Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 56

Derek's POV

I removed Erin's arms from around my neck, taking her wrists in my hands instead. Her skin was soft and warm against my palm, so fragile. My wolf immediately responded to the contact, wanting to grip her tighter, but I forced myself to remain in control.

"Why are you so arrogant?" she challenged, her words slurred with intoxication. "Would dancing with me hurt you?"

Her words were fuzzy, and I could smell the alcohol on her breath. My eyes involuntarily glanced toward the young man who had been dancing with her earlier, and a primal anger rose within me. He had dared to touch her. My fingers tightened unconsciously, and then I realized I was gripping her wrists and forced myself to relax slightly.

"You're drunk," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "You should go home."

I tried not to imagine taking her back to my own home, but the thought had already taken root in my mind. Erin swayed slightly from the alcohol, looking more vulnerable than usual, and more tempting. She smiled at me, a smile without her usual guardedness, genuine and unrestrained. In the shifting lights of the club, she looked stunningly beautiful.

My gaze couldn't help but sweep from her face down to her body. The blue dress I had bought her clung to her curves, revealing her figure more than the conservative clothes she usually wore at the office. My throat went dry, and I looked up to scan the room, noticing almost every man in the club was staring at her.

Possessiveness and jealousy burned through me. So many were looking at her, and she was mine. No, not mine. I forced myself to remember that. The Soul Bond was a mistake, a connection we were both resisting.

"Fine," she said, releasing my hand. "You don't want to dance. I'll find another partner."

As she turned away, I felt a surge of panic. My wolf almost howled in protest at letting her walk toward another man. Watching her search for a new dance partner in the crowded floor, I realized I couldn't bear to see her dance with someone else again.

The club lights dimmed, and the music became slower and more sensual. Erin stood there, her gaze following the dancing couples, a longing expression on her face that made my heart race.

My body seemed to have a mind of its own, and before I could fully comprehend what I was doing, I had stepped forward and wrapped my arms around her waist from behind. Her body tensed at my touch, then relaxed, seemingly recognizing my presence. When she turned her head to look at me, her eyes were bright and expectant, her lips curved in a brilliant smile.

"Changed your mind?" she asked, hope in her voice. "You want to dance with me after all?"

"You wanted to dance," I answered, my voice deeper and more husky than I intended. "So we'll dance."

Erin's smile widened, and she turned completely to face me, placing her hands around my neck again. She began to sway with the music, her body pressed against mine. Her curves fit perfectly against me, each touch accelerating my heartbeat. The wolf inside me stirred, craving more.

I couldn't control my impulse to spin her around, pulling her back flush against my chest. This position allowed me complete control and let me breathe in her scent at her neck, where her fragrance was strongest.

She smelled like a garden after rain, mixed with her unique scent, unlike anything I had ever encountered in anyone else. My hands held her hips firmly, feeling her sway with the rhythm.

I lowered my head, my lips almost touching the skin of her neck. I breathed deeply of her scent, fighting the urge to mark her pale skin. Her heartbeat accelerated, and I could feel it through my chest pressed against her back. Knowing I had this effect on her further eroded my self-control.

I felt my body responding to her in the most primal way, and I knew with our close position, she must feel it too. My hands slid up from her hips, my thumbs grazing the outer curve of her breasts. She let out an almost imperceptible gasp, but to my wolf hearing, the sound was clear, traveling straight to my core.

My eyes began to change, and I knew this was a sign of my wolf taking over. This was extremely dangerous in public, but I couldn't control my reaction to her. My muscles tensed, my palms gripping her more firmly, pulling her closer.

"Don't play with my mind, Erin," I whispered in her ear, my voice rough with desire. I wasn't sure if I was talking to her or to myself. She made me lose control, and as an Alpha, losing control was unacceptable.

Yet I couldn't help but graze her earlobe lightly with my teeth, leaving an almost-mark. I wanted to mark her, to let everyone know she was mine. The impulse was so strong that it took all my strength to stop there.

She turned in my embrace to face me, looking up at me, those large eyes no longer carrying the laughter from before. She looked almost shocked, her expression filled with emotion. I worried I had crossed a line, done something she didn't want. I stepped back, giving her space, guilt washing over me.

