Chapter 215
Brad’s POV
I moved my queen into the final position, studying my grandmother’s face as I announced, Checkmate.”
Elizabeth examined the board for a long moment before nodding gracefully. The loss didn’t surprise me- she’d been playing a different game entirely, one that had nothing to do with the pieces on the board.
“Your father taught you well,” she said, though I caught the calculating gleam in her pale blue eyes.
“Actually, Victoria taught me this particular strategy,” I replied, letting the pointed reference hang in the
air.
“Perhaps we’ve been too harsh in our judgment of Lucas, Elizabeth changed the subject. “He is, after all, Rayne blood.”
I kept my voice neutral. “Lucas has made his choices. As have we all
“But surely there’s room for forgiveness? For second chances?” Elizabeth pressed. I’m not getting any younger, Brad. The thought of losing another member of our bloodline…”
et’s be clear about what
to that.” My Alpha
I held up a hand, cutting her off. Time to establish boundaries. “Grand we’re really discussing here. Lucas can return to the family. I have no authority sharpened as I continued. “But Mary? Mary will never be considered a member of the Rayne family. Not while I’m Alpha.”
The power shift in the room was immediate. Elizabeth’s expression tightened, but she couldn’t challenge my authority directly.
“And if your father returns?” she asked quietly.
“Then we’ll handle them as they come,” I said evenly. “But I won’t open the door to someone who has spent years trying to manipulate our family dynamics. And frankly, Grandmother, I’m surprised you’d even consider it. What would the Hamilton family think if we formally recognized Mary? Victoria would never
hear the end of it.”
Alex appeared in the doorway, interrupting the tense moment. “Mrs. Elle has arrived, Madam Elizabeth.”
“Elle West, Alex clarified with professional precision.
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The mate bond sang with satisfaction as she settled beside me. I could feel Elle’s slight nervousness, but also her growing confidence in handling these family politics.
“Mrs. Elizabeth, Elle said respectfully to Elizabeth. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything important.”
“Never, my dear,” Elizabeth replied, though her sharp gaze was already assessing Elle’s demeanor. “We were just discussing family dynamics. I trust your visit with Lucas and Mary went well?”
I tightened my grip on Elle’s hand slightly–a subtle warning to tread carefully. Whatever had happened during her encounter with Victoria, I needed to gauge the outcome through Elle’s response.
“It was… enlightening,” Elle said diplomatically. “They seem very eager to reconnect with the family.”
Perfect. Her careful word choice told me that Victoria had briefed her thoroughly. The slight approval I felt must have shown in my expression, because Elle’s tension eased fractionally.
“You seem more at ease than when you left for Moonvale,” Elizabeth observed shrewdly. “There’s something different about your presence. More… Alpha mate.”
I felt a surge of pride watching Elle handle the subtle interrogation. She’d grown so much since that first day I’d found her in the break room, terrified and overwhelmed.
“Thank you,” Elle replied. “I learned a lot about myself during that trip.”
“Including,” Elizabeth said with keen interest, “about the Blair family!
presume?”
“I did meet Mrs. Eleanor Blair,” Elle admitted carefully. “She shared some interesting family history.”
“And your decision about reconnecting with them?”
I watched Elle navigate the question with impressive diplomatic skill. “I’m not in any rush. Susan raised me, loved me, gave me everything she had. I won’t do anything that would make her feel like her sacrifices weren’t appreciated.”
Elizabeth nodded approvingly.
“Loyalty is a valuable trait,” Elizabeth said. “However, you should know that the upcoming werewolf social gala will have the Blair family on the guest list. Unfortunately, Susan’s status wouldn’t qualify her for such
an event.”
“I understand,” Elle replied simply.
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Elizabeth’s expression warmed–genuine approval this time. “You’ve grown into this role beautifully, Elle.”
Alex’s knock interrupted our conversation. “Madam Elizabeth, he announced formally, “Lucas Rayne and Mary Hamilton request an audience.”
Every protective instinct I possessed went into overdrive. My Alpha energy shifted, preparing for the threat
I knew was walking through those doors.
“Send them in,” Elizabeth commanded.
Lucas entered first, and I studied him with cold assessment. He looked better than he had recently-
cleaner, more presentable–but the weakness was still there.
He immediately adopted the proper submissive posture. Grandmother Elizabeth,” he said carefully. “It’s an honor to be welcomed back to the family.”
Mary followed with calculated grace, and I felt my hackles rise immediately. This woman had spent years plotting against my family, and now she waltzed in here like she belonged.
She extended her hand toward Elizabeth with false confidence. “Elizabeth, it’s wonderful to see you again!”
The silence that followed was arctic, and I felt a grim satisfaction at Elizabeth’s response.
“In this house,” Elizabeth said with icy precision, “you will addres
- rs. Rayne.”
Mary’s embarrassment was obvious as her hand fell. Good. Let her understand exactly where she stood.
She turned to me next, her tone becoming sickeningly fawning. “Brad, you look more like your father every
day.”
I didn’t dignify that with a response. Instead, I let my Alpha dominance roll through the room in crushing waves, watching with cold satisfaction as Mary instinctively stepped backward, her face paling under the pressure of true Alpha authority.
From the corner of my eye, I caught Lucas watching me with an expression that made my predatory instincts sharpen. Raw, burning envy radiated from him as he took in my commanding presence, my obvious authority, the way everyone in the room naturally deferred to me.
I could see his hands clenching into fists, fingernails elongating slightly in his emotional distress. Here we were–two men with the same father, the same Rayne blood–but the gulf between us was insurmountable. Where my presence commanded respect through sheer genetic dominance, Lucas struggled to maintain
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The jealousy coming off him was almost palpable, and filed that weakness away for future reference.
“Perhaps,” Elle said smoothly, “Brad and I should leave you to your reunion. I wouldn’t want to intrude on family time.”
I stood immediately. “Of course. Grandmother, we’ll speak later.”
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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.
