Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 45

Erin's POV

The next morning, I had to skip my classes at Silvermoon Academy and go directly to Stone Group. As I approached the building, my stomach knotted with anxiety, the memory of my public humiliation still fresh. What if Derek had changed his mind? What if the employees still thought I was a traitor?

When I walked into the lobby, I immediately noticed the difference. The atmosphere was completely unlike when I had left. The security guards at the entrance nodded respectfully, one even offering a small, apologetic smile. The receptionist who had previously ignored me now stood up, handing me a visitor badge with both hands.

"Welcome back, Miss Blackwood," she said, her voice filled with genuine warmth. "We're glad to have you back."

Confused but relieved, I took the elevator to my floor. When the doors opened, I was surprised to find several former colleagues waiting. They gathered around me, their expressions remorseful.

"We're sorry, Erin," one said, the others nodding in agreement. "We misunderstood you."

"The Alpha sent out an announcement explaining everything," another added. "Claire was the traitor all along, not you."

A senior manager stepped forward, extending an envelope to me. "On behalf of all employees at Stone Group, please accept our formal apology."

My hands trembled slightly as I accepted the envelope. Inside was a formal letter of apology, bearing the Stone Group seal and Derek's signature. The formality made my throat tighten—not because of what it meant to me personally, but because I understood what it represented. Derek had publicly cleared my name, ensuring everyone in the company knew I had been wrongfully accused.

"Thank you," I managed to say, genuinely touched by their gesture.

As I walked toward my office, other employees stopped to greet me, offering smiles and welcomes I had never seen before, tinged with new respect. Even the executives from the upper floors congratulated me on my return, each one making a point to apologize for the previous misunderstanding.

I had barely reached my former office when a young woman approached me.

"Miss Blackwood? The Alpha requires your presence in his office immediately."

My heart jumped to my throat. Taking a deep breath, I smoothed my skirt and walked toward Derek's office. Each step felt heavier than the last, uncertainty and anticipation building in my chest.

When I entered, Derek was standing by the window, his powerful silhouette outlined in the morning light. His broad shoulders appeared even more imposing in the backlight, his posture radiating authority and control. When he turned to face me, I unconsciously held my breath. In the sunlight, his eyes appeared lighter, almost silver, his strong jawline accentuated by stubble that hadn't been there yesterday.

I stopped in front of his desk, my pulse quickening traitorously. I carefully kept my eyes lowered in respect, though it took considerable effort not to stare at him. "You wanted to see me, Alpha?" My voice was more husky than I'd intended, and I cleared my throat.

Derek studied me for a moment, his gaze traveling slowly from my face down to my carefully chosen outfit, then back to my face. The weight of his scrutiny made my skin heat as if he were touching me rather than just looking.

When he finally spoke, his deep voice seemed to resonate in my chest. "I have dismissed my personal secretary due to her betrayal of the Darkwood Pack," he said, his tone businesslike, though I detected something else beneath the professional exterior. "Starting today, you will be my personal secretary."

My head snapped up, lips parting. "I'll be what?" Our eyes met fully for the first time that morning, and the intensity in his made me grip the edge of his desk to steady myself.

"My personal secretary," he repeated calmly, leaning forward slightly to emphasize the word "my," as if he hadn't just dropped a bombshell on me. A subtle curve at the corner of his mouth suggested he was enjoying my reaction.

"No," I blurted out, then immediately regretted my directness. "I mean... I can't be your personal secretary."

Being his assistant secretary had been challenging enough, with Claire assigning me impossible workloads while I struggled to balance my studies. Being Derek's personal secretary would mean more work, longer hours, and—most dangerously—more direct contact with him.

Derek's eyebrow raised slightly. "Why not?"

"I'm not qualified," I said, frantically searching for excuses. "I've only worked at Stone Group for a month. I'm still a student. I don't know enough about how the company operates."

"You're organized, detail-oriented, and learn quickly," Derek countered. "Claire was stealing information for months while you were doing half her job. You're already familiar with my schedule and preferences."

"But my studies—"

"We'll adjust your working hours to accommodate your class schedule," he smoothly interrupted. "Stone Group has always supported employees pursuing education."

I swallowed hard, desperately searching for a way out. "I don't think I can handle the responsibilities—"

"You don't have a choice," Derek's tone was final.

