Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 63

Erin's POV

"And Erin, I hope your mother likes that crystal necklace you bought her. It looks beautiful, and I know how many extra hours you worked for it."

Derek's eyes met mine, something resembling regret flickering across his face.

"She's safely home now," Derek abruptly said. "Goodnight." He ended the call before Tomas could respond.

For a long moment, neither of us spoke. Derek stared at the crystal necklace in his hand, his expression unreadable.

"So that's what this is about," I finally said, my voice barely above a whisper. The realization of what he'd been implying hit me like a physical blow. "You thought I got this necklace from Thomas? That I..." I couldn't even finish the sentence.

Derek's jaw tightened. "The timing was suspicious. You suddenly have an expensive gift after meeting with an unknown male wolf."

Tears welled in my eyes, blurring my vision. But beneath the hurt, anger began to rise – hot and fierce. I felt thoroughly humiliated by his accusations, wounded that after everything, he still thought so little of me.

"In your heart, is that who you think I am?" My voice shook with emotion. "Do you honestly believe I would be the kind of woman who sleeps with a man for a necklace?"

Derek's expression remained stoic, but something flickered in his eyes.

"Answer me!" I demanded, my voice rising. "After all these weeks working together, is that really who you think I am? Some cheap Omega who can be bought with trinkets?"

When he didn't immediately respond, I reached for the door handle. I needed to get away from him, away from his distrust and hurtful suspicions. I pushed the door open and stepped into the cool night air, not caring that we were at a remote lookout point far from home.

"Erin!" Derek called after me, but I ignored him, walking blindly away.

My high heels weren't suited for the rough terrain, and I stumbled slightly on the gravel path. The night had grown colder, and I wrapped my arms around myself, wishing I'd brought a jacket.

I heard the car door slam shut, then Derek's footsteps. I quickened my pace, though I knew trying to outrun him was futile.

"Erin, stop," he commanded, his voice carrying all the authority of an Alpha.

I whirled around, tears streaming down my face now. "No! I won't be commanded by someone who thinks I have so little self-respect!" My voice broke. "In your eyes, I'll always be just a disposable Omega, won't I? Someone who would sell herself for a pretty bauble?"

Derek stood frozen, his usual composure faltering. For once, the mighty Alpha seemed at a loss for words.

"I saved for months to buy that necklace for my mother," I continued, my voice thick with emotion. "I worked overtime, I skipped lunches. I wanted to give her something beautiful because she deserves it after everything she's sacrificed for me." I wiped angrily at my tears. "But you wouldn't understand that, would you? In your world, everyone has an angle, everyone can be bought."

I heard a dull thud—the sound of his fist hitting something solid—followed by a low, frustrated growl. When I glanced back, I saw Derek standing beside his car, his fist pressed against the roof where a small dent had formed. His eyes glowed golden in the darkness.

"You can't just walk around in the wilderness," Derek called, his voice closer as he followed me. "It's dangerous out here."

"More dangerous than your distrust of me?" I turned to face him, tears glistening in the moonlight. "You'd rather believe I'm that kind of person? Of all people, you should know me better!"

Derek's face softened in the darkness, the gold receding from his eyes. "Get in the car, Erin. The temperature is dropping."

"I'd rather walk home," I said stubbornly, hugging my arms tightly across my chest.

"Please get in the car," Derek said quietly.

I stood there, stunned. In all the time I'd known him, I'd never heard Derek say "please" to anyone. The unexpected word completely caught me off guard.

I stood there, wavering between pride and practicality. The cold night air bit at my exposed skin, and I knew walking home from here was impossible. But letting Derek drive me home after he had insinuated such things felt like defeat.

"Erin," my name was softer on his lips this time, almost a sigh. He moved closer, his tall figure outlined in the moonlight. "I was wrong."

Those three words, coming from the proud Alpha who never admitted error, shocked me into silence.

Taking advantage of my momentary speechlessness, Derek moved forward and gently grabbed me by the shoulder. His warmth immediately enveloped me, along with his intoxicating scent.

"I shouldn't have questioned your integrity," he continued, his voice low. His hands lingered on my shoulders, the heat of his palms coming. "I let my... instincts cloud my judgment."

I looked up at him, searching his face. "What instincts?"

He hesitated, something vulnerable crossing his features. "The thought of you with another wolf... it affected me more than it should have."

