Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother (by CalebWhite) novel Chapter 80

Everyone agreed enthusiastically, and soon we were all piling Into cars, following Amy to our next destination.

The restaurant was located inside an upscale hotel, glittering with elegant lights and sophisticated landscaping. Small fountains near the entrance were surrounded by perfectly maintained greenery. It looked much more expensive than the casual places I usually frequented with Amy and Jack.

As we approached the entrance, a familiar sensation washed over me–the unmistakable presence of Alpha energy, powerful and dominant. My wolf, who had been curled tightly within me just moments before, suddenly became alert, vigilant and watchful. I glanced around, noticing several high–ranking wolves in the restaurant, their auras pulsing in the space.

“Do we have a reservation?” I whispered to Amy as we entered the marble lobby.

She nodded, gesturing to Jack, who was already speaking with the hostess.

“We reserved a private room three days ago,” he said, his posture straight and confident.

The hostess checked a tablet, then nodded. “Of course. Please follow me.”

We were led through the main dining area toward a separate section where private rooms were located. As we walked, I felt my wolf growing increasingly restless, pacing beneath my skin. Something about this place made her uneasy–or perhaps excited. I wasn’t quite sure.

“Here’s your room,” the hostess said, stopping at a door decorated with ornate numbers.

As we passed another private room, my wolf suddenly surged forward with such force that I nearly stumbled. Through the half–open door, I caught a glimpse of a familiar broad–shouldered silhouette, the scent of cedar and leather immediately reaching my nostrils.

“Derek?” I whispered involuntarily, my voice barely audible even to my own ears.

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But somehow, he seemed to hear me. His head snapped toward the doorway, the powerful silhouette visible for just a moment before I hurried past. My wolf whimpered longingly deep inside me, pull toward him so strong that I had to press my hand against my stomach as if I could physically

restrain her.

How was this possible? Out of all the restaurants in the city, how had we ended up at the same one as Derek? The Soul Bond seemed to be playing a cruel joke, constantly bringing us into each other’s orbit despite our mutual desire to keep our distance.

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No, that wasn’t entirely true. My wolf certainly didn’t want to keep her distance. And sometim weak moments, neither did 1.

In our

private room, I forced myself to focus on my friends, on the elegant decorations, on anything but the fact that Derek was just a few doors away. We ordered a variety of dishes, each of us sharing our preferences with the attentive server.

“After dinner,” Jack said, “I thought we might check out that new club downtown. They have a great DJ tonight.”

A chorus of approval went around the table, but I remained silent, unsure if I could handle a club after the emotional roller coaster of the past few days.

The food arrived, beautifully presented and delicious, temporarily distracting me from thoughts of Derek. As we ate, conversation flowed easily, filled with jokes and campus stories. I found myself laughing more freely than I had in days, the weight on my shoulders gradually lifting.

After the plates were cleared, Jack opened a complimentary bottle of red wine provided by the restaurant. As the rich, fruity liquid filled my glass, I realized I was actually enjoying myself, the specter of Derek temporarily forgotten.

“Let’s play a game,” one of Jack’s friends suggested, and soon we were immersed in a round of “Never Have I Ever,” each revelation accompanied by laughter and playful accusations.

Between the wine and multiple trips to refill my water glass, I eventually felt the inevitable pressure on my bladder.

“I need to use the restroom, I announced, rising from my seat with a smile.

“I need to go too,” one of Jack’s friends said, standing up. “Let’s go together.”

We left the private room and walked into the hallway. As we passed Derek’s room, I anxiously glanced inside, then felt a rush of relief seeing it was empty. My wolf, however, seemed disappointed, whimpering softly within me.

“Ladies‘ room is that way,” Jack’s friend told me, pointing down the hallway as he headed toward the men’s facilities.

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I nodded gratefully and walked toward the ladies‘ room, pushing open the heavy door to find it blessedly empty. After using the facilities, I moved to the sink, splashing some cold water on my to counteract the flush from the wine. As I straightened up, water droplets sliding down my cheeks, I noticed a discoloration on my left cheek–a yellowish bruise where Amy’s makeup had worn off.

I sighed, remembering the moment Derek had thrown those photographs at me, one slicing across

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Chapter 80