Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 87

Erin’s POV

I pulled my wrist free, suddenly concerned that my provocation might have gone too far. The last thing I needed was to ignite a full-blown conflict between the Stone brothers. If Derek found out I had deliberately antagonized Bradley using our Soul Bond connection, there was no telling how he might react.

The campus café on the edge of Silvermoon Academy was a haven specifically designed for werewolf students.

The walls were lined with sound-dampening materials to accommodate our sensitive hearing, and the menu featured dishes with ingredients known to help young werewolves manage their transformations.

After the nightmare of Professor Wilson's class, I desperately needed the comfort of friends. Amy and Jack were already waiting at our usual corner table, their heads bent together in conversation.

They looked up as I approached, Jack's expression shifting subtly as he caught Derek's faint scent still clinging to me.

"Hey, sorry I'm late," I said, sliding into the chair across from them. I knew my dejection must be obvious from my slumped shoulders and tired eyes.

"What's wrong?" Jack asked, his nostrils flaring slightly. "You smell like the Stone family..."

Amy shot him a warning glare. "Jack! How can you ask her so directly? She just came from Bradley's class, of course she's upset. Pretend you didn't smell anything!"

I managed a weak smile at Amy's fierce defense. She always knew exactly what to say.

"Yes, she's right," I agreed softly. "She really knows me... thank you."

I ordered a "Moonlight Special," a drink rumored to help stabilize the emotions of newly transformed werewolves. The bitter herbal flavor was an acquired taste, but I needed all the help I could get.

Amy reached into her bag and discreetly passed me a small bottle containing a silvery liquid. "Use this," she whispered. "It's a special perfume that masks scents. My aunt makes it."

I accepted the bottle gratefully, slipping it into my purse. "Thank you."

"By the way," Amy said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "you look sexy in that skirt today. The exposed neck will make it easier for an Alpha to notice you."

I felt heat rush to my cheeks. "No, it's not like that. There's no dating relationship. We're just going to the Stone Group social club together. This skirt is just..."

"Derek never brings secretaries to private social events," Jack interrupted, watching my reaction carefully.

I fidgeted with my cup, uncomfortable under his scrutiny. "It's a business function. I need to take notes and... help with introductions."

Even to my own ears, the explanation sounded weak. The truth was, I had chosen this outfit with Derek in mind, wanting to look my best despite telling myself I didn't care what he thought of me.

Around us, I could hear the whispers of other students, catching fragments of their conversations:

"That's the Blackwood girl who works for Alpha Stone..."

"I heard she was dating both brothers..."

"She must have special... talents... to keep the Alpha's attention..."

Each whispered comment felt like a needle piercing my skin. I wanted to stand up and shout the truth—that I wasn't some ambitious social climber trying to sleep my way into the pack hierarchy.

I was just a girl unfortunate enough to have the Alpha as her Soul Bond, a man who saw her as nothing more than a convenient outlet for his wolf's desires.

---

The pathway leading from Silvermoon Academy to the bus stop was lined with ancient silver pine trees, their scent sharp and comforting in the afternoon air. As I walked, I became acutely aware of being followed. My werewolf senses, still new but growing stronger each day, picked up the sound of footsteps matching my pace.

I quickened my stride, heart rate accelerating, when a sleek black sports car pulled up beside me. Bradley's car.

The tinted window slid down smoothly, revealing Bradley's handsome but troubled face. "I thought I could give you a ride to Stone Group. After all, I'm also going to visit my dear brother."

"No thanks," I replied curtly. "I'll take the bus."

Bradley inhaled deeply, his eyes narrowing. "Why? Are you afraid I'll discover something, Erin? You're wearing perfume?"

I shifted uncomfortably, aware that Amy's special perfume wasn't completely masking Derek's scent on me. "Because you're neither my boyfriend nor my friend. You're just trying to use me to provoke Derek."

Something changed in Bradley's expression then—a seriousness that made me pause. "You don't understand, Erin. I know what he did to you."

I froze, shock coursing through me like ice water. "How do you know...?"

The small surveillance drones I'd noticed lurking in the bushes suddenly seemed much more sinister. How much had been captured? How much did Bradley know about my arrangement with Derek?

