Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 52

Erin's POV

"No, no, it's fine," I quickly said, though my cheeks burned with embarrassment. I had nearly kissed the Pack Alpha—my boss—and now two men were discussing my clothing as if I wasn't even present.

Derek's gray eyes critically scanned my simple blouse and skirt. "Do you think this outfit is appropriate for a pack meeting?"

I looked down at my clothes—neat, clean, and the best I could afford on a student budget. I had always prided myself on maintaining a professional appearance with my limited wardrobe, but under Derek's scrutiny, I suddenly felt inadequate.

My stomach tightened with embarrassment. Did he think I was deliberately dressing inappropriately? Or worse, did he think I couldn't grasp basic professional standards? The thought made me feel small, and my wolf curled up inside me.

Beta Tom stood a few steps away, his observant eyes moving between Derek and me. His gaze lingered on Derek's coffee-stained shirt, a playful smile tugging at his lips.

"Alpha, what happened to your shirt? Does your shirt enjoy espresso too?" he asked, clearly trying to lighten the mood.

Annoyance flashed in Derek's eyes. "Shut up. Let's go. I don't have time for your nonsense."

His sharp tone made me flinch. Whatever moment we had shared before Tom's arrival had completely vanished, leaving only tension in its wake. Derek had transformed back into the cold, distant Alpha, and I was once again just his secretary—an incompetent one who spilled coffee on him and nearly crossed a line that should never be crossed.

Just minutes ago, I had been so close to him, looking into his eyes, feeling his breath on my face. Now he wouldn't even look at me. It hurt more than it should have.

After all, why should I care if my boss was irritated with me? But the Soul Bond between us complicated everything, intensifying every interaction, every harsh word, every cold glance. My wolf whimpered inside me, confused by his sudden change in demeanor.

---

As we left Derek's office and walked toward the elevator, I positioned myself slightly behind the two men, trying to make myself as inconspicuous as possible. The hallway seemed longer than usual, each step sinking me deeper into that uncomfortable silence.

To my surprise, Tom slowed his pace to walk beside me, adjusting his stride to match mine.

"I never had the chance to chat with you," he said friendly, "but Mark mentions you sometimes. He says you're a hardworking girl."

His unexpected kindness caught me off guard. "That's nice of him."

Tom smiled, his expression warm and genuine. "Your brother Aaron will be released from the enforcer training camp in four months."

At the mention of my brother, my head snapped up, my face immediately brightening with a wide smile. "Yes." That simple word carried all my excitement and anticipation.

Aaron had been sent to the enforcer training camp shortly after the Soul Bond incident. As a trainee Pack Enforcer, he was isolated from regular pack activities, dedicating himself fully to developing the skills needed to maintain order and execute the Alpha's commands. I missed him terribly and had been counting the days until his return.

From the corner of my eye, I noticed Derek watching me. His gaze lingered on my smile, his brow slightly furrowed as if my happiness somehow troubled him. His jaw tightened, and he suddenly turned away, pressing the elevator button with more force than necessary.

The moment we stepped into the Stone Group lobby, the atmosphere noticeably changed. Employees immediately lowered their heads in respect as Derek passed, some even taking a few steps back to clear his path. The power he commanded without saying a word was astonishing.

I watched him stride confidently through his territory like a king in his court—confident, powerful, untouchable. His broad shoulders remained perfectly straight, his expression impassive. This was the Pack Alpha in his domain, and everyone acknowledged his supremacy.

A chill ran through my body as the reality of who Derek truly was hit me again. This man, whose chest I had been blowing on minutes ago, whose lips had nearly touched mine, was the leader of the Darkwood Pack—practically royalty in our world.

Erin, how could you be so careless? The Alpha is the king of the Darkwood Pack.

What had almost happened in his office weighed heavily on my shoulders. If Tom hadn't knocked when he did... I pushed the thought away, unwilling to consider the implications.

---

In the car, Tom gestured for me to sit beside Derek in the back seat. As I slid onto the leather seat, my heart rate accelerated, and I carefully maintained as much distance as possible. I kept my head down, staring intently at my hands folded in my lap, too nervous to make eye contact with Derek.

The silence felt oppressive until Tom broke it from the front seat, discussing business matters with Derek.

"After this meeting, you'll need to sign some cooperation contracts," Tom said, checking his tablet. "The legal team has reviewed everything and offered their recommendations."

Derek nodded, his attention seemingly focused on the scenery passing outside the window. "Did they address the concerns about the supply chain?"

"Yes, Alpha. They've added additional clauses to protect our interests."

I listened to their conversation, mentally noting points about the contracts. As Derek's secretary, I would likely need to follow up on these matters later. Focusing on work helped distract me from the awkwardness of sitting beside him, especially after our near-kiss.

Throughout the journey, I was acutely aware of Derek's presence—the subtle scent of cedar and leather that clung to him, the warmth radiating from his body, the power that seemed to pulse from him even when he was still.

Whenever the car turned or stopped suddenly, our shoulders or knees would briefly touch, sending electricity through my body. Each accidental contact made my skin tingle, my heart rate quickening.

My wolf moved restlessly beneath my skin, longing to be closer to him despite my determination to maintain professional distance. She didn't understand—or care about—the complexities of our working relationship or the fact that there could never be anything personal between us.

She only knew that her mate was inches away, and she wanted to close that gap. I fought against her impulses with all my strength, forcing myself to focus on the buildings passing outside the window rather than the man sitting beside me.

The car eventually stopped in front of one of the most exclusive shopping centers in the city. Through the tinted windows, I could see the gleaming facades of high-end boutiques displaying luxury items I had only seen in magazines.

I remained seated, momentarily stunned, staring at the luxurious storefronts. The realization that we were stopping here to shop for me felt unreal. Places like this were meant for the elite of our society—for people like Derek, not for an Omega like me who carefully planned every expenditure.

"What are you hesitating for? Don't waste my time," Derek's voice interrupted my thoughts.

I blinked, startled from my reverie. "No, Alpha. I'm just a bit nervous because this is my first time here."

His expression remained impassive as he exited the car, clearly expecting me to follow without further delay.

---

The moment we entered the boutique, all activity immediately ceased. The staff instantly stood at attention, turning toward Derek, bowing respectfully. A well-dressed man—presumably the manager—hurried forward, his expression a mixture of surprise and delight.

"Alpha! What an unexpected honor," he exclaimed, his voice low with respect. "Please, sit down. Tell me how I can assist you."

Derek remained standing, his posture relaxed yet commanding. "She needs some clothes. Bring her the new collection for this season."

The manager turned to me, his appraising gaze sweeping over my simple attire before he smiled warmly. "Of course, miss. You can choose from our finest selection."

Within minutes, I was surrounded by racks of elegant clothing in various styles and colors. Each item screamed luxury, from the exquisite fabrics to the impeccable tailoring. When I hesitantly checked the price tag on a simple top, my eyes widened—it cost more than my entire month's salary at Stone Group.

"This one," I said softly, selecting the most conservative and least expensive option I could find—a minimalist white blouse with minimal embellishments.

Tom, who had been watching from the sidelines, clearly amused, chuckled and said, "It seems Erin wants to match with you, Alpha. Couple outfits?"

I glanced at Derek's white shirt, mortified by Tom's insinuation. Before I could protest, Derek spoke.

"Pack all of these for her," he commanded, gesturing to the entire collection that had been brought out.

"No, I don't need all these clothes," I objected, alarmed by his extravagance.

Derek's eyes met mine, his expression unreadable. "If you're going to represent me at pack meetings, you certainly do."