Alpha's Private Plaything (Elsa and Drake Stone) novel Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Elsa

I was halfway through my second cup of coffee when my phone rang. The caller ID showed one of our longstanding clients from the Black Obsidian pack. I straightened my shoulders and slipped into professional mode.

“Good morning, Mr. Harris. How can I help you today?” I kept my voice steady and pleasant, masking the exhaustion that had settled into my bones after last night’s encounter with Drake.

“Elsa! Just the person I wanted to speak with.” His voice was enthusiastic, a welcome change from the pity or disdain I’d been receiving lately. “I’m calling because my business partner, Mike Rossi, is extremely interested in those refined silver ores we discussed last week.

He’d like to tour the factory this afternoon if possible.”

My pulse quickened. Mike Rossi was the head of the largest mining company in the Black Obsidian territory. A potential deal with him

would be enormous for Stone Industries.

“I believe we can arrange that, Mr. Harris. Let me check the factory schedule and get back to you within the hour.”

After confirming the factory’s availability, I sent a formal email to Drake’s office, detailing the visit request and potential business

opportunity. I followed proper channels despite everything between us.

Less than fifteen minutes later, Drake emerged from his office. He strode past my desk without acknowledging me, then stopped and

turned as if it were an afterthought.

“Arrange the tour for 2 PM,” he said, his voice devoid of emotion. “Vera will accompany us. She needs to learn how to handle these

matters.”

I nodded, keeping my face neutral despite the sharp pain in my chest. “Yes, Mr. Stone. I’ll make the arrangements.”

Of fucking course. Bring the princess along. Make her watch how the help does all the actual work. My inner wolf snarled with jealousy and hurt, but I pushed it down, swallowing the bitter taste in my mouth.

The silver ore factory stood at the edge of Black Obsidian territory, a massive structure of steel and concrete that housed some of our

pack’s most valuable resources.

I positioned myself where I belonged as his assistant-slightly behind his left shoulder, close enough to be useful but far enough to maintain professional distance. Vera, wearing a pastel pink dress entirely inappropriate for a factory tour, deliberately stood closer to Drake, occasionally brushing against him.

Could she be any more obvious? My stomach churned with disgust. That dress would be ruined in five minutes in an actual working environment. But I guess that’s the point-she doesn’t have to work, just look pretty and cling to him like a fucking leech.

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The factory manager, an older wolf named Harold who had served the pack for decades, greeted us with a deep bow. “Mr. Stone, we’re honored by your presence. And Mr. Rossi, welcome to our facility.”

Mike Rossi, a burly man with salt-and-pepper hair, shook hands firmly with Drake. “I’ve heard impressive things about your silver ore

quality.”

I kept my eyes down, speaking only when necessary to explain technical details that neither Drake nor Vera understood. My role was clear

-be invisible until needed.

Harold led us through the facility with obvious pride. “Our factory processes 1,365 different purities of silver ore,” he explained. “Each with unique properties and applications. It’s the most comprehensive collection in all the territories, and one of Black Obsidian pack’s

most valuable assets.”

Mike whistled, genuinely impressed. “I had no idea the variety was so extensive.”

We reached the central display area, where samples of every ore type were arranged on massive floor-to-ceiling shelves. The collection was impressive-thousands of silver specimens gleaming under specialized lighting, organized by purity and application.

As Harold continued his explanation about extraction methods, Vera suddenly grabbed my arm, pulling me toward the center of the

display area.

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