Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 69

Erin's POV

With each step up the stairs, I became increasingly aware of who I was—an Omega about to enter the Pack Alpha's most private space.

Several closed doors lined the hallway. I gently pushed open the first one, discovering a luxurious guest bedroom. The second revealed a study, its walls adorned with medals and decorations that spoke of power. Finally, I stood before the black door at the end of the hallway, took a deep breath, and knocked softly.

No response.

I knocked again, slightly harder. Still silence.

After a moment's hesitation, I carefully turned the handle—the door wasn't locked.

Derek's bedroom was more minimalist than I had imagined, but every item revealed exquisite taste and extraordinary wealth. The massive bed was predominantly black, with curtains half-drawn to block the morning light, leaving the room bathed in a twilight ambiance.

I held my breath at the sight on the bed—Derek lying face down, his broad back completely exposed, only his lower body covered by a deep gray silk sheet. My wolf immediately became restless, longing to be closer to this powerful Alpha.

My heart nearly burst from my chest, unable to look away from the perfect muscle definition of Derek's back. This was the first time I'd seen him so unguarded, completely different from the cold, stern Pack Alpha he portrayed daily.

I quietly moved around to the other side of the bed, wanting to see his sleeping face, only to have my breath stolen by the sight—sleeping Derek's features were relaxed, less sharp, showing an unexpected vulnerability.

I noticed a long scar on his left arm and found myself wanting to reach out and touch it, to learn the story behind that mark. His handsome profile drew me in, especially when I noticed a small black mole at his throat, the tiny imperfection somehow adding to his appeal.

My gaze was drawn to his dark hair falling messily across his forehead, and I unconsciously reached out to brush it away.

Just as my fingertips were about to touch his forehead, Derek's hand suddenly grabbed my wrist, his grip firm but not painful. I gasped in surprise, the sound caught in my throat.

His eyes snapped open, gray irises immediately flashing with dangerous gold. He suddenly turned, one large hand still locking my wrist, his other arm encircling my waist and abruptly pulling me toward him. I lost my balance, falling onto his bare chest, my palm meeting burning hot skin and hard muscle.

"What are you doing?" he demanded, his voice deeper and rougher from sleep, his breath warming my face.

"I-I was just... I..." my throat constricted as I felt every abdominal muscle pressing against me through my thin dress.

His arm tightened around my waist, his large hand splayed against my lower back, pressing me more firmly against him. I could feel his heartbeat against my chest, strong and steady compared to my irregular pulse. His thumb drew small circles on my back, the motion seemingly unconscious.

"What exactly are you doing?" his voice dropped lower, his eyes looking directly into mine, giving me no chance to look away.

My legs were trapped against the edge of the bed, caught between the mattress and Derek's body. His skin against mine was impossibly hot, and I could smell his natural scent—not cologne, but pure Derek, more potent and masculine after a night's sleep. My face burned with embarrassment, but I couldn't ignore how my body responded to his proximity.

"Alpha, this is a misunderstanding," I said breathlessly, too aware of how my chest pressed against his with each breath. "I was just coming to wake you, as you requested... to pick you up at seven..."

Derek raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. His gaze deliberately swept down to where our bodies connected, then back to my face. "By staring at me while I sleep and then touching my face?"

I swallowed hard, watching his eyes follow the movement of my throat. "I... I'm sorry. Good morning, Alpha."

He studied me for a moment, his fingers still drawing those maddening little circles on my back. Each caress sent heat pooling deep in my abdomen. The gold gradually receded from his eyes, but the intensity of his gaze remained. When he finally released his hold on me, I felt both relieved and strangely disappointed.

I quickly stood up, thighs instinctively pressed together as I tried to steady myself. My nipples had hardened, and I crossed my arms, hoping he wouldn't notice through my dress.

I stood awkwardly in the center of the room, fingers twisting together. "I'm truly sorry, Alpha. I should have waited for you to respond before entering... I shouldn't have..." I couldn't finish the sentence because Derek had sat up completely, distracting me.

The sheet had slipped to his waist, revealing an upper body that looked carved from marble—broad shoulders tapering to a lean waist, defined pectorals, and abdominal muscles that rippled with each slight movement. A thin trail of black hair disappeared beneath the sheet. I forced my gaze upward, only to find him watching me with knowing eyes.

"Six fifty-eight," he said, glancing at his phone, his voice still deep and rough. "At least you're punctual."

He stood in one fluid motion, the sheet falling away. I quickly averted my eyes, realizing he wore only dark boxer briefs, clinging to powerful thighs and barely concealing his morning arousal. The sound of his bare feet on the hardwood floor accelerated my pulse.

