Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 23

Erin's POV

I straightened my back, trying to ignore how the movement briefly drew his gaze across my chest. "That's not why I'm here. I received an invitation to interview."

"Did you?" His eyebrow arched as he leaned forward slightly. He reached for a folder—my application materials—his long, powerful fingers turning the pages with deliberate slowness.

"Erin Blackwood," he read, his eyes flicking up to me. "Top of your class. How did you manage that?"

Heat flooded my body. For six months I had worked myself to exhaustion, proving my worth through academics when nothing else about me seemed to matter. And he was questioning it.

"By studying hard," I answered, my voice sharp.

His head snapped up, eyes locking onto mine. The sudden attention robbed me of breath. My wolf cowered, but my body responded differently—a warm flush spreading down my neck as he stared at me.

"The first year is easy," he muttered, returning to the file, though I noticed his fingers tightened at the edge of the paper.

I felt utterly dejected. After the Soul Bond disaster, I had spent countless nights curled over textbooks while other students socialized. Every perfect grade was my armor, proof that my existence was more than just being the rejected Omega.

"I really worked for those grades," I said softly.

Derek's gaze rose slowly from the file to meet mine. Though I wanted to look away, I couldn't. My pulse quickened, a heat that had nothing to do with anger spreading through my body. The way he looked at me made me hold my breath.

"Why didn't you heed my warning to stay away from my brother? Why are you trying to win him back?" his voice dropped lower, involuntarily sending a shiver down my spine.

"What?" The sudden shift caught me off guard.

"The photos at the speech competition." His jaw tightened. "You claim they weren't your doing, but they were clearly an attempt to rekindle your relationship with Bradley."

I blinked, momentarily stunned by his accusation. "Those weren't my slides. I tried to tell you that day, but you wouldn't listen." I took a deep breath, steadying myself.

"So you're saying someone else had photos of you and Bradley, and they were trying to get you two back together?" His voice dripped with skepticism.

My patience finally snapped. "No, that's not what I'm saying at all! Lily stole my research and sabotaged my presentation. She and Bradley betrayed me together. Why would I want him back?"

Realizing I had raised my voice to the Pack Alpha, I immediately fell silent. "I—I mean, you can ask your brother if I've been trying to get back with him. I've made it very clear he needs to stay away from me."

Derek's expression grew darker, the muscles in his jaw working. "So now you're avoiding him?"

"I'm not avoiding anyone," I said firmly, my wolf finding unexpected courage. "I'm getting on with my life."

Silence stretched between us, tense and electric. I could feel his wolf churning beneath the surface, watching me with an intensity that made it hard to breathe.

Suddenly, he tossed my folder onto the desk in front of me.

"I don't believe you have what it takes to work at this Pack's premier company," he said coldly.

At his words, I felt my heart break, numbness spreading through my chest as I stared at him in disbelief. This man had personally selected my project as the best at Silvermoon Academy, advocated for me to the Dean, then arranged this interview—all to humiliate me?

"I didn't ask for the interview," I managed to say, my voice surprisingly steady despite the storm raging inside. "Your manager contacted my professor and told me to come."

Derek's expression remained impassive, as if my words meant nothing to him. In that moment, I realized this was never a real opportunity—just another way for him to assert his dominance, to remind me of my place.

I stood up, gathering what little dignity I had left. "Thank you for your time, Alpha."

I turned toward the door, desperate to escape before the tears burning behind my eyes could fall. My hand reached for the doorknob, eager to get away.

"Did I give you permission to leave my office?"

His voice froze me in place. I turned back slowly, meeting his gaze against all better judgment. As our eyes locked, the air between us changed. My chest tightened, breathing suddenly difficult. His pupils dilated slightly, the steel gray darkening as something primal passed between us.

My wolf surged forward so violently I had to grip the doorframe to steady myself. She wanted him—desperately, completely—regardless of his cruelty or my humiliation. With each encounter, the pull toward him became harder to resist.

My body betrayed me, responding to his proximity, a rush of heat pooling low in my abdomen. I could smell his scent intensifying—cedar and leather mixed with something primitive and male that made my lips go dry.

I forced myself to look away, my nails digging into my palms. This was the man who had just crushed my dreams without hesitation. The one who saw me as nothing but trouble.

"Thank you for taking me home the other night, Alpha," I said quietly, my voice barely audible even to my own ears.

Without waiting for his response, I slipped through the door, closing it behind me, my heart hammering against my ribs as I tried to escape Derek Stone's effect on me.

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Derek's POV

The door closed. I gripped the edge of my desk, knuckles white, staring at the empty space where she had stood. Her scent saturated the air, making my throat tighten with each breath.

She had left. Without my permission. No one leaves me. And yet this Omega girl with her soft voice and challenging eyes did the very same thing, again and again.

My wolf paced restlessly, angry at her departure and equally frustrated with my treatment of her. From the moment she walked in, he had been pushing at my control, urging me to cross the room and touch her, to see if her skin was as soft as it looked.

I stood abruptly, needing to move. Her scent was everywhere—on the chair where she'd sat, in the air I breathed. I could almost taste her on my tongue. My body responded against my will, desire cutting sharp and unwanted through me.

At the window, I pressed my forehead against the cool glass, trying to regain composure. I had built the Stone empire through absolute, unwavering control. And here was Erin, making me feel things I shouldn't for an Omega with no status or power.

I returned to my desk, finding my gaze drawn to her folder. Her academic record was exceptional. Perfect grades in subjects that challenged even the most intelligent Beta wolves. I had dismissed it, but the truth was, I had never seen an Omega perform at this level.

The memory of her scent when she grew passionate made my mouth water. My wolf growled in satisfaction, urging me to reconsider my decision.

I snapped the folder shut, pushing it across the desk.

"Cancel my meetings for the rest of the day," I called to my personal assistant, my voice rougher than intended. "And I believe it's time to lighten your workload."

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Erin's POV

I practically ran through the corridors of Stone Group, desperate to escape before my composure completely crumbled. Eyes followed me—curious, judgmental, pleased—as if they all knew I had been rejected by the Alpha himself.

Two female wolves near the elevators exchanged knowing looks as I passed.

"Another Omega who thought she could work here," one whispered, not bothering to lower her voice enough that I couldn't hear.

"As if the Alpha would hire someone like her," the other responded with a smirk.

Despite my burning cheeks, I kept my head high, refusing to give them the satisfaction of seeing me break. The moment I stepped out of the building, I gulped in fresh air, trying to clear my lungs of Derek's intoxicating scent.

The bus ride to Silvermoon Academy passed in a blur, my thoughts replaying every painful moment of the interview again and again. I was a fool to expect any different outcome, to think Derek might respect me.

"I'll apply to other companies," I whispered to myself, though the words rang hollow. No other company in the area offered the prestige or opportunities of Stone Group.

Mom would be disappointed. She had been so excited about this interview, believing that working under the Alpha's protection would keep me safe from harassment.

When I reached campus, my mood was darker than a thundercloud. I hurried across the courtyard, suddenly realizing I was still wearing my interview outfit. I should change before class—

My phone rang, an unknown number flashing on the screen. I hesitated, then answered.

"Hello?"

"Is this Erin Blackwood?" a female voice asked.

"Yes, this is Erin," I answered cautiously.

"Hello, I'm the personal secretary to Pack Alpha Derek Stone. I'm calling to inform you that you've been selected as the Chief Executive Assistant Secretary."