Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 89

Erin's POV

"It's already done," Derek replied. As he moved back, his eyes locked with mine. The gray had darkened, golden flecks now prominent - his wolf stirring just beneath the surface. His pupils were dilated, nostrils slightly flared as he inhaled my scent.

This man is definitely doing this on purpose. I pressed my thighs together, trying to ease the throbbing ache that had intensified between them. Each breath I took filled my lungs with his scent, making it nearly impossible to think clearly. The Soul Bond between us hummed with energy, making my skin hypersensitive to his proximity.

For the remainder of the journey, Derek remained silent, seemingly focused on the scenery outside. But each time the car turned, our bodies would shift, bringing us momentarily closer.

Each accidental brush of his arm against mine sent electricity racing through my veins. I could feel his gaze traveling over me - starting at my face, then down to the pulse point at my neck, across my collarbone, and lower to where my dress hugged my breasts. My nipples hardened under his inspection, and I crossed my arms over my chest, hoping he wouldn't notice my body's betrayal.

---

When our car convoy finally stopped, we had arrived at Moonlight Club, an elegant building that seamlessly blended modern architecture with elements of the primeval forest, situated at the edge of the Silverpine Pack's territory.

The entrance was already crowded with the elite of werewolf society. Female werewolves wore intricately designed backless gowns, while males were dressed in custom suits, their collective presence so powerful it seemed to dim the moonlight above.

I silently thanked myself for choosing a knee-length dress that was neither overly conservative nor inappropriate—at least I wouldn't stand out for the wrong reasons in such company.

As soon as the luxury car came to a stop, an attendant rushed forward to open Derek's door. I was about to exit on my own when I hesitated, momentarily overwhelmed by the mixture of powerful werewolf scents outside.

Derek strode purposefully into the core area of the club. The moment he appeared, the surrounding conversations instantly dropped in volume. In the meeting hall, business representatives from various packs and core members of the Darkwood Pack were already positioned in the large circular seating area.

From across the room, Thomas slightly raised his chin in greeting. I was about to respond when I was surprised to find my wrist already in Derek's grip, his palm radiating undeniable warmth and strength.

A strange joy welled up inside me, and I had to bite my lower lip to hide the inappropriate smile threatening to form. As Derek led me through the club in this almost territorial display, the wolf inside me whimpered with satisfaction.

The club's interior featured a predominantly silver-gray color scheme. Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows lay a meticulously designed moonlight garden, far more exquisite and luxurious than any venue I had ever attended.

Since I had explicitly denied any special relationship with Derek in the office last week, Thomas had begun visiting the finance department frequently, ostensibly to discuss company accounts but clearly testing the waters for a potential courtship. His mother and Elena were longtime friends, and an alliance between our families would benefit both.

The meeting had been underway for nearly forty minutes. I forced myself to focus on taking notes, but my peripheral vision still caught Derek's movements. I noticed his hand gripping his pen more tightly, golden flashes occasionally appearing in his eyes—clear signs his mood was deteriorating.

After the meeting concluded, Thomas approached us, his manner friendly but cautious. "Erin, it's quite late. The Blackwood residence is on my way home—let me give you a ride."

Derek suddenly interjected, his voice containing an almost imperceptible growl: "That won't be necessary. Blackwood came with me, and naturally, she'll leave with me as well."

Beads of sweat formed on Thomas's forehead, but he maintained his smile, instinctively lowering his head slightly. "Alpha, I was merely considering your busy schedule. I didn't want to trouble you with such a minor matter."

"Are you questioning my decision, Thomas?" Derek asked, golden light flashing in his eyes.

Sensing the tense atmosphere, I quickly stepped between them. "Thomas, really, there's no need to worry. The Alpha has some meeting points that need my attention, so I must go with him." My voice was gentle but firm.

Derek's arm wrapped around my waist, his large hand splaying possessively across my hip. His fingers pressed into the fabric of my dress, the heat of his palm burning through to my skin beneath. I felt his thumb stroke once, twice against my side - a subtle movement no one else would notice but that sent shockwaves through my system. He was marking me with his scent deliberately, claiming me in front of everyone present.

