Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 57

Erin's POV

I woke up in unfamiliar surroundings, with a slight headache and sunlight streaming through large windows. For a moment, I just lay there, trying to understand where I was. This was definitely not my bedroom—it was at least three times larger and decorated in elegant shades of gray and blue.

Slowly, I sat up, checking my clothes and sighing with relief. I was still wearing the blue dress from yesterday, though it was now creased from sleeping in it. Fragments of the previous night returned to my memory, and I groaned, covering my face with my hands.

"Why did I drink last night?" I muttered to myself. "Who brought me here?"

A sudden fear gripped me—what if I'd been kidnapped? I slid off the bed and moved cautiously toward the door.

Before I could reach it, the door opened, and a woman in what looked like a housekeeper's uniform entered, carrying a shopping bag. She smiled warmly at me.

"Good morning, Miss Blackwood," she said, handing me the bag. "Here are some fresh clothes for you."

I peeked inside the bag, recognizing items from the shopping trip with Derek. "Where am I?" I asked, confusion evident in my voice.

"You're in Alpha Derek's home," she answered, her tone respectful but warm. "Not the Darkwood Estate, but his private residence."

My eyes widened at this information. Derek had brought me to his private residence, not the pack's communal estate?

"The Alpha is waiting for you in the dining room," the housekeeper continued. "He requests that you join him when you're ready."

Alone again, I struggled to recall more of the previous night, but my memories remained frustratingly hazy. Sighing, I decided to prepare for what would undoubtedly be an awkward conversation.

I took a quick shower in the adjoining bathroom, which was as luxurious as the bedroom, with marble surfaces and high-end fixtures. Afterward, I selected a simple purple floral dress from the bag and quickly combed through my damp hair.

Taking a deep breath, I left the bedroom and made my way downstairs. In daylight, the house was even more impressive—spacious and modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering spectacular views. Everything spoke of refined taste and enormous wealth.

I found Derek in the dining room, dressed in a charcoal gray suit, reading news on a tablet. When I entered, he looked up and gestured for me to sit in the chair to his right but didn't speak. I sat down nervously, still trying to recover fragments of the previous night from my memory.

Derek pushed a plate of food toward me—eggs, bacon, fruit, and toast arranged perfectly on the plate. "Eat," he said simply, his voice deep and commanding even in that single word.

I stared at him, confused by his behavior. He wasn't being cold or distant. He almost seemed... friendly? I wasn't used to this version of Derek.

"Why do you look so confused?" he asked, setting down his tablet. His eyes locked with mine, and I felt my pulse quicken. "Didn't you tell me last night that I'm always rude to you?"

Memories suddenly flooded my mind—Derek's strong body pressed against mine as we danced, his hot breath grazing my neck, his teeth gently nipping my earlobe. Me cuddling against him in the car, breathing in his scent. The things I'd said to him. My mouth fell open in surprise, embarrassment and desire battling in my heart.

Derek reached across the table. His fingers touched my chin, pushing upward to close my mouth. The brief contact sent electricity through my body. "Your jaw is about to hit the floor," he said, a hint of teasing in his voice.

I couldn't move, couldn't breathe. His fingers had already left my skin, but I could still feel where he'd touched me, burning like a brand. More memories returned—telling him he smelled good, that my wolf liked everything about him. God, I had practically thrown myself at him.

"Eat," he said again, withdrawing his hand. "You didn't have dinner last night."

I looked down at the plate, wondering if I was still dreaming. "Am I still dreaming?" I whispered to myself.

Derek began eating his own breakfast, and I followed suit. I stole glances at him occasionally, noting the elegant and controlled way he ate. His hands were large, his fingers long and strong, the way he held his utensils indicating perfect etiquette training. Even in something as mundane as eating, he exhibited a natural combination of power and grace.

Each time our eyes met, I quickly looked away, the heat in my face increasing. Memories of the previous night kept flashing in my mind—Derek's hands caressing my body, his breath on my neck, the way he'd bitten my earlobe. My body reacted like an electric current at the thought.

