Alpha's Private Plaything (Elsa and Drake Stone) novel Chapter 20

Chapter 20

As I stepped off the elevator onto the executive floor, a wave of whispers and significant glances greeted me. A group of junior assistants

huddled near the coffee station, their voices carrying just enough for my enhanced wolf hearing to pick up.

“…came in together this morning…”

“…looking at her like she hung the moon…”

….heard his father’s already approved the match…”

My stomach clenched into a tight knot. Don’t react. Don’t give these vultures the satisfaction of seeing you bleed.

I kept my expression carefully neutral as I poured myself a cup of coffee, though my hand shook slightly, betraying my inner turmoil. The burning liquid splashed onto my fingers, but I welcomed the pain-a distraction from the jagged edges tearing at my heart.

“Morning, Elsa.” Jason’s familiar voice was a welcome distraction. He leaned against the counter beside me, his own cup already in hand.

“How are you holding up?”

I gave him a thin smile. “I’m fine. Just tired.”

“You heard about Mr.Stone and Vera, right?” He kept his voice low, eyes darting around to make sure we weren’t overheard. “They arrived

together this morning. Her practically hanging off his arm.”

“Office gossip isn’t really my thing,” I replied, stirring my coffee with unnecessary force. The spoon clinked aggressively against the

ceramic, almost cracking it.

Jason frowned, concern evident in his eyes. “Look, I know you and Stone have… history. If you need someone to talk to-”

“I don’t,” I cut him off, more sharply than I intended. “But thank you.”

Sorry, Jason. The last thing I need is your pity or for you to become Drake’s next target.

I escaped to my desk, setting my coffee down and turning on my computer with mechanical precision. Throughout the morning, I called Drake’s office multiple times, but there was no answer. The quarterly reports needed his signature, and the deadline was approaching

rapidly,

Where the fuck is he? Probably still coddling Vera after her traumatic night in the dark. Poor baby.

After my fifth attempt, I reluctantly dialed his personal number, knowing it would be seen as overstepping but out of options.

The phone rang three times before someone answered-but it wasn’t Drake.

1/2

“Hello? Vera’s sickeningly sweet voice made my stomach clench.

Of course. Of fucking course she’s answering his personal phone now.

I closed my eyes, counting to three before responding. “Vera, it’s Elsa. I need to speak with Drake about the quarterly reports.”

“Oh, Elsa!” She sounded delighted, as if we were the best of friends. “I’m so sorry, Drake can’t come to the phone right now. We’re at the

pack medical center.”

My heart lurched despite myself. “Medical center? What happened?”

“Nothing serious,” she assured me, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Just my monthly visitor giving me terrible cramps.

Drake insisted on bringing me to see Dr. Redfern.” She giggled. “He’s so protective.”

You’ve got to be kidding me. CRAMPS? I was expected to work through a miscarriage, but he’s taking her to the pack doctor for fucking

CRAMPS?

The image of Drake rushing Vera to the doctor for menstrual cramps while I’d been expected to work through a miscarriage made bile rise

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