After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 8

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

**Chapter 8**

**Elle’s POV**

I found myself entranced as Brad methodically cut through his rare steak, each slice executed with a precision that was almost surgical. There was something captivating about the way he balanced an air of refined etiquette with a primal hunger that hinted at the wildness lurking beneath his polished exterior.

As I sat there, lost in my thoughts, a human server approached, presenting me with a small silver tray that held a steaming antibacterial towel. Hesitantly, I accepted it, wiping my hands before placing it back on the tray. The server, with practiced grace, pulled out my chair, positioning me directly across from Brad. The atmosphere between us crackled with an uncomfortable tension, thick enough to cut with a knife.

“You didn’t have to come personally,” I ventured, breaking the silence that had settled like a heavy fog. My voice came out softer than I had intended, betraying the unease that churned within me.

Brad lifted his gaze from his plate, his amber eyes glinting with a cold light as he dabbed the corner of his mouth with a napkin. “This is simply an Alpha’s responsibility,” he stated flatly, his tone devoid of any warmth. “Nothing more.”

The message was unmistakable, as if he had illuminated it in neon: our relationship was strictly a matter of obligation, a duty bound by the mate bond, devoid of any emotional connection.

I nodded in understanding, feeling the weight of his words settle over me. Lowering my gaze, I began to eat, focusing intently on the food before me, desperately trying to divert my attention from the imposing werewolf seated across the table.

Suddenly, I felt a shift in Brad’s energy. The air around us thickened with his Alpha presence, making it feel as though the very atmosphere had tightened its grip around my throat. “You’ve already had three pieces of salmon,” he remarked, his voice dropping into that commanding tone that seemed to bypass my rational mind and speak directly to my very core.

Before I could voice my protest, the chef swiftly whisked away the salmon platter, bowing slightly in deference to Brad. The display of absolute obedience was jarring, leaving me momentarily speechless.

“Are you really monitoring what I eat now?” I asked, torn between a sense of amusement and a flicker of irritation.

“The pup needs balanced nutrition,” he replied without missing a beat. “Too much of one thing isn’t beneficial.”

I blinked, grappling with the fact that this powerful Alpha werewolf was genuinely concerned about my diet. Just as I was about to formulate a retort, Brad turned his attention to the chef. “Prepare the special nutritional broth for pregnant mates. Immediately.”

Just as I opened my mouth to refuse whatever strange werewolf concoction they were about to impose on me, my phone buzzed to life. The familiar ringtone sent my heart into a stutter as I glanced down at the screen.

Jason Miller.

A surge of grief and anger coursed through me like a jolt of electricity. I quickly flipped my phone over, hiding the screen against the table, my throat tightening as I fought to maintain my composure.

“You’re not answering?” Brad inquired, his eyes narrowing slightly. I felt his focus intensify, and I remembered too late that werewolves had an uncanny ability to hear heartbeats. Mine was probably racing like a wild stallion.

“It’s nothing important,” I mumbled, forcing my attention back to my plate and taking another bite, even though my appetite had all but vanished. I had forgotten that werewolves could also smell lies.

Brad’s nostrils flared slightly, but to my surprise, he didn’t press further. An awkward silence enveloped us, thick and suffocating. When he finished eating, he abruptly stood and left without another word, his departure as cold and efficient as everything else he did.

Once the staff cleared away our lunch dishes, I finally picked up my phone, staring at the screen that displayed a missed call from Jason Miller.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify