Alpha's Private Plaything (Elsa and Drake Stone) novel Chapter 83

Chapter 83

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66

By the time we finished the last interview, my temples were throbbing. None of the candidates met Drake’s impossible standards. Some were too bold, others too timid. One promising applicant had the audacity to ask about work-life balance, which immediately disqualified her in Mrs. Bennett’s eyes.

“Well, that was disappointing,” Mrs. Bennett sighed, gathering her notes. “Mr. Stone won’t be pleased.”

When the hell is he ever pleased? I bit my tongue to keep the thought from escaping.

“We still have the university recruiting event this afternoon, I reminded her.

She nodded, studying me with an assessing gaze. “Perhaps you should handle that alone. You’re an alumna of Twin Moon University,

correct?”

“Yes, I graduated ten years ago.”

“Good. You’ll have a better rapport with the students.” She hesitated before adding, “Between us, you’re setting the bar impossibly high.

There aren’t many who can match your efficiency or… other qualities.”

I frowned. “What other qualities?”

Mrs. Bennett’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “Let’s be honest, Elsa. There aren’t many who could match your looks, let alone your capabilities. Mr. Stone has become accustomed to a certain standard of… presentation.”

The implication made my stomach turn. So that’s what I’ve been reduced to. A fucking ornament with typing skills.

“I’ll call Kayla and let her know where I’m going,” I said, eager to escape this conversation.

“Find someone good, Elsa,” Mrs. Bennett called after me. “Your contract ends soon, and we’ll need a replacement.”

A replacement. The words burned in my chest as I walked to my desk. As if I were an appliance that had served its purpose and now needed to be switched out for a newer model.

I called Kayla to update her on my whereabouts for the afternoon.

“Mr. Stone’s been asking for you all morning,” she whispered into the phone. “He’s in one of his moods.”

Of course he is. He’s probably pissed that I wasn’t there to bring him his morning coffee exactly how he likes it. Heaven forbid the almighty Alpha make his own fucking coffee.

“Tell him I’m handling the recruiting as he requested,” I replied, gathering my belongings. “I’ll be at Twin Moon University if there’s an

emergency.”

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16:35 Sat, Apr 18

Chapter 83

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66

The university campus was just as I remembered it-sprawling green lawns, modern buildings with glass facades, and students rushing between classes. I’d grabbed a turkey sandwich from the campus café and found a quiet bench near the recruitment hall.

The moment I sat down, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. Christ, when was the last time I breathed without feeling his eyes on me? Being back at my alma mater lifted my spirits like nothing else could. Here, I wasn’t Drake Stone’s omega or his assistant. I was just Elsa,

a TWU alumna who had once walked these paths with dreams of her own.

Before Drake. Before the contract. Before everything went to hell.

The sandwich was halfway to my mouth when a basketball came flying toward me. Without thinking, I reached out and caught it with one

hand, my reflexes quicker than I expected.

“Nice catch!”

A young man jogged over, his bright smile radiating warmth. He looked about twenty-one, with messy brown hair and an athletic build. The scent of a wolf in his prime-playful, energetic, with notes of pine and fresh earth-reached me before he did.

“Thanks,” I said, tossing the ball back to him. “You might want to work on your aim.”

He laughed, catching the ball with ease. “I’m Rex Moonlight, Information Technology, third year.” He extended his hand. “And you are

definitely not a student.”

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