Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 65

Erin's POV

My heart raced. This had to be from Derek. The message about scents—he must be referring to how werewolves detect emotions through smell. And somehow, he knew that the Enforcer observers were watching me.

I carefully put my phone away, still feeling the observer's gaze on me. When I glanced in his direction, I noticed he was checking his own phone. A moment later, he stood up and quietly left the classroom.

The coincidence seemed too perfect to be just that. Was Derek somehow connected to the observers' presence today?

After my final class, I stopped at my locker to get the books I needed for the assignment. As I closed the metal door and turned, I found Bradley leaning against the adjacent locker, effectively trapping me between the wall and his extended arm.

"Erin," he greeted with a smile that might once have made my heart race but now only filled me with wariness.

I stepped back, maintaining what little distance I could. "What do you want, Bradley?"

He held up a small USB flash drive in his hand. "I heard your computer broke down. Such bad luck."

I narrowed my eyes. "How did you know about that?"

His smile widened. "Never mind how I know. Fortunately for you, I happen to have backups of all your files from the last time I... borrowed your laptop."

Shock and anger exploded simultaneously as I realized what he was implying. "You hacked my computer?"

"'Hacked' is such a strong word," Bradley replied, twirling the USB between his fingers. "I prefer to think of it as 'caring.' After all, isn't it fortunate that you need these files now?"

I stared at him, suspicious that he might have caused my laptop's malfunction. It seemed too convenient that he happened to have my files just when my computer broke down.

"Give it to me," I said, reaching for the USB.

Bradley moved it away, holding it out of my reach. "You didn't respond to my text yesterday. I thought we were ready for a fresh start."

I ignored his comment, focusing on the USB. "Did you break my computer?"

Bradley's smile never faltered. "Why would I do that? I'm trying to help you, Erin."

He leaned closer, and I could smell his expensive cologne—a scent that once comforted me but now made me want to recoil. His free hand grabbed my wrist, holding it firmly.

"I still love you," he said suddenly, his voice dropping to almost a whisper. "I know you better than he does. I'm better for you."

Before I could respond, Amy's voice cut through the tension. "Bradley, let her go." She stood a few steps away with Vanessa beside her, both looking ready for a confrontation.

Jack appeared behind them, his posture stiff, the air thick with werewolf energy.

Recognizing the brewing conflict, I stepped forward, grabbing Bradley's arm and pulling him toward the exit. "Not here," I hissed, acutely aware of an Enforcer observer watching from across the hall.

Outside, the evening sun cast long shadows across the campus lawn. I released Bradley's arm and turned to face him, making sure we were far enough from the building for privacy but still within sight of others for safety.

"What do you want, Bradley?" I demanded. "Besides these childish threats."

He stepped closer, his expression suddenly sincere. "You. I've only ever wanted you back, Erin. The USB was just an excuse."

"Stop," I said sharply, "I don't have time for this nonsense. My brother will be back from training camp soon, and you know what he'll do to you."

Bradley's eyes hardened. "Are you this cold with him too? My brother? Does Derek enjoy your stubbornness?"

The mention of Derek's name from Bradley's lips sparked a protective surge. "He's nothing like you," I responded fiercely. "Even if I wanted to, I couldn't show him this side of me. He sees the real me."

"You can't be with him," Bradley insisted, lowering his voice. "The pack will never accept such a union. You know our traditions."

I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze directly. "We're together now. The Soul Bond transcends tradition. So don't try to interfere."

"What if I do?" Bradley challenged. "What will you do? Tell Derek to kill me?"

"I'll tell my Soul Bond that another man is bothering me," I answered calmly. "Then let him decide how to handle it."

A dark light flashed in Bradley's eyes. "You only know CEO Derek. You haven't seen Pack Alpha Derek yet. He can order killings without hesitation."

I felt a chill at his words. "You're just trying to scare me."

Bradley leaned closer. "You think the Enforcer training camp is just about learning pack laws? Your brother Aaron was sent to carry out special missions—Derek's dark orders that can't be traced back to him."

I gasped. Aaron, involved in dangerous or unethical things? I couldn't—wouldn't—believe it.

