After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 26

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**The Billionaire Who Claimed My Heart and Who Broke Fate for Me**
**Chapter 26**

**Elle’s POV**

As I stood before the mirror, I found myself grappling with the reflection staring back at me. I attempted to coax my lips into a semblance of a smile, but the effort only resulted in a grimace that bore more resemblance to agony than joy. Brad’s words reverberated in my mind like a haunting melody: “Don’t enjoy the privileges of being a Paymer mate while parading around like a temptress.”

With a shuddering breath, my fingers gingerly brushed over the sensitive mate mark on my neck, a physical reminder of my bond with him. Why was it so difficult to summon a smile? Once upon a time, I had been adept at it. Back in the human world, even on the darkest days when Grace unleashed her verbal tirades, I could still muster a genuine smile for my mother.

But facing Brad Rayne? That was an entirely different ordeal.

Perhaps it was because every moment of humiliation and discomfort in my life seemed to orbit around him now.

With a heavy sigh, I let the facade of a smile slip away entirely. What was the point of pretending? Turning toward my closet, I carefully selected a simple navy blue dress that enveloped me modestly. No more revealing shirts. No more skin on display. I was determined to give Brad Rayne no reason to cast that icy look of disappointment in my direction.

Once I was dressed, I made my way downstairs, my mind still swirling with thoughts of our earlier encounter. I was so lost in my reverie that I almost overlooked the scene that awaited me at the bottom of the staircase.

There, in the entryway, stood about fifteen people arranged in a perfect line, all humans clad in immaculate uniforms. As I descended the final step, they bowed in unison, a synchronized gesture that sent a shiver down my spine.

“Good morning, Mrs. Rayne,” they chorused, their voices harmonizing in a way that felt almost surreal.

I froze, confusion washing over me like a cold wave. Where was Brad? My gaze darted from one unfamiliar face to another, searching for a hint of recognition but finding none.

“I… um…” I stammered, utterly caught off guard. The title “Mrs. Rayne” felt like it belonged to someone else entirely, a ghost of a woman I could not yet become.

A woman in her fifties, her eyes warm and inviting, stepped forward from the group. “I’m Martha Thompson, ma’am. Mr. Rayne has designated me as your head of household staff.”

“Staff?” I echoed, my voice barely above a whisper. “All of you? For… me?”

Martha nodded, her expression calm and reassuring. “Yes, ma’am. This is the standard configuration for an Alpha’s mate, especially one who is expecting an heir.”

My hand instinctively moved to my still-flat stomach, a wave of disbelief washing over me. “But this seems excessive. I don’t need fifteen people.”

Martha smiled patiently, as if she had anticipated my reaction. “Mrs. Rayne, if I may explain: As the Alpha’s mate, you are entitled to a specialized staff. We have a personal chef trained in both werewolf and human nutritional needs, two housekeepers who are specifically trained not to touch Alpha personal items, four groundskeepers for the estate’s special plants, two drivers, four security personnel, and myself to oversee everything.”

I blinked rapidly, struggling to digest this overwhelming information. And you’re all assigned to me?

“Yes, ma’am. We are available twenty-four hours a day. And once your pregnancy advances, a prenatal nutritionist will join the staff as well,” Martha added, clasping her hands in front of her.