Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 30

Erin's POV

Just then, my phone chimed with a notification. Reluctantly opening my eyes, I saw a notification from Darkwood Pack Bank—my salary had been deposited. When I opened the banking app and saw the amount, I nearly dropped my phone.

"So much?" I whispered in disbelief.

The figure on the screen was far more than I had expected, more than most Omegas would earn in three months of work. For a moment, a bitter laugh almost escaped my lips. So this was the price of my dignity? Of my health?

Just as I was contemplating this further, a knock at the door startled me. I quickly locked my phone and sat up straight in my chair.

"Come in," I called, trying to maintain a professional tone despite my exhaustion.

A Pack Enforcer entered, his large frame nearly filling the doorway. "Blackwood, the Alpha wants you in his office. Claire won't be coming in today."

I blinked in surprise. "What happened to her?"

"That's all I know," he answered indifferently. "Since she's absent today, you'll have to take on her responsibilities. Go to the Alpha's office and see what he needs. You should feel honored, as an Omega."

I nodded, swallowing hard. "I understand."

As the Enforcer left, my office phone rang. I picked it up with trembling hands, already knowing who would be on the line.

"Miss Blackwood," Derek's deep voice came through, vibrating in my ear. Despite his cold tone, my spine automatically straightened, a shiver running down my arms, raising goosebumps. "I see Darkwood Pack Bank has paid you today. So what is it that makes you so unmotivated at work? Have you forgotten your place in the Pack?"

His words cut through me. I bit the inside of my cheek, tasting the metallic flavor of blood. My fingers gripped the phone tightly until my knuckles turned white.

"I... I'll come to your office right away, Pack Alpha," I managed to get each word out, carefully controlling my voice to keep it from trembling.

"See that you do," he replied, then hung up. The dial tone buzzed in my ear, loud and accusing.

I set the phone down gently, my hand still shaking. My wolf, restless all day, suddenly stood at attention, ears forward, tail up. Her excitement rushed through me, making my heart beat faster.

"Stop it," I muttered, fingers pressing my temples. "I'm tired, don't add to my stress."

She responded with a whimper, the sound echoing in my chest. I felt her disagreement clearly, as if she had spoken. She pushed from within, persistently hopeful despite all evidence to the contrary. No matter how many times he rejected us, she stubbornly believed in our connection.

I stood up from my desk, my legs unsteady. My hands automatically smoothed my skirt, brushing away invisible wrinkles. I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, licked my dry lips, and quickly checked my appearance in the reflection of my computer screen.

I took three deep breaths, counting silently on each exhale, then squared my shoulders and headed toward Derek's office. Each step down the hallway felt heavier than the last, my heart pounding fiercely between my ribs.

\---

I knocked on Derek's door. I curled my toes in my shoes, trying to steady myself while I waited, holding my breath.

"Enter," came his commanding voice from inside, muffled by the thick door but still powerful enough to make my pulse jump.

I walked in, immediately enveloped by the cooler air of Derek's office. It was dimly lit as usual, heavy curtains blocking the midday sun. The darkness pressed around me, making my eyes strain to adjust from the bright hallway.

Derek sat behind his massive desk, broad shoulders slightly hunched forward as he studied the documents spread before him. He didn't look up as I entered. His dark hair fell slightly over his forehead, the strands glinting in the weak light filtering through the curtains. The line of his tense jaw moved subtly as he clenched and unclenched his teeth, the muscles there tight with concentration.

I stood quietly just inside the doorway, feet seemingly rooted to the floor. I folded my hands in front of me to prevent them from fidgeting nervously, feeling the dampness of my palms.

I waited to be acknowledged, my breathing growing shallow as I counted the seconds in my head.

My wolf, restless all day, suddenly went completely still. Then, with a violent surge, she pushed forward, pressing against the barrier of my skin.

I swallowed hard, feeling the pulse at the base of my throat. She was always like this around him—scratching and pushing, leaning toward Derek with such intensity that I had to tense every muscle to maintain control. My chest tightened, making breathing difficult. She tried to reach the man who should have been our mate, ignoring all the reasons we needed to keep our distance.

After what felt like an eternity, Derek finally looked up, his eyes meeting mine with such intensity that I had to fight the urge to step back.

"Alpha, you called for me," I said, my voice mercifully steady.

"You'll be taking over Claire's duties in her absence, Blackwood," he said coldly.

"Yes, I'm aware."

His eyes narrowed slightly. "I have an important business meeting this afternoon. I need you to iron the appropriate suit for me."

