Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 35

Erin's POV

My knees nearly buckled, a shock of electricity running from the top of my head to the soles of my feet. I stood perfectly still, my back pressed firmly against the door, feeling the cold wooden panel in stark contrast to my heated skin.

Derek's powerful body still held me in place, the heat radiating from him penetrating my clothing, every inch of my skin hyperaware of his presence. His words echoed in my mind, my thoughts a chaotic mess. My wolf tumbled with excitement, nearly breaking through my control.

"W-why?" I stammered, my voice barely audible, tone unsteady. I had to lick my dry lips to produce sound. My heart was beating so violently that the pounding in my chest was like a drumbeat, and I was certain he could hear it.

Derek's steel-gray eyes met mine, flickering with complexity in the light. His expression was unreadable. I tried to discern a hint of emotion, but I could see nothing beyond absolute control and power. "The reason is obvious. I don't want to lose my position."

The coldness in his response dropped me instantly into disappointment. For that brief, foolish moment, I had hoped... what? That he actually cared about me? That beneath his icy exterior, he felt something for the Omega who had crashed into his life claiming to be his Soul Bond?

Heat rushed to my cheeks—not from desire now, but from anger and humiliation. My wolf whimpered, retreating to the depths of my being, hurt by his callous response.

"What about me?" I asked, my voice stronger now, fueled by indignation. "How am I supposed to live my life?"

Derek's eyebrow raised slightly, genuine confusion passing over his features. He finally stepped back, creating a small space between us that felt both too vast and not nearly enough.

"Have I prevented you from living?" he asked calmly. "You're standing perfectly fine before me, with a good job, living a fulfilled life."

The sudden absence of his body heat left me strangely bereft, though relief flooded through me. I straightened my blouse with trembling fingers, trying to collect my scattered thoughts.

"So you're saying I can live however I want, and you have no issue with that?" I challenged, crossing my arms defensively over my chest.

Derek shrugged his powerful shoulders, his expression maddeningly neutral. "Why would I have an issue?"

He turned away, walking unhurriedly back to his desk. I remained rooted to the spot, shocked by his indifference.

"Only one requirement," he added, almost as an afterthought, his back to me. "Stay away from my brother."

My jaw tightened, a new irritation rising. "Bradley came to me to apologize," I blurted out, unable to stop myself. "I didn't seek him out."

Derek turned so quickly I gasped, his eyes flickering with gold. The temperature in the room seemed to plummet, his Alpha aura expanding, pressing down on me.

"Don't talk about him like that," he warned, his voice dangerously low. "This is my final warning. Remember that he is the Pack Alpha's brother."

I instinctively lowered my gaze, my wolf cowering beneath his dominance. "Yes, Alpha," I murmured.

When I dared to look up again, Derek had turned his back once more, his broad shoulders rigid with tension. This was clearly a dismissal—our conversation was over.

As I slipped out of his office, a hollow emptiness spread in my chest. I couldn't believe he could be so close to me one moment, his body pressed against mine, and then turn away the next as if he felt nothing—as if the Soul Bond connecting us was merely an inconvenience rather than the powerful, sacred connection it was supposed to be.

I felt lost, directionless, with no hope for my future. What would become of me if Derek would never formally reject me, but also never truly accept me as his mate? Trapped in an eternal limbo, forever bound to a man who saw me as an obligation to maintain his position?

My wolf curled into a tight ball inside me, her misery reflecting my own. For once, we were in complete agreement—this situation was intolerable.

\---

The following day, I immersed myself in work, grateful for the distraction it provided. The stack of files that Claire normally handled grew smaller as I methodically worked through them, my thoughts occupied with mundane tasks that conveniently required just enough concentration to keep me from thinking about Derek.

The office gradually emptied as employees left for the day, conversations and ringing phones fading into silence. I barely noticed the changing light outside as evening fell, my focus on the documents before me.

"Dear, it's eight o'clock already. Aren't you going home?"

The voice startled me, nearly making me spill my coffee. I looked up to see an older colleague from the accounting department standing in my doorway, concern on her face.

"Oh no," I exclaimed, suddenly remembering my promise to my mother. I was supposed to be home early for dinner with Thomas and his family. "I completely lost track of time."

I hurriedly gathered my things, stuffing files into my bag with little regard for organization. "Thank you for telling me."

The woman smiled kindly. "You're such a hardworking girl."

Her words, intended as a compliment, struck a painful chord. Hardworking or foolish? Here I was working late into the evening, doing tasks that weren't even mine, while Derek had probably gone home, unaffected by the day's events that had left me so shaken.

I hurried through the empty corridors toward the elevator, my heels clicking loudly on the polished floor. The executive floor was eerily quiet, most offices dark, with only a soft glow of light coming from beneath Derek's door.

Was he still here? My wolf perked up at the thought, but I firmly tamped down her interest. The last thing I needed today was another encounter with him.

\---

As I headed toward the regular employee elevator, I found a notice taped to the doors stating that the regular elevators were undergoing routine maintenance after hours tonight. Unfortunately, as the last employee leaving, I wouldn't be able to use the regular elevator.

Just then, the executive elevator doors slid open. Derek emerged, along with the Beta wolf who was supposed to have dinner with me tonight—Thomas. They were deep in conversation, neither noticing I stood just feet away.

I instinctively pressed against the wall, fingers clutching the hem of my blouse, heart racing with an irrational fear of being seen, despite having every right to be there. My eyes fixed on the open elevator doors, praying they would close quickly so I could make my way to the fire stairs.

Derek's scent wafted toward me—cedar and leather, now mixed with tobacco—making my wolf circle uneasily within me. My feet faltered, uncertainty washing over me. Should I wait for them to finish? Try to slip by unnoticed?

Before I could decide, Thomas looked up and spotted me. He gestured in my direction.

Derek turned, his sharp gaze immediately finding mine. I couldn't read his expression, but something made my skin prickle with awareness.

"What are you still doing here?" Derek asked Thomas, though his eyes remained fixed on me.

Thomas straightened slightly. "Alpha, I was waiting for someone. She's here."

As I approached, I could feel the tension radiating from Derek. His jaw was tight, eyes slightly narrowed. Whatever conversation I had interrupted was clearly unpleasant.

"Miss Blackwood," Derek acknowledged with a nod, his tone coolly professional, revealing nothing of the tension from our earlier exchange.

"Alpha," I responded, respectfully lowering my gaze.

Thomas stepped forward, smiling warmly. "Ready to go?"

I nodded, the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end, acutely aware of Derek's gaze piercing through my back. My voice was an octave higher than normal: "I'm sorry I'm late. I lost track of time."

"It's no problem at all," Thomas assured me, placing his hand lightly on my elbow to guide me toward the exit.

I could feel Derek's stare intensify, almost like a physical touch. My skin tingled, a warmth spreading from where Thomas's fingers contacted my elbow—not from his touch, but from the way Derek was looking at that point of contact.

Surrendering to an irresistible impulse, I risked one final glance at Derek and immediately regretted it. His expression had completely transformed, no longer the composed, controlled Alpha but a primal predator.

His brows were drawn together, lips pressed into a dangerous line, the muscles in his jaw and temples jumping beneath his skin. The air was thick with his anger, suffocating. For a moment, I was certain I caught a flash of gold in his eyes—his wolf looking directly at me, possessiveness and fury intertwined.

I quickly lowered my head, my chest tight, breathing difficult, heart pounding violently against my ribs.

The elevator doors closed behind us, the heavy metal sound echoing in my ears, sealing the three of us in the small space.