Alpha's Private Plaything (Elsa and Drake Stone) novel Chapter 60

Chapter 60

Elsa

1 sat up slowly, wincing at the dull ache in my abdomen. “Jason? How did you get my number?”

Great. Just what I need. Another entitled wolf man invading my privacy.

“From the company directory, where else? Why don’t you have my number saved? Or accept my friend request on social

media? I sent it days ago.”

I rubbed my temple, feeling a headache brewing. Jason was Drake’s friend, and getting too close to him felt dangerous.

Because the last thing I need is to give Drake another reason to hate me.

“Look, I just wanted to apologize for the other night at the club,” he continued. “I was a dick, and I’m sorry. Let me make it up to you with dinner tonight?”

“Jason, I don’t think—”

“Just dinner, I promise. As friends. Come on, you gotta eat, right?”

I glanced at my social media notifications, seeing his friend request still pending. Getting involved with Drake’s friend seemed like asking for trouble, but Jason had helped me and Sophia at the club.

“Alright, I conceded reluctantly. “Just dinner.”

The Pinnacle Restaurant was buzzing with the dinner crowd when I arrived that evening. I spotted Jason at a table near the window and made my way over-only to freeze mid-step when I saw who else was at the table.

Drake and Vera sat opposite Jason, their heads bent close together. Vera was practically draped over Drake’s arm, her perfectly manicured fingers tracing patterns on his wrist.

Fuck. Fuck. FUCK. This was a setup.

My stomach lurched, and for a moment I considered turning around and walking straight out. But my pride wouldn’t let me.

I will not run. Not from him. Not anymore.

Jason noticed me and waved enthusiastically. ‘Elsa! Over here!”

1/4

Three pairs of eyes turned to me. Vera’s lips curved into a smug smile, Drake’s expression darkened, and Jason looked genuinely pleased to see me.

“What a surprise,” I said flatly as I approached the table, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

A surprise like a knife to the gut. A surprise like finding out the relationship you poured yourself into was just a convenient

business arrangement.

“I ran into Drake and Vera on my way in,” Jason explained, pulling out the chair beside him. “Thought it would be fun for us all to catch up together.”

Fun wasn’t exactly the word I’d use.

Torture. Humiliation. A goddamn nightmare. Those are the words I’d use.

“Elsa,” Vera’s voice dripped with false sweetness, “what a coincidence seeing you here with Jason! I didn’t realize you two were

so… close.”

Her implication was clear, and I saw Drake’s jaw tighten.

Oh, jealous now, are we? When you made it perfectly clear I mean nothing to you?

“We’re not,” I replied curtly, taking my seat.

“Taking advantage of your sick leave, I see,” Drake commented coldly. “You look remarkably recovered.”

I could tell you exactly where to shove that remark, but I still have some dignity left.

The waiter arrived with menus, temporarily saving me from having to respond. Throughout the meal, Jason was attentive, serving me first and making sure my glass was always full.

“You should try the salmon,” he said, placing a piece on my plate. “I’ve noticed you really like fish dishes.”

Drake’s eyes narrowed at this casual revelation of knowledge about my preferences.

Yes, Drake. Someone actually paid attention to what I like. Shocking, isn’t it?

Vera, not to be outdone, placed her hand on Drake’s shoulder. “Drakey, remember that adorable thing you did this morning? He brought me breakfast in bed,” she announced to the table, her eyes fixed challengingly on me.

My stomach clenched painfully. All those mornings, and he never once brought me breakfast in bed.

2/4

“I can’t imagine Drake doing anything adorable,” I retorted before I could stop myself.

Jason laughed loudly, but Drake’s expression was thunderous.

*Careful, Vera, I continued, unable to help myself. “Don’t you recognize a joke when you hear one?”

Though the real joke is me, sitting here pretending I’m okay with all this.

Vera’s smile faltered. ‘I-

“It’s alright, Drake cut in, his arm going protectively around Vera. “If she makes any mistakes, I’ll fix them for her.”

The message wasn’t subtle. He’d protect Vera, stand up for her, claim her publicly-all things he’d never done for me.

All those years I gave him. My life, my body, my loyalty. And he never once defended me the way he just defended her.

“That was brutal,” Jason commented as he drove me home after dinner. “Drake was acting like a jealous asshole all night.”

I stared out the window, too drained to respond. The evening had been a painful reminder of everything I didn’t have- wouldn’t ever have-with Drake.

Like respect. Like affection. Like being treated as more than a convenient omega hole and an efficient assistant.

“Jason,” I said quietly as we pulled up to my apartment building, “I need you to delete those photos of us from your social

media.”

He looked surprised. “Why? They’re nice photos.”

“Please,” I insisted. “It’s… complicated.”

Because Drake would make my life even more of a living hell if he saw them. Because I’m still his property for two more

months.

He studied me for a moment, then nodded. “Alright, if that’s what you want.”

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