Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother (by CalebWhite) novel Chapter 14

Chapter 14

“Erin Over here!”

I spotted Amy waving frantically from near the main entrance, Jack standing beside her looking half asleep despite the early hour.

They were the only real friends I’d made since sophomore year started. Amy with her bright red hair and endless energy, and Jack with his terrible jokes and brilliant mind.

“Hey guys,” I said, joining them “Ready for today?”

“Born ready,” Amy grinned. “Though I think Jack might still be in a coma.”

Back yawned dramatically. “I was up until 3 AM finishing my slides. This better be worth it.

“Did you submit your materials to Professor yet?” Amy asked me.

I shook my head. “That’s my first stop.”

“Better hurry,” Jack warned. “He was looking for you earlier.”

I practically ran to the Science building, anxiety churning in my stomach. All this preparation would be for nothing if 1 missed the submission deadline.

When I reached Professor’s office, I found only a note directing students to Room 103. Inside, a volunteer sat behind a desk covered in USB drives and folders.

“Hi, I’m here to submit my presentation materials,” I said, pulling out my USB. “I’m Erin Blackwood, presenting at eleven.”

The girl looked up, something flickering across her face when she heard my name. “Blackwood,” she repeated, scanning her laptop. “Right. Eleven o’clock

She took my USB drive, slipping it into a folder with my name. “Good luck today,” she said, but something in her tone didn’t match her words.

I’d gotten used to that reaction over the past six months. The subtle change when people recognized my name, connected me to the incident” at the

Larkwood Estate.

Walking toward the auditorium, I suddenly felt a strange prickling at the back of my neck. My wolf, who’d been unusually quiet lately, stirred uneasily inside mr. It was that same sensation I’d felt when Derek was near–like electricity dancing across my skin, making every nerve ending come alive.

“What’s wrong?” I whispered, stopping in an empty hallway.

She didn’t answer, but the feeling of uncase grew stronger. Just what I needed on the most important day of the semester–my wolf acting weird again.

The auditorium was massive, with polished wood floors and seating for hundreds. Spotlights illuminated the stage where a podium stood before an enormous projection screen.

I slid in beside Amy and Jack in the third row. “All set?” Amy whispered.

I nodded, trying to ignore the strange restlessness building inside me. My wolf was definitely agitated, pacing and growling. The sensation was unmistakable —that panie magnetic pull I’d felt six months ago, like my very cells were being drawn toward something… someone.

The Dean walked unstage, tapping the microphone. “Good morning, students and esteemed guests. Welcome to the fifteenth annual Silvermoon Academy Innovation Speech Competition.”

As he droned on about the competition’s prestigious history, my unease grew stronger. My palms started sweating, and my heart raced. Heat spread through my body like wildfire, pooling low in my belly.

“You look like you’re about to poke,” Jack whispered. “Breathe, Erin,”

I’m fine,” I whispered back, even as my wolf became more frantic.

Something was wrong. This feeling was too familiar. The last time my wolf had reacted this way was when she’d sensed Derek.

The room erupted in applause as he walked onstage. My heart stopped, then started hammering so hard I thought it might break my ribs.

Even from this distance, I’d know him anywhere–tall, powerful, intimidating in his perfectly tailored suit.

His dark hair was slightly longer than I remembered, but his face was exactly the same those sharp cheekbones, that strong jaw, those cold gray eyes that seemed to cut through everything.

A wave of heat rushed through me, leaving me dizzy. My mouth went dry and a familiar ache spread through my body, settling into a throb between my thighs.

My wolf went absolutely crazy, throwing herself against the barriers of my control. Mine! Mate! MINE! she howled inside me, desperate to break free, to claim what she believed was rightfully hers.

grabbed the armrests so hard my knuckles turned white, fighting to stay in control. Sweat broke out across my forehead as I battled my wolf’s instincts and my own traitorous body’s response. I couldn’t deny it anymore–I wanted him, craved him with an intensity that frightened me.

“Thank you, Dean Williams, Derek’s deep voice flowed through the speakers, sending a shiver down my spine and straight to my core. The sound wrapped around me like a caress, making my breath catch. “It’s my pleasure to support the next generation of innovators.”

“Stop it,” I said to my wolf, though I wasn’t sure if I was talking to her or my own racing heart. “He doesn’t want us, remember? He made that perfectly clear.

But as his eyes scanned the audience, something told me this accidental meeting was anything but coincidence. And despite all my efforts to forget him, my body sang with recognition.

My Soul Bond was here, and there was nowhere to hide.