Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 18

Derek's POV

"Bradley..."

The name she murmured against my chest made my jaw clench painfully. My brother's name sliding from her lips felt like a blade twisting in my chest.

A dark possessiveness churned inside me, my jaw tightening involuntarily. In this moment, with her collapsed against me, her soft curves fitting perfectly against the hard planes of my body, my wolf let out a primitive, satisfied growl.

The scent of summer rain and wild honey enveloped me, invading every sense until I could almost taste her on my tongue. A traitorous heat spread through my body as her warm breath caressed my neck.

In that dangerous moment, I completely forgot that we were in a crowded club, surrounded by wolves watching their Alpha, witnessing this unexpected moment of vulnerability.

Logic dictated that I should push her away immediately—that would be the proper Alpha response. But my arms, defying all reason, pulled her slender form closer, my palm splaying across her lower back, feeling the heat of her skin through the thin fabric of her dress.

When she instinctively nestled closer in my embrace, a strange satisfaction surged through me. My wolf urged me to bury my face in the crook of her neck and breathe in her scent.

"Now this is a sight I never thought I'd see," Mark slid onto the couch beside me, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "The mighty Alpha cradling an Omega in his arms."

Mark was a Delta wolf I'd known since childhood, one of the few people who dared speak to me in such a casual manner without fearing the consequences. Tonight, however, his teasing tone grated on my already frayed nerves.

I shot him a cold glare, the kind that would make most wolves cower and retreat. Mark immediately fell silent, his expression sobering.

"Caring for Omegas is an Alpha's duty," Tom interjected. As my Beta, he was more adept at handling awkward situations.

I knew exactly what every wolf in the VIP section was thinking. Wasn't this the same Omega who had interrupted my binding ceremony with Mya six months ago? The one who had boldly claimed to be my Soul Bond? Now she was drunk and collapsed in my arms, mistaking me for my brother.

"It's our responsibility to protect the Omegas in our Pack," I replied stiffly, my voice masking the turmoil within.

The girl in my arms shifted slightly, her eyelashes fluttering. Her hips pressed against mine in a subtle movement that sent tension crackling through my body.

The alcohol had clearly clouded her mind, leaving her barely aware of her surroundings, much less the effect she was having on me.

The potent scent of Wolf Bite cocktails emanated from her skin, blending with her natural fragrance to create an intoxicating combination more powerful than any alcohol I'd ever tasted.

The beast inside me grew restless, pushing against the boundaries of my control, craving more contact. I struggled to maintain my composure, even as my body betrayed my will.

I hated this weakness, this primal response I couldn't fully suppress. No female had ever breached my defenses like this—especially not an Omega with no status or power.

"Where am I?" she asked dazedly, her hazel eyes unfocused.

"You're in the VIP section," I replied deliberately coldly. "You nearly collapsed downstairs."

She frowned in confusion, struggling to process my words. "VIP? But I'm not..." She trailed off, "I'm just an Omega."

There was something in that raw self-assessment that made my chest tighten inexplicably.

"You should find your friends to take you home," I said, scanning the crowd for the redhead and tall boy I'd seen her with earlier, but they were nowhere to be found.

Erin's head rested against my shoulder, her eyelids growing heavy again, lips parting slightly with each breath. The innocent gesture sent a surge of heat straight to my core. If I didn't take action, she would certainly fall asleep on my couch.

My fingers tightened involuntarily, tracing the curve where her waist met her hip. My thumb moved in small circles over the fabric, gauging her reaction to my touch—the slight arch of her back made my mouth go dry. My wolf growled in satisfaction, urging me to claim what it believed rightfully belonged to us.

"I don't care about her," I told myself firmly. This girl was nothing to me—a complication, an inconvenience, a potential political disaster. Then why couldn't I stop imagining how her skin would feel beneath my hands? How she would taste if I followed the pulse point at her neck with my tongue?

These intense thoughts shocked me. I, a leader known for iron control, fantasizing about an Omega girl who had disrupted my plans. Unacceptable.

I began to rise, intending to call an Enforcer to handle the situation, but she suddenly grabbed my wrist, her grip surprisingly firm for someone in her intoxicated state.

"Where are you going?" she asked, her voice small and vulnerable, her breath sweet with the sharp scent of blue alcohol.

"To find someone to take care of you," I tried to gently disengage from her grip.

