Elle’s POV
. I shook my head firmly, meeting Raymond’s searching gaze. “I’ve never regretted the decisions I’ve made. Susan is my mother she raised me and suffered so
much for it. Ever since I was little, I swore I’d protect her. Now I finally can. How could I regret that?”
Raymond’s blue eyes studied me with laser–sharp intensity. “But what if Brad goes head–to–head with your biological parents? What would you do then, Elle?
Stop avoiding the question. You’re going to have to deal with this sooner or later.”
His voice grew more urgent. “I hate to push you, but you saw tonight how Stella feels about the Rayne family – she fucking hates them. Brad deliberately
acquired the Blair family business. I don’t know what his endgame is, but that action alone has completely pissed off Martin and Stella. You’re caught
between your werewolf mate and your human blood relatives. This is going to be hell for you.”
I looked up at Raymond quickly.
The weight of his words hit me like a punch to the gut. My chest tightened as the full reality crashed down on me.
“To be honest, I really didn’t want the person behind this to be Brad,” Raymond continued, his voice sincere. “Because I don’t want to put you in this position. But my team’s analysis and investigation capabilities are rock solid. I trust them completely. Most importantly, my sources never get it wrong.”
I looked down, my voice flat and emotionless. “So it’s confirmed that Brad did this?”
Raymond’s expression was equally unreadable as he answered with certainty. “Yes. It’s confirmed.”
Raymond’s expression was equally unreadable as he answered with certainty. “Yes. It’s confirmed.“.
A strange look passed across his face something I couldn’t quite interpret. For a moment, he seemed almost… satisfied? But it was gone so quickly I might
have imagined it.
The silence stretched between us as I tried to process this devastating confirmation.
My heart felt like it was in complete chaos. “I don’t know,” I whispered. “My mind is all over the place.”
Raymond placed a bowl of hot soup in front of me, his voice gentle but firm. “Elle, indecision will only make things worse. If you need my help, I can offer it
– no strings attached.”
I started to refuse, but he quickly cut me off.
“I won’t use this to manipulate you or demand anything in return. I’ll do it because I want to. Even if you never acknowledge it, even if you completely reject me, I’d still help you. I just want to prove something to you that I’m serious about this.”
He paused, his blue eyes intense. “I’d do anything for you.”
–
My eyes darted away from his stare, unable to handle the weight of his gaze. “You’re so accomplished, so perfect. You could have any woman you want – probably enough to form a line to the Atlantic. Why would you…”
Raymond’s smile was soft but determined. “So what if I could? None of them are you. You’re the only one I want.”
He leaned forward slightly. “You probably think I’m just saying pretty words to win you over. But there’s something you don’t know about the Carter family.”
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Chapter 253
My breath caught.
Co
.
“Besides the requirement that I marry a Blair daughter, there’s another part to our ancestral laws almost like a prophecy. It says that if the Carter family
can’t unite with the Blair bloodline, our direct line will end. Apart from my sister Abigail, I’m the only direct heir left. If I don’t have the blessing of being
with you, I’ll probably never marry at all.”
I stared at him in shock. ‘Don’t joke about something like that…”
Raymond’s gaze was steady and unwavering. “You’ll see just how serious I am. What I’ve said will always stand. I won’t pressure you, Elle. I’ll just wait right
here for you to turn around. Don’t feel guilty about any of this that would be my fault.”
He gestured toward the food. “Come on, eat while it’s hot. The baby needs nutrition.”
I mechanically ate a few bites, barely tasting anything. The food felt like cardboard in my mouth, but I forced myself to swallow. My heart was a mess of conflicting emotions – I couldn’t even begin to sort through what I was feeling. I know Raymond is positioning himself to pursue me, but my own life is still a
complete disaster.
Raymond didn’t say anything more after that, just quietly made sure I finished my meal, then collected the dishes with what looked like genuine
satisfaction.
Watching him act so content with this simple domestic scene, I couldn’t hold back my blunt question any longer.
‘Raymond, you keep saying I’m your destiny, but in your heart, who do you really care about more – me or Dakota?”
Raymond immediately stood up, neatly avoiding the sharp question. “It’s getting late. You should rest. The Blair family situation is my responsibility now – my grandfather’s orders were to protect your entire family’s safety. Call me anytime, twenty–four hours a day. I’ll always answer.
I nodded silently, not pushing for an answer I knew he wouldn’t give.
Just as I was lost in my tangled thoughts, my phone rang, shattering the quiet.
Amy’s name flashed on the screen. I answered immediately.
‘Mrs. Rayne, we’re fucked!” Amy’s voice was thick with tears. “The Alpha knows you’re not at home! You told me to keep it secret that you weren’t home, but
I can’t hide it anymore. Alpha Brad went ballistic and said he’s going to fire me! He’s so fucking pissed!”
Hearing Amy’s sobbing confession, my heart plummeted and my face went white as a sheet.
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R Visitor
I thought he was the powerful all knowing alpha how can he not predict Elle’s next step or see this coming. this story sha
7 days ago
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20:15 Mon, Dec 29 R
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.
