Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 95

Erin's POV

At 7 PM, I stood in Derek's office again, this time beside his massive desk while he and his Beta Tom discussed the pack's quarterly financial status. I tried to focus on taking notes, but my eyes kept drifting to the clock on the wall. If I was going to make it to campus by 8:30, I needed to leave soon.

"Blackwood, are you listening?" Derek's voice cut through my thoughts.

I straightened immediately. "Yes, Alpha."

His eyes narrowed slightly. "You seem distracted. Is there something more important on your mind?"

Tom shifted uncomfortably, his gaze flickering between Derek and me.

"No, Alpha," I said quickly, then hesitated. "Actually, I was wondering if I could leave early tonight. I have a study group for Wolf Bloodline Genetics at Silvermoon Academy."

Derek's expression remained neutral, but I noticed his fingers tighten slightly around his pen. "Tom, you may go. We'll continue this tomorrow."

Tom nodded, gathered his files, and quickly exited, closing the door behind him. The soft click of the door latch sounded unusually loud in the sudden silence.

Derek leaned back in his chair, studying me with an intensity that made my skin prickle. "A study group," he repeated, his voice deceptively casual. "This is the first I'm hearing of it."

I clutched my tablet, trying to maintain eye contact. "Just a small research group. For my degree."

"I see." Derek stood, coming around the desk to stand in front of me. "This is important to you?"

I nodded, my throat suddenly dry. "Yes, it is."

"Your education matters to me too, little wolf," he said, his voice softening somewhat. "I don't want you overstretched between your studies and your responsibilities here."

Relief flooded through me. "Thank you for understanding, Alpha."

"When do you need to leave?" he asked, his fingers reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, the casual touch sending a shiver down my spine.

"Now, if possible," I admitted. "The group meets at 8:30."

Derek nodded slowly. "Very well. You may go."

"Thank you," I smiled gratefully. I hurried toward the door, eager to escape before he changed his mind or asked more questions.

"Erin," he called just as my hand touched the doorknob.

I turned back, my heart rate accelerating. "Yes?"

Derek's gaze traveled slowly over my body, taking in my slightly disheveled appearance—the wrinkles in my dress where his hands had gripped, my flushed cheeks, my lips still somewhat swollen from his kiss. His gaze was so intense I could almost feel it like a physical touch. My nipples hardened beneath my dress, and I shifted my weight, pressing my thighs tightly together to ease the ache between them.

"Be careful out there," he said, his voice deeper than usual. "Nights can be dangerous for young wolves alone."

The possessiveness in his tone was unmistakable. He wasn't just concerned—he was verbally marking his territory. The wolf inside me responded to his dominance, wanting to submit, wanting to return to his embrace.

I nodded quickly and slipped out, my pulse thundering in my ears, my body still singing from his touch. Had he sensed my deception about Bradley? Did he know I was hiding something? The thought twisted my stomach with anxiety as I hurried toward the elevator, my legs still unsteady.

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Derek's POV

I stood at the office window, watching as Erin exited the glass doors of Stone Group. The night air must have been cool—she pulled her light jacket tighter, wrapping it around her slender shoulders as she hurried toward the bus stop, her small figure illuminated by the streetlights that had just flickered on.

The black cigarette between my fingers burned slowly, the smoke curling like a living thing around me. I took a deep drag, the strong tobacco barely dulling the suspicion gnawing at my insides. My gray eyes tracked her every movement, noting the way she checked her phone, the slight tension in her posture.

A study group. The lie tasted bitter in my thoughts. Erin was hiding something—I could smell her deception, subtle but unmistakable. The wolf inside me growled, territorial and possessive. She was mine, my Soul Bond, yet she was keeping secrets.

As her figure disappeared at the end of the street, swallowed by the encroaching darkness, I pulled out my phone and dialed a familiar number. Ash from the cigarette fell to the carpet, unnoticed as my expression darkened.

"Delta Mark," I commanded, my voice low and dangerous. "Follow Erin. Don't let her see you."

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Erin's POV

By the time I reached campus, it was already dark, with most students either in evening classes or gone for dinner. I texted Bradley to let him know I had arrived, then waited at the entrance to his dormitory building, my breath forming small clouds in the cold night air.

