Alpha's Private Plaything (Elsa and Drake Stone) novel Chapter 132

Chapter 132

Elsa

Allen set down his glass and nodded to Selina, who had reentered the

main room. She glided toward him, her movements fluid and

deliberate. Allen’s arm slipped around her waist, pulling her close.

“Mr. Stone,” Allen said, his voice casual but his eyes intent, “I’ve

always admired your business acumen. Perhaps we could extend our…

partnership beyond mere property lines?”

Drake’s expression remained neutral. “What did you have in mind?”

Allen’s hand caressed Selina’s hip. “Selina has expressed interest in

getting to know you better. And I’ve had the pleasure of crossing

paths with your assistant, Ms. Hale, several times during this

gathering. I wouldn’t mind spending some time with her as well.”

I gripped the edge of the window, my knuckles turning white, nails digging crescents into my palms. My heart hammered so loudly I was sure they could hear it through the wall. Sweat beaded on my forehead as I waited for Drake’s response, my stomach twisting itself into knots.

Chapter 132

Drake’s face betrayed nothing. He took a slow sip of his drink, his eyes

never leaving Allen’s. “I’m interested in our business arrangement,

Moonlight. But I’ll need a different concession.”

His eyes had hardened, taking on that dangerous golden gleam that

appeared when his wolf was close to the surface.

Allen raised an eyebrow. “I see. You must have other pack business

requiring Ms. Hale’s… services.”

Drake nodded once. “Yes.”

What the fuck? My mind raced. I pressed a hand to my mouth to stop

a hysterical laugh from escaping. He wasn’t refusing because he cared about me. He was refusing because he had another use for me-

another trade in mind. Just perfect. Fucking perfect.

“Perhaps we can continue our negotiations tomorrow,” Drake said,

rising to his feet. “I have matters to attend to this evening.”

Allen stood as well, his expression carefully neutral. “Of course. We’ll

talk again before the closing ceremony.”

Drake left without another word, his stride purposeful and his

shoulders tense. I backed away from the viewing window, nearly

tripping over my own feet. My hands were shaking so badly I had to

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clench them into fists.

Selina slid the panel closed and turned to me with a knowing smile.

“Well, that was interesting. Your Alpha seems quite… possessive.”

I couldn’t find words to respond. I felt sick to my stomach, wrapping

my arms around myself as if I could hold my body from falling apart.

The door opened again, and Allen entered. “He’s gone,” he said

simply.

“What the hell was that?” I demanded, finding my voice at last. My

words came out in a furious hiss. “You were going to trade me like

some prize fucking cow?”

Allen raised his hands placatingly. “Not at all. I needed to see how

Stone would react. And now we know.”

“Know what?” I snapped, pacing the small room like a caged animal.

“He didn’t refuse because he values you,” Allen said bluntly, “He

refused because he has a bigger game in mind. I’m just a backup

option.”

The truth of his words cut deep, stealing my breath. I stumbled

slightly, catching myself against the wall. Drake wasn’t protecting me

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-he was reserving me for something else. Just another goddamn

business asset to be leveraged at the right moment.

The moonlight beach was deserted when I arrived, everyone else

already gathered for the dinner in the main hall. I kicked off my shoes

with a vicious motion, nearly sending one flying into the ocean, and

walked along the shore. The cool sand soothing against my bare feet

was the only goddamn pleasant sensation in this entire nightmare of

an evening.

My mind replayed the scene I’d witnessed, over and over like some

sadistic highlight reel. Drake hadn’t traded me, but not out of concern

or affection. He simply had other plans for me–other ways to use me.

The realization burned like acid in my chest, making it hard to

breathe.

“Fuck you, Drake,” I whispered to the waves, my voice breaking. “Fuck

you and your games and your goddamn plans for me.”

I walked farther down the beach, away from the resort lights, hugging myself against the evening chill. In the distance, I could make out figures on the private section of the beach. Couples–or rather, newly formed pairs–engaged in various states of intimacy. The mate

exchange had already begun for some.

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My stomach turned violently, and I gagged, tasting bile. If Drake

expected me to participate in this kind of ritual, I’d jump into Silver

Lake and swim back to the city before letting anyone touch me.

“Beautiful night, isn’t it?”

I spun around with a startled yelp, nearly losing my balance in the

sand. Selina stood a few feet away, her dress fluttering in the gentle

breeze.

“Jesus Christ!” I pressed a hand to my chest, feeling my racing heart.

“What the fuck do you want?” I asked warily, taking a step back.

She shrugged, moving to stand beside me. “Just taking a break from

the festivities. It gets rather tedious after a while.”

We stood in silence, watching the waves lap against the shore. I dug

my toes into the wet sand, grounding myself with the sensation.

“He’s not interested in me, you know,” Selina said finally, “Your Mr.

Stone. He barely even looked at me.”

I said nothing, picking at my cuticles nervously, unsure how to

respond.

“He has high standards,” she continued. “Most men would jump at the

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chance for a night with me.” She laughed, the sound tinged with

bitterness. “But not him. His eyes were cold as ice.”

I turned to look at her, really look at her. “Why the hell are you telling

me this?”

Selina met my gaze, her expression suddenly serious. “Because the

dinner is starting soon. And I think you should know what you’re

walking into.”

A chill ran down my spine, raising goosebumps on my arms. “What do

you mean?” My voice came out as barely more than a whisper.

“The agreements made tonight will be… consummated,” she said

carefully. “And from what I heard, you’re part of the deal. Just not

with Allen.”

The implication hit me like a physical blow. I staggered back a step,

my knees threatening to give out. “Oh god,” I breathed, my hand

flying to my mouth. Drake hadn’t refused to trade me–he’d simply

chosen a different trading partner.

“The dinner starts in twenty minutes,” Selina said, turning to leave.

“I’d use that time wisely if I were you.”

She walked away, leaving me standing alone on the beach, the waves

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crashing against the shore matching the roaring of blood in my ears. I bent over, hands on my knees, fighting the urge to vomit.

I have twenty minutes to either escape or become someone else’s

plaything for the night.

“Fuck that,” I spat, straightening up with renewed determination.

“Fuck that, and fuck all of them.”

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