Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 9

Erin's POV

Six months. That's how long it had been since the night I discovered Derek Stone was my Soul Bond.

I stared at myself in the bathroom mirror, tugging at my white coat to make sure it hung well. Today was the big speech competition, and everything had to be perfect. My hair was pulled back in a neat bun, and I'd even put on a little makeup to hide the dark circles under my eyes from staying up late practicing.

"Come on, Erin. Get it together," I muttered, taking a deep breath.

I wasn't just nervous about the competition. Every time I thought about stepping onto that stage, I remembered those piercing gray eyes, the way Derek's mere presence had commanded the entire hall that night. My fingers trembled slightly at the memory, and I gripped the edge of the sink to steady myself.

"Erin! You're going to be late!" Mom called from the kitchen.

"Coming!" I grabbed my bag and rushed out.

Mom was at the stove, looking better than she had in months. The stroke had taken a toll, but her color was back.

"There you are." She smiled, pushing a plate of toast toward me. "Eat something before you go."

I grabbed a piece and kissed her cheek. "Thanks, Mom."

"Are you nervous?" she asked, watching me with worried eyes.

"A little," I admitted, "but I've practiced so much I could do this presentation in my sleep." What I didn't say was that half my anxiety had nothing to do with the speech and everything to do with the way my wolf kept conjuring images of Derek's face, the way his scent had wrapped around me like an invisible embrace.

"I know you'll be amazing." She squeezed my hand. "This competition could open so many doors for you."

That was why I valued this so much. Winners of the Silvermoon Academy speech competition often walked away with internship offers from major companies. For someone like me—an Omega wolf from a family with no connections—it was possibly my only shot at a future beyond Pack politics.

"Have you heard from your brother?" Mom asked casually.

"He called a couple days ago. Said training's kicking his ass," I added quickly. "But he's doing really well."

Aaron was the only one who knew the full truth about the Soul Bond situation with Derek. So Derek had him stationed at the Darkwood Estate's training facility for a year.

Mom's eyes clouded slightly. "And... Bradley? Have you talked to him?"

God, not this again. She still hadn't given up hope that Bradley and I would patch things up after she found out that we both broke up.

"No, Mom. We're done." My tone made it clear I didn't want to discuss it further.

How could I explain that the thought of Bradley's touch left me cold? That my dreams were filled with steel-gray eyes and a voice that rumbled like distant thunder?

She sighed. "I just hate seeing you alone. You've been through so much, and—"

"I'm fine," I cut her off, more sharply than I intended. "Sorry. I just... I need to focus on school right now."

After my wolf claimed Derek as my Soul Bond six months ago, I'd expected something dramatic to happen. Instead, there had been nothing.

It was like Derek had decided to pretend the whole thing never happened, which should have been a relief, except my wolf wouldn't let me forget. She'd been sulking for months, occasionally pushing images of Derek into my mind at the most inconvenient times—the hard planes of his face, the strength in his shoulders, the way his presence had made the air around us feel electric.

Sometimes at night, I'd wake up breathless, my skin tingling from dreams where his hands had been on me, his lips inches from mine.

"I should go," I said, glancing at the clock. "I want to get there early to set up."

Mom's face immediately shifted to concern. "Be careful, okay? With Aaron away—"

"Seriously, Mom, I'll be fine." I forced a smile. "Everyone knows who my brother is. Nobody messes with the Enforcer's sister."

The truth was, the last six months at Silvermoon Academy had been hell. After Lily and I had our falling out, she had been determined to destroy my reputation. Rumors about me being a gold-digger who tried to seduce the Alpha had spread like wildfire. Most days, I ate lunch alone in the library just to avoid the whispers and stares.

"I love you," Mom called as I headed for the door.

"Love you too."

\---

The campus was buzzing with excitement when I arrived. Banners for the Annual Innovation Speech Competition hung everywhere, and students hurried around in their best outfits, clutching presentation notes and looking nervous.

"Erin! Over here!"

I spotted Amy waving frantically from near the main entrance, Jack standing beside her looking half-asleep despite the early hour.

They were the only real friends I'd made since sophomore year started. Amy with her bright red hair and endless energy, and Jack with his terrible jokes and brilliant mind.

"Hey guys," I said, joining them. "Ready for today?"

"Born ready," Amy grinned. "Though I think Jack might still be in a coma."