A few minutes later, Bradley appeared, his easy smile evident even in the dim light of the entrance. He wore a simple gray sweater and jeans, his dark hair slightly tousled. In the moonlight, the differences between him and Derek were more pronounced—Bradley appeared younger, softer, less burdened by responsibility.

"You made it!" he said, genuine delight in his voice. "Thanks for coming."

I nodded, returning his smile. "Where are we meeting the others?"

"One of the guys' rooms," Bradley explained as he led the way into the building. "He's already got all the research materials laid out."

We climbed two flights of stairs and down a long corridor until Bradley stopped in front of a door marked 307. He knocked twice and pushed it open.

The dorm room was larger than I expected, probably one of the premium singles reserved for wealthy students. The male student sat at a desk in the corner while the female student was seated on the floor, surrounded by papers and open textbooks.

"Look who finally decided to join us," the female student said, her tone more teasing than genuinely malicious. "I was beginning to think you'd stand us up."

"I have a job," I explained simply, setting down my bag.

Bradley gestured to an empty spot on the floor beside him. "I saved you a place. I've already categorized the research papers by subject."

I sat beside him, noting that he maintained a respectful distance—close enough to work together but not so close as to make me uncomfortable. The consideration made me smile.

"So, Wolf Bloodline Genetics," the male student began, turning away from his computer. "I've already started mapping out the presentation structure. Bradley's actually done an impressive amount of research already."

I looked at Bradley in surprise. "Really?"

He shrugged, but I could see the pride in his eyes. "I've been researching between classes. It's interesting."

The female student snorted, giving Bradley a knowing look. "Yes, suddenly he's very academically motivated. Burning the midnight oil for the genetics project. How... dedicated."

I felt the shift in atmosphere, tension crackling in the air. "We're all taking this seriously," I said firmly. "It's a large part of our grade."

"Of course," the female student replied, her smile not reaching her eyes. "I'm just impressed with Bradley's efforts to prove himself. As a scholar, of course."

Bradley's jaw tightened. "Focus on your part of the project, Katie."

She ignored him, turning to face me. "It must be complicated, Erin, balancing your... relationships. The Stone brothers are so different, yet so similar."

"Bradley and I are classmates and friends," I said coldly. "Nothing more."

"Oh?" The female student raised an eyebrow. "And what is the Alpha to you, then?"

"Enough," Bradley snapped, his posture suddenly rigid. A flash of gold appeared in his eyes—the same dangerous light that appeared when Derek was angry. "You forget who you're speaking to, and who I am."

The female student rolled her eyes. "You're just another student here, like the rest of us."

Bradley's lips pulled back, revealing teeth that had sharpened slightly. "I am a Stone. My family built this pack. My brother is the Alpha. One word from me and your academic scholarship could vanish overnight."

The male student quickly stood. "Bradley, she didn't mean it."

"Yes, she did," Bradley growled, the sound making the hair on the back of my neck stand up. "She thought she could mock me, mock Erin, without consequences."

I placed my hand on Bradley's arm, feeling the tension in his muscles. "It's fine," I said softly. "Let's focus on the project."

But Bradley's eyes remained fixed on the female student, golden light flickering in their depths—so similar to Derek when he lost control, when the wolf inside him rose to the surface. The similarity was striking, a reminder that despite their differences, the Stone brothers carried the same powerful bloodline.

"I think I should go," I said suddenly, uncomfortable with the charged atmosphere. "We can reschedule when everyone's cooled down."

I began gathering my notes, putting them back in my bag. Bradley's anger seemed to dissipate immediately, replaced by concern.

"Erin, wait," he said, his voice returning to normal. "Don't go."

I stood up, slinging my bag over my shoulder. "I think it's best if we continue another day."

As I turned toward the door, I felt arms encircle me from behind, pulling me back against a solid chest. Bradley's scent—similar to Derek's cedar and leather but subtly different—surrounded me. The wolf inside me immediately bristled, uncomfortable with the touch of someone who wasn't my mate.

"Erin," Bradley whispered, his voice low enough that only I could hear. "Friends can hug, right? Just... let me have this moment. Please."

I froze, uncertain how to respond. His arms tightened slightly, his face buried in my hair. The embrace was filled with desperation and need, crossing the line he had promised to respect.

"This is wrong," my wolf whimpered inside me. "We belong to another."