To my surprise, Erin moved forward, wrapping her arms around me and burying her face against my chest. I could feel her heart racing in time with mine.

Her body was soft against mine, and I had to take a deep breath to maintain my sanity. She smelled so good, felt so right nestled in my arms, as if that was where she belonged.

"I'll take you home," I said, trying to make my voice sound normal. "You don't look well."

She shook her head in protest, nuzzling against my chest. "No, no. Hold me. I can't walk."

I frowned, confused. "You were dancing just fine. Now you can't walk?"

"I just can't," she insisted, clutching my shirt. Her voice had risen, drawing attention from those around us.

I sighed. This was an excuse, and we both knew it. But if the excuse gave me a reason to hold her in my arms, I was willing to go along with it.

I bent down to lift her up, one arm supporting her back, the other under her knees. She was lighter than I had expected, appearing even smaller in my arms.

I made my way through the crowded club, feeling everyone's eyes on us. I didn't care. Let them look. Let them see the Alpha Derek Stone carrying someone in his arms. Let them see that no one could approach a woman who belonged to him.

I searched for her friends. "Where are your friends?" I asked, displeasure evident. "They left you alone with another man. They clearly don't care about you."

Erin let out a small laugh, as if my comment was absurd. "They do care," she countered, her voice soft and fuzzy. "They didn't leave me with just any man. They left me with my Soul Bond."

I stopped abruptly, looking down at her sharply. "You told them about this?" I asked, my voice tense. The Soul Bond was supposed to be private, and we hadn't even accepted it yet. How could she tell others?

She nodded, smiling up at me. "They know what you mean to me. You're my man, my Pack Alpha."

---

Outside the club, my driver immediately spotted me, bringing the black car closer. When he saw me carrying Erin, surprise flashed briefly across his face before he quickly opened the rear door for me.

I carefully placed Erin on the back seat, then sat beside her. She looked exhausted, relaxing almost immediately in the quiet environment of the car. I found myself unable to look away from her.

"Where to, Alpha?" my driver inquired, his eyes meeting mine in the rearview mirror.

Though Erin's eyes were closed, she clearly heard the question. "Please don't take me home. I'll get in trouble for drinking. My mother will be angry."

"Take me home," I decided. My private residence would be the safest option.

On the drive back, I noticed Erin shifting uncomfortably in her seat. She looked so innocent, so unguarded, completely different from how she appeared at the office.

To my surprise, Erin leaned toward me, resting her head against my chest. This simple gesture of intimacy made my heart race. She sighed contentedly, seeming satisfied.

"I want to sleep here," she murmured. "You're warm. You smell good. My wolf likes everything about you."

Erin fell asleep in my arms, her head still resting on my chest. I quietly adjusted her into a more comfortable position but kept her in contact. She smiled slightly in her sleep, snuggling closer.

When we arrived at my private residence, I gently lifted Erin. She remained asleep, completely relaxed. I carried her into the house, heading directly to the guest room. I carefully placed her on the bed, noticing her dress had ridden up, exposing part of her thigh. My gaze lingered involuntarily on that exposed skin before I quickly looked away, retrieving a blanket to cover her.

I turned to leave, but Erin's hand suddenly caught my wrist, pulling me back to her side. The sudden movement made me lose my balance, and I had to bend down to avoid falling on top of her.

"Derek," she mumbled in her half-asleep state, her voice low and husky from alcohol and drowsiness. "Why are you so rude? Can't you see how much I want to be with you?"

My wolf eagerly surged forward, wanting to lean down and kiss her, to show her how much I wanted her too. I gripped the edge of the mattress tightly, my knuckles white with the effort of resisting the impulse.

Before I could formulate any response, Erin had fallen back asleep, her hand still loosely encircling my wrist.

I reached out, brushing a strand of stray hair from her face. My fingers lingered on her soft skin, far longer than they should have. She made a small noise in her sleep, turning her face toward my touch.

"What am I going to do with you, Erin Blackwood?" I whispered softly.