Chapter 223
m’s for
I tossed and turned all night, Judy Stone’s cruel words replaying in my mind like a broken record,
To him, you’re just a kitten to be called and dismissed at will.”
Each time the memory surfaced, I forced myself to remember the gentle way Derek had touched me, the intensity in his eyes when he looked at me, the protectiveness in his actions. He’d chosen me as his secretary. He’d claimed me as his mate. He’d fought his own instincts to keep me
safe.
I loved him. I wouldn’t let his mother’s poisonous words create problems between us.
That’s why I hadn’t told Derek what his mother had said. Family was complicated enough without me adding fuel to the fire. Besides, he had enough to deal with–running the company, leading the pack, and now caring for his ill mother. The last thing he needed was relationship
drama.
By morning, dark circles had formed under my eyes. I dabbed concealer over them, trying to look presentable despite my exhaustion. As I applied the final touches of makeup, my phone buzzed with a text from the mysterious number labeled “Admirer” in my contacts.
I’ll be at the café in one hour.]
I stared at the message, feeling a twinge of irritation. With everything happening with Derek, this was the last thing I needed. But perhaps it was time to see who had been sending these messages, to put an end to this strange situation once and for all.
The bus ride to the café was uncomfortable. I hadn’t eaten breakfast, my stomach too knotted with anxiety to consider food. My thoughts ping- ponged between the identity of my “admirer” and Derek’s parents‘ apparent dislike of me.
“He admitted I’m his soul mate,” I whispered to myself, drawing a curious glance from an elderly woman seated nearby. “He’ll handle everything, including his mother. I trust him.”
The words brought a small measure of comfort, enough to steady my breathing as the bus approached my stop.
The café came into view, and despite my anxiety, a small smile tugged at my lips. Derek and I had shared coffee here once, before everything became so complicated. He’d been stern but attentive, his eyes following my movements with an intensity that had both frightened and thrilled
- me.
Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door, scanning the interior for someone who might be watching for me. The anxiety of meeting a stranger had my wolf on edge, her senses heightened with protective instinct.
Then I spotted him. In the corner, at a small table for two, sat Bradley Stone.
My heart plummeted. What was he doing here? Derek had explicitly forbidden me from speaking with his brother.
I turned to leave, but his voice stopped me.
Erin.”
I froze, my hand still on the door. Bradley approached, grasping my arm gently but firmly, guiding me toward his table.
I’ve been waiting for you,” he said, his voice soft but insistent.
1 yanked my arm free, backing away. I’m not here to see you, Bradley.”
A flicker of confusion crossed his face, quickly replaced by understanding. He pulled out his phone, pressed a few buttons, and suddenly my phone began to ring in my purse. The screen displayed “Admirer.”
8/1
Chapter 223
“Your” I gasped, the pieces falling into place. You’re the one what heelt texting no?
Bradley shrugged, a sheepish smile playing on his lips. I knew if you knew
Wat my wedde 1 talk to me in I had to use an umbre
The flowers at the
murmured, thinking back to the mysterious bouquets. That was you all along, Bradley Stone
Please just talk to me, he pleaded, reaching for my hand.
* jerked away, anger Baring hot and bright. “Why would you deceive me like this?”
You know the answer,” he said, his eyes intense. ‘I can’t stand seeing you with my brother. I want you to be with me.
The audacity of his statement left me momentarily speechless. After everything–his betrayal with Lily, his abandonment when I needed him most–he still thought he had a daim on me?
You’ve been nothing but trouble for me.” I said firmly. “Leave me alone. I’m your brother’s soul mate now.”
His jaw tightened. Erin-
“Even if I’d never met him, even if he wasn’t my soul mate, I would never come back to you,” I cut him off, my voice trembling with emotion. “Never.”
I stormed out of the cafe, my mind racing. Derek needed to know about this. Bradley had gone too far, and only Derek could make him understand that his behavior had to stop.
Going to Stone Group headquarters, I was completely focused on completing my mission. I marched straight to the elevator, ignoring the curious glances from other employees. As his secretary and mate, I had the right to see Derek without an appointment.
I knocked on his office door, my resolve firm. When I heard his deep voice calling “Enter,” I pushed the door open, ready to tell him everything about Bradley’s deception.
One look at Derek’s face stopped me cold. His brows were drawn together, his jaw tight with tension. Something was wrong.
“Alpha, I need to talk to you about-
He cut me off by tossing something at me. Several photographs fluttered to the floor at my feet.
“What is this?” he demanded, his voice dangerously quiet.
1 bent down to look at the scattered photos, my blood turning to ice. There I was, at the café with Bradley. In one image, he was holding my wrist, pulling me toward his table. The angle made it look intimate, as if I’d gone there willingly to meet him.
“Why did you go–to him again?” Derek asked, his voice rising. “Isn’t being with me enough for you?”
I stood trembling before him, my mind racing to make sense of what was happening. “I didn’t do anything. I didn’t go to him.”
Derek’s eyes flashed with anger, his wolf clearly close to the surface. “Then explain these!”
“Mate, it’s him who keeps coming after me, I said, reaching for his arm. “Trust me,”
He shook off my touch, pointing to another photograph on the floor.” “If he’s coming after you, then what is this?”
