Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother (by CalebWhite) novel Chapter 72

AS AIPNO DIVINICI

Chapter 72

The air itself seemed charged with tension, making it difficult to concentrate. My wolf had retreated to the depths of my being, curled into a tight ball, seemingly trying to escape the oppressive atmosphere.

Unable to focus any longer, I decided to take a break. In the hallway, I approached a female employee from the marketing department whom I recognized.

“What’s happening? I asked quietly. “Everyone seems on edge today.”

The woman glanced nervously around before leaning closer. “You don’t know? There was an emergency Pack meeting this morning.”

“About what?”

“The Ridgeclaw Pack stole an important construction project from us,” she explained, lowering her voice further. “A multi–million dollar project. That’s why Alpha Ethan is here–to gloat about his

success.”

My eyes widened. “And Derek? I mean, the Alpha?”

“Furious,” she whispered, fear evident in her expression. “He nearly transformed in the meeting room. I’ve never seen him so angry.”

In the break room, I found Thomas sitting alone, his expression troubled as he stared into his coffee cup. Gathering my courage, I approached his table.

“May I join you?” I asked hesitantly.

Thomas looked up, surprise briefly crossing his features before he nodded. “Erin. Of course.”

I sat across from him, wrapping my hands around my tea cup for warmth. “I heard about the project,” I said directly. “How did we lose it?”

Thomas studied me for a moment, then sighed heavily. “The Ridgeclaw Pack had inside information. They knew our bottom–line price/ our proposal details, everything.”

My breath caught. “You mean…?

“We suspect there’s a spy within the Darkwood Pack, Thomas confirmed, his voice grave. “Someone has been feeding sensitive information to Ridgeclaw.”

“Who would do such a thing?” I asked, genuinely shocked. Betraying one’s own Pack was one of the

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most serious offenses in werewolf society.

Thomas shrugged, his eyes filled with concern. “Could be anyone. But it has to be someone close to the Alpha, someone with access to confidential information only the top ranks would know.”

As his words sank in, my wolf suddenly stirred, letting out a low growl that I had to consciously suppress. The memory of Claire’s mysterious phone conversation flashed in my mind, along with the strange scent I’d detected–a scent that, thinking about it now, bore a striking similarity to the one I’d noticed on Alpha Ethan.

Before I could process this thought further, my phone rang. Derek’s office number displayed on the screen, immediately sending my heart racing with anxiety.

“Come to my office immediately, Derek’s voice commanded when I answered, his tone low and dangerous, brooking no argument.

“Yes, Alpha,” I automatically responded, already rising from my seat.

life. With

The walk to Derek’s office felt like the longest journey of my life. With each step, dread accumulated in my chest, my palms growing damp with nervous sweat. By the time I reached his door, my heart was beating so violently I was certain he could hear it even before I entered.

I knocked softly, then opened the door when his gruff voice commanded me to enter.

Derek’s office was darker than usual, the heavy curtains drawn tightly against the afternoon sun. The only illumination came from his desk lamp, casting harsh shadows throughout the room. Derek himself stood behind his desk, his powerful silhouette outlined in the dim light, his eyes reflecting gold in the darkness–his wolf, close to the surface.

He was examining what appeared to be surveillance photographs, his movements sharp and precise with barely controlled rage. The room was filled with his Alpha aura, making the air almost