Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 26

Erin's POV

"You got the job!" Mom exclaimed joyfully as she embraced me. "Congratulations, dear!"

My chest tightened with emotion as I hugged her back, breathing in her familiar scent mixed with cooking spices. Her genuine pride made my eyes involuntarily moisten.

The kitchen was filled with the aroma of fresh herbs and roasted chicken. I noticed the flour on her apron, realizing she must have started cooking immediately after receiving my text about the job.

"I knew you could do it," she continued, stepping back to look at me, her eyes shining. "Working at Stone Group! And as the Alpha's assistant secretary, no less!"

I forced a smile, my mind still processing the chain of events that had brought me to this moment. My fingers nervously fidgeted with the edge of my sleeve as I tried to appear more confident than I felt. "Thank you, Mom."

"I'm so relieved, honestly," she confessed, turning back to the stove to stir something that smelled delicious. "With you working directly under the Pack Alpha's protection, I won't have to worry about your safety anymore."

If only she knew. I almost laughed at the irony—the person she thought would protect me was precisely the one who had caused me the most pain over the past few months.

"Let me call your brother," Mom suddenly said, reaching for her phone. "He'll be so proud of you."

"Mom, let's not tell Aaron yet," I quickly said, placing my hand gently over hers. "I'll tell him myself later."

She frowned slightly. "Why not now?"

"He's probably busy," I hedged, knowing my overprotective brother would definitely have strong opinions about me working so closely with Derek. "I don't want him to know yet. He'll definitely talk about it with the other Enforcers, and I don't want anyone to look at me differently."

Mom's expression softened as she stroked my cheek. "I'm grateful to have children like you and your brother. You never give me cause to worry. You're both such wise wolf cubs."

I leaned into her touch, guilt filling my heart. If she knew about the Soul Bond, knew what a complicated mess my life had become, she wouldn't think me wise at all.

"I miss him," I said softly, thinking of Aaron's warm smile and protective nature. "His Enforcer training won't be over for another six months."

"I miss him too," Mom agreed, her eyes momentarily distant. "But he's doing important work for the Pack. Now, sit down. I've made all your favorites."

As we ate dinner, Mom chatted excitedly about Stone Group's prestige and how this opportunity would open doors for me. I nodded and smiled at all the appropriate moments, but my thoughts kept drifting to tomorrow—my first day working directly under Derek, a man who both terrified and attracted me.

That night, I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, exhausted but unable to sleep. My limbs felt heavy, but my brain refused to quiet down.

I tossed and turned, punching my pillow in frustration as my thoughts cycled between excitement about the job and gut-wrenching anxiety about facing Derek.

My fingers drummed restlessly on the sheets as questions repeated in my mind. What game was he playing? Why give me this position after making it clear I wasn't qualified to work at Stone Group?

My gaze drifted to the brown paper bag on the chair beside my bed. I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry. Derek's jacket was carefully folded inside, but even from across the room, I could still catch traces of his scent, making my wolf restless. She paced within me, making my skin feel too tight and sensitive.

I groaned and rolled over, burying my face in my pillow and squeezing my eyes shut. My hands gripped the edges of the pillow tightly as I took deep, deliberate breaths. Tomorrow would arrive soon, and I needed to be prepared. I counted each exhale, trying to force my racing mind to surrender to sleep.

\---

The sharp sound of my alarm jerked me awake. I fumbled blindly for the bedside table until the noise stopped. Sunlight streamed through the thin curtains, making me squint as I blinked rapidly to adjust.

Outside, birds sang cheerfully in the forest beyond our property. For a moment, I remained perfectly still, my heart already beginning to race as reality settled in. Today was my first day. My stomach tightened with a mixture of excitement and dread.

"Let's start the new day," I whispered to myself as I threw back the covers, my voice sounding unnaturally loud in the quiet room.

In the bathroom, I scrutinized myself sternly in the mirror while brushing my teeth. I leaned closer to the glass, dissatisfied with what I saw. My dark hair fell in waves past my shoulders, and dark circles hung beneath my eyes, betraying my restless night. I poked at the puffy skin and sighed.

After a quick shower, I stood in front of my closet with water still clinging to my shoulders. I pushed hanger after hanger aside, my movements growing increasingly agitated with frustration as I realized how inadequate my wardrobe was. My hand paused on each garment momentarily before moving on quickly.

