Chapter 196
Elle’s POV
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I felt heat creeping up my neck. This was ridiculous. I was a pregnant woman sitting here letting some mysterious ship captain play games with me, and the worst part was that I was actually affected by it.
‘That was completely inappropriate,‘ I managed, trying to sound stern while my ears turned red.
He chuckled, a rich sound that made my stomach do weird flips. “Was it? I thought I was being quite helpful.” His gloved hand reached out and gently pressed against my shoulder as I started to rise. “Please, don’t leave just yet.”
“That’s not… I started, then caught myself.
‘You promised me information,” I said firmly, trying to regain control of the situation. About Grace. That was our deal.”
His smile widened, and I caught a glimpse of perfectly white teeth. “Ah yes. I did promise, didn’t I?”
“So tell me. Where is she?”
He leaned back, studying me. “I have her.”
“You have her?”
“Yes.” His fingers drummed against the table. “But if you want to see her, I’m afraid the payment you’ve offered isn’t quite sufficient for that level of
information.”
“What?” I stared at him in disbelief. “We had a deal. Dinner for information.”
“And you’ve had a lovely dinner,” he said smoothly. “But the location of Grace West? That’s premium information, darling. I’m afraid I’ll need to think about what else I might want in exchange.”
The way he said it, with that arrogance and calculated patience, made something click in my brain. For a terrifying second, I almost wanted to call out ‘Brad! But that was impossible. Brad was in Moon Lake City.
‘So you’re going to keep me in suspense?” I asked, standing up abruptly.
‘For now,” he said, rising as well. His height and presence seemed to fill the space between us. “I’ll tell you when I decide what I want.”
This whole situation was getting too intense, too confusing. I needed to get away from this man and his unsettling effect on me.
‘Fine,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady, “I need to go now.”
“Of course,” he said with a slight bow. “Sweet dreams, Elle.”
I turned and practically fled from the top deck, my heart hammering against my ribs.
When I reached the main deck, I was relieved to see Sophia and Abigail still there, now engaged in what looked like a chess match using pieces from the ship’s game collection.
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Chapter 196
“There you are! Abigail called out. “We were starting to worry.”
I slumped into a nearby chair, still feeling shaken. Sorry, that took longer than expected.”
“Did you get your answers? Sophia asked, not looking up from the board as she moved her queen.
‘Some,‘ I said evasively. It’s complicated.”
I couldn’t help but glance back toward the upper deck, but the Captain was nowhere to be seen. The man was dangerous–not in a physical way, but in the way he made me feel things I had no business feeling. He was obviously an werewolf, probably from some wealthy pack, and here he was playing elaborate games to get my attention. It was completely insane.
‘Checkmate!” Sophia announced triumphantly.
Abigail laughed. “You let me win last time, didn’t you?”
“Maybe,” Sophia admitted with a grin.
“You were gone for ages,” Abigail said, turning to me. “I was starting to think you’d gone off for an underwater date or something.”
Before I could answer, a commotion erupted near the ship’s entrance. Heavy footsteps on the deck, raised voices, and then-
‘Elle West!”
I turned to see Mira storming across the deck, her eyes flashing with werewolf fury. Behind her, the imposing figure of Lester Harrison followed, his Alpha
presence making the air itself feel heavier.
“Where the fuck is he?” Mira demanded, marching straight up to me. “Where are you hiding Brad? Give him back!”
My mouth fell open. How had she found this ship?
Sophia’s face went cold the moment she saw Lester. She immediately stood up, preparing to leave.
“Sophia, Lester called out, his Alpha voice carrying clear command. “We need to talk. There are things that aren’t what you think.”
‘I don’t want to talk,” Sophia replied icily, not even looking at him. “And I don’t want to see you.
But Lester moved faster than she did, catching her wrist with Alpha strength. “You’re going to listen to me whether you want to or not.”
‘Let go of me,” Sophia said, but Lester was already pulling her toward the ship’s rail, his dominance making it clear this wasn’t a request.
I started to get up to help her, but Mira stepped directly into my path.
“Oh no, you don’t,” she snarled. “You’re going to tell me where Brad is, right fucking now.”
“Mira, what are you talking about?‘ I tried to sidestep her, but she moved with werewolf speed to block me again.
“Don’t play innocent with me!” Her voice rose, drawing stares from other passengers. “You leave Moon Lake City, and suddenly Brad disappears too? You think I’m stupid?”
I felt anger flare in my chest. “Mira Collins, are you out of your mind? I haven’t seen Brad since I left.”
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Chapter 196
‘Bullshit!” she spat. He left right after you did. Claimed he was busy with work, then dumped everything on Raymond and vanished. You’re telling me thats
a coincidence?‘
My heart did something painful in my chest. Brad had left? ‘I don’t know anything about that.”
“You lying bitch, Mira hissed, stepping closer. You pretend to leave him alone, but really you’re just luring him away from his responsibilities. From me
“From you?‘ I laughed, but there was no humor in it. “Mira, I’m his mate. Even if you refuse to acknowledge it.”
“A mate he was planning to reject!” she shot back. “You were both going to dissolve the bond, remember? So why are you still clinging to Brad? Why can’t
you just accept that a human doesn’t belong in his world?‘
“Elle West, Mira continued, her voice dripping with contempt, “you’re pathetic. You have no shame, do you?”
The words stung, but I wasn’t going to let her see that.
“I’m not clinging to anything,” I said quietly, but my voice carried. “And I sure as hell didn’t drag Brad anywhere. If he left Moon Lake city, that was his
choice.
Mira’s eyes blazed with fury, and for a moment, I saw something wild and dangerous flash across her features–the werewolf beneath the surface, barely
contained.
The confrontation was far from over.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
