Chapter 99
Erin’s POV
“No, no, it’s fine, I quickly said, though my cheeks burned with embarrassment. I had nearly kissed the Pack Alpha–my boss–and now two men were discussing my clothing as if I wasn’t even present.
Derek’s gray eyes critically scanned my simple blouse and skirt. “Do you think this outfit is appropriate for a pack meeting?”
I looked down at my clothes–neat, clean, and the best I could afford on a student budget. I had always prided myself on maintaining a professional appearance with my limited wardrobe, but under Derek’s scrutiny, I suddenly felt inadequate.
My stomach tightened with embarrassment. Did he think I was deliberately dressing inappropriately? Or worse, did he think I couldn’t grasp basic professional standards? The thought made me feel small, and my wolf curled up inside me.
Beta Tom stood a few steps away, his observant eyes moving between Derek and me. His gaze lingered on Derek’s coffee–stained shirt, a playful smile tugging at his lips.
“Alpha, what happened to your shirt? Does your shirt enjoy espresso too?” he asked, clearly trying to lighten the mood.
Annoyance flashed in Derek’s eyes. “Shut up. Let’s go. I don’t have time for your nonsense.”
His sharp tone made me flinch. Whatever moment we had shared before Tom’s arrival had completely vanished, leaving only tension in its wake. Derek had transformed back into the cold, distant Alpha, and I was once again just his secretary–an incompetent one who spilled coffee on him and nearly crossed a line that should never be crossed.
Just minutes ago, I had been so close to him, looking into his eyes, feeling his breath on my face. Now he wouldn’t even look at me. It hurt more than it should have.
After all, why should I care if my boss was irritated with me? But the Soul Bond between us complicated everything, intensifying every interaction, every harsh word, every cold glance. My wolf whimpered inside me, confused by his sudden change in demeanor.
As we left Derek’s office and walked toward the elevator, I positioned myself slightly behind the two men, trying to make myself as inconspicuous as possible. The hallway seemed longer than usual, each step sinking me deeper into that uncomfortable silence.
To my surprise, Tom slowed his pace to walk beside me, adjusting his stride to match mine.
1/2
Chapter 99
“I never had the chance to chat with you,‘ he said friendly, “but Mark mentions you sometimes. He says you’re a hardworking girl.”
His unexpected kindness caught me off guard. “That’s nice of him.”
Tom smiled, his expression warm and genuine. “Your brother Aaron will be released from the enforcer training camp in four months.”
At the mention of my brother, my head snapped up, my face immediately brightening with a wide smile. “Yes.” That simple word carried all my excitement and anticipation.
Aaron had been sent to the enforcer training camp shortly after the Soul Bond incident. As a trainee Pack Enforcer, he was isolated from regular pack activities, dedicating himself fully to developing the skills needed to maintain order and execute the Alpha’s commands. I missed him terribly and had been counting the days until his return.
From the corner of my eye, I noticed Derek watching me. His gaze lingered on my smile, his brow slightly furrowed as if my happiness somehow troubled him. His jaw tightened, and he suddenly turned away, pressing the elevator button with more force than necessary.
The moment we stepped into the Stone Group lobby, the atmosphere noticeably changed. Employees immediately lowered their heads in respect as Derek passed, some even taking a few steps back to clear his path. The power he commanded without saying a word was astonishing.
I watched him stride confidently through his territory like a king in his court–confident, powerful, untouchable. His broad shoulders remained perfectly straight, his expression impassive. This was the Pack Alpha in his domain, and everyone acknowledged his supremacy.
A chill ran through my body as the reality of who Derek truly was hit me again. This man, whose chest I had been blowing on minutes ago, whose lips had nearly touched mine, was the leader of the Darkwood Pack–practically royalty in our world.
Erin, how could you be so careless? The Alpha is the king of the Darkwood Pack.
What had almost happened in his office weighed heavily on my shoulders. If Tom hadn’t knocked when he did… I pushed the thought away, unwilling to consider the implications.
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