"So you assumed the worst of me," I said, the hurt still raw in my voice. "In your mind, I'm the kind of woman who would sleep with a man for a necklace? Is that really what you think of me, Derek?"

Derek's expression turned pained. "No. That's not who you are." He reached out, his fingers gently brushing a tear from my cheek. "You're loyal, hardworking, and far more principled than most wolves I know. I was... jealous. And I handled it poorly."

The admission seemed to cost him, his jaw tight with the effort of such vulnerability.

"You were jealous?" I repeated, hardly believing what I was hearing.

"Get in the car," he said instead of answering, his voice gentle but firm. "We shouldn't be out here in the open."

Wordlessly, I let him guide me back to the vehicle. He opened the passenger door for me, waiting until I was seated before closing it and walking around to the driver's side.

---

Inside, the silence was deafening. Derek started the engine but didn't immediately put the car in gear. Instead, he sat there, staring straight ahead, his fingers lightly tapping on the steering wheel.

"I apologize," he finally said, the words sounding foreign on his lips. "It was unfair to you."

I turned to look at him, surprised by the sincerity in his voice. "I've worked so hard to prove myself," I said quietly. "To show that I'm more than just an Omega, that I have value beyond my rank. And in one moment, you made me feel like that's all I'll ever be to you."

Derek moved so quickly I barely noticed. One moment he was sitting beside me, the next his hand was sliding into my hair, his face inches from mine.

"You are far more than your rank, Erin," he said, his voice low and intense. "You challenge me in ways no one else dares. You see parts of me I've kept hidden from everyone else." His thumb traced my jawline. "You're the only one who makes me question everything I thought I knew."

Then he kissed me.

His lips pressed against mine with an almost uncontrolled hunger, firm yet surprisingly gentle. For a moment, I was frozen in shock as the Alpha claimed my mouth for the first time.

Then something primal ignited within me. My wolf surged forward eagerly, immediately recognizing her mate. My eyes closed as I melted into his embrace, my hands instinctively gripping his shirt collar, pulling him closer.

Derek growled against my lips, the kiss becoming more forceful, more possessive. His hand tightened in my hair, tilting my head back for better access. His other hand slid to my waist, pulling me toward him despite the car's center console between us.

Liquid heat coursed through my veins, igniting every nerve ending. The Soul Bond between us pulsed with primitive energy, creating a connection that felt ancient and breathtaking. I could feel his wolf too, just beneath the surface, hungry and possessive. The heavy scent of cedar and leather surrounded me, intoxicating my senses until I almost forgot why I had been so angry moments ago.

When I finally tore my mouth away, desperately gasping for air, Derek didn't release me. Instead, he rested his forehead against mine, his breathing as ragged as my own. I could feel his breath fanning across my swollen lips.

"You talk too much," he murmured, his voice deep and husky with desire, sending shivers down my spine.

I couldn't help a breathless laugh that was half excitement, half disbelief. "Is that your excuse for kissing me?"

He pulled back slightly, his hungry gaze roaming over my face, lingering on my lips. The golden flecks in his eyes were more pronounced now, his wolf still hovering just below the surface. Under that predatory stare, I felt completely exposed, as if he could see right through to my soul.

"I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions," he said quietly, his thumb tracing my bottom lip. "The thought of you with someone else..." He didn't finish the sentence, but his expression darkened with a possessiveness that made my insides clench.

We maintained silence on the drive home, but it was a different kind of silence than before—contemplative rather than tense. Occasionally, I would catch Derek glancing at me, his expression thoughtful.

When we pulled up in front of my house, Derek turned to me. "Erin, I sincerely apologize for my behavior tonight. It was... unbecoming of an Alpha."

The formal apology surprised me. Amy's words from weeks ago suddenly echoed in my mind: "Derek Stone doesn't apologize to anyone—except maybe a woman he truly cares about."

"My mother said if you ever drove me home again, I should invite you in," I said softly. "At least for coffee or tea, as a sign of respect."

A hint of a smile touched his lips. "Next time, perhaps. It's late, and you should rest."

He pulled the small box from his pocket, containing the crystal necklace. "Don't forget this. Your mother will love your gift."

I took the box, our fingers brushing during the exchange. Even that slight contact sent electricity coursing through me after our kiss.

"Goodnight, Alpha," I said softly.

"Goodnight, Erin," he responded. "I'll see you tomorrow."

As I walked to the front door, I could feel his gaze following me, ensuring I made it safely inside. Only when I was inside did I hear his car pull away.