Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 97

Erin’s POV

The employees scattered like startled puppies, quickly returning to their workstations. Only one female employee remained, her shoulders hunched slightly.

"Miss Blackwood," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "You don't know? Alpha Derek fired someone from the marketing department this morning, the moment he arrived."

My brow furrowed. "Why? What did they do wrong?"

"No one dares to ask," she whispered, leaning closer. "His eyes... they've been golden all morning. Someone said he was at Darkwood Estate's training grounds last night, and he beat three challengers until they couldn't even stand."

My wolf preened with pride at my mate's strength, even as my human side grew concerned. Golden eyes all morning meant his wolf was close to the surface, his control tenuous at best.

"I understand," I said, beginning to prepare his special coffee blend. "Don't worry. I'll handle this."

---

I knocked three times on Derek's office door, receiving no response. After a moment's hesitation, I pushed it open gently.

Derek stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, a trail of black cigarette smoke curling around his powerful silhouette. My wolf immediately sensed danger, instinctively wanting to retreat, but my human loyalty kept me rooted in place.

I approached cautiously, my movements slow and deliberate, like approaching an angry predator. The silver moon-patterned cup made a sound that seemed too loud when I placed it on the onyx side table.

Derek remained with his back to me, the muscles of his shoulders tense beneath his custom-tailored suit, radiating danger and power. When I finally gathered the courage to reach out toward him, he turned suddenly, his gray eyes flashing with golden light.

He towered over me, the black cigarette between his fingers creating a barrier between us.

"Alpha?" I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. "Your coffee."

Derek exhaled a perfect smoke ring, saying nothing, his gaze unnervingly intense.

"Derek?" I tried using his name, my voice wavering slightly.

His eyebrow arched, his voice when it finally came was deep as distant thunder. "Miss Blackwood, I believe Stone Group has clear protocol stating no one enters my private office without permission. It seems you need to relearn basic rules."

I lowered my head automatically, my throat making a small, involuntary sound of appeasement. "I'm sorry, Alpha."

Derek's lips curved into a cold smile. "What exactly are you apologizing for, Erin Blackwood? Is it for entering without permission, or for something else I don't know about?"

His long fingers suddenly lifted my chin, his grip firm but carefully controlled not to leave marks. I trembled involuntarily, my wolf immediately submitting to the Alpha's touch.

He took a deep drag from his black cigarette, then leaned down, deliberately exhaling the smoke just inches from my lips. The "smoke kiss" made me cough slightly, my eyes watering at the corners, but he seemed to find satisfaction in my discomfort.

Derek stepped closer, the distance between us now so minimal I could feel the heat radiating from his body. My knees nearly buckled, both from fear and my body's instinctive response to my Soul Bond.

"I can smell your fear, little wolf," he said, his voice dangerously soft. "Tell me, what are you afraid of? What have you done that would displease me?"

I breathed rapidly, my fingers curled into fists so tight my nails nearly broke the skin of my palms. "I... I should have told you earlier. Bradley and I are in the same research group... we have to work together on a genetics project. Yesterday we met at the school library to discuss the project."

The golden light in Derek's eyes flashed brighter, his jaw clenching. "My brother? You were alone with my brother? This is what you felt needed hiding from me?"

"Not hiding!" My voice trembled. "I just... didn't want you to worry or misunderstand. It's just academic, nothing happened."

Derek laughed coldly. "Should I believe you? When my Delta informed me about your private meeting, you had already lied to me."

Something in me broke. I suddenly lurched forward, wrapping my arms around his waist, burying my face against his chest.

"I'm sorry, my Soul Bond," I whispered fiercely. "I swear I'll never hide anything from you again. Please don't be angry with me. My wolf suffers when you're displeased."

I could feel Derek's wolf responding to my submission, even while his human side remained angry. The Alpha's need for dominance and possession was so powerful – sometimes I didn't know if I was drawn to it or terrified by it.

