After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 11

**The Billionaire Who Claimed My Heart and Who Broke Fate for Me**
**Chapter 11**

**Elle’s POV**

Grace’s finger shot out like a dagger, pointing at me with a fierce intensity. “You foolish girl! Do you really think we’re all idiots? Brad Rayne wouldn’t even glance at someone from our district, let alone consider mating with them! If you’re genuinely pregnant, it’s probably by some lowlife who’s convinced you he has connections!”

I felt my heart plummet at her words, desperation clawing at my throat. “Mom,” I pleaded, turning to Susan, my last hope. “Please. I need to go. They’re expecting me back.”

Susan’s face twisted in concern, her brow furrowing deeply. “Elle, I can’t let you leave like this. What if they’re dangerous? What if they’re using you in some way? There are people who would do anything to get close to a powerful family like the Raynes. You could be nothing more than a pawn in their game.”

This wasn’t the reaction I had anticipated at all. I had braced myself for shock, perhaps even anger, but not for this outright refusal to accept the truth.

“The car outside,” I insisted one last time, desperation creeping into my voice. “It’s from the Rayne family. Alex is Brad’s personal assistant. He can confirm everything I’m saying.”

Grace’s derision was palpable as she spat back, “A nice car proves nothing! It only shows they have money to trick naive girls like you. For all we know, he could be part of some elaborate scheme.”

“Elle,” Megan chimed in with a sickly sweet tone that made my skin crawl, “if you really are carrying Brad Rayne’s baby and about to become his mate, why don’t you call him right now? Have him come pick you up in person. I’m sure an Alpha would do that for his ‘true mate,’ right?”

The walls of the room felt like they were closing in on me, suffocating my resolve. No matter how hard I tried, they weren’t going to believe a word I said. I took a step toward the door, but Grace blocked my path with a determined stance.

“You’re not going anywhere with that man outside,” she declared firmly, her voice leaving no room for negotiation. “Susan, call the police. Tell them we have a situation with potential traffickers.”

“No!” I cried out, panic surging through me like a tidal wave. “Don’t do that! You’ll just make everything worse!”

Our voices escalated, the argument erupting into a chaotic shouting match. Grace had my arm in a grip that felt like iron, my mother was in tears, and Megan watched the entire scene unfold with a cruel, satisfied smirk.

Suddenly, a sharp knock at the door sliced through the tumult, and without waiting for an invitation, Alex stepped inside. His demeanor was calm yet alert, as if he had walked into a storm and was ready to face it head-on.

“Is everything alright in here? I heard shouting.” His gaze swept the room, taking in the sight of Grace holding my arm, my mother’s tears, and my own frantic expression.

A wave of relief washed over me, so profound that I nearly crumpled to the floor. “Alex,” I breathed, his name escaping my lips like a prayer. “Please help me explain. They don’t believe me about Brad and the baby.”

Grace turned her fierce glare toward Alex, suspicion radiating from her. “And who exactly are you? Another part of this scheme?”

Alex straightened, his posture shifting to something more formal and authoritative. “My name is Alex Gray, personal assistant to Alpha Bradford Rayne. I can assure you that everything Elle has told you is true. She is carrying the Alpha’s heir and will soon be formally marked as his mate.”

Instead of being impressed, Grace let out a derisive snort. “Personal assistant? You mean you’re just the dog that fetches for the wolves? How much are they paying you to be part of this scam?”

Alex’s professional facade remained intact, though I noticed a flicker of annoyance flash in his eyes.

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