He walked past me, close enough that his arm brushed mine, leaving a trail of heat. "I'll take a shower, be ready in fifteen minutes," he said quietly near my ear. "Wait here for me."

Once the bathroom door closed, I released the breath I'd been holding. I moved slowly around the bedroom, each step drawing in his scent. My wolf paced restlessly beneath my skin, wanting to roll in his sheets, to completely surround herself with his smell.

I sat on the edge of the bed, my fingers sinking into the mattress that still held his body heat. A longing had formed between my legs that I couldn't ignore. I pressed my thighs tightly together, trying to alleviate it.

"I want to know you," I whispered, my hand passing over his pillow, "I want to be with you."

Derek appeared precisely fifteen minutes later, a towel wrapped around his waist. Water droplets rolled down his chest, trailing along the ridges of his abdominal muscles. His hair was combed back, the moisture making it appear almost black.

"Sorry," he said, though his tone held no apology at all. "I forgot to bring clothes in with me."

I quickly stood up, turning away, though not before catching a glimpse of his back as he walked toward the closet—broad, strong, with several scars scattered across it that only enhanced his masculinity.

I heard the rustle of fabric as he dressed. When I dared to look at him again, he was already wearing black pants and buttoning a white shirt that covered his still-damp chest. His hair fell slightly over his forehead as he concentrated on the buttons. This less-than-perfect Derek awakened something deeper inside me.

He selected a tie, his fingers moving with practiced precision. Without thinking, I walked over to him.

"Let me help you," I offered, picking up the suit jacket lying on the bed.

Derek paused, then nodded. I held the jacket open, and he slid his arms into the sleeves. My hands smoothed the fabric over his shoulders, lingering longer than necessary. I could feel his muscles flex beneath my hands. He turned to face me, standing so close I could see the tiny silver flecks in his gray eyes. Neither of us stepped back.

My fingers touched his shoulders, feeling the solid muscle beneath the expensive fabric. When he turned to face me, we stood so close I could feel the heat radiating from his body.

He reached up to adjust his collar, his fingers brushing against mine. The contact sent electricity through my entire body. His eyes locked with mine, holding me in place. Time seemed to stop, the tension between us growing thicker.

"Your perfume," he said quietly, leaning slightly closer. "It's different today."

I swallowed hard as he bent his head, deliberately inhaling deeply near my neck. "Yes," I managed, my voice barely audible. "Do you like it?"

His eyes darkened, the muscles in his jaw tightening. "It suits you." His voice dropped an octave, sending shivers down my spine.

He didn't immediately move away. Instead, he reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingertips grazing my cheek. The simple touch set my skin on fire.

"We should go," he finally said, though he lingered a moment longer, his gaze falling to my lips before he stepped back.

---

"Aren't you having breakfast?" I asked as we descended the stairs, still unsteady from the intimacy we'd shared upstairs.

Derek checked his watch, the movement precise and controlled. "We'll eat at the office."

"Alright," I nodded, following him toward the waiting car. As I walked behind him, I couldn't help noticing how his suit jacket emphasized his broad shoulders and narrow waist. Each step he took exuded power and authority, reminding me of exactly who he was—not just my boss, but the Alpha of our entire pack.

The drive to Stone Group was mostly silent. I sat beside Derek, acutely aware of every inch of space between us in the backseat. When the car turned, his leg occasionally touched mine, each contact sending a warm current through my body.

As he reviewed documents on his tablet, I stole glances at his profile—the strong line of his jaw, the slight furrow between his brows as he concentrated, the way his long fingers slid across the screen.

When he shifted in his seat, his thigh pressed more firmly against mine. Neither of us moved away. Unlike the awkward silences of our early interactions, this silence was charged with unspoken tension that made my skin tingle.

When we arrived at Stone Group, I exited the car first, only to freeze at the sight of a familiar figure waiting at the entrance.

"Bradley?" I murmured, immediately tensing.

He approached, displeasure evident on his handsome face. "Why are you getting out of my brother's car? At this hour?"

I straightened my spine, meeting his gaze directly. "As you can see, your brother is with me."

Derek emerged from the car, his powerful presence immediately drawing the attention of everyone around. He assessed the situation calmly, then walked toward us.

"What are you doing here?" he asked Bradley, his tone neutral but with an edge.

Bradley forced a smile. "Brother, I'm here to talk to my ex-girlfriend. Would you mind giving us some privacy?"