"Miss Blackwood's abilities are irreplaceable," he declared, his voice dropping to a register that vibrated through my body. The double meaning in his words wasn't lost on me. "Many important decisions couldn't proceed smoothly without her. That's why I chose her as my personal secretary."

My breath caught as his grip tightened fractionally, pulling me closer until my hip pressed against his thigh. The contact made my wolf whine with pleasure, wanting to rub against him like a cat. I forced myself to remain still, though my pulse raced visibly at my throat.

The surrounding werewolves had noticed the Alpha's displeasure. Some even unconsciously lowered their bodies slightly in submission. Males averted their eyes specifically from me, recognizing on a primal level that I was being claimed.

"I believe it's time for us to leave," Derek added, his tone deceptively calm but carrying an unmistakable command.

Thomas's gaze fell on Derek's hand at my waist, then darted to my flushed face. His Adam's apple bobbed nervously as he swallowed hard, instinctively taking a small step back from a predator's territory.

---

Ten minutes had passed in silence. I watched from across the room as Derek sat at the bar, drinking. A young female werewolf approached him, her body language unmistakable. She flipped her long hair over her shoulder, exposing her neck in a deliberate display. Her scent changed as she got closer to him, releasing pheromones that made my nostrils flare even from a distance.

I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms. She was tall, with curves in all the right places, her dress cut low in front and even lower in back. My stomach twisted with jealousy as I imagined Derek's hands on that exposed skin. My inner wolf paced frantically, hackles raised, growling with territorial rage.

Derek flashed the woman a grin, the same one he'd given me in his office last week. The sight of his canines peeking through his lips made something primal stir in my core. The woman placed her hand high on his thigh, her fingers splayed possessively on the muscle I'd felt pressed against me in the car.

Heat surged through my body - not the pleasant warmth of desire, but the burning rage of jealousy. I stood up so quickly my chair scraped loudly against the floor. I felt my teeth sharpen slightly, my fingernails lengthening into points.

My vision sharpened as my pupils transformed to amber, the wolf rising to the surface. I could hear my own heartbeat thundering in my ears as I stalked toward Derek and the woman.

"Every female wolf in the club desires to be near you," I overheard her saying. "But only I dared to approach. Won't you reward my courage? Perhaps we could dance together under the moonlight."

Derek merely continued drinking, watching the woman without pushing her away, but also without giving her any particular encouragement.

I grabbed the woman's hand, spinning her to face me. My fingers showed subtle signs of claws beginning to emerge.

"Excuse me? What do you think you're doing?" she demanded.

"What are you doing? Why are you disturbing us?" I countered.

"I should be asking you that question," she retorted. "What are you doing? Why are you interrupting us? You're nothing but a wolf cub who just completed her first transformation."

"Us?" I scoffed. "The man behind you could destroy your standing in the pack with a single word."

"I don't care," she said defiantly. "Right now, I want him to take me under the moonlight."

"How shameless!" I snarled, the amber in my eyes intensifying. "Go. Leave now."

"Little wolf cub, who do you think you are?" she challenged.

"He is mine," I hissed, my voice dropping to a growl that surprised even me. "Don't you dare try to seduce my man!"

The moment the words left my mouth, I realized what I had said. My body froze, the rush of adrenaline suddenly replaced by shock. Slowly, I turned toward Derek.

He was completely still, predator-still, his glass frozen halfway to his lips. His eyes had transformed fully now, no longer gray but burning gold, fixed on me with an intensity that made my knees weak. His nostrils flared as he inhaled deeply, taking in my scent - the jealousy, the anger, and beneath it all, the arousal I couldn't hide from him. The corner of his mouth twitched upward, revealing the sharp point of a canine.

He had heard every word. Worse, I could see in his expression that he had understood exactly what those words meant - not just territorial jealousy but a claim. A public claim.

I immediately looked away, my face burning with heat that spread down my neck and chest. Between my legs, I throbbed with an ache that was humiliating in its intensity.

Damn it! What did I just say?