Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 11

Erin's POV

Finally, Lily concluded her presentation. "Thank you for your attention. I believe this model represents a significant step forward in how we manage our territories, balancing tradition with innovation." She gave the audience a dazzling smile. "I'm happy to answer any questions."

The applause was enthusiastic. Several students even stood, clearly impressed by what they believed was Lily's work. I felt sick to my stomach.

"Excellent presentation, Miss Winters," Professor Williams said, joining her at the podium. "A fascinating approach to resource management. Judges, do you have any questions?"

Two judges asked a few technical questions, which Lily answered with practiced ease—using my answers, of course. Then all eyes turned to Derek.

"I have no questions at this time," he said, his deep voice sending an involuntary shiver down my spine despite my anger.

Lily's smile faltered slightly. She'd clearly been hoping for praise from the Alpha.

"Very well," Professor said. "Thank you, Miss Winters. Our next presenter is Erin Blackwood with her project on—" he paused, glancing at his notes with a frown. "It seems we have the same topic listed. Well, I'm sure Miss Blackwood's approach will be different."

A ripple of confused murmurs spread through the audience. Several people turned to look at me, curiosity and suspicion in their eyes.

Lily returned to her seat, shooting me a triumphant smirk as she passed. "Good luck following that," she whispered, just loud enough for me to hear.

I stood on shaky legs, my mind racing. What was I supposed to do now? My entire presentation had just been given by someone else. If I tried to present the same material, everyone would think I was the one who had copied.

"What should I do?" I asked Amy, panic rising in my chest.

"Then go up there and tell them," Amy urged.

But would anyone believe me? It would be my word against Lily's, and she was from a prominent Pack family. I was just an Omega wolf from a family with no real standing.

\---

As I walked toward the stage, I could feel the weight of dozens of eyes on me, including Derek's. My wolf stirred restlessly, torn between the desire to flee and the urge to prove myself to my mate.

"Miss Blackwood," Professor Williams said, gesturing toward the podium. "The floor is yours."

I swallowed hard, stepping up to face the audience. My hands trembled as I plugged in my USB drive. I had to at least try. Maybe I could emphasize the differences in our approaches, highlight aspects of the research that Lily might have glossed over. I couldn't just give up without a fight.

"Good morning," I began, my voice surprisingly steady despite the turmoil within. "Today I'd like to discuss—"

The screen behind me suddenly flickered to life, but instead of my carefully prepared slides, a photo appeared.

My heart stopped.

It was a picture of Bradley and me from months ago, his arm around my waist as we smiled at the camera. Then another photo appeared, this one of us kissing beneath a tree at the Darkwood Estate during one of the Pack gatherings.

"What is this?" I whispered, turning to look at the screen in confusion.

More photos appeared in quick succession—private moments from my relationship with Bradley. Some I recognized, others must have been taken without my knowledge. With each new image, the whispers in the audience grew louder, shifting from confusion to amusement to outright mockery.

Then text appeared on the screen, superimposed over a particularly intimate photo:

\[I love you, Bradley. Even though we broke up, I still love you. But I want your brother too. What Omega could resist the powerful Pack Alpha?\]

The auditorium erupted into chaos. Laughter, gasps, and shocked exclamations filled the air. I stood frozen at the podium, unable to move, unable to speak, as my private life was displayed for everyone to see.

My gaze automatically searched for Derek. His face had hardened into a mask of cold fury, his eyes flashing dangerously. For one terrifying moment, I thought they might have shifted to his wolf's golden color.

"Miss Blackwood!" Professor Williams's voice cut through the noise. He stepped forward, his expression a mixture of shock and displeasure. "What is the meaning of this? This is completely inappropriate!"

"I didn't—this isn't—" I stammered, but my words were drowned out by the increasing volume of laughter and jeers.

"An Omega trying to seduce both Stone brothers!"

"Talk about ambitious!"

"Does she think she can actually be the Alpha's mate?"

I looked around desperately, seeking any supportive face in the crowd, but found only mockery and disgust.

