Alpha's Private Plaything (Elsa and Drake Stone) novel Chapter 128

Chapter 128

Elsa

The ocean breeze carried the scent of salt and countless strangers as I

sat on the private beach outside our tent at Twin Moon Resort. My

mind wandered far from the paperwork in my lap, which Drake had

insisted I review even during this supposed “break.”

Fucking workaholic control freak. Even on a goddamn beach he can’t

let me breathe without reminding me I’m his property. The distant

sounds of laughter and splashing from other resort guests made me

acutely aware of how isolated we were, despite being in plain sight.

Drake emerged from the tent, his muscular frame blocking the sun

momentarily. My stomach clenched involuntarily–that familiar

mixture of dread and unwanted attraction washing over me.

His jaw was set in that rigid way that told me he was displeased. He’d

been watching me for several minutes, those predatory eyes tracking

my every move like I was prey he was considering how to devour.

“Your attention seems to be everywhere except where it should be,” he remarked coldly, dropping into the chair beside me. “Is there something more interesting than the Silver Ridge numbers?”

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Yeah, like the fact that I might be traded away like a baseball card

tonight. My palms began to sweat as anxiety coiled tighter in my

chest. I closed the folder and faced him directly. The question that had been burning in my mind since our arrival tumbled out before I

could reconsider.

“Mr. Stone, you know these Twin Moon gatherings involve partner exchanges, right?” I kept my voice steady despite the churning in my stomach. “So are you planning to participate in the exchange too?”

His eyes narrowed dangerously, golden flecks appearing in the brown -his wolf rising to the surface. Shit, I’ve pissed him off. A shiver ran down my spine, but I refused to look away.

“What does the assistant handbook say about questioning your superior’s personal choices?”

I met his gaze unflinchingly, though my heart hammered so hard I was sure he could hear it. “That the company’s interests come first.”

“And what exactly do you think is in the company’s best interest right now?” he asked, his voice deceptively soft.

That I don’t get passed around like a fucking party favor, I thought bitterly, bile rising in my throat. That I’m not treated like a goddamn toy to be loaned out to your business partners. But my face revealed

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nothing as panic bloomed in my chest. Was that his plan all along? To bring me here and trade me to Smith or one of the other men for the

night? The thought made my skin crawl.

Drake leaned forward suddenly, pressing me back against the beach chair until his face was inches from mine. I could smell his cologne traitorous mixed with the natural Alpha scent that always made my

body respond. Damn this Omega biology.

“The company’s greatest interest, Elsa, is keeping its CEO satisfied.” His hand moved to my throat, thumb brushing over where my silver pendant should have been. “Where is it?”

“Where is what?” I asked, though I knew exactly what he meant. My mouth went dry as his fingers rested against my pulse point.

“The pendant. My pendant.” His fingers tightened slightly. “The one I bought you last night.”

I swallowed carefully under his grip. “It’s too conspicuous for this setting. It would draw unnecessary attention.” And mark me as an owned Omega in a place where trading partners is commonplace.

Fuck that.

His expression darkened. “The whole point was to mark you as mine.”

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“Which might not be helpful if you’re planning to loan me out

tonight,” I said before I could stop myself. Goddammit, mouth, stop

working faster than brain.

Drake’s eyes flashed gold–his wolf rising closer to the surface. “Is that what you think this is about?” He pushed himself off me and paced the small stretch of sand before our tent.

Inside the tent, I sat on the edge of the small cot, expressionless as Drake prowled around me. My mind raced, calculating escape routes and scenarios. If that bastard tries to send me to Smith’s tent tonight, I’m fucking gone. I’ll run through this entire resort naked if I have to.

“Take off that ridiculous cover–up,” Drake ordered, his hands already working at my shirt buttons.

I remained still, unresponsive, disgust and fear warring within me. Then, spotting my chance when he looked down, I scrambled toward the tent opening. Freedom, just for a goddamn second.

Drake’s reflexes were inhumanly fast. His hand clamped around my ankle, yanking me back. The force of his pull tore my skirt along the seam. Son of a bitch!

“Going somewhere?” he growled, flipping me onto my back. “You need to learn to accept what is, Elsa. Fighting it only makes things worse.”

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Through the thin fabric of the tent, I could hear voices approaching- other guests walking along the beach. I froze, mortified at the thought of being discovered like this. Perfect. Just what I need–the entire resort knowing I’m Drake Stone’s whore.

“About Smith,” Drake said abruptly, his weight still pinning me down.

“I know how you feel about him after what he did to you at the

conference last year.”

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