"You're lying," I said, though uncertainty had already crept into my voice.

Bradley's expression softened, becoming almost regretful. "I hope so. For your sake." He pressed the USB flash drive into my palm. "Take it. You need these files."

As his fingers closed over mine, he added softly, "I won't give up on you, Erin. Someday you'll thank me."

He walked away, leaving me standing there with the USB in my hand, his disturbing words echoing in my mind.

---

In the evening light, Stone Group headquarters' sleek glass exterior gleamed as I approached. Normally, the building's modern architecture would fill me with purpose and pride, but today, Bradley's words about Derek and my brother cast a shadow over everything.

The lobby was busier than usual. What appeared to be a small fashion show was taking place in the atrium—models walking a temporary runway in striking outfits while photographers captured every moment.

As I walked toward the elevator, I spotted Claire among the crowd. When she saw me, her perfect features automatically adjusted into a practiced smile that didn't reach her eyes.

Before I could respond, a tall woman in an impeccable black suit approached us. She moved with elegant confidence, effortlessly drawing attention.

"You must be Erin Blackwood," she said, her voice cultured and smooth. "I'm Cassandra Morgan, a fashion designer collaborating with Stone Group on a new line. Derek is expecting me. Would you mind taking me to him?"

"Of course," I replied professionally, though uncomfortable under her scrutiny.

In the elevator, Cassandra stood closer than necessary, her gaze never leaving my face. "Tell me, Erin, what is your family lineage? The Blackwoods have been part of the Darkwood Pack for generations, haven't they?"

"Yes," I answered cautiously. "My family has served the pack for many generations."

She nodded thoughtfully. "I can see it in your features. Old bloodlines have... unique qualities."

As the elevator ascended, Cassandra suddenly said, "Omega blood has a distinctive energy. Especially those with a Soul Bond to an Alpha."

I nearly stumbled, steadying myself against the elevator wall. "I don't know what you mean," I managed to say, my heart racing.

Cassandra merely smiled, the knowing look in her eyes sending a chill through me.

---

When we entered, Derek's office was unusually dim, the blinds half-drawn against the setting sun. He stood smoking by the window, his back to us, shoulders tense beneath his perfectly tailored suit.

"Alpha," Cassandra murmured, stepping into the room with familiar ease. "I see you still enjoy contemplating by the window."

Derek didn't turn immediately. When he finally did, his expression was carefully controlled, though I caught a momentary flash of gold in his eyes—his wolf close to the surface.

"Cassandra," he acknowledged with a brief nod. His gaze shifted briefly to me, unfathomable yet intense.

"I'll leave if there's nothing else," I said softly, turning toward the door.

"Stay," Derek commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Cassandra moved behind Derek, her hand lightly settling on his shoulder. She took the cigarette from his hand, lighting her own, her eyes never leaving my face throughout the exchange.

"Remember our nights at Darkwood Estate?" she asked Derek, exhaling a thin stream of smoke. "When we finished that bottle of 1942 whiskey in your bedroom with that beautiful view of the forest?"

Each casual reference to their shared past stung me. Derek remained silent, but I noticed the tightening of his jaw and the way his fingers curled into fists at his sides.

I tried to focus on setting up my notebook, pretending her words weren't affecting me, but my hands trembled slightly as I arranged the pages.

"I think I should wait outside," I said, unable to bear the tension any longer.

"I haven't given you permission to leave," Derek repeated, his voice hard. The dangerous light in his eyes made me pause.

She laughed, a musical sound with an edge of menace. "You've always been a coward about certain things, Alpha. Too afraid to admit you've found your Soul Bond."

The atmosphere in the room instantly changed. Derek moved with supernatural speed, his hand encircling Cassandra's throat, pinning her against the wall. "How dare you speak to your Alpha like that?" he growled, his voice hardly human.

I rushed forward without thinking. "Alpha, please! Don't hurt her!"

But to my shock, despite Derek's grip on her throat, Cassandra was smiling. More alarming still were her eyes—which I had thought were dark brown—now glowing with an unearthly violet light. Purple electricity danced between her fingers, energy swirling across her skin.

"She's a witch," I gasped.