Amy and Jack sat stunned, their expressions shifting between sympathy and embarrassment.

Professor quickly stepped to the computer, attempting to shut down the presentation, but the images had been seen, the words read.

"This behavior is absolutely unacceptable," he announced, his voice stern. "Not only does it demonstrate a complete lack of respect for this competition, but it shows a blatant disregard for our traditions and hierarchy."

I finally managed to find my voice. "Professor, please, I didn't do this. Someone must have—"

"Enough!" he cut me off. "I don't know what you hoped to accomplish with this display, but attempting to embarrass the Alpha and his family in such a public manner is beyond inappropriate. It reflects poorly not just on you, but on the entire academy."

I felt tears burning behind my eyes but refused to let them fall. I would not give them the satisfaction of seeing me cry.

From the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Lily, watching the spectacle with barely concealed delight.

My wolf rose to the surface, a growl building in my chest. I could feel my canines lengthening slightly, my vision sharpening as my wolf's senses began to take over. The urge to shift, to leap across the auditorium and tear into both of them, was almost overwhelming.

"Miss Blackwood, please leave the stage immediately," Professor ordered, apparently noticing the dangerous shift in my demeanor.

I gripped the sides of the podium so hard my knuckles turned white, forcing my wolf back down with every ounce of control I possessed.

With as much dignity as I could muster, I unplugged my USB drive and walked off the stage. The laughter and whispers followed me down the aisle as I headed for the exit.

"Pathetic omega," someone said in a disgusted voice as I passed.

"Did she really think she had a chance with the Alpha?"

"Some wolves just don't know their place."

\---

I pushed through the doors and stumbled into the empty hallway, gasping for breath. My entire body was shaking, adrenaline and rage and shame coursing through me in equal measure.

I'd spent six months trying to rebuild my life after the Soul Bond incident. Six months of keeping my head down, focusing on my studies, doing everything possible to avoid drawing attention to myself. And in less than five minutes, Lily had destroyed it all.

The worst part was that Derek had witnessed the whole thing. Whatever slim chance I might have had of him seeing me as something more than an inconvenient complication was now completely obliterated.

Footsteps sounded behind me, and I turned to see Amy and Jack rushing out of the auditorium.

"Erin, wait!" Amy called, her face filled with concern.

"Don't," I warned, backing away. My wolf was still too close to the surface, too dangerous. "I need to be alone right now."

"But that wasn't your fault! We know you didn't do that," Jack insisted. "We should go back in and tell everyone—"

"And who would believe us?" I laughed bitterly. "Look, I appreciate it, but I just... I need some space."

Without waiting for their response, I turned and ran down the hallway, my vision blurring with tears I refused to shed.

I had dreamed of the day Derek might see me as something more than an inconvenient complication, maybe even recognize something of value in me.

Instead, he'd watched as I was reduced to a desperate, pathetic omega who couldn't accept her place in the hierarchy. The thought made my chest ache with a pain so raw it felt physical.

My legs trembled as I ran, each breath coming in ragged gasps that were half-sobs. The walls of the hallway seemed to press in on me, the fluorescent lights suddenly too bright, too exposing. I couldn't hide here. I couldn't hide anywhere.

Everyone would know by tomorrow. The whispers would follow me through every corridor, every classroom. "There she goes—the omega who thought she could mate with an Alpha." "Poor thing, doesn't understand her place." "Did you see how the Alpha looked at her? Like she was nothing."

My wolf thrashed violently inside me, no longer content to be controlled. I could feel her clawing her way to the surface, desperate to escape the human pain, to fight back against those who had humiliated us. My fingernails began to sharpen into claws, my canines lengthening as I fought a losing battle for control.

I needed air. I needed space. I needed to be anywhere but here.

I rounded a corner at full speed, vision tunneling, lungs burning, only to crash hard into something solid—someone solid. Strong fingers closed around my wrist in an iron grip, stopping my desperate flight.

"Watch where you're going," a deep, familiar voice growled.