Chapter 171
Elle’s POV
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Young werewolves brought me honey cakes made from recipes passed down through generations. Elder women shared stories of the town’s
history, their eyes sparkling with ancient wisdom. Children tugged at my sleeves, eager to show me their carved wooden animals and
woven bracelets.
Around us, werewolves moved with fluid grace, their laughter mixing with the crackle of the enormous bonfire that cast dancing shadows
across the square.
But not everyone was enjoying the festivities.
From across the gathering, I caught sight of Mira Collins.
Yet as she watched me being fussed over by the pack members, her expression grew increasingly dark.
Mira’s perfectly manicured fingers clenched around her own cup as she observed another group of young Betas approaching me with gifts.
I caught her eyes for a moment, and the jealousy burning there was unmistakable.
The celebration continued late into the evening. When it finally began to wind down, Alex and the other members of our group escorted
me back to Elder Thompson’s house, where I was staying in one of the guest rooms.
“Sleep well, Elle,” Alex said with a warm smile as they deposited me at my door. “You’ve had quite a day.”
I thanked them and watched as they headed to their own accommodations. They all looked tired but happy – it had been a successful evening for everyone. I assumed they were ready to rest after the long day of travel and celebration.
I pushed open the door to my room, reaching automatically for the light switch, when a soft amber glow suddenly illuminated the space.
I froze.
A single corner lamp had flickered to life, casting warm, honeyed shadows across the room. And in that golden circle of light, accompanied by the haunting melody of ancient werewolf ceremonial music, was a figure I recognized immediately.
The figure moved with impossible grace, every movement deliberate and beautiful.
My breath caught in my throat. Even though a gauzy curtain partially obscured my view, even though the lighting created an almost dreamlike quality to the scene, I knew exactly who was dancing for me.
The way he moved… it was like watching poetry in motion. Strength and grace merged seamlessly, creating something so beautiful it almost hurt to watch. I could feel him pouring his heart into every step, every turn, every fluid transition from one pose to another.
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Chapter 171
My feet carried me forward without conscious thought. I had to see him clearly. I had to understand what this meant.
“Brad?” I whispered, though I already knew the answer.
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The music shifted, becoming softer, more intimate. As I approached the sheer curtain that separated us, he turned toward me, his amber
eyes finding mine through the translucent fabric. The smile on his face was unlike anything I’d ever seen from him – tender, vulnerable,
full of hope and affection.
Deadly Alpha indeed, I thought, my heart racing. How is it fair for one person to be this perfect?
I reached out and pulled the curtain aside, stepping into his space. Brad completed one final, elegant spin that brought him directly in front of me. The music changed again, shifting to the same welcoming dance the young werewolves had performed for me earlier in the evening. But when Brad danced it, the movements took on an entirely different quality more sophisticated, more powerful, infinitely
more mesmerizing.
–
“Did you plan all this?” I asked, still breathless from the beauty of his performance.
Instead of answering, he held out his hand to me, his eyes warm with invitation.
Brad guided me into the dance, his strong hands gentle and sure. The music shifted once more, this time to a human waltz, and he drew me closer, one arm around my waist, the other still holding my hand.
I let myself melt into his embrace, trusting him completely as he led us through the steps. Looking up into his face, seeing the tenderness and intensity there, I felt something inside me break open.
God, how did I get so lucky? I thought desperately. Even if this all falls apart tomorrow, even if his family tears us apart, even if the whole world conspires against us… right now, in this moment, I have this. I have him.
The thought was so overwhelming, so beautiful and terrifying at once, that I felt tears spring to my eyes.
If I died right now, in his arms, it would be worth it. Just to have experienced this kind of love, this kind of connection… it would be enough.
The music faded away, leaving us standing in the center of the room, still wrapped in each other’s arms. I lifted my hand to touch his face, needing to confirm that this wasn’t a dream, that this perfect, impossible man was really here with me.
His skin was warm beneath my fingertips. Real. Solid. Mine.
Before I could lose my nerve, I rose up on my toes and pressed my lips to his.
Brad responded immediately, bending down to meet me, his kiss gentle but hungry. I felt his surprise at my initiative, followed quickly by deep satisfaction and joy.
The kiss deepened, and I felt all my reservations, all my fears about our future, melt away in the face of this overwhelming rightness. Whatever challenges lay ahead, whatever obstacles we’d have to face, this connection between us was real. It was worth fighting for.
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Brad lifted me easily, carrying me toward the bedroom, his lips never leaving mine. When my back touched the soft mattress, reality intruded just enough for concern to surface.
“Brad,” I whispered, my hands pressed against his chest. “The baby…”
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He stilled immediately, his eyes finding mine in the dim light. “I’ll be careful,” he promised, his voice rough with emotion. “I would never hurt our child. Never hurt you.”
His hand cupped my face with infinite gentleness. “Elle, I need you to know… I used to think fate was bullshit. I didn’t believe in fated
mates or connections. I thought I was too smart, too cynical for that kind of fairy tale.”
His thumb traced along my cheekbone, his amber eyes burning with sincerity.
“But then I met you. And suddenly everything I thought I knew about love, about partnership, about what I needed in my life… it all
changed. You changed me.”
He leaned down to brush his lips against mine again, soft as a whisper.
“I know I was an asshole before. I know I tried to make this just about the baby, about duty and responsibility. But that was fear talking.
Fear of admitting how completely you’d captured me.”
Another gentle kiss, and I felt tears streaming down my cheeks.
“Elle West, when I look at you, I see my future. I see the person I want to build a life with, face challenges with, grow old with.”
His voice dropped to a whisper that seemed to resonate in my very bones.
Desire pooled low in my belly, a flush crept up my neck. I was shy about this–about letting him see how how my body reacted to every touch, how my pussy was already dripping wet just from his kisses.
