Alpha's Private Plaything (Elsa and Drake Stone) novel Chapter 57

Chapter 57

Elsa

The Stone family compound was lit up with warm lights as I pulled into the long driveway.

I smoothed my dress and checked my appearance in the rearview mirror. Despite the hospital stay, I looked presentable enough-though the dark circles under my eyes told a different story. Taking a deep breath, I grabbed the pastry box and gift bag and headed for the entrance.

Just get through this. Smile, be polite, then get the hell out of here.

The dinner was already in full swing when I arrived. Pack members filled the large dining room, arranged according to their status. Drake sat at the head of the table with his father, Marcus, to his right. Unlike what I expected, Vera wasn’t present- apparently he’d only dropped her off at home before coming here. Drake was focused on his phone, his thumbs moving rapidly over the screen. Texting her, no doubt, even though he’d just left her.

Fucking pathetic.

Several heads turned as I entered, a ripple of whispers following in my wake. Mrs. Stone spotted me from across the room and hurried over, her face lighting up.

“Elsa, dear! You made it!” She embraced me warmly, taking the pastry box. “These look wonderful. Come, I’ve saved you a

seat.”

She led me to the table, to a spot not far from Drake. As I approached, his head snapped up, eyes widening slightly as they met mine. For a moment, something that looked almost like guilt flashed across his face. Then his expression hardened back into its familiar mask of indifference.

Too late for guilt, asshole.

“You’re late,” he said coldly.

The audacity nearly took my breath away. I’m the one who’s late? After he stood me up? My wolf bristled, a growl building in my throat that I barely managed to suppress.

“I waited for you in the parking lot for over half an hour,” I replied, keeping my voice level despite the anger simmering

beneath. “You never showed up.”

He shrugged, not even bothering to apologize. “I forgot. I had to drive Vera home to change first.”

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Chapter 57

Forgot. Like I was so insignificant that my existence could simply slip his mind. The casual cruelty of it stole my breath.

*Elsa!” Marcus Stone’s deep voice broke through my thoughts. The older Alpha’s face was lined with concern. “I heard you were in the hospital. Are you feeling better now?”

“Yes, thank you, Mr. Stone,” I replied, forcing a smile. “Just a little tired.”

“And is it true you’re planning to leave the company?” One of the pack elders called from further down the table. “There are rumors you’ve been talking to the Moon Shadow pack.”

The table fell silent, all eyes on me. I could feel Drake’s gaze burning into the side of my face.

This is it. My chance to finally tell everyone I’m done being Drake’s doormat.

“I-‘

“Of course not,” Drake cut in smoothly. “Elsa has simply been unwell and needed some time off. She’s not going anywhere.”

The possessiveness in his voice sent a shiver down my spine. It wasn’t concern-it was ownership. His eyes, when I dared to meet them, held that predatory gleam I knew all too well. The look that said: You’re mine, and I decide when you leave.

Fuck you and your possessive bullshit, I thought, even as my treacherous body responded to his dominance. I’m not your

property.

“Actually-” I began, ready to contradict him, to announce my plans to leave once our contract ended.

“Eat your dinner, Elsa,” Drake commanded, his voice dropping to that Alpha timbre that made my knees weak despite my best

efforts. “You need to regain your strength.”

The conversation moved on, but the message was clear. Drake had no intention of letting me go, contract or no contract.

I stabbed at my food, hating Drake for his control over me, hating myself for still responding to his call like the obedient omega I’d sworn I would no longer be.

After the tense dinner conversation, I excused myself and headed to the bathroom, needing a moment alone. The heaviness in my lower abdomen was becoming unbearable again. I leaned against the wall in a quiet corridor, trying to steady my

breathing.

Fuck, it hurts. Everything hurts.

“Elsa, dear?” Mrs. Stone’s warm voice startled me. “Are you alright? You look terribly pale.”

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Chapter 57

I straightened immediately, forcing a smile. “I’m fine, Mrs. Stone. Just a little tired.”

She frowned, her keen eyes taking in my appearance. “Nonsense. Come with me.”

She led me to a small sitting room and pulled a small pouch from her pocket. “This is a special herbal blend. It will help with

the pain and bleeding.”

My eyes widened. How did she know about that?

Shit. Does everyone know about my humiliating hospital trip?

“Drake mentioned you were in the hospital,” she explained, reading my expression. “I’ve been making these remedies for generations of our pack women.”

“Thank you,” I murmured, accepting the pouch. The gesture touched me more than I wanted to admit. My throat tightened

unexpectedly.

Mrs. Stone patted my hand. “You know, the family has always appreciated your capabilities, Elsa. You’ve been an invaluable asset to both Drake and the company.” She smiled warmly. “And frankly, as long as Drake is happy with you, that’s what

matters.”

Her words, meant to be kind, cut deeper than any knife. Asset. That’s all I was to them-to him. An asset. Never a true mate,

never family.

“Mrs. Stone,” I said carefully, “I think you misunderstand. Drake and I….. we’re not…” The words caught in my throat. What

were we, really?

We’re nothing. I’m nothing to him. Just a body to warm his bed and a brain to organize his life.

She patted my hand again. “Oh, I know how private Drake is about his personal affairs. But your time together speaks for

itself, doesn’t it?”

I didn’t have the heart to correct her, to explain that Drake had never seen me as anything more than a temporary contract mate. And now, I no longer harbored any illusions about a future with him.

It’s almost funny how everyone assumes we have something real. When all we have is a contract written in disappearing ink.

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Chapter 57

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