I blinked, momentarily thrown by the mundane request. For a moment, I wondered if this was some kind of test. But his expression remained impassive, expectant.

"Yes, Alpha," I replied, turning to leave.

"And Blackwood," he called as I reached the door, stopping me in my tracks. "Don't take too long."

I nodded and quickly left, my mind racing. Ironing his suit seemed simple enough, but I suddenly realized I had no idea which suit he intended to wear for his meeting. Claire had never mentioned this aspect of her duties during my training.

In the executive lounge adjacent to Derek's office, I found the private wardrobe area. I stood frozen for a moment, taking in the vast collection of perfectly tailored suits, dress shirts, and ties, all organized by color and occasion. Each garment looked more expensive than my entire closet at home.

My hands trembled slightly as I surveyed the options, my wolf unusually quiet inside me, as if holding her breath. After a moment's hesitation, I decided I needed guidance and pulled out my phone to call Claire.

"Yes?" her crisp voice answered on the second ring.

"Claire, I'm sorry to bother you," I began hesitantly, "but the Alpha asked me to iron his suit for an important business meeting this afternoon. Which one should I prepare?"

A brief silence followed, then Claire's voice turned accusatory. "You should prepare his navy blue suit with the subtle pinstripe. It's his preferred attire for business negotiations. The white shirt with French cuffs should accompany it, along with the silver and navy tie."

I frowned, scanning the rack for the described outfit. "Thank you, Claire."

"Don't make any mistakes," she added with false sweetness before hanging up. "I wouldn't want you to lose your job... though I doubt how long you'll last anyway."

The call ended abruptly, leaving me staring at my phone. Something about Claire's tone struck me as odd. She seemed to take peculiar pride in knowing Derek's preferences, as if it were some intimate privilege. Her possessiveness was unexpected, especially over something as mundane as clothing choices.

I pushed the thought aside and carefully located the navy suit Claire had described. I set up the ironing board and went to work, meticulously pressing each piece, ensuring there wasn't a single wrinkle to be found.

The rich, expensive fabric felt smooth under my fingers as I worked. My wolf grew restless again, perhaps recognizing our mate's scent embedded in the clothing.

When I finished, I carefully draped the suit, shirt, and tie over my arm and headed back toward Derek's office. As I rounded a corner, I overheard hushed voices from a small group of female employees huddled near the water cooler.

"She's so lucky to be handling the Alpha's personal items," one whispered. "But I guess that's her strategy."

"You're right," another agreed with a smirk. "Since Claire isn't here today, she's seizing the opportunity to get closer to the Alpha. Poor Omega, thinking this will elevate her status."

My step faltered, my wolf suddenly surging forward with unexpected aggression. Before I could stop myself, I had pivoted toward the gossiping women.

"Excuse me?" I said, my voice steady despite the rage building in my chest. "Are you talking about me?"

Their eyes widened in surprise, clearly shocked that an Omega would directly confront them. The taller one—a Beta wolf with perfectly styled blonde hair—recovered first, her expression hardening.

"Nothing important," she replied coolly. "Just discussing certain wolves' ambitions."

I met her gaze steadily, finding strength I didn't know I possessed. "I'm on my way to the Pack Alpha's office right now. Would you like me to share some thoughts with him about unprofessional behavior among his staff?"

The women exchanged alarmed glances, their confidence visibly wavering.

"I suggest you focus on your own work rather than gossiping about others," I continued, my voice surprisingly calm. "It would better serve the Pack."

Without waiting for a response, I turned and continued toward Derek's office, my heart pounding with adrenaline. I couldn't believe I had just stood up to higher-ranking wolves. My hands trembled slightly, but not from fear—from a strange, unfamiliar sense of power.

I knocked on the door once more.

"Enter," came the familiar command.

I stepped inside, carefully carrying the freshly pressed suit. Derek was now standing by the window, his powerful silhouette outlined against the sliver of light coming through the gap in the curtains.

"I've prepared your suit, Alpha," I said, holding up the navy ensemble.

Derek turned and approached, his movements fluid and graceful despite his large frame. He took one look at the suit and his expression immediately darkened.

"What is this?" he asked, his voice so low it seemed to vibrate in my bones.

I blinked in confusion. "The navy suit for your business meeting, Alpha."

"This isn't what I need for today's meeting," he growled, his eyes flashing with anger. "This is completely wrong."

I felt the blood drain from my face. "I'm sorry, Alpha. Claire said—"

"Can't you even get this right?" he interrupted, his voice frighteningly quiet. "My meeting is with the Silverpine Pack representatives. The charcoal gray suit would have been appropriate, not this."