Chapter 187
Derek’s POV
I stood by the floor–to–ceiling window of my office, one hand tucked in my suit pocket, the other rhythmically tapping against the window frame. The city spread out below me, a sprawling canvas of twinkling lights against the darkness. To an ordinary observer, I appeared calm, collected the picture of an Alpha in complete control. Inside, however, my wolf paced restlessly, golden eyes flickering with suspicion and possessiveness.
–
My phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out, glancing at the caller ID: “Delta Mark. My jaw tightened imperceptibly.
“Delta Mark, report,” I ordered, my voice low and measured despite the tension coiling inside me.
“Alpha, the target left Stone Group and went directly to Silvermoon Academy,” Mark’s voice came through clearly. “She’s now leaving campus, but she’s not alone. Your brother, Bradley, is accompanying her.”
A dangerous golden light flashed in my eyes, reflected in the darkened window glass. My fingers tightened around the phone, the metal creaking slightly under the pressure.
“Continue monitoring. Don’t alert them to your presence,” I commanded, my voice dropping an octave, the Alpha power unmistakable in my
tone.
Alpha, your brother is calling her a car. She appears to be leaving alone.” There was a pause. “Confirmed. She has entered the vehicle by herself and is departing.”
I inhaled deeply, scenting the air though I knew her fragrance had long dissipated from my office. “Follow her until you’re certain she’s safely home. Make sure she doesn’t detect your surveillance.”
“Understood, Alpha.”
I ended the call, slipping the phone back into my pocket. The expensive steel pen in my hand bent under my grip, crumpling like paper as my eyes shifted completely to their wolf form – glowing, dangerous gold.
She had lied to me. My little wolf, my mate, my Soul Bond had lied to me.
Erin’s POV
I leaned back against the taxi’s leather seat, my fingers unconsciously tracing the faint mark at the nape of my neck where Derek had claimed me with his mouth.
The city lights streaked past the window in blurs of color, but I barely noticed them. My mind was still in that dormitory room, still feeling the unexpected weight of Bradley’s arms around me.
My wolf whimpered inside me, distressed at the contact with someone who wasn’t our mate. The sensation had been all wrong – like wearing clothes that didn’t fit, or hearing music played slightly out of tune. My body had stiffened, instinctively rejecting the embrace even as my human mind had tried to rationalize it.
“Erin, I know I’ve made mistakes,” Bradley’s voice echoed in my memory, his words whispered against my hair as he held me. “I can sense the change in you. Whatever Derek has done to you, I’m the one who can truly protect you. Don’t let family politics ruin our chance–I can make you an official Stone mate.”
I closed my eyes, trying to shut out the memory. My fingers drifted to my phone screen, illuminating my face in the dark cab. Should I tell Derek? Would he understand that it meant nothing to me? That my wolf had rejected Bradley completely?
The thought of Derek’s rage made my stomach clench. He was already possessive, already suspicious. If he knew Bradley had embraced me, had
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Chapter 187
whispered those things…
In the window’s reflection, I caught a glimpse of my eyes briefly flashing amber before returning to normal. My wolf was agitated, confused by the conflict between human reason and wolf instinct. I touched my neck again, where Derek had kissed me deeply enough to leave a mark. The contact seemed to calm my wolf, a reminder of who we truly belonged to.
“We’re here, miss,” the driver called, pulling me from my thoughts.
I paid the fare and stepped out into the cool night air, my wolf still restless beneath my skin, longing for the comfort of our mate’s presence.
The halls of Silvermoon Academy were flooded with morning light as I clutched my books to my chest, deliberately choosing a seat in an open area bathed in sunshine.
Even after a restless night, being back in the academic environment helped center me. Here, at least, I could pretend to be just a normal student, not a young wolf caught between two powerful brothers.
“There you are!” Amy’s cheerful voice broke through my thoughts as she approached our usual lunch table, Jack trailing behind her. “We looked for you in the library.”
I smiled, pushing my salad around with my fork. “Needed some fresh air today.”
Jack sat down across from me, his nostrils flaring slightly as he took in my scent. His eyes widened almost imperceptibly.
“You smell like the Alpha,” he said, his voice carefully neutral but his meaning clear.
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