't decipher.

As soon as the door closed behind them, Brad turned to me. "What exactly do you think you're doing?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous. "I hear you're planning to sleep in the second wing tonight?"

I froze, my heart hammering in my chest.

"I... yes," I stammered, avoiding his gaze. "I thought Section One was too crowded."

It was a terrible lie, and I knew Brad could sense my deception.

"Is that so?" Brad laughed coldly. "Well, if that's what my mate wants, who am I to deny her?"

His mocking tone cut deep, but I refused to show it. If Marissa was waiting in his room, all the better that I wouldn't be there.

"Yes, that's what I want," I said firmly, finally meeting his gaze.

"Fine." Brad's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Then I'll retire to my room now. Please escort Elle to Section Two."

Alex's assistant stepped forward with a sympathetic look. She glanced between Brad and me, sighing almost imperceptibly at the obvious tension.

I stood up, anger and hurt bubbling inside me. So he was in a hurry to get back to Marissa, was he? The thought of them together made me physically ill.

As I followed the assistant out, I couldn't help the bitter thoughts swirling in my mind. Brad was clearly eager to be with Marissa again. Wolves were supposed to be loyal, but apparently that only applied to other wolves, not to humans like me.

I was just the incubator for his child.

That's all I would ever be to him.