Without warning, Derek pushed me away, his eyes now completely gold – a sign of extreme emotion in werewolves. He extinguished his cigarette with elegant, dangerous precision, then turned back to me with predatory speed.

Before I could react, I found myself pinned against his onyx desk, his strength irresistible. He secured my wrists above my head with one hand, the other controlling my jaw, forcing me to look directly at him.

My wolf instincts both feared and thrilled at the Alpha's control, my pupils dilating within amber irises. Derek leaned closer, his mouth revealing obvious possession as his scent enveloped me, claiming ownership.

"Never, ever hide anything from me again," Derek growled, his voice so low it was almost a whisper, yet carried unmistakable command. "You are my Soul Bond, Erin Blackwood."

His lips brushed my ear, teeth grazing my earlobe, sending shivers throughout my body.

"You can never hide from me. I can smell your lies just as I can smell your fear and..." he inhaled deeply, his voice becoming more dangerous, "...your desire."

My breathing quickened, my pulse visibly racing at my neck. "Derek..."

His hand moved from my jaw to my throat, his thumb lightly pressing against my carotid artery, feeling my accelerated pulse.

"Do you understand me, little wolf?" he demanded.

Amber light flashed in my eyes as my wolf submitted to her Alpha. "I understand... you are my Alpha, my Soul Bond."

I felt a strange dizziness, as if I were simultaneously at the edge of the highest cliff and in the softest bed. Derek's possessiveness should feel suffocating, but why did my wolf crave this control? Was this the Moon Goddess's way when she chose Soul Bonds? The golden light in Derek's eyes terrified and excited me, as if my wolf knew something my human side hadn't fully comprehended yet.

Suddenly, a special howl ringtone broke the charged atmosphere. Derek's phone vibrated on the desk.

Derek released a clear growl of displeasure, golden eyes flashing with dangerous anger. He slowly loosened his hold on me, but maintained a protective stance, half-covering my body.

I tried to stand, but my legs were weak from our intimate contact, nearly causing me to stumble.

Finally, when his cell phone rang for the third time, he let me go and answered the phone reluctantly.

---

Ten minutes after the call ended, I carefully gathered the scattered files from Derek's desk, occasionally glancing toward the Alpha who had returned to his position by the window. I moved with silent care, preparing fresh coffee for him with soothing herbs added.

Derek's aura had calmed, the gold receding from his eyes as he signed documents with elegant, controlled movements. My sensitive werewolf hearing could detect each tick of the wall clock, the tension still lingering in the air.

I gently placed the silver moon-patterned cup down, the coffee aroma spreading between us, and took a cautious step back.

"Tonight at eight, you will accompany me to Darkwood Estate," Derek suddenly announced, his voice deep and calm, yet carrying undeniable authority.

I blinked, certain I had misheard. "I'm sorry, Alpha?"

Derek finally looked up, his piercing gaze locking onto mine. "Dinner. At Darkwood Estate with my mother. You will need to dress formally."

My throat tightened as I realized the implication. "Why... why me? I'm just your secretary."

Derek put down his pen, interlacing his fingers on the desk. "Judy has requested a family dinner and specifically asked to meet my personal secretary. This is an order, not a request, Miss Blackwood."

My wolf shifted restlessly, both nervous and excited. "I... I don't have appropriate attire..."

The corner of Derek's mouth lifted slightly, showing the first hint of a smile since I'd entered his office. "That has been arranged. At seven, my car will be waiting outside your home. Be punctual."

Being invited to Darkwood Estate? Meeting Derek's mother? This went far beyond normal secretarial duties. This was more like... a formal introduction of a Soul Bond to the family. My wolf whimpered with excitement, while my human side filled with trepidation. The satisfied gleam in Derek's eyes told me this was exactly the reaction he had wanted.

"Yes, Alpha," I whispered, my voice steady despite the hurricane of emotions inside me. "I'll be ready."