Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother (by CalebWhite) novel Chapter 86

“We’ll adjust your working hours to accommodate your class schedule,” he smoothly interrupted. “Stone Group has always supported employees pursuing education.”

I swallowed hard, desperately searching for a way out. “I don’t think I can handle the responsibilities

“You don’t have a choice,” Derek’s tone was final.

My shoulders slumped in defeat. He was the Pack Alpha and my employer–I couldn’t directly refuse him. But I could negotiate.

“Fine,” I conceded, lifting my chin stubbornly, though my wolf nearly whimpered with satisfaction inside me. “But I want a different office.”

Derek’s eyes narrowed slightly, his head tilting a fraction. “Why?” He moved closer, coming around the desk until there was nothing between us. I had to tilt my head back to maintain eye contact, my neck exposed in a way that made my wolf tremble with submission.

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“I felt uncomfortable in that office,” I admitted, gesturing toward my former workspace, trying to Ignore how his proximity made my skin tingle with awareness. My voice dropped to just above a

whisper.

“Like someone was always watching me. I know you wouldn’t do that, but it’s… distracting.” I swallowed hard, noticing how his eyes tracked the movement of my throat. “I’d like to move to the

office next door.”

Derek was silent for a long time, his expression revealing nothing except for a subtle tightening at the corner of his mouth. He moved closer still–close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from his body, smell his intoxicating scent. For a breathless moment, I thought he might touch me, but he didn’t. I took his silence as agreement, though a part of me wondered if I’d imagined the flash of disappointment in his eyes.

“Thank you, Alpha,” I said respectfully, lowering my head, my voice slightly unsteady. As I looked down, I noticed his hands–large and powerful, long–fingered–slightly clenched at his sides. “When would you like me to start?”

Derek reached across me for something on the desk, his arm brushing against mine in a way that seemed unnecessarily intimate. The brief contact sent electricity racing across my skin. He handed me a thick folder, his fingers deliberately grazing mine during the exchange.

“Now. These are your duties as the Pack Alpha’s personal secretary. Familiarize yourself with them today.” His voice lowered an octave, rumbling from deep in his chest.

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I arrived at Claire’s former office and placed the folder on the desk. The room was larger and more elegant than my previous one, with a view of the city skyline rather than the adjacent wall. I sank into the comfortable leather chair, feeling both overwhelmed and strangely satisfied,

Opening the folder, I began reading the list of responsibilities as Derek’s personal secretary. With each page, my eyes grew wider.

According to the document, I would be responsible for scheduling all of Derek’s meetings, preparing his briefings, taking notes during high–level discussions, and serving as the primary liaison between the Pack Alpha and all Stone Group departments. I would be required to attend all of Derek’s meetings, accompany him on business trips, and be available whenever he called–whether during working hours or not.

“What the hell is this? I muttered, flipping through page after page of requirements. “Why is there so much work? I’ll have to be like his shadow!

My wolf, however, seemed entirely pleased with the arrangement, her tail practically wagging at the thought of spending more time near Derek. I firmly ignored her enthusiasm.

The morning passed in a blur as I adjusted to my new role. I organized Derek’s schedule for the week, noting with interest that Stone Group was in negotiations for a potential new alliance with the Ridgeclaw Pack. After Claire’s betrayal, I was surprised Derek was willing to work with them.

By noon, I had a list of questions about several upcoming meetings. I was considering whether to go directly to Derek’s office when I realized it was lunchtime. My stomach growled, reminding me I hadn’t eaten since morning.

“Excuse me, Miss Blackwood?”

I looked up to see a young female employee standing in my doorway, smiling tentatively.

“A few of us are heading to the cafeteria for lunch. Would you like to join us?”

I hesitated, recognizing the implications behind the invitation–an attempt to build relationships with the Pack Alpha’s new personal secretary. Just yesterday, none of these employees would have noticed my existence.

Still, I needed to eat, and perhaps building alliances within the company wasn’t a bad idea.

“I’d love to,” I answered, picking up my wallet. “Let me just finish this email.”

The company cafeteria was located on the ground floor, a spacious area with floor–to–ceiling windows and various food stations. As I walked with my new companions, discussing the different departments and projects, I was so focused on their conversation that I didn’t notice the person in

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front of me until we collided.