One Night. One Mistake. Ch 13

 

Chapter 13 

Elle’s POV 

I watched in disgust as Grace and Elizabeth finished discussing the details of my future. The living room felt suffocating, crowded with werewolf staff and their open cases of money. Grace had been nodding enthusiastically at everything Elizabeth said. 

Brad’s low chuckle silenced the room. “Interesting,” he said, his voice deceptively casual but edged with steel. ‘You thought me was a liar when we talked on the phone.” 

The color drained from Grace’s face as every pair of eyes in the room turned to her. The werewolf staff exchanged glances, some barely concealing their amusement. 

1-I was simply concerned for Elle’s wellbeing, Grace stammered, her confident posture crumbling. “A natural reaction from a protective 

grandmother.” 

“Of course, Brad replied, his tone making it clear he didn’t believe her for a second. “Your concern is so touching it brought you from insults to 

servility in less than an hour.” 

“Well, I believe we’ve covered the essentials, Elizabeth said coolly, then turned to my mother. “Susan, do you have any thoughts to add? You 

are Elle’s mother, after all.” 

Before Mom could speak, Grace cut her off sharply. “She doesn’t have any thoughts on the matter! In the human community, I make the decisions! Besides, marrying into a werewolf family? She should be thanking us on her knees!” 

I glanced at Mom, standing silently in the corner with tears welling in her eyes. The faint bruise on her cheek was still visible, despite her attempts to cover it with makeup. The sight made my heart ache. We had no power here-not in the human community, and certainly not in 

front of werewolves. 

I caught Brad watching me, his amber eyes narrowing slightly. 

“Um, I cleared my throat, desperate to escape this room. “Mr. Rayne, this is your first time in the human community, right? Would you like me 

to show you around a bit?’ 

Brad’s eyebrow quirked up, but before he could respond, Elizabeth nodded approvingly. 

r 

“Brad, accompany Elle.” Her tone made it clear this wasn’t a suggestion. “Don’t worry about the details here. I’ll handle everything.” 

Brad’s jaw clenched momentarily-clearly not used to being ordered around, even by his grandmother-but he gave a curt nod. 

As we stepped out of the apartment, several staff members and a Beta werewolf guard immediately fell into step behind us. The hallway suddenly felt cramped with their presence. 

Once we got outside of our building, I hesitated. The guard’s presence made me nervous, and I could feel the curious eyes of neighbors peeking through their windows. 

‘I… there’s something I’d like to discuss with you,” I said quietly. “Would you mind coming up to my room? It’s private there.” 

here. () 

1/3 

1:34 pm PP TM 

Chapter 13 

Bead frowned, his posture-stiffening. Whatever you have to say, you can say it here.” 

I glanced meaningfully at the staff and neighbors watching us. “There are some things I’d prefer to discuss alone. Without an audience.” 

His eyes narrowed suspiciously, but after a moment of uncomfortable silence, he nodded. “Fine. 

As we climbed the stairs to my room, I tried to remember if I’d left anything embarrassing lying around. My room was the only space that was 

truly mine, my sanctuary from Grace’s control. 

When I pushed open the door, I couldn’t help seeing it through his eyes-the peeling paint, the secondhand furniture, the worn carpet. But it was clean and organized, my small rebellion against the chaos of the rest of the house. 

Brad stepped inside cautiously, as if entering foreign territory. His gaze swept over everything, lingering on the handmade motivational notes I’d taped to the wall-silly things like “You’ve got this!” and “One day at a time.” 

“Sorry it’s not what you’re used to,” I said, immediately hating how apologetic I sounded. 

His attention fixed on a framed photo on my small desk-me smiling widely, hugging a stuffed toy I’d had since childhood. In the sunlight, my heterochromatic eyes looked particularly bright. I’d always been self-conscious about them, but in that photo, I’d almost looked happy about 

my odd feature. 

Brad picked up the frame, his thumb tracing over the image. I noticed him fidgeting with the silver lighter in his other hand, a habit I’d observed before. Something about the photo seemed to captivate him. 

Embarrassed, I reached over and placed the frame face-down. “That’s an old photo.” 

“You look… happy,” he said, his voice oddly flat. 

‘I was,” I replied simply. “Look, about the money your grandmother brought… you forgot how Grace just spoke to you on the phone?” I asked, incredulous. “You don’t need to give us that much money. I won’t see a penny of it anyway.” 

Brad’s expression remained impassive. “Actually we won’t give the money to them. The funds will be deposited directly into an account in your name. It will only be accessible to you after you’re formally accepted as my mate and have given birth to our child. His voice was clinical, detached. “The money will be protected by werewolf law. Who you choose to share with is your business. No one, including your 

grandmother, can force you to surrender it.” 

He paused, amber eyes fixed on mine. “Not even I have the right to dictate how you use that money.” 

Relief washed over me. This was my chance-my opportunity to help Mom escape Grace’s control. 

୮ 

As I processed this information, Brad’s attention drifted to another photo on my shelf-my college graduation picture. In it, Jason had his arm 

around my shoulders, both of us beaming in our caps and gowns. 

Brad reached for it, but I lunged forward instinctively, clutching the frame to my chest. Please don’t touch that!” 

His eyes narrowed, focusing on how protectively I held the photo. 

“The person in that photo,” he said slowly, his voice suddenly colder, “they’re important to you?” 

2/3 

:34 pm P P 

Chapter 13- 

I thought about Jason—how he’d promised to love me forever. The familiar ache of betrayal resurfaced. 

“They were, I said quietly, meeting his gaze. “Once. 

Something flickered in Brad’s eyes-possessive gleam that made my heart skip a beat. He stepped closer. For a moment, I thought he might 

reach for the photo again, but he simply stood there. 

The way he looked at me-possessive, intense-made it clear: his mate shouldn’t be pining over another man. 

Comments 

58 

Write Comments 

<SHARÈ 

3/3 

3:34 pm 

After One Night with the Alpha