Alpha's Private Plaything (Elsa and Drake Stone) novel Chapter 278

Chapter 278

Elsa

I didn’t sleep that night. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Drake’s cold expression, felt his hands on me, heard his threat about my mother’s treatment. I paced the luxurious suite like a caged animal, fingers twisting nervously in my hair, chewing my lower lip until it was raw and tender. I checked my phone constantly for any calls from the hospital, terrified

that he might follow through on his threat.

Around 3 AM, I got a text from the hospital confirming my mother’s condition was stable. Only then did I allow myself to

breathe a little easier, though sleep still eluded me. I pressed the heels of my palms against my eyes, fighting back tears of

exhaustion and frustration.

I watched the sunrise from the balcony of my suite, the pale light gradually illuminating the mountain landscape.

By morning, I learned from Taylor that Drake had already returned to the city. I decided to leave the mountain resort early, eager to avoid further entanglements with pack members. I packed quickly, movements jerky with nervous energy. leaving a note for the staff thanking them for their hospitality.

As I waited at the resort entrance for my taxi, a sleek black car pulled up instead. The window rolled down to reveal Bruce’s smiling face. My stomach knotted instantly.

“Going somewhere, Ms. Hale?” he asked, his tone deceptively friendly.

“Back to the city,” I replied cautiously, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. “I’ve called a taxi.”

Bruce’s smile widened, revealing too many teeth. “Cancel it. I’m heading that way myself. I’d be honored to give you a

ride.”

Every instinct screamed at me to refuse, my pulse quickening with alarm. “That’s very kind, but-

“I insist,” he said, his tone making it clear this wasn’t a request. He stepped out and opened the passenger door with exaggerated courtesy.

Trapped, I slid into the leather seat, my body tense as Bruce circled the car and got in beside me. My fingers fidgeted with the strap of my purse, seeking any distraction from his overwhelming presence.

The first hour of the drive passed in uncomfortable small talk about the weather and resort amenities. I stared out the window, responding with noncommittal hums and single–word answers, my shoulders hunched defensively.

As we approached the city, however, Bruce’s demeanor changed. His hand moved to rest on the console between us, inches from my leg. I inched closer to the door, creating as much distance as possible in the confined space.

0.23 Sat, May

M

Chapter 278

You know,” he said casually, “I’ve been watching you for some time, Elsa.”

My skin crawled, goosebumps rising on my arms. “Oh?” The word came out strained, barely audible.

“Indeed.” His eyes flickered to me briefly before returning to the road, his gaze lingering on my legs longer than

appropriate. “I find myself quite… taken with you. Love at first sight, if you believe in such things.”

I stared at him, speechless, my mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. My inner voice screamed: What the

actual fuck? His declaration was so unexpected and unwelcome that I couldn’t formulate a response.

Bruce misinterpreted my silence as encouragement. “I know you and Stone is complicated,” he continued, his voice dropping to what he clearly thought was a seductive tone. “But I could offer you so much more. Better terms. More…

freedom.”

His hand moved to my knee, and I jerked away instinctively, my back pressing against the door. “Mr. Wayne, I think you’ve

misunderstood-”

“Bruce, please,” he interrupted, his smile not reaching his eyes, which had turned calculating and cold. “And I don’t think

I’ve misunderstood at all.

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