Alpha's Private Plaything (Elsa and Drake Stone) novel Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Elsa

“Thank you, but I’m sure the reports are exaggerated,” I said, trying to maintain professional distance despite my wolf’s interest.

“I doubt that,” he smiled, and I noticed his gaze drop to my ankle. “You’re injured, yet still working. That speaks to your dedication.”

My wolf preened at his praise, so different from Drake’s constant criticism. It was pathetic how starved I was for simple recognition.

“Silver poisoning?” he asked, his expression darkening with concern.

“An accident at one of our factories,” I explained, not wanting to go into the details of Vera’s sabotage. Airing pack dirty laundry would

only make me look bitter, even if I was.

“Yet here you are, carrying boxes instead of resting,” he observed. “Your boss works you hard.”

I felt a momentary panic-criticizing an Alpha to another Alpha could be seen as pack disloyalty. But then I remembered: in two months, I wouldn’t be bound to Drake’s pack anymore. Fuck loyalty to someone who had none for me.

“I brought a small gift for you,” I said, changing the subject as I balanced the shoe box in one arm and reached into my purse. “I noticed in the pack bulletin that you’ve just returned from Europe.”

I pulled out the small box containing the crescent moon pin. “It’s customary in our city to wear pack emblems at formal functions. I thought perhaps in your travels…”

Alexander’s eyes widened slightly, then crinkled with genuine pleasure. “How remarkably thoughtful. You’re right—I left mine at my estate.

May I?”

He opened the box and examined the silver crescent. “Perfect craftsmanship. Would you mind?” He held the pin out to me.

My heart practically slammed against my ribs as I realized what he was asking. Pinning a pack emblem was usually done by family members or close associates. It was a gesture of intimacy, of trust.

“I’d be honored,” I said softly, taking the pin from his outstretched hand, praying he couldn’t hear the thundering of my pulse.

I stepped closer, acutely aware of his scent-clean forest air after rainfall, with undertones of something spicy and distinctly Alpha. It was nothing like Drake’s smoky, intense scent, but appealing in its own way.

As I carefully pinned the crescent to his lapel, his eyes never left my face. My fingers trembled slightly, and I focused intently on the task

to hide my nervousness.

“There,” I said, stepping back to admire the effect. “Perfect.”

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*Thank you, Elsa,” he said, his voice softer now. ‘It’s rare to find someone so considerate of pack traditions in this modern age.”

“Elsa!” Vera’s shrill voice cut through our moment like a fucking chainsaw. “What are you doing?”

I turned to see Vera standing a few feet away, her expression a mixture of shock and outrage. Behind her, Drake’s tall figure loomed, his eyes already shifting from their normal dark brown to a dangerous golden amber-his wolf rising to the surface.

Oh shit.

I stepped back from Alexander quickly, but as I moved, my injured ankle buckled. I gasped, nearly falling, when Alexander’s hand caught

me around the waist, steadying me.

At the same moment, Drake lunged forward, his hand clamping around my upper arm like an iron vise. His low growl reverberated through the hallway, primal and threatening.

“What are you doing?” he demanded, his voice barely human, his eyes now fully golden and fixed on Alexander’s hand at my waist.

The tension in the air was sudden and suffocating-two Alphas, territorial instincts flaring, with me caught literally in the middle. My wolf flattened her ears, torn between our contracted Alpha and the new possibility standing before us.

Alexander’s hand remained steady at my waist, his touch neither retreating nor tightening. “Preventing Ms. Hale from falling, given her injured ankle,” he replied smoothly. “An injury that shouldn’t have her running errands in the first place.”

The calculated rebuke hit its mark. Drake’s jaw clenched, the muscle twitching beneath his skin. Behind him, Vera’s eyes gleamed with

malicious satisfaction at the tension.

“I don’t recall asking for the Moon Shadow pack’s opinion on how we handle our affairs,” Drake responded coldly, his tone making it clear that ‘our affairs’ meant Black Obsidian business-and by extension, me.

Alexander’s lips curved into a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Just a professional observation. ”

I felt a spike of both gratitude and anxiety at his words. Standing between two Alphas was like being caught between lightning strikes- exhilarating and potentially fatal. My stomach churned with a sick mixture of dread and satisfaction. Part of me wanted to see Drake get

put in his place for once.

Vera stepped forward, sliding her arm through Drake’s with practiced elegance. She tilted her chin up, embodying the perfect mate- demure yet proud, submissive to her Alpha while displaying strength to outsiders.

“Drake, darling,” she murmured, loud enough for all to hear, “the pack members are waiting inside. They’re eager to meet your future

Luna.”

Her emphasis on ‘future Luna’ sent a knife twisting in my chest. I kept my face professionally blank, but my wolf whimpered in pain. That manipulative bitch, I thought, bile rising in my throat.

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“Also, Vera added, her tone falsely sweet, “Elsa, you called Drake’s private number? I answered it earlier.”

Drake’s eyes flickered to me, hardening further. ‘Don’t call that number again,” he ordered flatly. “Ever.”

I felt a flush of humiliation rise from my neck to my cheeks, hot and prickling like acid under my skin.

“Understood, Mr. Stone,” I replied, my voice steady despite the storm inside me. Without breaking eye contact, I pulled out my phone, scrolled to his contact, and deliberately pressed delete. The small beep as his number vanished from my phone felt surprisingly liberating. Fuck you and your private number.

Drake’s eyes narrowed slightly, his nostrils flaring as he caught the scent of my defiance. For a moment, something that looked almost like regret flickered across his features.

“I have an extra pair of flats for you, Vera,” I said, handing her the shopping bag with forced professionalism. “Size seven, as requested by

Mr. Stone.”

Vera beamed triumphantly as she accepted the bag, but her smile faltered when she saw Drake’s attention was still fixed on me, his brow furrowed slightly as he watched me slip my phone back into my purse.

“Shall we go in?” Vera prompted, tugging at Drake’s arm. “Elsa, perhaps you should rest that ankle. There’s no need for you to attend the actual banquet-I can handle everything.”

I remained silent, waiting for Drake’s decision. Despite everything, I was still technically his employee, and this was a work function. My fate rested in his hands, and I hated myself for still caring what he thought. Pathetic. After all his shit, I’m still standing here waiting for

his approval.

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