Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 66

Erin's POV

Derek's hand gripped Cassandra's throat firmly, his fingers applying just enough pressure to make his point. My body reacted instinctively—I reached out to grab his wrist, trying to pull his hand away.

"Alpha, please!" I pleaded, my voice barely above a whisper.

A low, dangerous growl emanated from deep within Derek's chest. The sound sent an involuntary shiver through me, my wolf immediately responding to his dominance. He didn't look at me, but the message was unmistakable. His powerful fingers remained locked around Cassandra's throat, though I noticed he wasn't using enough force to truly hurt her.

"I take back my words, Alpha," Cassandra conceded, her violet eyes still flickering with that unnatural light. "You were never a coward."

The gold in Derek's eyes flashed, and then he finally released her. When he turned to me, his expression was cold and controlled, but his voice was deep and threatening.

"Never interfere when I'm handling something, little Omega. You won't like my reaction when I'm interrupted."

I lowered my eyes, my throat tight. My pulse quickened, partly from fear, partly from other feelings I was reluctant to acknowledge—the effect his authority had on me. "Yes, Alpha."

Cassandra lightly touched her throat, rubbing the faint red marks left by Derek's fingers. Despite what had just happened, there was no fear in her eyes—only a strange, challenging gleam.

"You'll regret it, darling," she said, her voice still silky smooth despite the threat. "That bottle of poison brewed under the full moon is still in my collection."

Derek's lips curved into a dangerous smile. "I look forward to trying your potions again, witch. Last time was... memorable."

I stood there, motionless, watching their exchange. Their way of speaking was filled with implications and meanings I couldn't understand. There was something between them spanning a decade I couldn't comprehend, and I felt a tightness in my chest, a burning sensation spreading through me.

Jealousy. Raw and undeniable jealousy. I was jealous that she could speak to him like that, jealous of the history they shared. Jealous of how at ease he seemed with her.

I smoothed my dress, trying to calm myself. "Alpha, if I may, I should return to my office to work on those files."

Watching them interact with such familiarity made my stomach twist. My fingertips unconsciously touched my lips, remembering how forcefully he had kissed me last night. Was it nothing to him? Even as confusion and hurt intertwined in my heart, the memory still made my skin heat.

Derek's keen gaze locked firmly on me, his eyes sweeping over my body before returning to my face. His voice was low and absolute: "Your only duty is to stand by my side, Erin."

His long fingers drummed rhythmically on the desktop. "Cassandra's fingers have always been too nimble, especially with my personal belongings. With you present, she'll be more restrained."

Cassandra gracefully slid into the luxurious leather sofa, crossing her legs, her purple nails lightly tapping against her knee as if the earlier choking threat had been merely a joke between lovers.

---

A light knock disrupted the tense atmosphere. Cassandra's young assistant entered, carrying an intricately carved ebony box and a bouquet of vibrant wildflowers.

The assistant was visibly nervous in the Alpha's presence. Her hands trembled noticeably as she set down the tea tray, the delicate porcelain teapot wobbling dangerously before tipping, hot tea flowing toward the edge of my dress.

Before I could react, Derek moved with supernatural speed. One hand pulled me safely away while the other steadied the tilting tray, averting complete disaster. The speed of his reaction was stunning—a reminder of the power contained beneath his civilized exterior.

Cassandra casually waved her assistant away, completely unconcerned about the near accident. She elegantly withdrew a crystal vial from the ebony box and sprayed its contents on the tea-stained portion of my dress.

"Don't worry, little Omega," she said lightly, "this will remove any trace immediately."

As the liquid made contact with the fabric, it emitted a subtle purple glow, and the tea stain instantly vanished. I stared, fascinated, at the now-perfect material.

Cassandra took the bouquet from her assistant and presented it to Derek. "These wildflowers grow under the full moon," she explained, her voice taking on an almost ceremonial tone, "for the Alpha who remains forever alone."

I couldn't help but notice the unusually vibrant colors of the flowers, recalling the mysterious text I had received about flower and coffee scents. A connection formed in my mind—could those messages really have been from Derek?

Cassandra opened the ebony box to reveal an array of exquisitely crafted ties and cufflinks. "I designed these especially for you," she told Derek, "they've been infused with magic to enhance your..." she gave me a meaningful look, "...self-control."

---

"Which one?" Derek suddenly asked, turning to me.

I blinked, surprised, until I realized he was asking me to choose a tie from Cassandra's collection.

