Elle’s POV
Abigail’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. “Well, well,” she said, rising gracefully from her chair with ‘hat perfectly polite smile that somehow
managed to be devastating. ‘Look who we have here. I have to say, Mira, the world really is running short on Alphas these days, isn’t it? So short that you
have to desperately chase after someone else’s mate. And with such righteous indignation too.”
Mira’s head snapped toward Abigail, her expression shifting to something more cautious. I could see the calculation in her eyes–she knew exactly who
Abigail was, and more importantly, what family she represented.
“This doesn’t concern you, human, Mira said, but her voice had lost some of its venom. Stay out of this.”
39
‘I don’t know where he is,” I said firmly, meeting Mira’s furious gaze. “And I don’t want to know. If you want to find Brad, then go find him yourself. Just
don’t disturb my peace while you’re at it.”
Mira’s face twisted with rage. “You lying bitch! I’ve searched every single Rayne Group branch office, every property, every contact. He’s nowhere to be found.
The only explanation is that he came to find you!”
I almost wanted to laugh at the irony. “Mira, even if that were true–which it isn’t–what exactly do you expect me to do about it?”
I turned to leave, pulling Abigail with me. “Come on, let’s go.”
But Mira reached out to grab my arm, and in that moment, the ship’s first mate appeared, walking across the deck with that authoritative stride ship officers
have.
Without warning, Mira cried, her voice carrying across the deck. “How could you do this to me? Please, I’m begging you, just tell me where Brad is! I really
can’t live without him!”
The first mate hurried over, concern written all over his face. Other passengers turned to stare, drawn by the commotion. I stood there in shock, watching this performance with growing disbelief.
“What happened here?” the first mate asked, looking between us.
Mira sobbed louder, making sure everyone could hear. “Please, I just wanted to ask her about the man I love. Elle, please, I know you’re carrying his child, but can’t you find it in your heart to tell me where he is?”
I felt my face burn with anger and humiliation. The way she was telling the story, I was some kind of pregnant homewrecker who had stolen her man. The passengers who had gathered were looking at me with disapproval and disgust.
“That’s not what- I started to say.
But before I could finish, Mira suddenly sprang up from the ground with werewolf speed and lunged at me, her fingers aimed at my face like claws.
The first mate immediately stepped between us, blocking Mira’s attack.
“You bitch!” I exploded, fury overriding all caution. “Mira Collins, you’ve gone too far! I don’t care what your problem is, but I’m done with your bullshit!”
The crowd murmured, and I could see the tide of opinion beginning to shift. But Mira wasn’t finished with her performance.
1/3
Chapter 197
“You’re lying!” she waited, putting her hands to her face. “Everyone, please, you have to understand! She used her pregnancy to force Bad int She broke us up and stole him! Brad and I were together first we were in love first! And now she won’t even let me see himt
She turned to face the gathered passengers, tears streaming down her face, I just want to know he’s safe! Is that so wrong? But she won’t tell me anything because she knows… she knows the person Brad really loves is me!
I felt the crowd’s judgment pressing down on me, their whispers and stares making my skin crawl. But then I felt Abigail’s hand touch my arm, steadying
- me.
“Actually,” Abigail said, her voice cutting through Mira’s theatrical sobs with crystal clarity, “I think everyone here is missing some crucial facts.”
She dabbed at the blood on her neck with a handkerchief, but her voice remained perfectly composed. “First, let’s be clear about who initiated what. The Rayne family approached Elle about the mating, not the other way around.”
The crowd fell silent, hanging on every word.
‘Second, Abigail continued, her tone becoming sharper, “you and Brad broke up six years ago. Elle’s mate contract with Brad came years later. So please explain to me exactly how she ‘stole‘ him from you?”
I watched as the crowd’s expressions shifted from disapproval of me to suspicion of Mira. Abigail’s logic was flawless, and her obvious education and breeding lent weight to her words.
Mira’s face went pale as she realized she’d underestimated Abigail–she’d planned for Sophia to be her only opposition, not a sharp–minded Carter family
member.
I took a deep breath, feeling steadier with Abigail’s support. The anger was still there, but now it was focused and controlled.
‘Let me make something absolutely clear,” I said, my voice carrying across the deck. “If Brad ultimately chooses you, Mira, I won’t say a word against it. I’ll go away immediately. But if that’s what he wants, then he needs to be the one to tell me so. He needs to be in front of me!”
I looked around at the gathered passengers, making sure my words reached everyone who had witnessed this scene. “So please, by all means, let Brad come find me and reject me himself!”
The first mate said, addressing Mira directly, “I need to ask–are you even a registered passenger on this cruise? Because attacking other guests is grounds for immediate removal from the ship.”
Mira’s face flushed deep red as she struggled to compose herself. The confident performance she’d been putting on cracked completely under official scrutiny. “I… I was just looking for someone,‘ she stammered, her voice much smaller now.
‘Looking for who exactly?” the first mate pressed, pulling out his tablet. “Are you looking for Miss West and Miss Carter here?”
Mira opened her mouth, then closed it again, clearly trapped. She couldn’t come up with a reasonable explanation for her behavior.
Just as we turned to go, a familiar voice cut through the crowd.
‘Actually, she’s here looking for me.”
- 16.
After One Night with the Alpha
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.
