Alpha's Private Plaything (Elsa and Drake Stone) novel Chapter 231

Chapter 231

pebble on the ground, watching it skitter across the pavement.

“Not yet. They’re taking a very aggressive stance.” She checked her

watch. “I’ve been trying to reach them all morning to discuss terms.”

I gazed back toward the entrance, toward Oliver’s room several floors

1. up. My cousin had always been there for me after my father left. The

memory of his broken leg made me want to punch something-

preferably Clark’s already concussed face. Oliver was injured because

of me–because of some goddamn vendetta I didn’t even understand.

“You look exhausted,” Olivia said gently. “When did you last eat?”

I blinked rapidly, realizing I couldn’t remember. The flight, the ru

to the hospital, the shocking revelations–food had been the last

thing on my mind. My stomach chose that moment to growl

traitorously.

“Wait in my car,” Olivia handed me her keys. “I’ll get us some

breakfast from that café across the street.”

I nodded gratefully and trudged toward her sleek silver sedan, my

legs feeling like they were made of lead. Inside, I sank into the

leather seat, letting my head fall back with a thud. “Shit,” I whispered

to the empty car, pressing the heels of my hands against my burning

eyes.

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The driver’s door opened, and Olivia slid in, placing a paper bag on

the console between us. The smell of fresh pastries and coffee filled

the car, but my appetite had vanished like smoke.

“You should eat something,” she urged, passing me a cup. “Even if

you’re not hungry.”

I took a small sip of the coffee, grimacing as it burned my tongue. The

warmth did little to dispel the chill that had settled deep in my

bones. “This Clark guy,” I said slowly, tapping my fingernails

nervously against the cup. “What do you know about him?”

Olivia unwrapped a muffin. “He’s from Moon Shadow pack. Small-

time criminal with connections to larger operations. Three years

he was involved in a severe beating that left a man permanently

disabled. He served time in the pack detention facility and was only

released about a year ago.”

I frowned, something clicking in my mind. I sat up straighter, spilling

coffee on my jeans but barely noticing the burn. “Wait a damn

minute. If he was locked up for the past three years, how could he

possibly recognize Oliver? They’ve never met before.”

2

Olivia paused mid–bite, her eyes meeting mine. “That’s… actually a

very good point.”

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“He knew exactly who Oliver was. He knew about me, about my

father.” I set the coffee down with a sharp thud, my hand trembling

visibly now. “This wasn’t random, Olivia. This was fucking planned.”

“You think someone put him up to it? Specifically targeted your

cousin?”

“Yes.” The certainty in my voice surprised even me. I slammed my

against the dashboard. “Clark was released from detention and

suddenly decides to pick a fight with the cousin of some random

Omega from another pack? It doesn’t make sense unless someone

pointed him in Oliver’s direction.”

fist

Olivia’s expression grew serious. “If you’re right, this is much bigger

than a simple assault case.” She hesitated. “And if someone

orchestrated this attack on your cousin…”

“They’re really after me,” I finished, the weight of realization settling

on my shoulders like lead. I let out a shaky breath, feeling suddenly

cold despite the car’s warmth.

“But who? And why now?” Olivia tapped her fingers against the

steering wheel thoughtfully. “I have a contact in the Black Obsidian

detention facility. I could ask them to look into Clark’s visitors, phone

calls, any connections that might explain this.”

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nodded, grateful for her help but increasingly uneasy. My knee

bounced nervously as dark thoughts swirled through my mind. If

someone had targeted Oliver to get to me, what would they do next?

And who else might be in danger?

“I should probably get back,” I said, gathering my things with jerky

movements. “Drake might be looking for me.”

“Let me drive you home,” Olivia offered. “You’re in no condition to be

alone right now.”

“Thanks, but I’ll be fine. My phone’s about to die, and Drake will

probably call soon. I should get back before he sends out a search

party.” The attempt at humor fell flat, even to my own ears. I co

manage even a fake smile to accompany it.

n’t

Olivia gave me a concerned look. “Elsa, this is serious. Maybe you

should talk to your family about this, get some protection.”

I laughed bitterly, the sound harsh and broken even to my own ears.

“My mother is bedridden with silver poisoning, and I don’t have any

other family apart from Oliver.” I gestured toward the hospital, my

hand slicing through the air. “And he’s not exactly in a position to

help right now, is he?”

The silence that followed was heavy with unspoken concern.

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“I’ll be careful,” I promised, stepping out of the car and slamming the

door harder than necessary. “And I’ll keep you updated.”

Back in the hospital lobby, I approached the information desk, feeling

the last dregs of my phone battery draining away. I drummed my

fingers impatiently on the counter.

“Excuse me,” I said to the young receptionist, unable to keep the edge

from my voice. “Do you have a charger I could borrow? My phone’s

about to die.”

She smiled sympathetically. “We have a charging station in the

waiting area. I can lend you a power bank if you’d prefer.”

“That would be great, thank you.” I forced myself to soften my tone,

reminding myself that she wasn’t responsible for the mess my life had

become.