Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 73

Erin's POV

Derek's declaration stunned everyone in the conference room. It sounded like an open challenge to the Alpha of the Northern Pack. I watched as the other managers sensed the shift in the Darkwood Pack Alpha's mood, all of them lowering their heads in agreement.

I observed Derek intently, unable to tear my gaze from his commanding presence. His eyes were deep, his expression relaxed—more frightening than anger. His posture, shoulders back and spine straight, emanated such dominance that it made me hold my breath.

In that moment, the wolf inside me stirred restlessly, as if sensing her mate displaying his power.

The Northern Pack Alpha's voice interrupted my thoughts. "Alpha Stone, if I have offended you in any way, please accept my apology." Derek merely nodded slightly in response, a minimal gesture more contemptuous than any words could be.

My gaze settled on Derek again, watching the cigarette between his lips. I couldn't help but remember how those lips felt when they kissed me—firm, powerful, possessive.

My body immediately responded to the memory, a flush creeping up my neck as I recalled how his tongue had claimed my mouth, how his hands had gripped my waist. I shifted slightly in my seat, crossing my legs tightly, trying to suppress the warmth suddenly rising between them.

Derek leisurely rotated the platinum watch on his wrist, his voice glacier-cold. "Why should I accept such an empty apology when you come with a posture of begging rather than business integrity?"

The Northern Pack Alpha's deputy quickly rose, hands lightly pressing the conference table. "My Alpha brings a proposal full of sincere cooperation. If our words have caused offense, please forgive us. We only seek mutual benefit."

Beta Tom tapped the quartz surface of the table, barely concealing his anger. "The territory rights are yours, true. But the project risks and funding chain are entirely borne by us. Suddenly demanding additional shares—don't you find that unreasonable?"

Delta Mark stood straight, fingers lightly tapping his folder, his voice brooking no argument. "The Pack Alpha has made his position clear—80% profit share. This is not a negotiation, but a notification. The discussion ends here."

The Northern Pack Alpha exchanged glances with his deputy, nodding in agreement. While they communicated through their mental link, Derek observed them carefully, as if he could read their thoughts.

Finally, the Northern Pack Alpha conceded. "Very well, Alpha Derek. I agree to your terms. But since you'll be receiving more profit than we previously anticipated, please don't forget to take care of my pack."

Derek discarded his cigarette, his gaze sharp. "Of course. I have no reason to stab anyone in the back. But if they try to deceive me, I'll pierce their chest directly."

The Northern Pack Alpha handed Derek the documents, which he signed before standing. The Northern Alpha said, "Thank you for this deal." Derek nodded in response. "See you at the celebration party tomorrow night."

The Northern Pack Alpha sighed with relief. "Of course, I'll be there."

Derek left the conference room without sparing anyone else a glance.

As Beta Tom and Delta Mark escorted the Northern Pack delegation out, Tomas walked to my side, tablet in hand, and whispered. "The air pressure in the conference room was almost suffocating. The Pack Alpha's aura was like a winter blizzard, inescapable."

I watched the Northern Pack delegation being escorted away, lightly tapping my folder. "Ten percentage points, just slipped away from them like that."

Tomas raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

I turned to him, my eyes reflecting professional consideration. "Shouldn't such cross-pack cooperation agreements have already been thoroughly evaluated? Why would the final numbers have such a discrepancy?"

Tomas smiled meaningfully. "For the Northern Pack, this agreement's value far exceeds the numbers. You should be grateful our Alpha didn't terminate the agreement completely, or their cubs might not have survived the next winter."

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Later, I entered Derek's office to find him standing by the window, gazing outside. I closed the door, the soft click of the lock making my heart race. His broad shoulders and narrow waist formed a silhouette against the morning light, making my throat go dry. I wondered what he was always searching for outside his window.

Derek sensed my presence without turning. "What do you want?" His deep voice penetrated my body, making my skin tingle with awareness of him.

I walked behind him, close enough to smell his scent. "Alpha, are you alright? You seem angry about something." I had to concentrate to keep my voice steady.

Derek turned, his gaze intense and fierce. "Would you want to be with Bradley again?" The question caught me off guard, but something in his tone—that hint of possessiveness—made the wolf inside me stir eagerly.

I looked at him in surprise, not understanding why he would ask this. His jaw muscle twitched as he studied me. "Still confused?" His voice had deepened, sending shivers down my spine.