After finishing, I awkwardly stood up. "I should go, Alpha. I need to get to school."

Derek nodded, giving me permission to leave. My cheeks burned at his calm demeanor. This gentler, more caring Derek was a strange experience for me, but somehow pleasant.

As I walked toward the front door, I patted my face, trying to calm myself. I recalled how I'd demanded he hold me last night, feeling a pang of embarrassment, but then a small thrill that his behavior seemed to have softened toward me.

The housekeeper appeared, handing me my phone. "Your phone, Miss Blackwood."

I thanked her, checking my phone and surprised to find no missed calls. My mother must not have noticed I hadn't come home.

"Thank you," I said sincerely.

The housekeeper smiled, a strange enthusiasm twinkling in her eyes. "Come back again," she said, her voice bright, just the right amount of friendly.

Leaving Derek's house, I noticed his driver watching me with a peculiar look, as if I were some rare exhibit. I ignored his gaze and quickly called a taxi to take me directly to Silvermoon Academy.

---

In the taxi, I called my mother, half-expecting a scolding for not coming home. To my surprise, when she answered, her voice was warm.

"Good morning, my darling," she said cheerfully. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, I slept fine," I answered cautiously, waiting for the rebuke that didn't come.

"Did you have fun with Amy?" she asked.

I realized—Amy must have covered for me. "It was lovely," I said, a wave of relief washing over me. "I'm heading straight to school now."

"Good," my mother said. "You should enjoy life with your friends sometimes, not just study and work."

After ending the call, I felt surprisingly light. For the first time in a long while, everything seemed to be going well.

When I arrived at Silvermoon Academy, I immediately noticed the stares following me across campus. Looking down at myself, I realized why—the purple dress was obviously expensive, as were the designer shoes I'd kept from the night before. I shook my head, trying to ignore the attention, and continued toward my classroom.

"Erin!" Amy's voice called out, and I turned to see her running toward me, Jack close behind. She hugged me tightly, whispering in my ear: "How was last night?"

I pulled back, blushing. "Nothing happened," I insisted. "I just got drunk. That's all."

Amy's eyebrows rose in surprise. "What? How could that man have such good control?"

I noticed a small mark on Amy's neck and quietly adjusted her collar to hide it. Our eyes met, and we both laughed.

"You know my situation with my Soul Bond is different from yours," I said once our laughter had subsided.

"I saw how he pulled you close, pushed that boy away," Amy said, excitement sparkling in her eyes. "Erin, I saw the jealousy in his eyes. He looked like he wanted to tear apart the guy who dared to touch you."

My heart pounded violently, memories rushing back. Derek's hands possessively gripping my waist. The heat of his body pressed against mine. His teeth leaving marks on my ear. My body immediately responded to the memory, a wave of heat spreading from my core.

"Did he tell you how he feels?" Amy asked, studying my reaction carefully.

I shook my head. "No. Nothing like that." The disappointment in my voice was evident.

"You should make him more jealous," Amy suggested, a mischievous look in her eyes. "Soul Bonds are very protective of their mates. If he sees another man touching you..."

"No, no," I said quickly, panic rising in my chest. "I can't risk that. You didn't see him when his eyes turned gold. He nearly lost control." I remembered how his muscles had tensed, how roughly he'd pulled me to him. The thought sent another wave of heat through me. "I don't even know how he feels about me now."

Amy sighed dramatically. "Will you listen to me just once?" she asked, though she was smiling.

I bit my lip, considering her suggestion. Derek had been resisting our connection from the beginning. He'd made it clear he didn't want a mate, especially an Omega like me. But last night... the way he looked at me, touched me, danced with me... that wasn't a man without feelings.

If he felt something for me beyond our Soul Bond connection, would he admit it? Or would his pride and stubbornness make him resist it forever?

"Alright," I said slowly. "I'll think about it."