Alpha's Private Plaything (Elsa and Drake Stone) novel Chapter 74

Chapter 74

Drake

Eric raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by my outburst. “Your woman? That’s not what you said at the gathering. In fact, I believe your exact words were ‘I have no intention of formally mating with an Omega.”

The truth of his words stung worse than the whiskey. My hand instinctively reached for my cigarettes before I remembered I’d quit. My fingers itched with the need for something to do, something to distract from the guilt clawing at my insides. The doctor’s words echoed in my mind: “The miscarriage was likely caused by extreme stress, alcohol consumption, and severe gastritis.” A child. My child. One I hadn’t even known existed until it was gone.

The memory of Elsa, pale and unconscious in that hospital bed, blood staining the sheets, made my stomach turn. I’d never told her. Never gave her the chance to mourn what we’d lost.

“It’s complicated,” I finally said, my voice rougher than I intended.

“It’s really not,” Eric countered, taking a long sip of his bourbon. “You marry Elsa. Problem solved. She’s already proven her worth to the pack, despite being an Omega. Hell, she runs half your business better than you do.”

I laughed bitterly. “And what about my father’s precious alliance with the Hortons? You think he’d just forget all that because I’ve got a hard-on for my assistant?”

Eric leaned forward, his expression shifting to that familiar smug look he got whenever he was about to share his “wisdom” on relationships.

“Look, I’ve been managing this shit for years,” he said, lowering his voice. “You know what keeps my life running smoothly? Balance. I tell Amanda exactly what she wants to hear at home. The dutiful husband routine-‘Yes, dear. No, dear. You’re right, dear. Meanwhile, I’ve got Cynthia on the side who gets all the raw, honest parts of me.”

I grimaced. “And how’s that working out for you?”

“Brilliantly,” Eric grinned, swirling his bourbon. “Amanda wanted my time and attention? I gave her a baby instead. Best decision I ever made. Now she’s so wrapped up in the kid she doesn’t even notice when I’m working late.” He made air quotes around “working late” with a wink.

“That’s fucking low, even for you,” I said, though part of me was listening more carefully than I wanted to admit.

“It’s practical,” Eric shrugged. “Amanda gets the status of being Mrs. Wolf and a beautiful child. Cynthia gets the real me without the responsibility. And I get everything I want. Everyone’s happy.”

“Except they’re living a lie,” I pointed out.

“Oh please,” Eric rolled his eyes. “Like you haven’t been living one with Elsa for years? At least I’m honest with myself.”

1/2

He had me there, and he knew it.

“Here’s a thought,” Eric continued, leaning forward with that conspiratorial gleam in his eye. “Get Elsa pregnant, tell the family you have. an heir, then marry Vera. Your parents can raise the child.”

The suggestion hit me like a punch to the gut. Get Elsa pregnant. Again. The image of her pale face in that hospital bed flashed before my eyes. The blood. The loss I never told her about.

But still… the idea took root. A child with Elsa’s intelligence and resilience. My strength and status. A perfect heir. My wolf growled in approval at the thought of claiming her again, marking her, filling her with my seed.

Christ, I was a selfish bastard, even in my thoughts.

“You’re drunk,” Eric said, interrupting my twisted fantasies. “And I’m getting there. Should I call your assistant?”

I laughed, the sound hollow even to my own ears. “Which one?”

Elsa

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