Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 86

Erin's POV

The long benches were arranged in a semi-circle, each designed for two students to sit side by side. My gaze reluctantly traveled to where Bradley Stone sat alone, an empty space beside him that was clearly meant for me.

I swallowed hard, my hand clutching my bag so tightly my knuckles turned white. The thought of sitting next to Bradley for the entire class made my stomach churn. After everything that had happened with Derek, I couldn't bear to be close to his brother.

With hesitant steps, I approached a female student sitting in the front row.

"Excuse me?" I whispered, trying to keep my voice steady. "Could we possibly switch seats? I'm not feeling well today and..."

The girl turned, giving me a cold once-over before rolling her eyes dramatically. "You Omegas are such a nuisance," she hissed under her breath. "Didn't you hear what the professor said? Just sit quietly with Bradley and stop causing problems."

I stepped back, stunned by the open hostility. I had always known there was prejudice against Omegas in werewolf society, but experiencing it so blatantly in an academic setting shocked me. I had naively thought Silvermoon Academy would be different.

With no other choice, I made my way toward the back of the classroom where Bradley was waiting. From this vantage point, I could see through the large windows to the training grounds beyond, where several werewolf students were practicing controlled transformations under a teacher's watchful eye. The sight reminded me of my own recent first transformation, and I felt a pang of longing to be out there instead of trapped in this classroom.

As I approached our bench, I noticed Bradley had placed a heavy textbook titled "Werewolf Heritage and Blood Purity" on my seat.

I picked it up, intending to hand it to him, when a page marked with red pen caught my eye. The highlighted passage discussed "the conflict between Soul Bonds and political family alliances in werewolf society." My fingers tightened around the book. This was no coincidence.

I had hoped to take the seat closer to the wall, putting as much distance between us as possible, but Bradley had effectively blocked my way, forcing me to sit by the window.

As I settled into my seat, he immediately shifted closer, deliberately invading my personal space. I could smell the Silver Pine wine scent clinging to him—a fragrance I knew Derek particularly disliked.

"Could you move over a bit?" I snapped, unable to hide my irritation. "That smell is making me sick."

Bradley smirked, moving even closer until his thigh brushed against mine. "You don't even know which side is mine. This is a bench we have to share, my dear. Besides, not all Stone men can appreciate your scent."

I glared at the textbook still in my hands. "Don't think I don't know what you're implying."

My wolf stirred restlessly beneath my skin, agitated by Bradley's proximity. Outside, a young werewolf student was struggling with his partial transformation, his features caught between human and wolf. Watching him, I felt a strange kinship—both of us caught between worlds, neither fully one thing nor another.

---

As Professor Wilson droned on about genetic markers in werewolf bloodlines, I could feel Bradley's eyes on me, studying me with an intensity that made my skin crawl. I shifted uncomfortably, trying to focus on taking notes, but his constant staring made it impossible to concentrate.

Suddenly, Bradley's arm "accidentally" knocked my notebook to the floor. I leaned down to retrieve it, only to freeze when I saw what he had drawn on the open page—a wolf bound by chains, with the words "Stone's plaything" scrawled beside it.

"What are you doing?" I hissed, grabbing the notebook and clutching it protectively to my chest.

Bradley gave me an innocent look that didn't reach his eyes. "I'm not doing anything. I just wanted to see how detailed your notes are. After all, a girl who's caught my brother's interest must be... special."

"Stop looking at my notes and stop staring at me," I whispered fiercely.

His lips curved into a predatory smile as his fingers brushed lightly against the fading mark on my neck where Derek had once licked my wound. "Why? Is there a rule that says I can't admire my brother's handiwork? He's marked you, hasn't he, my precious?"

I trembled with anger, slapping his hand away. "Touch me again, and I'll report you to the professor. I'm not yours or anyone's."

