Elle’s POV
A
(62.)
The moment I stepped out of the car at the Rayne family estate, a servant immediately draped a thick cloak around my shoulders. The winter air bit at my cheeks, and I could smell snow in the clouds gathering overhead,
“Looks like we won’t be waiting long for this year’s first snow,” I murmured, pulling the cloak tighter around my growing belly.
Brad’s amber eyes followed my gaze to the gray sky, a soft smile playing at his lips. “Yeah, you like watching snow? Ifis voice carried that gentle tone he reserved just for me. “Once you’ve had the baby, I’ll take you to Frostclaw’s ice and snow world.”
I turned to look at him, raising an eyebrow. “You better not go back on your word when the time comes.”
“How could I dare?” Brad chuckled, his hand finding the small of my back as we walked toward the massive front doors.
Before we even reached the entrance, the doors swung open to reveal Elizabeth herself coming out to greet us. This was unprecedented
the matriarch of the Rayne family, the woman who commanded respect from every werewolf in Moonshade Bay, had come outside
personally.
“My dear Elle!” Elizabeth’s face was radiant with joy as she approached us, moving with surprising speed for someone her age. “Come here,
sweetheart.”
I felt everyone around us slow their pace to match mine, accommodating my pregnant state without making it obvious, Elizabeth reached me and immediately took my hands in hers, her eyes bright with excitement.
“I received the imaging files from the medical center this morning,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion. “That beautiful boy… our
future heir. Elle, darling, you’ve given this family such a precious gift.”
Behind us, I heard Brad clear his throat. “Grandmother, are we invisible?”
Elizabeth waved dismissively at him, never taking her eyes off me. “Oh, Brad, you’ll have to forgive an old woman her priorities. My great- grandson takes precedence.” She linked her arm through mine, already guiding me toward the house. “Come, dear. Let’s get you somewhere
warm.”
I glanced back at Brad, who was following us with an amused expression. Being relegated to second place behind his own unborn child
was clearly a new experience for him.
As we entered the grand foyer, I couldn’t help but think about how different this reception was from my first visits here.
“Where’s Victoria?” I asked as Elizabeth led me toward the sitting room.
Elizabeth’s expression shifted slightly, becoming more neutral. “Oh, don’t worry about her. She’ll appear when she’s supposed to appear.”
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Chapter 226
The dismissive tone told me everything I needed to know about the current family dynamics. Whatever conversation had happened between Elizabeth and Victoria about my place here, Elizabeth had clearly won.
(62
A servant appeared with a tea service, and 1 gratefully accepted a cup of the aromatic blend. The warmth spread through my hands as I took a tentative sip.
“This is delicious,” I said, genuinely impressed. It has such a unique flavor.”
Brad, who had finally caught up to us and claimed the seat beside me, reached over and took my cup. Without hesitation, he drank from the same spot where my lips had been, savoring the taste.
“It’s that South African blend Uncle Marcus brought back,” he said thoughtfully. “The one with the honey bush.”
The sound of wheels on marble interrupted our peaceful moment. Victoria appeared in the doorway, being pushed by a servant in her wheelchair. Her expression was carefully neutral as she entered the room.
“Please, sit down,” Victoria said, her voice carrying its usual edge. “You’re the great heroine of the Rayne family now, after all. I wouldn’t
dare make you stand to greet me.”
“Mom…” Brad’s voice held a warning note.
Victoria held up a hand, her lips curving into something that might have been a smile. “Relax, Brad. I know where you stand. Don’t worry
– I’m not going to make things difficult for her. Her eyes met mine directly. “Right and wrong, big picture – I can still tell the difference.”
“Actually,” Victoria continued, settling her wheelchair closer to our seating area, “there’s something we need to discuss. Elle, in a few days,
you’ll need to come with me to the Hamilton family estate.”
My eyebrows rose. “The Hamilton family?”
“Family courtesy.” Victoria explained, her tone businesslike.
Brad leaned forward slightly. “Elle, you don’t need to worry about anything. Just go with her.”
I nodded slowly. “Of course. I understand.”
Before anyone could say more, we heard voices approaching from the main hallway. Lucas’s laugh rang out, followed by the soft murmur
of a woman’s voice.
“Ah, Elizabeth said with satisfaction. “Perfect timing.”
Lucas entered the room with Mira at his side, their fingers intertwined in a deliberately provocative display. Lucas’s eyes immediately
found Brad’s, and I caught the flash of challenge in his gaze. He was still trying to assert himself, still trying to prove he belonged here.
Brad, for his part, didn’t even acknowledge Lucas’s entrance. He continued his conversation with me as if nothing had happened, which
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Chapter 226
somehow made his dismissal even more cutting
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Mira approached Elizabeth with a small, elegantly wrapped gift. Mrs. Rayne, I brought you something. I thought you might enjoy it.”
Elizabeth accepted the gift with polite coolness, and Victorias expression grew positively arctic. I could practically feel the temperature in
the room drop several degrees.
1 found myself studying Miza with new interest. The way she had so quickly pivoted from Brad to Lucas, the calculated nature of her gift- giving – it all felt very strategic. Victoria was clearly disgusted by Mira’s rapid “face–changing” and alignment with Lucas’s faction.
For my part. I felt a certain satisfaction watching Brad’s manipulation play out. He had successfully driven a wedge between Victoria and Mira, and now Mine was scrambling to find her footing in this new family dynamic.
An hour later, we were called to dinner in the family dining room. The atmosphere around the table was tense, filled with undercurrents
and unspoken challenges.
Lucas, clearly frustrated by being ignored throughout the evening, finally broke the silence. “Grandmother… when do I start at the main
company?”
Elizabeth’s response was measured and diplomatic. “Didn’t we already give you the advertising subsidiary to manage? You should focus on
getting familiar with that first… then we’ll see.”
I noticed Mira’s head dip down as Lucas asked his question, as if she were trying to pretend she hadn’t heard. But I caught the calculating
look in her eyes.
This had been her idea, I was certain of it.
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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.
