Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother (by CalebWhite) novel Chapter 84

At her words, my heart skipped a beat, then began to pound so rapidly I felt dizzy. She was right–I that had been his only Intention, Derek could have helped me in other ways. The memory made my skin tingle all over, heat pooling in my abdomen.

“Let me fix your makeup,” Amy said, pulling out her makeup bag.

As she repaired my foundation, she continued: “I think he has feelings for you. But he doesn’t want to admit it.”

“Feelings for me?” I repeated, incredulous. “Impossible.”

Amy’s hand stilled, her gaze meeting mine in the mirror, now serious. “If he did have feelings for

what would you do, Erin? Would you accept him?”

The question caught me off guard, my body trembling. My palms grew damp, and I wiped them against my dress. My pulse quickened, blood roaring in my ears. For weeks, I had been fighting the Soul Bond, fighting my wolf’s instinctual attraction to Derek. I had been so focused on denying these feelings that I hadn’t considered what would happen if Derek felt the same way.

I bit my lower lip hard enough to feel the sting. The realization that I was developing feelings for him was terrifying. Not love–I couldn’t call it that–but there was something undeniable growing. Whenever he was near, my body responded on its own–skin heating, heart racing, breathing becoming shallow. When he touched me, electricity seemed to flow between us, making it nearly impossible to think clearly.

Yet I also knew Derek wouldn’t fall in love with me. I was his brother’s ex–girlfriend, and he was my former brother–in–law. My wolf violently disagreed, pushing against my control, insisting I acknowledge the connection between us. I placed my hands on the cool counter, trying to calm

myself.

“I don’t know,” I finally answered, my voice barely audible, broken with emotion. My wolf whimpered

with frustration inside me.

Amy squeezed my shoulder gently. “Look at us, discussing the Pack Alpha like he’s just some regular guy. Come on, let’s get back to the others before they come looking for us.”

When we returned to the private room, Jack immediately stood up, concern written across his face.

“Is everything okay? You two were gone for a long time.”

“Woman stuff, Amy replied smoothly, sliding back into her seat. “Nothing to worry about.”

1/2

The evening continued with laughter and casual conversation, but my thoughts were elsewher kept replaying the moment in the bathroom–Derek’s apology, his touch, that strange healing intimacy. Each time I thought of it, my wolf would perk up, hopeful and eager, forcing me to suppress her excitement.

As promised, Amy drove me home before nine. That night, lying in bed, I couldn’t sleep. I tossed and turned, sheets twisting around my legs, pillow unbearably hot no matter how many times I flipped

1. it.

My thoughts kept cycling, reviewing every interaction I’d had with Derek since our first meeting. Had I misread his coldness? Was there something beneath his stern exterior that I hadn’t noticed?

I closed my eyes but immediately saw his face–the intensity in his eyes as he healed me, the brief softness when he apologized. I remembered the solidity of his chest against my palm, the heat of his skin through his shirt, that overwhelming scent that surrounded me–cedar and leather and something uniquely male–enveloping me in that small bathroom.

My wolf, usually curled quietly when I tried to sleep, was now pacing eagerly within me, drawing anticipatory circles. The healing had given her new hope. She pushed images into my mind–Derek’s hands at my waist, his lips against my neck, his body pressing me against a wall. I groaned in frustration, covering my eyes with my arm, trying to block out thoughts that made my body ache

with need.