Alpha's Private Plaything (Elsa and Drake Stone) novel Chapter 131

Alpha’s Private Plaything

Chapter 131

Elsa

Relief washed over me like a wave. I clung to Rex’s offered arm,

letting him guide me away from the predatory gazes that followed us.

Thank fuck. I owe you, Rex. I owe you big time.

“Allen wants to talk to you,” Rex whispered as we walked. “He’s

waiting by the east exit.”

As we left the hall, I could feel eyes burning into my back, but I didn’t

look back. I couldn’t. My only focus was on escape, on reclaiming my

dignity, even if it meant betraying Drake.

I followed Rex inside, my heart hammering against my ribs so hard I

thought it might crack a bone. My palms were slick with sweat as

Allen rose from his seat by the window, his tall frame silhouetted

against the silvery light,

“Elsa,” he said, his voice smooth as polished stone. “I’ve been hoping

for a chance to speak with you properly.”

I clenched my jaw and kept my posture ramrod straight, digging my

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nails into my palms to stop the trembling. No fucking way was I

showing weakness despite the desperation clawing at my insides like

a rabid animal.

“Mr. Moonlight, thank you for agreeing to see me,” I managed, my

voice steadier than I felt.

Allen gestured to a chair opposite his. “Please, sit.”

Rex hovered near the door, shifting his weight from foot to foot,

clearly uncomfortable. “I’ll wait outside,” he muttered, slipping out

and closing the door behind him.

I perched on the edge of the chair, muscles coiled tight, ready to bolt

at the slightest hint of danger. My eyes darted around, mapping escape routes as Allen studied me with those calculating blue eyes.

“My brother tells me you need assistance,” he said finally. “Something

about leaving the resort discreetly?”

I nodded, swallowing hard against the dryness in my throat. “Yes. The… mate exchange is beginning. I refuse to participate.” My fingers twisted the fabric of my dress, bunching it between white knuckles.

‘I see.” Allen’s expression revealed nothing. “And what does Drake

have to say about this?”

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“He doesn’t know I’m here,” I admitted, a bitter laugh escaping my

lips. “God, if he did… But I offered Rex something in return for your

help. Information about the Silver Ridge mining property.”

This caught Allen’s attention. His eyes sharpened, and he leaned

forward slightly. “Go on.”

“If you help me leave this fucking nightmare of a resort tonight,” I

said, leaning forward with intensity, “I’ll make sure your family’s bid

for the Silver Ridge property is favored. I know what the other offers

are. I can tell you exactly what you need to beat them.”

“Interesting.” Allen studied me with new appreciation. ” And I’d be

happy to help Rex with this… favor.” He reached for his phone, typing

quickly. “I’m sending my assistant, Selina, to find Drake. I think it’s

time he and I had a chat about several matters of mutual interest.”

My stomach dropped like a stone. “Shit–you’re going to tell him I’m

here?” I half–rose from my chair, ready to flee.

“No,” Allen said smoothly, motioning for me to sit back down. “I’m

going to offer him something he wants. While he’s distracted, you can

slip away, Rex will drive you back to the city.”

Relief washed over me so strongly my knees nearly buckled. I sank

back into the chair, exhaling a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

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“Thank you. Jesus Christ, thank you.”

Allen’s smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Don’t thank me yet, Elsa.”

I crouched in the adjoining room, my ear practically glued to the wall

as Selina returned with Drake. Through the partially open door, I

could see her guiding him into Allen’s suite. She was stunning–tall

and slender, with raven–black hair cascading down her back. Her

dress clung to every curve, and the way she moved reminded me of a

predator on the hunt.

Fuck, she’s gorgeous. No wonder they use her as bait.

“Mr. Stone,” she purred, “Mr. Moonlight is waiting for you. Please,

make yourself comfortable.”

Drake remained impassive, his gaze cold and assessing. He didn’t

spare Selina a second glance as he strode into the room, his posture

radiating authority. I bit my lip hard enough to taste blood, praying

he wouldn’t somehow sense my presence nearby.

Before slipping away, Selina paused at a quiet corner in the hallway. I

strained to hear her words, holding my breath and pressing closer to

the crack in the door.

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“Remember what we discussed, Mr. Stone,” she murmured, her voice

dropping to a sultry whisper. “You’ll need to negotiate good terms

tonight. I’ll be waiting for you.”

Drake didn’t flinch, his eyes remaining straight ahead. “I’m here to

discuss business, Ms. Riviera. Nothing more.”

Selina’s laugh was soft and knowing. “Of course. Business first.”

She glided away, and Drake entered Allen’s suite, closing the door

firmly behind him. I exhaled sharply, my hands trembling as I wiped

sweaty palms against my dress.

I pressed my ear against the adjoining wall, straining to hear their conversation. My heartbeat was so loud in my ears I worried it might drown out their voices. The walls were thick, but I could make out muffled voices discussing property lines and mineral rights. Minutes ticked by as they negotiated terms for the Silver Ridge mining

development.

‘I’m prepared to offer a 60-40 split on the eastern deposits,” Allen was saying, his voice carrying through the wall. “That’s a significant

concession from our original position.”

“That is… surprisingly generous,” Drake replied, a note of interest in his voice. “I hadn’t expected the Moon Shadow pack to give ground so

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easily on this.”

“We believe in fair partnerships, Stone. When they benefit both

sides.”

There was a pause, then Drake spoke again. “I appreciate the gesture,

Moonlight. This changes things.”

Their voices dropped lower, and I strained to hear more. The

conversation shifted, becoming less distinct. I pressed closer to the

wall, holding my breath until my lungs burned, my fingernails

scraping against the wallpaper.

The door to the adjoining room suddenly opened, and I jumped back

with a strangled gasp, nearly tripping over my own feet. My heart

threatened to explode out of my chest as Selina entered, closing the

door softly behind her.

“They’re just getting to the interesting part,” she whispered, a sly

smile playing on her lips. “Want to watch?”

Without waiting for my answer, she moved to a decorative panel in

the wall and slid it aside, revealing a small viewing window into

Allen’s sitting room. I hesitated, my body rigid with indecision, torn

between fleeing while I had the chance and needing to know what

was happening.

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