Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 96

Derek's POV

I stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of my office, one hand tucked in my suit pocket, the other rhythmically tapping against the window frame. The city spread out below me, a sprawling canvas of twinkling lights against the darkness. To an ordinary observer, I appeared calm, collected – the picture of an Alpha in complete control. Inside, however, my wolf paced restlessly, golden eyes flickering with suspicion and possessiveness.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out, glancing at the caller ID: "Delta Mark." My jaw tightened imperceptibly.

"Delta Mark, report," I ordered, my voice low and measured despite the tension coiling inside me.

"Alpha, the target left Stone Group and went directly to Silvermoon Academy," Mark's voice came through clearly. "She's now leaving campus, but she's not alone. Your brother, Bradley, is accompanying her."

A dangerous golden light flashed in my eyes, reflected in the darkened window glass. My fingers tightened around the phone, the metal creaking slightly under the pressure.

"Continue monitoring. Don't alert them to your presence," I commanded, my voice dropping an octave, the Alpha power unmistakable in my tone.

"Alpha, your brother is calling her a car. She appears to be leaving alone." There was a pause. "Confirmed. She has entered the vehicle by herself and is departing."

I inhaled deeply, scenting the air though I knew her fragrance had long dissipated from my office. "Follow her until you're certain she's safely home. Make sure she doesn't detect your surveillance."

"Understood, Alpha."

I ended the call, slipping the phone back into my pocket. The expensive steel pen in my hand bent under my grip, crumpling like paper as my eyes shifted completely to their wolf form – glowing, dangerous gold.

She had lied to me. My little wolf, my mate, my Soul Bond had lied to me.

---

Erin's POV

I leaned back against the taxi's leather seat, my fingers unconsciously tracing the faint mark at the nape of my neck where Derek had claimed me with his mouth.

The city lights streaked past the window in blurs of color, but I barely noticed them. My mind was still in that dormitory room, still feeling the unexpected weight of Bradley's arms around me.

My wolf whimpered inside me, distressed at the contact with someone who wasn't our mate. The sensation had been all wrong – like wearing clothes that didn't fit, or hearing music played slightly out of tune. My body had stiffened, instinctively rejecting the embrace even as my human mind had tried to rationalize it.

"Erin, I know I've made mistakes," Bradley's voice echoed in my memory, his words whispered against my hair as he held me. "I can sense the change in you. Whatever Derek has done to you, I'm the one who can truly protect you. Don't let family politics ruin our chance—I can make you an official Stone mate."

I closed my eyes, trying to shut out the memory. My fingers drifted to my phone screen, illuminating my face in the dark cab. Should I tell Derek? Would he understand that it meant nothing to me? That my wolf had rejected Bradley completely?

The thought of Derek's rage made my stomach clench. He was already possessive, already suspicious. If he knew Bradley had embraced me, had whispered those things...

In the window's reflection, I caught a glimpse of my eyes briefly flashing amber before returning to normal. My wolf was agitated, confused by the conflict between human reason and wolf instinct. I touched my neck again, where Derek had kissed me deeply enough to leave a mark. The contact seemed to calm my wolf, a reminder of who we truly belonged to.

"We're here, miss," the driver called, pulling me from my thoughts.

I paid the fare and stepped out into the cool night air, my wolf still restless beneath my skin, longing for the comfort of our mate's presence.

---

The halls of Silvermoon Academy were flooded with morning light as I clutched my books to my chest, deliberately choosing a seat in an open area bathed in sunshine.

Even after a restless night, being back in the academic environment helped center me. Here, at least, I could pretend to be just a normal student, not a young wolf caught between two powerful brothers.

"There you are!" Amy's cheerful voice broke through my thoughts as she approached our usual lunch table, Jack trailing behind her. "We looked for you in the library."

I smiled, pushing my salad around with my fork. "Needed some fresh air today."

Jack sat down across from me, his nostrils flaring slightly as he took in my scent. His eyes widened almost imperceptibly.

"You smell like the Alpha," he said, his voice carefully neutral but his meaning clear.

Heat rushed to my cheeks. "I work for him," I muttered, avoiding his gaze.

