Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 53

Erin's POV

His tone left no room for argument, and I fell silent, stunned by the situation.

The boutique staff guided me into a spacious changing room with several outfits they had selected. I chose a light blue dress that was both elegant and professional, carefully arranging my hair with loose waves pulled back at the sides.

When I emerged from the changing room, both Tom and Derek were waiting. Derek had already changed into a new black and gold shirt that accentuated his powerful physique, making him appear even taller and more imposing.

"Wow!" Tom exclaimed appreciatively as I approached. "She looks beautiful, doesn't she, Alpha?"

Derek's eyes moved slowly over me, taking in every detail. My heart raced under his focused gaze. I could feel his eyes tracing the curve of my waist, the line of my neck, the shape of my lips. It wasn't just his eyes observing me—it felt like a physical touch trailing across my skin. My fingers fidgeted nervously at my sides, and I had to suppress the urge to repeatedly adjust my dress.

"Hmm, not bad," he finally said, his voice low, deeper than usual.

Despite the casualness of his compliment, warmth bloomed in my cheeks, spreading all the way to my neck. His simple words affected me more than elaborate praise from anyone else would have.

My wolf appeared proud under his approval, circling excitedly beneath my skin, almost purring with satisfaction. I found myself unconsciously standing straighter, shoulders back, chin slightly raised—an involuntary response to his approval.

At the register, I made one last attempt to control the situation. "How much do I owe you?" I asked the sales assistant.

The total she quoted made my blood freeze—it was twice my entire savings. How could clothes possibly cost this much?

"Miss, you don't need to pay," the manager calmly interjected. "The Alpha has taken care of the bill."

I turned to Derek. "Alpha, I can't accept all these clothes. I don't need this many."

The manager discreetly cleared his throat. "Miss, the Alpha is the owner of this brand. You don't need to pay. This is charged to his account."

My jaw dropped at this news. Derek owned this brand? The man standing beside me wasn't just the Pack Alpha and CEO of Stone Group—he also owned this luxury clothing line. How many more businesses did he control that I didn't know about?

"Erin, don't worry about it," Tom said gently. "It's from your boss. Let's go."

---

As we walked through the mall toward the exit, I gathered the courage to speak. "Why didn't you tell me this was your company?"

Derek glanced at me sideways, his expression slightly annoyed. "Do I need to tell you everything? As my personal secretary, you don't even know how many companies I own. That's shameful."

His rebuke stung, but he was right. I should have done more research on Stone Group's holdings and subsidiaries.

"These clothes are too expensive," I persisted. "I'll pay you back as soon as I can."

"Really?" Derek raised an eyebrow, skepticism filling his voice. "Do you have the money to pay me back now?"

"I'll work and save up, then pay you back," I promised, my determination unwavering despite his dismissive tone.

"What are you two still talking about?" Tom interrupted. "Let's go. The meeting is about to start."

Derek's expression softened almost imperceptibly. "You don't need to pay me back. Just work hard."

His unexpected generosity caught me off guard. I nodded, suddenly touched by his gift. These weren't just clothes—they were the first present Derek had given me, whatever his reasons might have been. I felt a warmth spreading in my chest that had nothing to do with embarrassment. He could have simply ordered the minimum required for the meeting, but instead, he had unhesitatingly given me an entire wardrobe of high-quality clothing.

Was this merely practical efficiency? A way to ensure his secretary looked appropriate? Or was there something more personal in the gesture? I quickly pushed away the hopeful thought as soon as it formed. He was my boss, my Alpha. Nothing more. Still, I silently vowed to cherish these clothes and work even harder to prove myself worthy of his trust.

Back in the car, Tom handed me a small bag. "Here, put these on."

Inside was a pair of black high heels with signature red soles. I had seen these shoes in magazines—they were among the most coveted luxury footwear in the world.

"When did you buy these?" I asked in surprise.

"Just put them on," Tom answered with a smile.

I carefully removed my plain flats and slipped on the heels. They fit perfectly, as if they had been custom-made for me. I couldn't help wondering if Derek somehow knew my shoe size, or if Tom had just guessed correctly.

As I adjusted my dress after putting on the shoes, I noticed Derek's gaze briefly landing on my legs before he quickly turned to look out the window. The intensity in that momentary glance sent a shiver through my entire body. This wasn't just an observational scan—there was heat in it, a flash of something primal that made me hold my breath.

Feeling self-conscious, I tugged my dress lower, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. My wolf stirred eagerly, responding to his attention in ways that both confused and excited me. This push and pull between us was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. One moment he was cold and distant, the next he was looking at me like... like I was something he wanted. The thought made my heart race.

---

The restaurant we arrived at was familiar—the same upscale establishment where I had encountered Derek in the women's restroom after my dismissal. Remembering his tongue healing my bruised cheek made my skin tingle, and I struggled to maintain my composure as we entered.

Just like at the boutique, everyone in the restaurant seemed to recognize Derek immediately. The staff bowed respectfully, and the manager personally rushed forward to greet us.

"Alpha Stone, welcome. Your private room is ready," he said, leading us through the main dining area.

We followed him to a secluded section of the restaurant, where he opened the door to a luxurious private dining room. Three men were already seated at the table. They all stood as we entered, and I immediately felt their power—they were Alphas from other packs.

As the only female in the room, I felt distinctly out of place. I quickly moved slightly behind Derek, focusing on organizing the documents I had brought for the meeting.

"Alpha Stone," one of them greeted, extending his hand. "Thank you for arranging this meeting."

Derek shook hands with each Alpha, and although they were quite powerful themselves, his presence dominated the room. He took his seat at the head of the table, his posture relaxed yet authoritative.

I stood beside Derek, quietly arranging the necessary files for the meeting. As I organized the documents, I felt the weight of curious gazes.

"I see," one of the visiting Alphas said with a knowing smile, "you have a charming secretary. Is this why Alpha Derek is always buried in work, unable to focus on his personal life?"

At his words, my hands stilled, heat rushing to my cheeks. The implication in his tone was unmistakable, suggesting some improper relationship between Derek and me. I didn't dare look up, afraid my expression might betray the truth—that just hours ago, we had nearly kissed in his office.

Derek's response, if he made one, was lost in the sound of blood rushing in my ears. This was exactly what I had feared—that my presence at Derek's side would spark speculation and gossip, not just within Stone Group but among other pack leaders as well.

As I stood there, acutely aware of every gaze in the room, I couldn't help wondering what I had gotten myself into. Being Derek's personal secretary meant being thrust into his world—a world of power, luxury, and politics that I was ill-prepared for.

Yet despite the discomfort, part of me felt strangely exhilarated. For the first time in my life, I was standing in a room with the most powerful werewolves in our region, not as an overlooked Omega, but as someone with purpose, in a position directly connected to the Pack Alpha.

The Soul Bond between us seemed charged with awareness in that moment, my wolf responding to the electrified atmosphere, stirring beneath my skin. Whatever complications our connection might bring, I was now irrevocably part of Derek's world.

I glanced up inadvertently, seeking some form of reassurance in this unfamiliar territory, only to find myself looking directly into Derek's eyes. He had been watching me.

The intensity of his gaze caught me off guard—his gray eyes had darkened, pupils dilated, with unmistakable hunger burning in them.

This wasn't just an Alpha's calculating look or an employer's evaluating glance—this was primal, powerful desire, raw and intense.