Jack yawned dramatically. "I was up until 3 AM finishing my slides. This better be worth it."

"Did you submit your materials to Professor yet?" Amy asked me.

I shook my head. "That's my first stop."

"Better hurry," Jack warned. "He was looking for you earlier."

I practically ran to the Science building, anxiety churning in my stomach. All this preparation would be for nothing if I missed the submission deadline.

When I reached Professor's office, I found only a note directing students to Room 103. Inside, a volunteer sat behind a desk covered in USB drives and folders.

"Hi, I'm here to submit my presentation materials," I said, pulling out my USB. "I'm Erin Blackwood, presenting at eleven."

The girl looked up, something flickering across her face when she heard my name. "Blackwood," she repeated, scanning her laptop. "Right. Eleven o'clock slot."

She took my USB drive, slipping it into a folder with my name. "Good luck today," she said, but something in her tone didn't match her words.

I'd gotten used to that reaction over the past six months. The subtle change when people recognized my name, connected me to the "incident" at the Darkwood Estate.

Walking toward the auditorium, I suddenly felt a strange prickling at the back of my neck. My wolf, who'd been unusually quiet lately, stirred uneasily inside me. It was that same sensation I'd felt when Derek was near—like electricity dancing across my skin, making every nerve ending come alive.

"What's wrong?" I whispered, stopping in an empty hallway.

She didn't answer, but the feeling of unease grew stronger. Just what I needed on the most important day of the semester—my wolf acting weird again.

\---

The auditorium was massive, with polished wood floors and seating for hundreds. Spotlights illuminated the stage where a podium stood before an enormous projection screen.

I slid in beside Amy and Jack in the third row. "All set?" Amy whispered.

I nodded, trying to ignore the strange restlessness building inside me. My wolf was definitely agitated, pacing and growling. The sensation was unmistakable—that same magnetic pull I'd felt six months ago, like my very cells were being drawn toward something... someone.

The Dean walked onstage, tapping the microphone. "Good morning, students and esteemed guests. Welcome to the fifteenth annual Silvermoon Academy Innovation Speech Competition."

As he droned on about the competition's prestigious history, my unease grew stronger. My palms started sweating, and my heart raced. Heat spread through my body like wildfire, pooling low in my belly.

"You look like you're about to puke," Jack whispered. "Breathe, Erin."

"I'm fine," I whispered back, even as my wolf became more frantic.

Something was wrong. This feeling was too familiar. The last time my wolf had reacted this way was when she'd sensed Derek.

"—and this year, we are particularly honored to welcome a very special guest judge," the Dean continued, his voice cutting through my thoughts.

My wolf suddenly went still, every sense on high alert.

"A visionary business leader whose contributions to our region's economy are matched only by his commitment to innovation and excellence."

"Please join me in welcoming the Alpha, Mr. Derek Stone!"

The room erupted in applause as he walked onstage. My heart stopped, then started hammering so hard I thought it might break my ribs.

Even from this distance, I'd know him anywhere—tall, powerful, intimidating in his perfectly tailored suit.

His dark hair was slightly longer than I remembered, but his face was exactly the same—those sharp cheekbones, that strong jaw, those cold gray eyes that seemed to cut through everything.

A wave of heat rushed through me, leaving me dizzy. My mouth went dry and a familiar ache spread through my body, settling into a throb between my thighs.

My wolf went absolutely crazy, throwing herself against the barriers of my control. Mine! Mate! MINE! she howled inside me, desperate to break free, to claim what she believed was rightfully hers.

I grabbed the armrests so hard my knuckles turned white, fighting to stay in control. Sweat broke out across my forehead as I battled my wolf's instincts and my own traitorous body's response. I couldn't deny it anymore—I wanted him, craved him with an intensity that frightened me.

"Thank you, Dean Williams," Derek's deep voice flowed through the speakers, sending a shiver down my spine and straight to my core. The sound wrapped around me like a caress, making my breath catch. "It's my pleasure to support the next generation of innovators."

"Stop it," I said to my wolf, though I wasn't sure if I was talking to her or my own racing heart. "He doesn't want us, remember? He made that perfectly clear."

But as his eyes scanned the audience, something told me this accidental meeting was anything but coincidence. And despite all my efforts to forget him, my body sang with recognition.

My Soul Bond was here, and there was nowhere to hide.