Most of my clothes were casual—perfect for a college student but hardly appropriate for the corporate headquarters of the most powerful werewolf pack in the region. I eventually pulled out a simple white blouse and black pencil skirt I'd worn for the speech competition, holding them against myself in front of the mirror.

"I need to buy more professional clothes," I muttered to myself as I put on the outfit, tugging at the slightly wrinkled fabric and adjusting the collar repeatedly until it sat perfectly.

I pulled my hair into a high ponytail, applied simple makeup, and stepped into black heels. With one final look in the mirror, I grabbed my purse and headed downstairs.

Just as I reached the front door, I suddenly remembered—Derek's jacket. I cursed under my breath as I ran back upstairs to grab the brown paper bag, my wolf almost purring with satisfaction at being close to our mate's scent.

"Stop it," I hissed at her as I hurried back down.

By the time I finally called a taxi, I was beginning to worry about being late. I checked my watch repeatedly, my leg bouncing uncontrollably as I sat in the back seat. The driver seemed to sense my urgency, navigating the morning traffic skillfully, but every red light made me clench my jaw, my shoulders tense.

"First day at a new job?" the driver asked, catching my eye in the rearview mirror.

I nodded, my fingers nervously tapping against the brown paper bag on my lap. The paper crinkled under my anxious hands, and I forced myself to stop touching it, only to start again seconds later.

"You'll be fine," he reassured me. "Everyone's nervous on their first day."

Not everyone is an Omega wolf about to work directly under the Pack Alpha who happens to be their Soul Bond, I thought, but just smiled politely. I sat rigidly in my seat, trying to appear composed while feeling anything but.

My wolf paced anxiously inside me, growing more agitated as we got closer to Derek. She pushed against my control, making my skin feel hot and tight.

My hands trembled slightly, and I clasped them together to steady myself. I breathed deeply through my nose, exhaling slowly through my mouth, focusing on keeping her contained. Despite the cool air conditioning in the taxi, sweat beaded along my hairline.

\---

When I finally arrived at Stone Group headquarters, I glanced at the large clock in the lobby—8:52. Realizing I had eight minutes until nine, I breathed a sigh of relief. I hurried to the reception desk, where a different receptionist from yesterday was seated.

"I'm Erin Blackwood," I managed to keep my voice steady. "Did the CEO's assistant tell you about me?"

The receptionist checked her computer. "Yes, Miss Blackwood. You're expected on the top floor. Please take the executive elevator to your left."

As I crossed the busy lobby, I felt curious gazes following me. Several high-ranking wolves openly turned to watch me pass, their nostrils flaring slightly to catch my scent.

I kept my eyes forward, chin slightly raised, refusing to show the intimidation I felt. If I appeared weak on my first day, Derek might reconsider his decision to hire me.

The executive elevator required a key card to operate, which the receptionist had provided. Would Derek be waiting to greet me personally? Would he subject me to another humiliating interview?

When the elevator doors opened, I stepped into a stylish corridor with several closed doors on either side. Before I could decide which direction to go, a crisp female voice called out.

"Miss Blackwood?"

I turned to see a smartly dressed young woman in her twenties striding confidently toward me. Her honey-blonde hair was neatly styled in a chignon, and her tailored suit radiated authority despite her youth.

"Claire?" I asked tentatively, recognizing the name mentioned on the phone yesterday.

"Yes, come with me," she confirmed, her smile professional and polite, but her eyes assessing as they swept over me. I noticed her nostrils flaring slightly, identifying my Omega scent, curiosity flashing in her eyes.

She led me to a spacious office with a view overlooking the entire city. "Please, have a seat," she gestured to the chair facing her desk.

Claire took out a folder and handed me a printed schedule. "This is your schedule. You'll be responsible for arranging the Pack Alpha's travel, managing expense records, booking venues for meetings, and so on. You'll prepare materials lists for Pack meetings and ensure you understand the specifics of each agenda item. These are all the things you need to learn today."

I nodded, scanning the detailed schedule. The responsibilities were much more extensive than I had anticipated, but also more interesting, not just simple secretarial work.

"Starting tomorrow, I'll share my work with you every day," Claire continued briskly. "You'll be working under me."

"Thank you, Claire," I said, grateful that my direct supervisor wouldn't be Derek himself.

"Oh, and one more thing," she added.