But even as I spoke the words, I was acutely aware of Derek's scent still lingering on my skin. After our kiss in his office yesterday, I'd tried everything to remove the trace of him, but werewolf senses were too keen. Bradley could smell his brother on me, and it was clearly driving him into a jealous frenzy.

My wolf growled protectively inside me, urging me to put more distance between myself and Bradley. The instinct was so strong it was almost painful to ignore.

I finally summoned the courage to stand up, drawing the attention of everyone in the class.

"Sir," I called out to Professor Wilson, "Bradley is disturbing me and making it impossible for me to concentrate."

The professor looked up from his notes, his expression hardening as he took in my flushed face. "Sit down, Miss Blackwood," he said, lifting a hand dismissively. "I don't have time for your complaints right now."

I stood in shocked silence for a moment, unable to comprehend what had just happened. Professors at Silvermoon Academy were known for their fairness and professionalism. Why would he dismiss my concern so easily?

Slowly, I sank back into my seat, humiliation burning through me.

"How is this possible?" I muttered to myself.

Bradley leaned close enough that I could feel his breath on my ear. "I bribed him."

I pushed him away sharply. "W-what?"

His smile widened, showing just a hint of canine. "What? Never heard of buying off a judge in a case? Just like that, I bought off the professor in your case."

I stared at him in disbelief. "You can't just—"

"Don't look so shocked," he interrupted. "It's just for the classroom. I didn't make any deals for high grades or anything. So you can go report to the dean if you want—it's not illegal."

I turned away, trying to process this information. Of course Bradley would resort to bribery. Like his brother, he was used to getting whatever he wanted. The thought of Derek sent a fresh wave of conflicting emotions through me—anger at his proposition, shame at my agreement, and a traitorous longing I couldn't quite suppress.

*These Stone brothers are going to be the death of me*, I thought bitterly.

"The professor told me he's going to assign us so much work that we'll need to spend nearly four hours together," Bradley continued, his voice laced with malicious glee. "I'm thinking of telling him to increase the hourly rate..."

"Shut up!" I snapped, louder than I intended.

Several students turned to look at us, and I sank lower in my seat, wishing I could disappear. Bradley's satisfaction at my discomfort was palpable.

When I glanced at him again, I was startled by the intensity in his eyes—something wild and almost unhinged.

"Are you insane?" I asked. "You looked crazy just now."

Bradley's gaze traveled slowly down my body, lingering on the hem of my skirt. "Why are you wearing such a sexy skirt today? Is it to impress me?"

A laugh escaped me before I could stop it—a sharp, bitter sound. "No, it's to impress your brother."

The smile vanished from Bradley's face instantly. "Erin," he said, my name sounding like a warning on his lips.

I felt a surge of satisfaction at having hit a nerve. If he was going to torment me, I would give as good as I got. After months of being manipulated by both Stone brothers, something in me had finally snapped. I was done being pushed around.

"Wasn't it you who bribed the professor for me?" I asked, not bothering to lower my voice now. "So let's talk. What's there to be ashamed of?"

Bradley studied me with narrowed eyes. "You've become quite bold. You weren't like this when you were with me."

"Yes, you're right," I agreed, meeting his gaze steadily. "It's all because of your brother. He's playing hard to get with me. So I thought, why not seduce him? After all, he is my Soul Bond."

Bradley's jaw tightened, and I could see a muscle twitching in his cheek. His hand shot out, gripping my wrist with enough force to leave marks. "You're deliberately saying these things to provoke me."

I leaned closer, keeping my voice low but intense. "I hope your brother smells your scent on me. Maybe it will make him jealous."

Bradley's grip tightened painfully. "You little—"

"Still so afraid of your brother?" I taunted, ignoring the pain. "You're like a child in front of him. Don't provoke him... he has the power to make anyone's life better, and he also has the power to destroy it."

Something shifted in Bradley's eyes at my words—a flash of defiance, perhaps even hurt. "He can't destroy my life because I'm not just anyone. I'm not only his brother, but also the youngest son of the previous Alpha."