"Why me?" I asked, genuinely confused by his request.

Cassandra's lips curved into a knowing smile. "She's your personal secretary. She should do anything for you."

I hesitated before pointing to a black tie with subtle textures woven into it. "That one."

Just as I spoke those words, Cassandra suggested I should put it on him myself. "Shouldn't a secretary know how to properly dress her Alpha?"

I approached Derek, taking the tie from the box. The thought of being so close to him, especially after our kiss the previous night, made my hands tremble slightly.

Just as I was about to loop the tie around his neck, Cassandra suddenly stood up. "Actually, that tie looks fine. You don't need to try it on."

Derek gave her an angry glance, but she was already gathering her things.

"Oh yes, I just remembered another appointment," she announced, her tone suddenly hurried. "See you later."

As she walked to the door, she turned and waved her fingers at me in a flirtatious farewell. "Goodbye, little Omega."

---

The moment the door closed behind Cassandra, I stepped back, eager to put distance between Derek and myself. But before I could retreat further, he reached out and grabbed my wrist, effortlessly pulling me into his personal space.

His eyes captured mine, his voice dropping to a deep, resonant tone. "What makes my little Omega so eager to escape my sight? Does my presence make you uncomfortable? Or..." a dangerous gleam flashed in his eyes, "...perhaps too comfortable?"

Heat rushed to my cheeks, my throat tightening. "Alpha, I was just... fulfilling my duties as your secretary. Files are waiting for me to process."

His fingertips traced along the inside of my wrist, sending electric sensations up my arm. "Right now, you have only one duty." He picked up the silk tie and handed it to me, "To put on your Alpha the tie you personally selected. I want to see how your taste... extends to me."

I moved closer to him, my fingers trembling slightly as I threaded the tie. I was surrounded by his scent, cedar and leather mixed with the unique smell that was uniquely his, making me dizzy. His breath lightly brushed against my hairline, and I couldn't help but lean toward him, unconsciously drawn to his body.

Derek's gaze swept over my face, lingering on my lips, which parted involuntarily under his stare. My heart was beating so wildly I was certain he could feel it.

"Tell me, Erin..." Derek's voice was low as silk, with a hint of teasing, yet hiding an undeniable authority, "if I were to kiss you now, would you run away?"

Before I could answer, his figure was already leaning in, his hot breath fanning across my face. His gaze was that of a hunter locking onto prey, the corner of his mouth curving into a dangerous arc. My heartbeat accelerated sharply, my throat dry, shyness making me want to lower my head to escape, yet I was pinned in place by his piercing gaze.

Before I could speak, his lips pressed down forcefully, showing no mercy. This kiss had no gentleness, only naked possession and control. His lips were hard and burning, with an irresistible force, as if he wanted to devour me whole.

I gasped, trying to steady myself, only to be met with his deeper invasion. His tongue entered aggressively, carrying the bitterness of coffee and a flavor unique to him, spicy and captivating, instantly making my knees weak.

His left hand gripped the back of my neck, his long fingers tightening slightly, holding me firmly in his control. His other hand slid to my waist, his palm scorching, almost burning my skin through the thin fabric.

He pulled forcefully, and my body unexpectedly pressed against his solid chest, the hardness of his muscles coming through his shirt, making my cheeks burn even hotter.

My senses were completely overtaken by him. Each sweep of his tongue was like an electric current, shooting down my spine and exploding into a pool of heat deep in my abdomen.

My breathing became rapid, my chest rising and falling, shyness making me want to push him away, but my traitorous body pressed even closer. My hands unconsciously grabbed his shoulders, my fingertips touching his taut muscles, the firm feel making my heartbeat more erratic.

Just as I was almost losing myself in his kiss, his right hand moved slowly, with deliberate slowness, from my waist to the hem of my blouse. My breath caught, shyness making me instinctively tense my body, but he hummed low in his throat, the sound emerging from deep within, carrying a hint of warning.

His fingers lightly lifted the edge of my blouse, his palm pressing against the bare skin of my side. In that moment, the burning sensation spread like fire, and my body involuntarily trembled slightly.

His fingers caressed slowly, with a probing yet domineering force, as if silently declaring ownership. My face was so hot it felt like it might steam, pure shyness making me want to withdraw, yet I was firmly held by the heat of his palm.

"Erin..." he called my name softly, his voice hoarse, as if restraining something.