After One Night with the Alpha Chapter 70

Elle's POV

I couldn't sleep. Staring at the ceiling in Sophia's room, my mind was a hurricane of thoughts I couldn't shut down. I'd been lying here for what felt like hours, regretting my decision to give Marissa my key card. Every time I closed my eyes, unwanted images of her and Brad together flooded my mind.

"You're not sleeping," Sophia's voice cut through the darkness.

I turned my head to find her watching me with those luminous wolf eyes. "Sorry, did I wake you?"

"No, but I can hear your heartbeat racing like a scared rabbit." She propped herself up and switched on the bedside lamp. The soft glow made me blink. "I've been wanting to ask you something all afternoon."

"What?"

Sophia's gaze was direct, her tone tinged with disapproval. "If it hurts you this much, why the hell did you hand Brad over to that woman? No offense, but you're such a pushover. No wonder people walk all over you."

Her bluntness stunned me for a moment before I let out a bitter laugh. She'd seen right through me. "You don't understand..."

"What don't I understand? That you like Brad but still sent him into another woman's arms?" She rolled her eyes. "Don't give me that 'I'm doing what's best for him' bullshit."

I was quiet for a moment, then shook my head. "I know Marissa might not be genuinely remorseful, but she really is sick. It's an incurable genetic defect." I pressed my lips together. "And didn't you see how Brad acted today? He... he still has feelings for her."

"But I'm just a human who stumbled into a wolf pack," I said self-mockingly. "And he and Marissa have unfinished business. I don't want to stand between them."

"So you just generously delivered Marissa to Brad's bed?" Sophia's tone was incredulous.

I nodded, feeling my throat tighten.

"I've met idiots before, but you're setting new records." Sophia sighed, shaking her head.

"I admit I'm stupid," I smiled sadly. "But it doesn't matter anyway. I'll be leaving the Rayne family sooner or later. What difference does it make if it's now or later?"

Sophia studied me for a moment, then apparently decided to change the subject. "Don't you think Raymond acts strangely around you?"

The question caught me off guard. "Raymond? You mean Mr. Carter?"

"Yes, Raymond Carter. I've noticed he looks at you weirdly, like he's seen a ghost."

I bit my lip thoughtfully. "Yeah, his reactions have been odd. But I haven't interacted with him much, so I don't know why."

"You never looked into it?" Sophia raised an eyebrow.

I shook my head, confused. "Why would I?"

Sophia gave me a mysterious smile. "I just found something you might find interesting."

"What is it?" My curiosity was piqued.

Sophia grabbed her tablet, tapped the screen a few times, then dropped a bombshell: "You look exactly like Raymond's deceased fiancée, Dakota Blair!"

I froze, not believing my ears. "What?"

"Not similar—identical." Sophia emphasized, handing me her tablet. "See for yourself."

I took the tablet, and my heart nearly stopped. The screen showed a young woman who could have been my twin. The same golden hair; even the curve of her smile was eerily similar.

"How is this possible? We're identical!" I sat up abruptly, shocked to my core. My fingers kept zooming in on different parts of the photo—the nose, lips, eyebrow shape, even the curve of the earlobes.

"This can't be coincidence..." I stared at the photo, stunned beyond words.

Sophia nodded. "Now you understand why Raymond was so shocked when he saw you. Just imagine what went through his mind."

I suddenly went rigid, mentally replaying my encounters with Raymond. That first meeting, the disbelief in his eyes... it all made sense now.

"That's... that's why he called me Dakota," I whispered, a strange feeling crawling up my spine.

I began to question my own history. I was raised by Susan, but was I truly her biological child? Did I have some connection to the Blair family?

But quickly, I dismissed the possibility. "No, that's impossible. The Blairs are such a prestigious family—they wouldn't abandon their child. And Susan is my mother. I don't want another one."

I returned the tablet to Sophia, but my curiosity was aroused. "Tell me more about Dakota."

Sophia, seeming to notice my need for distraction, began explaining in detail. "Dakota Blair was the only daughter and heir of the Blair family. Though human, the Blairs have enormous influence in both political and business circles. Dakota and Raymond grew up together and eventually got engaged."

"But two years ago, Dakota died in a mysterious car accident. She was killed instantly." Sophia's voice became somber. "Raymond was devastated. They say it took him a year to even begin functioning again."

After hearing this story, my impression of Raymond completely changed. Thinking about the pain and longing in his eyes when he looked at me, I no longer minded his strange gaze. Instead, I felt sorry for him.

"He must have loved her deeply," I murmured.

"Yeah, that's why I'm warning you to be careful. Don't be alone with him," Sophia cautioned. "He may seem civilized, but who knows who he sees when he looks at you?"

I nodded.

I leaned back against my pillow, finding that Sophia's story had successfully diverted my attention from Brad and Marissa. As the night deepened, my eyelids grew heavy, and my thoughts became hazy.

"Thanks for telling me all this, Sophia," I said softly, feeling sleep overtaking me.

"You're welcome. Now sleep—tomorrow's another day," Sophia replied, turning off the bedside lamp.

In the darkness, I closed my eyes, imagining Raymond and Dakota's love story. For some reason, I slept unusually soundly, straight through until morning.

When sunlight filtered through the curtains, I felt refreshed. Last night's rest had improved my mood considerably, and I even had the energy to face whatever today might bring.

"Awake?" Sophia was already dressed, standing by the closet arranging her jacket.

"Yeah, slept great." I stretched and climbed out of bed. "We should head back to Section One."

Sophia nodded without further comment. After a quick freshening up, we walked back to Section One together.

However, as soon as we arrived, I spotted Marissa standing by the path, obviously waiting for me. She looked radiant, her makeup flawless—nothing like someone suffering from a terminal illness.

I couldn't help the sarcastic thought that crossed my mind: After fucking all night, she still has the energy to wait for me on the roadside?

She was probably here to gloat about spending the night with Brad. I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the awkward conversation that was sure to follow.