Chapter 170
Brad’s POV
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I made my way toward Lester’s temporary quarters, following the scent trail through the celebration grounds. The sound of laughter and
music from the bonfire celebration grew fainter as I walked deeper into the area where the visiting pack leaders had set up their
accommodations.
Lester had sounded urgent on the phone, mentioning some rare Canadian whiskey he wanted to share. But something felt off.
My Alpha instincts were on edge.
I pushed aside the canvas flap of his tent and stepped inside, expecting to find my old friend waiting with glasses and a bottle. Instead, I
froze.
Mira Collins stood in the center of the tent, her back to me. She was wearing nothing.
“Brad,” she breathed, her voice sultry and inviting. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
My jaw clenched. “Where’s Lester?”
Mira stepped closer, her hips swaying with practiced seduction. “He’ll be back later. Right now, it’s just us.” She reached up to touch my chest, her fingers trailing along the fabric of my shirt. “Just like old times.”
I caught her wrist, stopping her advance. “What the hell is this, Mira?”
She looked up at me with those familiar green eyes, the ones that had once stirred something in me. Now they left me cold. “I know you
we could be again.” still care about me, Brad. I can see it in the way you look at me sometimes. We were good together
“You’re delusional.‘ I released her wrist and stepped back, putting distance between us.
But Mira was persistent. She moved closer again, pressing herself against me. “Your heart is racing,” she whispered, though she was wrong, My heart was steady, unaffected by her proximity. If anything, I felt annoyed by this obvious setup.
Before I could push her away, she rose up on her toes, her lips aiming for mine. “Brad, tonight I’m yours,” she murmured. ‘You can do whatever you want. Let me have your baby…”
I pressed my finger against her lips, stopping her before she could complete the kiss. My amber eyes flashed with the cold light of my wolf. “Are you done playing games?”
Mira’s eyes widened with shock and hurt. “Brad, what-
“Get dressed,” I said, my voice cold as the winter wind that swept through Moonshade Bay, I grabbed a blanket from nearby and threw it
…
at her. “This pathetic display is beneath both of us.”
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“I don’t understand,” Mira stammered, clutching the blanket to her chest. “I thought… we used to be so good together. Everyone said we were the perfect match.”
“I’ve forgotten everything about our past,” I said, my Alpha aura radiating rejection and finality. “You don’t need to keep bringing it up because the Brad Rayne who cared about you died six years ago. The Brad standing here now already has his fated mate.”
With that declaration, I turned and walked out of the tent, not sparing her another glance.
Outside, I found Lester waiting, his expression guilty and defensive. “I didn’t know she would try something like that,” he started. “Brad, I just thought you two might-”
“Lester,” I cut him off, disappointment heavy in my voice. “Don’t.”
I walked past him without another word, heading back toward the celebration. Behind me, I could hear Mira’s muffled sobs coming from
inside the tent.
“Mira?” Lester’s voice was concerned as he entered the tent to comfort her.
I was halfway back to the bonfire when I heard Sophia’s voice, sharp with anger and hurt.
“I’m so sorry to interrupt, Alpha Lester! Please, continue with whatever this is!”
I turned to see Sophia standing at the tent entrance, her face a mask of fury and pain. Through the open flap, I could see Lester holding a
blanket–wrapped Mira in what looked like an intimate embrace.
“Sophia, wait-” Lester called out, but she was already storming away, her werewolf pride wounded.
I shook my head. What a fucking mess Lester had created with his misguided matchmaking attempt.
Elle’s POV
I was watching the dances when I spotted Brad returning from the direction of the guest quarters. Even from a distance, I could see the tension in his shoulders and the darkness in his expression.
But before I could go to him, one of the young Betas from the local packs approached me with a broad grin. “Elle! You have to try it!”
Before I could protest, I found myself being pulled into the center of the celebration area, surrounded by four strong Beta werewolves. The music changed to something more primal and rhythmic, and I quickly realized this wasn’t just any dance.
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The young Alpha leading the dance was impressively built, with confident movements that seemed designed to showcase his strength and agility. He circled me with fluid grace, and the other participants howled their approval.
It was an energetic folk dance with beautiful, wild movements. I laughed and tried to follow along, enjoying the music and the festive
atmosphere.
From the corner of my eye, I spotted Brad at the edge of the circle. His face had gone thunderous.
Raymond, standing nearby, noticed Brad’s expression and seemed to be fighting back laughter at the situation.
Despite his obvious anger, Brad didn’t interrupt. I could see him struggling between his desire to claim me and his reluctance to ruin my
fun. He just stood there, radiating Alpha disapproval while I danced obliviously with my enthusiastic partner.
When the dance finally ended to enthusiastic applause, I made my way over to where Sophia was sitting by herself, looking deflated and
distracted.
“Hey,” I said, settling down beside her. “You look like someone stole your favorite bone.”
Sophia startled, then gave me a weak smile. “Just thinking.”
I studied her face. This wasn’t the confident, sharp–tongued Beta I’d grown used to. “What happened? You’ve been off since the dancing
started.”
She was quiet for a long moment, then sighed. “Elle, can I ask you something? Have you ever felt… jealous? Like, irrationally jealous over
someone you’re not even supposed to care about?”
I raised an eyebrow. “This about Lester?”
“What? No!” Sophia said quickly, then caught herself. “I mean… maybe? God, this is so stupid.”
I waited patiently while she gathered her thoughts,
“I saw him with somebody,” she finally admitted. “In his tent. They looked… intimate. And it made me feel sick to my stomach, which is ridiculous because Lester and I are just friends. We argue constantly. I shouldn’t care who he’s with.”
I handed her one of the honey cakes from my plate. “But you do care.”
“But I shouldn’t!” Sophia protested. “He’s infuriating and controlling and thinks he knows what’s best for everyone.”
“Sophia,” I said gently, “do you have feelings for Lester? The romantic kind?”
She laughed, but it sounded forced. “Ha! That’s ridiculous! How could I have feelings for my Alpha? No way. Whatever he does is his
business. I just need to focus on finding a nice companion tonight and forget all about this.”
I couldn’t help but smile at her obvious denial.
I could see the hurt in her eyes. Whatever she’d witnessed had cut deeper than she wanted to admit.
