Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 99

Erin's POV

"I really want to know how you became my eldest son’s personal secretary?" Judy demanded, her eyes shifting from me to Derek. The warmth she had once shown me when I was Bradley's girlfriend had completely vanished, replaced by cold hostility.

I stood frozen in the doorway of the elegant living room, suddenly feeling like an intruder. The plush sofas and expensive artwork that had once impressed me now seemed to mock my presence. My inner wolf whimpered, sensing the hostility directed at us.

Derek, however, remained perfectly composed. "She is my designated personal secretary," he stated simply, his voice carrying that unmistakable Alpha authority as he walked confidently toward one of the sofas, his hand still resting on the small of my back.

I could feel his palm pressing firmly against me, not just guiding but almost shielding me from his mother's glare. The warmth of his touch contrasted sharply with the cold reception we were receiving.

Harry Stone rose from his seat, his imposing figure reminding me of an older version of Derek. His gray eyes—so similar to his son's—narrowed as he studied us.

"What does that mean, Derek?" he asked, his tone serious and measured. Unlike his wife's open hostility, Harry's face revealed careful calculation.

Derek gestured for me to come closer. I hesitated before taking a few reluctant steps forward, fighting the urge to run from the room. As I moved, Derek shifted his position slightly, placing himself partially between me and his parents.

"Nothing. This is a matter of Stone Group, it has nothing to do with you, mother," Derek announced, his expression giving nothing away.

Now, my mind finally sorted out a little bit of thought. So it was Judy who knew me that her youngest son's ex-girlfriend became her eldest son's secretary, and she was furious and thought I was playing with the relationship between the two brothers. So she asked Derek to bring me today and wanted to question me directly.

"This is absolutely ridiculous!" Judy exploded, her face flushing with anger. She took a step forward, and I instinctively moved closer to Derek. "You! You're nothing but a deceiver!"

She turned back to Derek, her voice rising. "How could you make her your secretary after what she did to your brother? Have you considered Bradley's feelings at all?"

My hands clenched into fists as I lowered my gaze to the expensive carpet beneath my feet. Every instinct screamed at me to defend myself, to remind them that it was Bradley who had betrayed me, not the other way around. But I remained silent, regretting my decision to accompany Derek to this hostile environment.

Harry cleared his throat, adjusting his tie as he glanced toward the hallway. "Bradley isn't here right now. It would be best if you took this girl away before he returns."

I could feel their gazes on me—judgmental, hostile, dismissive. My inner wolf paced anxiously, sensing the threat in the room. The weight of their stares made my skin crawl, and I found myself inching closer to Derek, seeking the safety his presence provided.

"Derek," Judy began, but he cut her off with a slight shake of his head.

Undeterred, Judy strode toward me and grabbed my arm, her manicured nails digging into my skin. "You deceived my younger son, and now you're trying to sink your claws into my elder son as well." Her voice dropped to a hiss. "Tell me, what exactly do you want? I can give it to you as long as you say, but you must stay away from my sons."

I stood there, shocked into silence by her public humiliation. The ache of her grip was nothing compared to the sting of her words. Tears threatened to form in my eyes as shame and indignation warred within me. I tried to pull away, but her grip only tightened, her nails leaving crescent marks on my skin.

A low, menacing growl suddenly filled the room.

The sound froze everyone in place. Judy's hand began to tremble on my arm, her grip loosening involuntarily. All eyes turned to Derek, who was staring at his mother with the full intensity of an Alpha, his eyes flashing with dangerous red light.

"Derek," Harry asked nervously, his voice slightly higher than normal, "why are you using Alpha compulsion on your mother?"

Derek moved swiftly to my side, his shoulder pressing against mine as he physically separated me from Judy. His hand came up to my shoulder, checking me briefly before turning his attention back to his mother. I could feel the heat radiating from him as he positioned himself protectively beside me.

"How dare you touch her without my permission?" Derek's voice was ice cold as he addressed Judy.

Judy immediately took several steps back, her face had paled considerably, and I could see the shock in her eyes at her son's reaction. Her hand fluttered to her throat, a submissive gesture I'd never seen from the usually dominant woman.

"When I say she's with me," Derek continued, his voice carrying a deadly calm, "you should know your place."

He moved his hand from my shoulder to my back, the firm pressure reassuring me of his presence. "You humiliated her at the party before, Mother." His jaw tightened as he spoke. "And for the record, it was your younger son who betrayed her, not the other way around." His eyes narrowed. "I don't want to hear another word about this matter."

Derek reached for my hand, entwining our fingers in a gesture that seemed both possessive and comforting. His thumb brushed over my knuckles in a small, soothing motion. "If you can't respect my decisions, we'll leave right now."

I looked up at him with tear-filled eyes, overwhelmed by his defense. Bradley had never stood up for me like this—he had always chosen the path of least resistance, avoiding confrontation with his family at all costs. The contrast couldn't have been more stark. Derek's unwavering protection made me feel valued in a way I hadn't experienced before.

The atmosphere in the living room had turned glacial. Harry and Judy stood rigidly, clearly intimidated by their son's Alpha presence but unwilling to back down completely. Judy's lips were pressed into a thin line, and Harry's hands were clasped tightly behind his back, his knuckles white from the pressure.

"Don't go," Harry finally said, his voice strained. "Your mother isn't feeling well. She just wanted to have dinner with you."

I tried to ease the tension, not wanting to be the cause of a family rift. "You can stay with your family," I whispered to Derek, my voice barely audible. "I should leave now."

Derek silenced me with a warning look, his grip on my hand tightening slightly. His eyes conveyed a clear message: We stay together. I felt a strange warmth spread through me at his silent insistence that I remain by his side.

Before anyone could respond, the sound of the front door opening echoed through the house, followed by footsteps approaching the living room. The tension in the room seemed to double as we all turned toward the doorway.

"What's going on here?" Bradley's voice came from the doorway.

I turned to see him standing there, his expression freezing when he spotted me. His eyes widened in surprise, flickering between Derek and me, then down to our joined hands. His shoulders tensed visibly, and I could see the muscle in his jaw working as he clenched his teeth.

"Erin," he said softly, his voice carrying a note of disbelief, "what are you doing here?"