My shoulders slumped in defeat. He was the Pack Alpha and my employer—I couldn't directly refuse him. But I could negotiate.

"Fine," I conceded, lifting my chin stubbornly, though my wolf nearly whimpered with satisfaction inside me. "But I want a different office."

Derek's eyes narrowed slightly, his head tilting a fraction. "Why?" He moved closer, coming around the desk until there was nothing between us. I had to tilt my head back to maintain eye contact, my neck exposed in a way that made my wolf tremble with submission.

"I felt uncomfortable in that office," I admitted, gesturing toward my former workspace, trying to ignore how his proximity made my skin tingle with awareness. My voice dropped to just above a whisper.

"Like someone was always watching me. I know you wouldn't do that, but it's... distracting." I swallowed hard, noticing how his eyes tracked the movement of my throat. "I'd like to move to the office next door."

Derek was silent for a long time, his expression revealing nothing except for a subtle tightening at the corner of his mouth. He moved closer still—close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from his body, smell his intoxicating scent. For a breathless moment, I thought he might touch me, but he didn't. I took his silence as agreement, though a part of me wondered if I'd imagined the flash of disappointment in his eyes.

"Thank you, Alpha," I said respectfully, lowering my head, my voice slightly unsteady. As I looked down, I noticed his hands—large and powerful, long-fingered—slightly clenched at his sides. "When would you like me to start?"

Derek reached across me for something on the desk, his arm brushing against mine in a way that seemed unnecessarily intimate. The brief contact sent electricity racing across my skin. He handed me a thick folder, his fingers deliberately grazing mine during the exchange.

"Now. These are your duties as the Pack Alpha's personal secretary. Familiarize yourself with them today." His voice lowered an octave, rumbling from deep in his chest.

---

I arrived at Claire's former office and placed the folder on the desk. The room was larger and more elegant than my previous one, with a view of the city skyline rather than the adjacent wall. I sank into the comfortable leather chair, feeling both overwhelmed and strangely satisfied.

Opening the folder, I began reading the list of responsibilities as Derek's personal secretary. With each page, my eyes grew wider.

According to the document, I would be responsible for scheduling all of Derek's meetings, preparing his briefings, taking notes during high-level discussions, and serving as the primary liaison between the Pack Alpha and all Stone Group departments. I would be required to attend all of Derek's meetings, accompany him on business trips, and be available whenever he called—whether during working hours or not.

"What the hell is this?" I muttered, flipping through page after page of requirements. "Why is there so much work? I'll have to be like his shadow!"

My wolf, however, seemed entirely pleased with the arrangement, her tail practically wagging at the thought of spending more time near Derek. I firmly ignored her enthusiasm.

The morning passed in a blur as I adjusted to my new role. I organized Derek's schedule for the week, noting with interest that Stone Group was in negotiations for a potential new alliance with the Ridgeclaw Pack. After Claire's betrayal, I was surprised Derek was willing to work with them.

By noon, I had a list of questions about several upcoming meetings. I was considering whether to go directly to Derek's office when I realized it was lunchtime. My stomach growled, reminding me I hadn't eaten since morning.

"Excuse me, Miss Blackwood?"

I looked up to see a young female employee standing in my doorway, smiling tentatively.

"A few of us are heading to the cafeteria for lunch. Would you like to join us?"

I hesitated, recognizing the implications behind the invitation—an attempt to build relationships with the Pack Alpha's new personal secretary. Just yesterday, none of these employees would have noticed my existence.

Still, I needed to eat, and perhaps building alliances within the company wasn't a bad idea.

"I'd love to," I answered, picking up my wallet. "Let me just finish this email."

The company cafeteria was located on the ground floor, a spacious area with floor-to-ceiling windows and various food stations. As I walked with my new companions, discussing the different departments and projects, I was so focused on their conversation that I didn't notice the person in front of me until we collided.

"I'm sorry, I didn't—" The apology died on my lips as I recognized who I had bumped into.

Lily stood before me, her eyes widening in recognition, then narrowing in contempt.

"You!" she exclaimed, her voice carrying across the cafeteria. "What are you doing here? Who allowed you into our company?"

Before I could answer, a deep male wolfish voice spoke up. Without turning around, I knew he was a senior wolf.

"She is Pack Alpha Derek's personal secretary. Everyone must allow her into this company."