She wobbled as she attempted to stand, and I instinctively steadied her with an arm around her waist. The contact sent electricity coursing through me, from my fingertips straight to my core. I held my breath, feeling her soft body against my hard muscles.

For a moment, I pictured pulling her onto my lap, her thighs straddling mine as I explored the sweetness of her mouth.

"Why can't you just leave me alone?" she suddenly asked, tears welling in her eyes. "I was finally starting to rebuild my life, and then you show up again."

I frowned in confusion, until I realized she still thought I was Bradley.

"You betrayed me with my best friend," she continued, her voice breaking. "You and Lily ruined everything, and now you want me back? Why can't you just let me move on with my life?"

An unexpected surge of anger toward my brother rose within me. I knew Bradley had dated Erin, but never realized things had ended so badly between them.

Mark and Tom exchanged glances before sliding away from the couch. "We'll give you some space, Alpha," Mark said, not bothering to hide the amusement on his face. "Though, to be fair, you've been staring at her all night. Perhaps there's some truth to her claim after all."

I glared at him coldly, but he merely chuckled as he turned away.

\---

Erin tried to pull away from me, stumbling slightly as she turned. "I should go," she mumbled, unshed tears evident in her voice.

Without thinking, I removed my jacket and draped it over her shoulders. Her dress, though beautiful, offered little protection against the night chill. My jacket engulfed her petite frame, making her appear even more vulnerable.

The thought of her walking alone into the night, becoming prey for wolves on the prowl, settled like a stone in my stomach. My wolf, usually so tame, let out a possessive growl.

"No," I decided firmly, rising to my feet. Before she could protest, I swept her into my arms, one hand supporting her back, the other cradling the bend of her knees. The intimate position awakened a primitive satisfaction.

She weighed almost nothing, so small and fragile in my arms. It triggered something primordial and protective within me. Her heartbeat fluttered against my chest like a captured bird, her scent growing more potent with each breath.

My wolf preened at having her in our arms, completely under our protection. "Mine," it whispered. I pushed the thought down hard, even as my arms tightened around her.

"What are you doing?" she gasped, her hands instinctively grasping my shirt for balance. "Put me down!"

"You're in no condition to get home on your own," I stated flatly, striding toward the exit.

"I don't want to go with you," she protested weakly, but her head was already resting against my shoulder.

I carried her through the crowded club with an impassive expression, ignoring the surprised stares and whispers. The bouncers at the entrance rushed to open the doors as I approached, their eyes widening in shock as they recognized who I was carrying.

My car waited at the curb—a Maybach S680, its sleek black body gleaming under the streetlights. The driver quickly jumped out to open the rear door, trying to hide his surprise.

I gently placed Erin on the back seat before sliding in beside her. She immediately gravitated toward me, seeking warmth against the cold leather.

Her scent—wild honey and summer rain, now mixed with alcohol and the cologne from my jacket—filled the entire car, weaving an intoxicating cocoon around us that left my thoughts muddled and my control precarious.

The beast within me paced restlessly, hungry and wanting. It urged me to stake my claim here and now, to mate with her in the most primal way. The intensity of the desire unsettled me; I had never wanted any woman with such fierce, raw need. Every muscle in my body was taut as a bowstring, every sense hyperaware of her presence.

"Where to, sir?" the driver asked carefully, clearly puzzled by the unexpected passenger.

Before I could answer, Erin moved closer, her thigh pressing against mine, her head finding my shoulder once more. When her hand landed on my thigh, slender fingers splaying just above my knee, my breath caught. Even through the fine wool of my trousers, her touch burned like a brand.

I resisted the urge to cover her hand with my own, to guide it higher up my thigh. Control seemed increasingly difficult to maintain in her presence.

My wolf scratched at my insides, demanding I acknowledge what it had known all along—that this girl, this frustrating, complicated Omega, had somehow breached the fortress I'd built around myself all my life. The realization both angered and thrilled me.

"Is this your first time drinking?" I deliberately kept my voice cold, trying to counteract the heat spreading through me.

She nodded against my shoulder. "Yes. Why do you sound so mean? Your voice is like ice. Just like your brother."

I stiffened, caught off guard by her blunt question. Very few wolves dared speak to me this way.

"Derek Stone is the most arrogant man I've ever met," she continued hazily.