I took a deep breath, gathering my courage to wrap my arms around his waist from behind. His body was solid and warm against mine, the contact making my pulse race. "I don't want to get back together with him. I don't have feelings for him or any other man. I-I..." my words became disjointed as I felt his muscles tense under my touch.

When Derek turned to face me, my hands fell away. His tall figure loomed over me as he grabbed my waist, his large hands almost encircling my entire waist, pulling me closer until our bodies nearly touched. "Do you know what you're getting into?" His breath caressed my face, carrying the faint scent of coffee.

I blushed, lowering my head, feeling the heat of his body. "I do." My voice was barely audible, but I knew he could hear me perfectly.

Derek's fingers gripped my chin firmly, lifting my face to meet his gaze. His thumb brushed across my lower lip, the small contact sending electricity through my veins. I stared into his eyes, wanting to touch his face, to feel his heartbeat against my palm. As he leaned down, I closed my eyes in anticipation, my lips parting slightly, but his lips never met mine. The tension of waiting made my legs weak.

Derek's keen gaze settled on my neck, his expression darkening. "What's that wound from?" His voice took on a dangerous edge that made my wolf whimper in both fear and excitement.

I hurriedly turned my head, trying to hide the mark. Suddenly, I realized how close we were standing. "Just a small scratch, nothing serious." My voice was more breathless than usual.

Derek frowned, his hand on my waist tightening possessively, then he pulled me closer with more force. Now our bodies were fully pressed together, his hard chest against mine.

He examined the small wound on my neck and, without warning, bent down, his lips burning hot against my skin as he licked the injury. I gasped in surprise, my hands instinctively gripping his shoulders for support. The feeling of his tongue on my neck sent heat throughout my body, pooling low in my abdomen. My nipples hardened against his chest, and I prayed he wouldn't notice.

I tried to create distance between us, weakly pushing against his shoulders, but he held me firmly in place. My voice trembled slightly, partly from nervousness, partly from the desire flowing through my entire body. "Who said I needed treatment?"

Derek finally released me, though his eyes still fixed on the spot he had just licked. "Am I a heathen? I would have applied some ointment anyway. I just wanted to do this. So I did." His casual claim to the right to touch me sent another wave of heat through my body.

Confused and trying to regain my composure, I asked, "Why did you want to lick me?" My hand unconsciously went to my neck, touching where his tongue had been.

Derek stepped back slightly, his eyes still carrying that primal darkness. He reached out to pat my head, a gesture at odds with the tension between us. "You're still too young for me." The corner of his mouth turned up in a smile that made my heart skip a beat.

I couldn't look away from that smile, even as I tried to understand his words. "I'm not young. I'm an adult." I straightened my posture, trying to appear more mature despite the blush I could feel on my cheeks.

Derek tilted his head, his gaze slowly sweeping over my body, making me feel exposed despite being fully clothed. "Oh, really?"

I nodded, swallowing hard under his scrutiny. "Yes, I am."

Suddenly, Derek moved closer again, pinning me against his desk. His body trapped me, his arms on either side of me, leaning forward. I could feel the heat radiating from him, smell his intoxicating scent. "Then let me warn you, big girl. Be ready for me. Because you've awakened the beast inside me. I'm not always as calm as I am now, even when you're watching me." His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper that made my insides clench with desire.

I blushed furiously, my heart beating so fast I was sure he could hear it. My thighs pressed together involuntarily, trying to ease the ache building between them. Derek's hand caressed my cheek, his touch surprisingly gentle compared to the intensity of his words. "Relax. I won't hunt you down alive." His thumb traced my lower lip, lingering there.

Not knowing how to respond, his body so close, my thoughts fogged with desire, I pushed against his chest and fled his office. I could feel his gaze following me as I left, like a physical touch along my back.

Back in my office, I patted my burning cheeks, my heart still pounding fiercely against my ribs. I clenched my thighs tightly, trying to calm the persistent throbbing between them. I stayed there all day, not daring to face Derek again, afraid of what might happen if I were alone with him once more.

Every few minutes, my hand would unconsciously go to my neck, fingers lightly touching where his tongue had been. The swelling had noticeably reduced, as if his saliva truly had healing properties.

Each time I recalled how he had bent down, so focused and intense as he licked my wound, a new wave of heat would surge through my body. His large hands holding me firmly in place, the warmth of his breath on my neck... I closed my eyes, trying to banish the images.

"He's driving me crazy!" I muttered, frustration and desire warring within me. The wolf inside me paced restlessly, wanting to return to her mate, to feel his touch again.