Chapter 236

Chapter 236
Elsa

After the meeting with the Watsons, I watched Drake across the table at Pinnacle Restaurant, his amber eyes gleaming with something that looked dangerously close to triumph. He seemed to have recovered from his illness.

The elegant lighting cast shadows across his sharp features, highlighting the predatory intensity I'd come to both fear and crave. My fingers tapped nervously against the tablecloth, betraying the anxiety churning in my stomach.

"You know I can make sure you walk away from this unscathed," Drake said, his deep voice carrying easily over the soft background music. "The Watsons won't touch you again."

I raised an eyebrow, cradling my glass of water so tightly my knuckles whitened. "Is that so? And how exactly would you manage that?" The sarcasm dripped from my voice like honey laced with poison.

A smirk played at the corner of his mouth. "Did you really think I hadn't set things in motion the moment they targeted you?" He leaned forward, his scent—sandalwood and alpha musk—washing over me like a goddamn tidal wave. "I've been three steps ahead this entire time, Elsa."

The realization that he'd been working behind the scenes to protect me shouldn't have surprised me, yet it did. Drake never did anything without careful calculation. I wondered how many pieces he'd moved on this elaborate chessboard while I'd been struggling just to stay fucking standing.

"Well, it doesn't matter now," I said, straightening my shoulders and flicking my hair back with a sharp motion. "I've accepted their settlement. The money's already been transferred."

His eyes narrowed slightly. "You took their offer?"

"Yes. One million and the condo." I took a sip of water, watching his reaction carefully, a flutter of satisfaction warming my chest at his surprise. "It seemed the most practical solution."

Drake studied me with those piercing eyes that always made me feel like he was seeing straight through my defenses. I shifted uncomfortably, crossing and uncrossing my legs under the table. Then he chuckled, a rare sound that sent an unexpected warmth through my chest and straight to my core.

"You've always been smarter than people give you credit for," he said, his tone almost admiring. "You managed to deceive even me. If you can fool an Alpha, what chance do those ordinary wolves stand?"

Despite myself, I felt the corner of my mouth twitch upward. My chest tightened with an emotion I refused to name. This side of Drake—the one that acknowledged my capabilities, that showed a hint of humor—was rare and disarming. For a moment, I allowed myself to bask in the small victory of earning his respect.

"I'm a better liar than I used to be," I admitted, tracing the rim of my glass with my fingertip. "I learned from the best, you manipulative bastard."

His eyes darkened at that, pupils dilating with something primal, and he leaned closer. The air between us shifted, charged with something electric and dangerous. Before I could react, Drake had moved from his seat, circling the table until he stood beside me.

"I've missed this," he murmured, one hand coming to rest on the back of my chair, just brushing my shoulders, sending shivers racing down my spine. "The way your mind works. Your defiance."

My heart hammered against my ribs like it was trying to escape. Every nerve ending in my body seemed to vibrate with awareness of his proximity. I needed to leave before I did something stupid—again. Fuck. Why did he still affect me this way?

"I should go," I said, standing abruptly and grabbing my purse, nearly knocking over my water glass in my haste. "It's getting late, and I'm sick of your games."

Drake's expression shifted, something predatory flickering in his eyes as he watched me retreat. I made my way toward the exit, walking briskly through the restaurant's dim hallway, my heels clicking loudly on the polished floor. The sound of steady footsteps behind me confirmed what I already knew—he was following me like a damn wolf stalking its prey.

I quickened my pace, but his longer stride easily kept up. When I reached a quiet stretch of hallway, frustration and embarrassment boiled over, heating my cheeks and making my hands tremble.

"Stop following me, goddammit!" I snapped, whirling around to face him, jabbing a finger at his chest. "Go back to your home, Drake. Go back to your perfect life with your perfect pack. Leave me the fuck alone!"

Instead of backing off, he closed the distance between us in two long strides. Before I could react, his strong hands gripped my waist, pulling me against his chest so forcefully I gasped. I inhaled sharply as he buried his face in my hair, his lips brushing against my temple, his breath hot against my skin.

"No," he said simply, the word vibrating through his chest and into mine. "Where you are is where I want to be."

"I'm not going to make up with you," I said, trying to sound firm despite the way my body betrayed me by leaning into his warmth, my hands splaying against his chest in a half-hearted attempt to push him away. "Not after everything you've done."

Drake pulled back just enough to look into my eyes, his lips curving into a confident smile that made my stomach flip and heat pool between my legs. "I haven't even started trying to win you back yet, baby. And when I do..." His thumb traced my lower lip, sending sparks of electricity racing through me. "You might just fall for it."

My protest died in my throat as he guided me toward the exit, his hand firm on the small of my back. In the parking lot, I fumbled for my phone, fingers trembling as I intended to call a ride, when the sleek black Porsche pulled up beside us.

"I didn't drive here," I said lamely, as if that would somehow deter him. I bit my lip hard, tasting the metallic tang of blood.

"I know," Drake replied, opening the passenger door and ushering me inside with a gentle but firm hand at the small of my back that brooked no argument.