Alpha's Private Plaything (Elsa and Drake Stone) novel Chapter 144

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Alpha’s Private Plaything

Chapter 144

Elsa

The afternoon sun streamed through the windows as I methodically

folded my clothes and placed them in my suitcase. My hands

trembled slightly with anticipation, fingers lingering on each item as if physically shedding another layer of Drake’s control.

“Good riddance,” I muttered under my breath, slamming a pair of

shoes into the corner of the suitcase with more force than necessary.

Last night’s confrontation replayed in my mind like a broken record

Drake’s face contorted with rage when he found me in Allen’s room,

the way he’d dragged me back to our suite, accusing me of betrayal. I

could still hear the echo of the door slamming as he stormed out after

our fight, the walls practically vibrating from his fury.

He hadn’t returned all night.

Part of me had lain awake, ears straining for the sound of his key

card, torn between relief and a pathetic, conditioned anxiety. The

other part–the stronger part–had savored the silent victory.

I zipped up my suitcase with a vicious tug, the sound like sweet music

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to my ears.

I found Allen near the resort’s business center, scrolling through his

phone. He looked up as I approached, his expression carefully

neutral. My stomach knotted with anticipation.

“Allen, I wanted to thank you again for your help and…” I hesitated, shifting my weight from one foot to another, “to ask about that position at Moonlight Properties you mentioned.”

He slid his phone into his pocket, not quite meeting my eyes. “About that, Elsa. I’ve been thinking it over, and I don’t believe it would be appropriate to offer you a position right now.”

My stomach dropped like an elevator with cut cables. “Excuse me?” I

voice. couldn’t keep the sharp edge from my

“I don’t make offers when someone is in a vulnerable position,” he said, his voice carrying a practiced sincerity that immediately set off alarms in my head. “It wouldn’t be right.”

The realization hit me like a slap. My hands curled into fists at my sides. “Drake got to you, didn’t he?” I spat, heat rising to my cheeks. “What did he do after he stormed out last night? Come find you and threaten your entire business?”

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Chapter 144

Allen’s silence was answer enough.

“What did he threaten you with?” I pressed, stepping closer, my voice dropping to a harsh whisper. “What the hell did that bastard say?”

“Nothing so crude,” Allen finally said. “Let’s just say certain business arrangements between our packs would become… complicated if I were to hire you right now. I’m sorry, Elsa.”

I nodded stiffly, humiliation burning through me like acid. Even now, with our contract effectively over, Drake was still controlling my life from the shadows. I turned away quickly, blinking back hot tears of

frustration.

“Fuck this,” I muttered, stalking away with my head held high despite

the crushing disappointment.

The helipad area buzzed with activity as guests prepared to depart. I scanned the manifest posted near the boarding area, my heart sinking as I confirmed what I already suspected–my name wasn’t on any of the passenger lists for the five helicopters departing today.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I hissed, scrolling through the list again, my finger jabbing at the tablet screen as if I could force my

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