Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 21

Erin's POV

When I arrived, Professor sat behind his desk, his expression unreadable as he gestured for me to sit. The air in the office felt heavy and tense.

"Miss Blackwood," he began formally, adjusting his glasses with his left hand, "I've called you here to discuss two important matters."

I braced myself. After the speech competition disaster, I wouldn't even be surprised if he was about to expel me from Silvermoon Academy. My wolf curled into a protective ball inside me, seemingly anticipating the blow.

"First, I want to inform you that the school administration has had some discussions about your behavior at the speech competition."

My heart continued to sink. "Professor, I—"

He held up a hand to silence me. "I'm not finished. While your presentation was... inappropriate, the Alpha himself has intervened on your behalf."

"What?" The word burst out before I could stop it.

Professor looked as surprised by this turn of events as I felt. "Yes. Mr. Stone personally informed the Dean that there were... special circumstances, and you shouldn't be academically penalized for what happened."

Derek had advocated for me? My wolf snapped to attention, suddenly intensely interested, her ears practically perking up at the mention of our mate.

A warm feeling blossomed in my chest, spreading outward until my fingertips tingled. He had spoken up for me. Protected me. The realization left me breathless, something close to hope churning in my chest.

"Second," the professor continued, pulling me from my thoughts, "I've received word from Stone Group. They're interested in interviewing you for their departmental internship program."

I stared at him, certain I must be hallucinating. "Stone Group wants to interview... me?"

He nodded, handing me an envelope with the company's sleek silver logo embossed in the corner. "The interview is set for tomorrow morning at eight. All the details are in the envelope."

My hands shook so badly I nearly dropped the envelope as I took it. The paper felt unnaturally heavy, weighted with potential and possibilities I'd never dared imagine.

"But... why me? After everything that happened..." my voice trailed off as I struggled to make sense of it all.

Why would Derek do this? Out of pity? Obligation? Or something entirely different? My wolf had her own theories, pushing forward images of Derek's intense stare, how his hands had steadied me, how he'd protectively carried me to his car. *He is mine,* she seemed to whisper.

The professor's expression softened slightly, his brows unknitting. "Miss Blackwood, despite the unfortunate events at the competition, your research does have genuine merit. I may have shared some of your previous work with contacts at Stone Group."

"Thank you," I managed to say, my voice barely audible.

I traced the edge of the envelope with my thumb, trying to process the reality that Derek Stone had not only prevented my expulsion from school but potentially opened a door to my future.

"I suggest you prepare thoroughly," the professor continued, his tone becoming businesslike again. "This is a rare opportunity, especially for an Omega wolf."

\---

"Stone Group wants to interview you?" Jack repeated incredulously when I told them the news at lunch, nearly choking on his apple juice. "The company owned by the Alpha who supposedly can't stand you?"

"I don't understand it either," I admitted, absently tearing the edges of my sandwich into tiny pieces. "Professor said Derek personally went to the Dean to stop the school from taking action after the competition disaster."

Amy leaned forward, her eyebrows nearly hitting her hairline. "Seriously? Ice-cold Mr. Alpha personally stood up for you?"

"Maybe he figured out Lily plagiarized you? That would be something," Jack suggested thoughtfully, tilting his head.

I shrugged, my heart already speeding up just from talking about him. "Even if he did discover the truth, why would he care? He's made it very clear I'm nothing but trouble to him. At least, I thought he had."

"When's the interview?" Amy asked, expertly stealing one of Jack's chips.

"Tomorrow morning at eight sharp." My voice trembled slightly as the reality hit me again.

A slow smile spread across Amy's face. "Hmm. Seems our Alpha might not be as indifferent as he pretends to be."

"Don't," I warned, heat crawling up my neck. "This could just be... I don't know, his way of getting better control over me."

"Mmhmm," Amy hummed skeptically, exchanging a knowing look with Jack that made me want to crawl under the table.

"We should keep this quiet," Jack suggested, his voice dropping as he scanned the crowded cafeteria warily. "If Bradley finds out..."

I nodded grimly, the memory of Bradley's threats still fresh. "You're right. The last thing I need is more drama before this interview."

\---

"An interview at Stone Group?" my mom repeated that evening, her eyes widening in surprise. "Erin, that's wonderful!"

I nodded, still not quite believing it myself. "It's for a position in their internship program."

Mom put down the plate she was drying, turning to face me fully. "Stone Group is one of the most prestigious companies in the region. The Alpha runs it strictly, but I hear he takes care of his people."

I swallowed back the urge to argue. Mom didn't know about my complicated history with Derek Stone. To her, he was just the Pack leader—distant, powerful, intimidating, but ultimately fair.

"I know you're nervous about working somewhere with so many high-ranking wolves," she continued, misinterpreting my silence. "But you'll be safe there. The Alpha won't allow harassment in his own company."

If only she knew the Alpha himself was what made me most nervous.

"I should go prepare," I said, kissing her cheek. "I want to make a good impression."

In the privacy of my room, I stood before the mirror, practicing my introduction. "Hello, I'm Erin Blackwood. I'm a sophomore at Silvermoon Academy, and my accomplishments include..."

My wolf paced restlessly, as if sensing what tomorrow might bring. "Stop it," I whispered. "This is an important opportunity. Don't mess this up."

She whined, pushing images of Derek into my mind—his strong hands steadying me in the hallway, his scent surrounding me in the car, the intensity in his eyes when I'd boldly claimed to be his Soul Bond.

"He won't be there," I told her firmly, though I didn't believe it myself. "He's the CEO of the group, he can't possibly interview interns. We'll probably meet HR or a department manager."

But that night, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep. My thoughts were a whirlwind, replaying the day's revelations over and over. Derek Stone, who had looked at me with such cold eyes, had advocated for me to the Dean. Had secured this interview for me. Why?

Every time I closed my eyes, his face appeared—sometimes cold and distant, but sometimes with that hunger I'd glimpsed in the car. Something primal and starved that made my skin heat just remembering it.

My wolf paced restlessly beneath my skin, nearly trembling with anticipation. Through our connection, she pushed forward images—Derek's strong shoulders beneath his tailored suit, the intensity in his steel-gray eyes, the feel of his hand on my lower back, strong and sure.

My body responded traitorously, liquid heat spreading through me until I was gasping. Shamefully, I was wet just thinking about him.

I curled into a tight ball, trying to stop thinking about Derek.

"Stop it," I said to my wolf. "He doesn't want us. He's made that very clear."

My fingers traced the edges of the Stone Group envelope on my nightstand, the paper whispering against my fingertips. Inside was an opportunity I'd never dreamed of—a chance to prove myself based on my work, not my Pack status. For whatever reason, Derek had given me this.

The thought spread a strange warmth through my chest, dangerously close to gratitude—or something deeper. Could it be fondness? Was I developing feelings for Derek?

"What if he's there tomorrow?" I whispered into the darkness.