Alpha's Private Plaything (Elsa and Drake Stone) novel Chapter 195

Chapter 195

Elsa

Susan glanced at me with undisguised contempt. “Sorry,” she said, the word dripping with insincerity before she stalked away.

Allen turned to me, genuinely apologetic. “I’m sorry about that. I’ve spoiled her as her older brother.”

I shrugged, surprised to find I wasn’t particularly bothered. My fingers released the folder, leaving several pressure marks behind. “It’s fine.” I said, my voice calmer than I expected.

What I didn’t say was how much I envied them–even their conflicts. To have a brother willing to defend you, a sister who felt safe enough to be bratty. It was a normal family dynamic I’d never experienced.

As I watched Allen hurry after Susan, a familiar hollowness spread in my chest–not from being disrespected, but from glimpsing what I’d never had and likely never would. My throat tightened as I turned away, nails digging deep into my palms, using the pain to drive away the sudden rush of loneliness.

The change in Susan’s behavior toward me was impossible to ignore.

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Over the past few days, she’d deliberately avoided eye contact, walked the long way around just to not pass my desk, and left rooms when I entered them. Each time I approached her, hoping to clear the air,

she’d turn her back or find an urgent call to make.

I missed her energy. Despite our brief acquaintance, I’d enjoyed Susan’s youthful enthusiasm and straightforward nature–a refreshing change from the calculated interactions I’d grown

accustomed to in corporate settings.

Today, as I organized files for the upcoming present on in our joint project studio, Susan walked by my desk and deliberately knocked

cup.

over my coffee The dark liquid spread across my papers, ruining

hours of work.

“Oops,” she said flatly, not bothering to feign concern. Her eyes, usually bright and expressive, were cold as she stared down at me.

“My bad.”

“Fucking perfect,” I hissed under my breath, my fingers trembling with rage as I grabbed tissues to salvage what I could. “It’s fine,” I muttered through clenched teeth, though it clearly wasn’t.

An hour later, the project coordinator announced that the executive meeting had been canceled. A collective sigh of relief swept through the collaborative workspace–we’d all been working overtime for weeks, and exhaustion hung heavy in the air.

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“We should go out tonight,” Susan suddenly announced, her voice unnaturally cheerful. “That bar in the neutral zone–Moonlight? Everyone from both companies goes there.”

I tensed, my spine going rigid as warning bells screamed in my head.

“I don’t think-”

“Come on, Elsa!” To my shock, Susan looped her arm through mine, her touch making my skin crawl with its false intimacy. I had to physically restrain myself from shoving her away. Her smile didn’t de my wolf reach her eyes, which gleamed with something tha* instincts bristle. “You’re always working. Don’t you ever have fun?”

Before I could respond, Allen spoke up from across the project studio. “Susan’s right. We’ve all been working ourselves to death. A little relaxation would do everyone good.”

One of our colleagues–Mike from Accounting–chuckled and elbowed Allen. “Just saying, boss, you seem pretty eager to see our assistant let her hair down.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks as several others joined in with knowing looks. Goddamn vultures, I thought, my nails digging into my palms.

“That’s enough,” Allen said firmly, though I noticed a slight redness at the tips of his ears. “I’ll be treating everyone tonight. Even our

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hardworking assistant deserves a break.”

I found myself cornered, with no graceful way to refuse. Shit.

The Moonlight Bar’s private room was dimly lit, with plush curved booths and a table already laden with drinks. Susan had positioned herself directly across from me, her predatory gaze following my every move as I sipped cautiously at my club soda. My leg bounced

y growing nervously under the table, an unconscious outlet fc

anxiety.

“This is boring,” she announced after twenty minutes of awkward

small talk. “Let’s play a game. Truth or dare.”

My stomach knotted painfully. “I don’t think-”

“What, are you scared?” Susan’s challenge hung in the air.

Allen frowned slightly. “Susan, not everyone enjoys these games.”

“Rules are simple,” she continued, ignoring her brother, her movements sharp and aggressive as she leaned forward. “Highest card asks, lowest card answers or performs. No backing out once you’ve chosen truth or dare.” Her smile was razor–sharp as she shuffled the

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deck with practiced hands.

Fuck, fuck, fuck, I thought as I reluctantly drew the ace of spades- the lowest card possible. My mouth went dry, and I could feel sweat beading at the nape of my neck. Susan’s triumphant grin as she

revealed her king of hearts made my blood run cold.

2

“Truth or dare, Elsa?” She practically purred my name, making me want to scrub my skin raw.

“Truth,” I answered, figuring it was the safer option, ugh my racing heart suggested otherwise.

“How many bosses have you slept with?”

The room fell silent. My cheeks burned as I stared at her in disbelief, my fingers crushing the napkin in my hand into a tight ball. That

bitch.

Allen stood abruptly. “Susan, that’s completely inappropriate. You’re crossing a line.”

“It’s just a game, brother,” Susan’s voice was honey–sweet, but her eyes remained cold. “Unless Elsa has something to hide?”

I swallowed hard, my throat painfully tight. “I’d like to switch to

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“Be careful with Lucas,” he finally said. “He might protect you, but he

has his own agenda.”

Before I could strike back, he turned and walked away, leaving me

standing there, fuming with unanswered questions. My nails dug deep into my palms, leaving crescent–shaped marks. “Asshole, I cursed under my breath, feeling tears threatening to spill. I blinked

hard, refusing to show any weakness in public.

At the mining site, Allen greeted me with concerned eyes. “Are you

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