"You want to make my brother jealous, right?" Bradley continued, his voice taking on a persuasive tone. "Want to escape this trap? Why not come with me to Stone Group? If I'm there, he won't dare force you to do anything."

I studied his face, noting the gleam of excitement and ambition in his eyes. This wasn't about helping me—this was about his own power play against his brother.

"When did I tell you I wanted that?" I asked carefully. "Why should I trust you?"

"You said it in class when I grabbed your wrist, remember?" Bradley smiled, all charm now. "You said you wanted to make him jealous."

I shook my head firmly. "No, thank you. You're just trying to use me against Derek, continuing your power games. I have other ways to solve this problem."

As I walked away, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was caught in the middle of something much larger than a simple family rivalry. The Stone brothers' conflict had deep roots, and I was just the latest battlefield in their war.

---

The bus was nearly empty when I boarded, just a few human commuters who barely glanced my way. I settled into a seat near the back, acutely aware of the security cameras monitoring the interior. In a city controlled by werewolf packs, surveillance was everywhere.

I smoothed down my skirt, suddenly self-conscious. *Is this too short?* I wondered, eyeing the hem that fell just above my knees. I'd wanted to look professional yet attractive for tonight's club meeting, but now I was second-guessing every choice.

The truth I couldn't admit even to myself was that I was afraid—afraid of being forced to accept the mating bond with Derek, afraid of what refusing might mean for both of us.

According to werewolf legends, rejecting a Soul Bond brought suffering to both parties. Was Derek already feeling that pain? Was that why his wolf was so desperate to claim me, even if his human side refused to acknowledge any deeper connection?

The bus pulled up to Stone Group's imposing glass and steel headquarters, and I took a deep breath before stepping off. The building seemed to loom larger than usual, almost threatening in its grandeur.

---

The moment I entered Stone Group's lobby, I sensed something had changed. The biometric security system recognized me immediately, displaying "Blackwood Family · Omega · Alpha's Special Access" on the screen.

Several female employees stopped their conversations abruptly, watching me with nervous expressions. One even lowered her head slightly in a gesture that looked almost like deference.

"Miss Blackwood," the receptionist greeted me with a bow that seemed deeper than usual, "the Alpha is waiting for you. Please go directly to the top floor."

My stomach tightened with apprehension as I made my way to the executive elevator. Something was definitely different. Had Derek told people about our arrangement? Was I now being treated differently because they thought I was the Alpha's... what? Mistress? Future mate?

On the top floor, a female colleague approached me as I stepped out of the elevator.

"Good afternoon," I said cautiously.

"I can see you're dressed up for the club meeting," she replied with a warm smile that surprised me. "Wearing your hair down makes you look more mature and beautiful."

I blinked, unsure how to respond to this unexpected compliment. "Thank you, I—"

"You're very pretty," she continued, her eyes appraising my outfit. "Beautiful clothes showcase your beauty even better."

I felt my cheeks warming at her praise. "That's very kind of you. I should go to the Alpha's office now."

"But his office is empty," she said, tilting her head.

"What? I mean, where is he?" I asked, trying not to sound too concerned.

"He was talking with his mother when he left his office, so I guess he went to see her."

My heart skipped a beat. Derek's mother, Judy Stone, had been ill recently—I'd overheard conversations about it. Despite everything that had happened between Derek and me, I couldn't help feeling worried. Family was important to werewolves, and no matter how cold Derek seemed, I knew he cared deeply for his mother.

I went to my own small office, setting down my bag and checking my appearance in the compact mirror I kept in my desk. Should I call Derek? Ask about his mother? Would that be overstepping the boundaries of our arrangement?

After a moment of internal debate, I decided to call. Whatever our personal issues, showing concern for family was basic decency.

I dialed his number, my heart racing as I waited for him to answer.

"Alpha?" I said when he finally picked up, trying to keep the anxiety from my voice.

"Yes, Miss Blackwood?" Derek's voice was calm and steady, betraying nothing of what he might be feeling.

I closed my eyes, gathering my courage for what I needed to ask next.