Alpha's Private Plaything (Elsa and Drake Stone) novel Chapter 209

Chapter 209

Elsa

We drove to Phoenix Village in silence, the mountains rising around

us as we approached. The village entrance was a jarring contrast of

old and new–traditional wooden structures alongside stacks of

modern construction equipment. A banner reading “WELCOME TO

PROGRESS hung limply in the still morning air.

“Stay close to me,” Allen murmured as we exited the vehicles, his

warm breath tickling my ear. “This place isn’t safe.”

I nodded, grateful for his concern yet hating that I needed protection

at all. Drake was watching our interaction, his golden eyes narrowed,

nostrils flaring slightly as if trying to catch our scent.

A man approached from the main building–Samuel. I recognized him

immediately as one of the men who had surrounded Drake and me

that night at the bar. My pulse quickened, a cold sweat breaking out

along my spine. I instinctively stepped closer to Allen, my fingers

brushing against his sleeve.

“Welcome to Phoenix Village,” Samuel called out, his smile not

reaching his eyes. “Stone Enterprises representatives, we’re honored

by your visit.”

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Alpha’s Private Plaything

Chapter 209

Elsa

We drove to Phoenix Village in silence, the mountains rising around

us as we approached. The village entrance was a jarring contrast of

old and new–traditional wooden structures alongside stacks of

modern construction equipment. A banner reading “WELCOME TO

PROGRESS hung limply in the still morning air.

“Stay close to me,” Allen murmured as we exited the vehicles, his

warm breath tickling my ear. “This place isn’t safe.”

I nodded, grateful for his concern yet hating that I needed protection

at all. Drake was watching our interaction, his golden eyes narrowed,

nostrils flaring slightly as if trying to catch our scent.

A man approached from the main building–Samuel. I recognized him immediately as one of the men who had surrounded Drake and me that night at the bar. My pulse quickened, a cold sweat breaking out along my spine. I instinctively stepped closer to Allen, my fingers brushing against his sleeve.

“Welcome to Phoenix Village,” Samuel called out, his smile not

reaching his eyes. “Stone Enterprises representatives, we’re honored by your visit.”

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Chapter 209

His gaze landed on me, and his smile turned cold. And if it isn’t the high–level assistant who reported us to the police. He chuckled, the sound like broken glass. “Thanks to you, my bar is under inspection

suspension.”

I felt Allen stiffen beside me, his arm moving subtly to position himself partially in front of me. Drake stepped forward, shoulders squared and chest out, positioning himself between Samuel and our

group.

“Watch your tone, Wright, Drake said, his voice deceptively soft but carrying an unmistakable threat, his hands clenching into fists at his

sides. “We’re here on business, not to revisit old grievances.”

Samuel inclined his head in mock deference. “Of course, Alpha Stone.”

Around us, large dogs began to emerge from between buildings–at

least a dozen of them, circling our group at a distance. My heart

hammered against my ribs as Susan let out a small gasp of fear,

clinging to Drake’s arm like a lifeline.

“Don’t worry about the dogs,” Samuel said, clapping his hands twice.

The animals immediately sat, watching us with unsettling intensity.

“They’re well–trained. Just like me.”

Allen’s hand brushed against mine, his fingers briefly intertwining

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Chapter 209

with my own in a subtle gesture of reassurance. “Don’t wander off

alone,” he whispered, his lips barely moving, “Something feels wrong

here.”

I nodded slightly, swallowing hard as I watched Samuel’s smog

expression as he surveyed our group. The man was dangerous–that

much was obvious. But it was the way he controlled those dogs that

truly unsettled me. There was something unnaturally precise about it,

something that made my skin crawl and the hairs on my arms stand

on end.

“Shall we begin the tour? Samuel asked, gesturing toward the village

center. “I’ll be your guide today.”

“How generous,” Drake replied dryly, the muscle in his jaw jumping.

Samuel snapped his fingers, and the dogs dispersed, vanishing

between buildings like shadows. “This way, please.”

As we began to follow, Allen stayed close by my side, his body heat a

comforting presence against the morning chill. “Seriously, Elsa,” he murmured, his eyes scanning our surroundings like a predator looking for threats. “Don’t let these people get you alone. If you need

to go anywhere, tell me first.”

I nodded, the knot of anxiety in my stomach tightening to the point

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Chapter 209

of pain. Between Drake’s public humiliation, Samuel’s thinly veiled

hostility, and the unsettling presence of those watchful dogs, I felt

like I was walking into a trap. And the worst part was, I couldn’t see a

way out.

Susan had spent at least an hour getting ready this morning, her

makeup flawless and her outfit carefully selected–a stark contrast to

my simple blouse and pants. Now she walked slightly ahead with

Drake, her perfectly manicured hand reaching for his arm with the

entitlement that made my blood boil.

“Drake, these mosquitoes are eating me alive,” she whined, pressing

herself against him like a desperate cat in heat. “I wore this sundress

just for you, and now I’ll be covered in bites.”

I rolled my eyes so hard I nearly saw my own brain. The urge to vomit

at her performance was overwhelming, and I bit the inside of my

cheek to keep from muttering something that would start another

fight.

I watched as Drake’s expression shifted from neutral to cold. His eyes

narrowed slightly, jaw tightening as he forcefully shook her grip off

his arm, like he was discarding something distasteful.

“Don’t touch me,” he said, his voice low and dangerous.

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Chapter 209

Susan’s face crumpled with hurt. “Drake, you didn’t use to be like this with me. Her eyes darted to me accusingly, venom practically

dripping from her gaze. “It’s because of her, isn’t it? I know she’s been

saying things about me to you.”

The accusation hit a nerve, and I stopped walking abruptly, my hands clenching into fists. Fuck this. I was so goddamn tired of being her scapegoat, tired of her childish accusations that somehow always

made me the villain in her pathetic narrative.

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