Alpha's Private Plaything (Elsa and Drake Stone) novel Chapter 205

205

“Only that he’s the boss of those two thugs who tried to grab you.”

Drake’s eyes narrowed. “Interesting that your precious Allen wasn’t

there when you needed him, but he’s quick to call once you’re safe.”

The barb struck deeper than I wanted to admit, my chest tightening

with humiliation and anger. “Go to hell, Drake.”

He smiled coldly. “Already there, sweetheart. Already there.”

As Drake’s car pulled away, I noticed another vehicle parked down the

street–Allen’s silver sedan. My stomach dropped, realizing Drake had

timed his departure perfectly, ensuring Allen would see us together.

“Elsa!”

I turned to see Allen hurrying toward me, his face etched with

concern. His scent–pine and something uniquely him–reached me

before he did, a welcome change from Drake’s overwhelming

dominance that still clung to my skin despite my best efforts to scrub

it away in the shower.

“How did you find me?” I asked, surprised, nervously tucking a strand

of hair behind my ear.

Allen stopped a respectful distance away. “I called a friend at the department after I couldn’t reach you. He mentioned you’d filed a

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Chapter 205

report. His eyes scanned my face, likely noticing the dark circles

under my eyes. “Why didn’t you call me when you were in danger? I

would have come immediately.”

I sighed heavily, my shoulders slumping as a mixture of gratitude and frustration washed over me. “I didn’t want to worry you, especially during this important collaboration.” The half–truth felt bitter on my tongue. The real reason was more complicated–involving my own stubborn pride and the messy history with Drake I couldn’t explain

without sounding like a complete idiot.

“I left you alone at that bar.” Allen’s voice dropped, heavy with self- reproach. “If anything had happened to you-”

“Don’t.” I cut him off sharply, straightening my shoulders and lifting my chin defiantly. “For fuck’s sake, I don’t need someone watching over me every second. I can take care of myself.” Even as I said it, the memory of being drugged and helpless flashed through my mind, making me feel like a goddamn liar. My hands trembled slightly, and I shoved them into my pockets.

Allen studied me for a moment, then nodded. ‘Let’s get back to the

project center. I think we should accelerate our timeline. We can finish the remaining documentation tonight and head back to the city

tomorrow morning.”

The suggestion of leaving sent a wave of relief through me, so intense

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Chapter 205

I almost felt dizzy. Twenty–four hours and I could be free of Drake’s

suffocating presence. “That sounds perfect, I agreed, already

imagining the comfort of my own apartment, my body physically

relaxing at the thought.

We walked toward the project center, discussing the details that

needed finalization. The prospect of returning home gave me a burst

of energy I desperately needed after the past tumultuous days. My

steps were lighter, my gestures more animated as we talked.

As we entered the meeting room, I froze mid–sentence. Drake sat at

the head of the table, fingers steepled beneath his chin, his golden

eyes tracking our entrance with predatory focus. The room suddenly

felt ten degrees colder. My stomach twisted painfully, and I had to

force myself not to take an instinctive step backward.

“Mr. Moonlight,” Drake’s voice was deceptively casual, but I caught

the underlying steel. “I hear you’re planning to leave tomorrow.”

Allen nodded, his posture straightening subtly. “Yes. We’ve nearly

completed our work here. Just a few details to finalize.”

“Mr. Moonlight can leave if he has urgent matters to attend to.” Drake’s gaze shifted to me, his voice dropping to that commanding

Alpha tone that made my inner wolf want to submit despite my

screaming in protest. “Elsa stays. This is my territory.”

brain

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Chapter 205

I almost felt dizzy. Twenty–four hours and I could be free of Drake’s suffocating presence. “That sounds perfect, I agreed, already imagining the comfort of my own apartment, my body physically

relaxing at the thought.

We walked toward the project center, discussing the details that needed finalization. The prospect of returning home gave me a burst of energy I desperately needed after the past tumultuous days. My steps were lighter, my gestures more animated as we talked.

As we entered the meeting room, I froze mid–sentence. Drake sat at the head of the table, fingers steepled beneath his chin, his golden

eyes tracking our entrance with predatory focus. The room suddenly felt ten degrees colder. My stomach twisted painfully, and I had to

force myself not to take an instinctive step backward.

“Mr. Moonlight,” Drake’s voice was deceptively casual, but I caught the underlying steel. “I hear you’re planning to leave tomorrow.”

Allen nodded, his posture straightening subtly. “Yes. We’ve nearly

completed our work here. Just a few details to finalize.”

“Mr. Moonlight can leave if he has urgent matters to attend to.” Drake’s gaze shifted to me, his voice dropping to that commanding Alpha tone that made my inner wolf want to submit despite my

screaming in protest. “Elsa stays. This is my territory.”

brain

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Chapter 205

My jaw clenched so tight I thought my teeth might crack. Fucking

territorial Alpha bullshit.

Allen stepped forward, his usually calm demeanor hardening. “The

collaboration is effectively complete. I need to take my colleague

back with me.”

“Is it

of p

r

Drake’s eyebrow arched as he leafed through a stack

1. im. “Because I see several unresolved issues that

s attention. Issues that could delay the project by

dressed immediately.”

ank like a stone in water. I recognized this tactic–Drake

problems where none existed, manipulating circumstances

me under his control. My pul

t forming at the small of my

quickened, and I could feel

Il stay,” I said before Alle

surprisingly steady despi

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