One Night. One Mistake. Ch 19

Chapter 19 

Elle’s POV 

“Elle, Alex amended with a slight smile. The Alpha and Council Chairwoman believe it would be best if you remained here during your pregnancy. Your primary responsibility now is to protect the Alpha’s child.” 

I crossed my arms over my chest. “I need to work, Alex. I need my own income. 

Alex’s expression softened with sympathy. “I understand your concern, but 

“But nothing,” I interrupted, my heterochromatic eyes flashing with determination. I can’t be trapped here all day. I’ll go insane.” I grabbed my 

phone from the nightstand. “I’m calling Brad.” 

Alex looked like he wanted to object but simply nodded and stepped back, giving me privacy. 

I scrolled through my contacts, finding Brad’s number that Alex had programmed into my phone ‘for emergencies only.” I hit dial before I could 

lose my nerve. 

“Elle,” he said, his deep voice resonating through the phone. “Is everything alright with the child?” 

“The baby is fine,” I assured him quickly. “But I’m not. I need to talk to you about something important.” 

A beat of silence followed. 

“I’m listening,” he finally said. 

I took a deep breath. “I want to come back to work at Rayne Group.” 

Another click of the lighter. “You’re carrying my heir. Your job now is to ensure the child’s health and safety.” 

“I can do both,” I insisted. “Being stuck in this house all day with nothing to do isn’t good for me or the baby. I need something meaningful to 

occupy my mind.” 

“Are you sure? What wrong with staying at home and rest?” he said finally, his voice low. 

“I know, Brad. I’m carrying your child, and I’m your mate now, right? That has to count for something.” 

I heard him exhale slowly. “Come to my office this afternoon. We’ll discuss arrangements then.” 

Before I could respond, he ended the call. 

Two hours later, a package arrived for me. Inside was a new company identification card with my photo and the title CEO Assistant Team 

Leader. The access level indicator showed clearance for restricted werewolf areas that normal humans weren’t allowed to enter. 

I stared at it in disbelief. The speed with which it had been created suggested Brad had already considered this possibility. 

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Chapter 19 

Tex. I called, finding him waiting in the hallway. “Can you take me to Rayne Group headquarters now?” 

He nodded A car is already waiting. 

The lobby of Rayne Group was a vast space of marble and glass, designed to intimidate and impress. As Alex escorted me through the main entrance, conversation halted, and heads turned in our direction. 

I felt the weight of dozens of stares-curious, envious, hostile, pitying. Most came from humans who recognized me from my former department but now saw me with my special access badge and the Alpha’s personal assistant as my escort. 

I heard them gossiping. 

The elevator ride to the 36th floor-the executive level-was silent and swift. When the doors opened, I stepped into a world I’d never been allowed to enter before. The entire floor was designed with werewolf sensibilities in mind-specific lighting, acoustic treatments, and subtle scent diffusers that apparently helped Alpha and Beta werewolves concentrate. 

A team of assistants looked up from their desks, their expressions carefully neutral. 

“Mrs. Rayne,” one greeted me, rising to her feet. 

“Please, in the office, I’d prefer Elle or Ms. West,” I said firmly. 

The assistant nodded, though her eyes reflected surprise at my assertion. 

I touched the identification card hanging around my neck, feeling the strangeness of my new position. Just days ago, this floor had been off- limits to humans like me. Now I walked through it with authorized access, my status elevated not by my own merit but by the child I carried. 

Brad’s office door was open when I arrived. He stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, his back to me, still playing with that silver lighter. At my entrance, he turned, his eyes scanning me from head to toe. 

Your color is better today,” he observed clinically. The prenatal vitamins must be working.” 

‘I feel fine,” I said, standing awkwardly just inside the doorway. 

Brad gestured to a chair across from his desk. “Sit.” 

I complied, though I bristled at the command. He took his own seat, placing the silver lighter on the polished surface between us. 

“As my assistant team leader, you ll oversee the coordination between departments and my schedule, he explained. You’ll also be required to attend certain executive meetings.” 

I nodded, surprised by the real responsibility he was offering. I can handle that.” 

Brad raised an eyebrow, seemingly caught off guard by my confidence. We’ll see.” 

He slid a tablet across the desk. Review these files and prepare a summary report by lunch. This will determine if you’re actually capable of 

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Chapter 19 

the work 

I took the tablet, our fingers briefly touching. A jolt of electricity passed between us, and I quickly pulled away. 

For the next hour, I sat at a small desk in the corner of his office. I could feel Brad watching me occasionally. 

A secretary entered with coffee for Brad and placed a cup in front of me as well. 

Brad looked up sharply. “She doesn’t drink coffee. Bring her the special milk we discussed-the one with the prenatal supplements.” 

The secretary’s eyes widened slightly, her gaze darting between us. “Of course, Alpha. Right away.” 

When she left, I frowned at Brad. “I can decide what I want to drink.” 

“The child needs specific nutrients,” he replied matter-of-factly. “The supplements in that milk were formulated specifically for human mothers carrying werewolf children.” 

I pressed my lips together, biting back a retort. “I’m not just an incubator for your heir, you know.” 

His eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing as the secretary returned with a glass of warm milk. The scent made my nose wrinkle-there was something earthy and wild about it that my human senses found off-putting. 

“Drink,” Brad commanded, his attention already back on his computer. 

I reluctantly took a sip, fighting the urge to grimace at the gamey taste. “Happy now?” 1 muttered. 

Brad didn’t answer, but I caught the briefest hint of satisfaction in his expression. 

By noon, I had completed the report analysis and sent it to Brad’s computer. He reviewed it silently, his expression giving nothing away. 

“This is… adequate, he finally said, which from him seemed like high praise. 

I felt a small surge of pride, which was quickly dampened when he pointed to the still half-full glass of milk. 

‘Finish it.” 

I’m not thirsty anymore.” 

His jaw tightened. “I can smell the iron deficiency in your blood. You need this.” 

Seriously? Is that a joke? 

The thought that he could smell my nutritional deficiencies was weird, but I forced myself to drink the rest of the milk under his watchful 

gaze. 

Almost immediately, my stomach churned in protest. I had just enough time to clap a hand over my mouth before rushing to the private bathroom attached to his office. I barely made it to the toilet before the contents of my stomach came back up. 

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After One Night with the Alpha