"That's not what I mean," Jack persisted, leaning forward. "His scent is on you, Erin. Not around you. On your skin."

Amy kicked him under the table, shooting him a warning glance. "Ignore him," she said brightly, turning to me. "How's that genetics project coming along? Professor Wilson is brutal with grading."

Grateful for the change of subject, I launched into a detailed explanation of the project requirements, deliberately avoiding mentioning Bradley's involvement. Inside, my wolf paced anxiously, uncomfortable with the lies by omission that seemed to be piling up around me.

---

Later that afternoon, I had no choice but to meet Bradley in the small study area tucked away in a corner of the library. The space was designed for group projects – small enough for privacy but still visible through glass walls to discourage inappropriate behavior.

I arrived first, arranging my notes meticulously on the table, placing my bag on the chair beside me to prevent Bradley from sitting too close. When he appeared, he was carrying a stack of research materials, his expression uncharacteristically serious.

"You're early," he commented, setting down the books and sliding into the chair opposite me.

"I like to be prepared," I replied, keeping my voice even. "I brought the data from our last session."

We worked in silence for several minutes, the scratch of pens and rustle of pages the only sounds between us. Then, as I reached for a reference book, Bradley's hand moved toward mine – whether by accident or design, I couldn't tell.

My wolf reacted before my mind could process what was happening. I jerked my arm back violently, knocking several books to the floor with a loud thud. My chair scraped against the hardwood as I pushed it back, putting more distance between us. A low, almost inaudible growl rose from deep in my throat.

Bradley's eyes flashed with hurt before quickly masking it with composure. "I was just reaching for the genetics textbook," he said calmly, though we both knew it wasn't entirely true.

"Sorry," I muttered, not feeling sorry at all. My wolf was practically bristling beneath my skin, rejecting his proximity.

Bradley studied me for a long moment. "You've changed, Erin. Not just the transformation. Something else."

I bent to retrieve the fallen books, using the moment to compose myself. "We should focus on the project."

"Is it him?" Bradley pressed, his voice dropping. "Has Derek claimed you already?"

"That's none of your business," I said sharply, too sharply. "We're here to work on genetics, not discuss your brother."

Something flashed in Bradley's eyes – anger, frustration, perhaps even jealousy – but he nodded slowly. "Fine. Let's start with the hereditary traits section."

For the rest of our session, Bradley maintained a professional distance, focusing only on the project materials. But I could feel his eyes on me when he thought I wasn't looking, studying me like one of our genetic specimens, searching for changes, for signs of his brother's influence.

---

The bus was half-empty as I made my way toward Stone Group later that afternoon. I settled into a seat near the back, spreading out the files I needed to review before my meeting with Derek.

Just thinking about seeing him again sent a flutter through my stomach – nervous anticipation mingled with dread. How would he receive me after yesterday? Would he still be angry?

My phone screen lit up suddenly, displaying a message from an unknown number. I glanced around instinctively, my enhanced werewolf senses scanning for anyone watching me. The bus carried only a handful of passengers, none paying me any attention.

With a growing sense of unease, I opened the message: [Little wolf cub, do you think the Alpha would like knowing his Soul Bond is seeking other options behind his back? Wolf eyes see far, be careful with your choices. The Moon Goddess doesn't favor traitors.]

My chest tightened, my pupils dilating with sudden anxiety. Who could have sent this? Who knew about Derek and me? About Bradley?

I deleted the message with trembling fingers, then ran a hand through my hair – a nervous habit I'd never quite broken. As the bus went over a speed bump, I bit my lower lip hard, debating whether I should tell Derek about this. About everything.

The moment the elevator doors opened on the executive floor, I sensed something was wrong.

Several employees who had been talking quietly stopped mid-conversation, their eyes darting nervously to me and then away. One female werewolf employee unconsciously lowered her head slightly – a instinctive sign of respect to a higher-ranking wolf.

My wolf stirred, sensing the tension and fear permeating the air. I walked toward the coffee area where several staff members were huddled, whispering. My fingers drummed a nervous rhythm on the marble countertop as I approached.

"What's going on?" I asked, keeping my voice steady despite my wolf's growing agitation.