Chapter 195
Erin’s POV
Harry and Judy exchanged glances, clearly surprised by Bradley’s relatively calm reaction. Judy’s eyebrows rose, and Harry shifted his weight uncomfortably, clearing his throat again in the awkward silence.
I lowered my head slightly, unable to meet his eyes. “I came with the Pack Alpha,” I replied quietly, deliberately using Derek’s title rather than his name. I could feel my heart racing, my palms growing sweaty against Derek’s steady grip.
Bradley took several steps into the room, his eyes never leaving my face.
“Erin, can we talk privately?” He extended his hand toward me, taking another step closer. “You know, there’s so much I need to talk to you.”
Derek’s body tensed beside me. I felt his grip on my hand tighten protectively as he shifted slightly forward.
I remained silent, unsure how to respond. Part of me was curious about what Bradley might say, but a stronger part feared being alone with him again. I unconsciously leaned closer to Derek, drawing strength from his solid presence.
Bradley moved closer and reached for my free hand. “Nothing else, just a private chat,” he said, his fingers brushing against mine. His touch felt wrong now – nothing like the electric connection I felt with Derek.
Before I could react, Derek pulled me back sharply, breaking Bradley’s attempted contact. In one fluid motion, he positioned me behind him, creating a physical barrier between me and his brother.
“She doesn’t go anywhere with you,” Derek stated flatly, his voice leaving no room for argument. His broad shoulders blocked my view of Bradley, but I could hear the sharp intake of breath from the younger Stone brother.
This is between Erin and me,” Bradley insisted, his voice hardening. “It has nothing to do with you. She was my girlfriend for almost a year.*
“Everything about her concerns me now,” Derek replied, his tone dangerously calm. The possessiveness in his voice sent a shiver down my spine.
I peered around Derek’s shoulder, watching as Bradley’s expression shifted from confusion to realization, then to anger. His eyes narrowed as they moved between Derek and me, putting together pieces of a puzzle I wasn’t sure I fully understood myself.
“Is that what this is about?” Bradley’s voice rose, his hands gesturing wildly. “You’re using her to get back at me for something?”
Derek didn’t flinch. He stood perfectly still, the picture of controlled power. “You’ve come to Darkwood Estate. This place still welcomes
family.”
you as
The words seemed innocuous enough, but Derek’s tone carried an unmistakable warning as he continued. “When you become a guest rather than a member of this pack, I’ll say the same to you.“,
Bradley’s face drained of color as he understood the implied threat–the possibility of being expelled from the pack. Being a packless wolf was a fate worse than death in our society. He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing with the motion.
“Derek!” Harry shouted, taking a step forward. Judy covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes wide with shock at the escalating confrontation between her sons.
But Bradley wasn’t backing down. In a desperate move, he lunged forward and grabbed my wrist, pulling me toward him with unexpected strength. “Erin-‘
I gasped as I was yanked forward, stumbling slightly as Bradley’s fingers dug into my wrist. “Bradley, stop-*
Derek’s reaction was instantaneous. A’deep, threatening growl erupted from his chest as he wrenched Bradley’s hand away from me with such force that Bradley stumbled backward. In one swift movement, Derek pulled me against his chest, his arm wrapping possessively around my
1/2
Chapter 195
The sudden proximity to Derek made my heart race, I could feel every inch where our bodies connected, the solid wall of his chest against my hack, the strong arm around my waist holding me securely.
“Touch her again, Derek said, his voice barely above a whisper but carrying throughout the silent room, and I’ll have you removed from this house and this pack.”
The threat hung in the air, heavy and unmistakable. No one doubled that Derek meant every word.
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