Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 146

Erin's POV

I locked myself in my bedroom for days, my heart shattered beyond repair. Through the door, I could hear my mother's anxious pacing, her soft pleading for me to eat something, anything. Aaron had tried multiple times to speak with me, but I couldn't face him—couldn't bear to see the concern in his eyes when I knew I was hiding so much from him.

The soft morning light filtered through my curtains as I lay curled on my bed, my eyes red and swollen from crying. The physical pain from my hospital visit had subsided, but the emotional wound remained raw and bleeding.

The sound of the doorbell echoed through the house, followed by hushed voices downstairs. Moments later, there was a gentle knock on my bedroom door.

"Erin? It's Amy. Please let me in."

I hesitated, then slowly dragged myself from the bed and unlocked the door. Amy stood there, her face a mask of concern that quickly morphed into shock when she saw me.

"Oh my God," she whispered, stepping inside and closing the door behind her. "I just got back from vacation. Your mother told me what happened." She pulled me into a tight embrace. "I can't believe it. The binding ceremony..."

I broke down in Amy's arms, my body shaking with sobs I thought I'd exhausted days ago. "He's marrying her... after what we shared..."

Amy guided me to the bed, sitting beside me, tears forming in her own eyes. "I don't understand how he could do this to you. You're his soul bond."

"He doesn't care," I whispered, the words burning my throat. "He told me I was nothing to him. That I could be his mistress while he bonds with Mya."

"That bastard," Amy hissed, her eyes flashing with anger. "I can't believe the Pack Alpha would be so irresponsible. I hate him now too."

---

As afternoon approached, I stood by my window, gazing out at the clear sky. Today was the day of Derek's binding ceremony. Despite everything, a small, pathetic part of me still clung to the fantasy that he would come to apologize, to tell me it was all a mistake.

"I have no shame," I murmured to myself. "My heart and my wolf still don't want to leave him."

Amy sat on the edge of my bed, watching me with worried eyes. "I heard Mya's relatives have already arrived at Darkwood Estate. They're preparing for the binding ceremony. In a few hours, they'll exchange vows."

"I wish I could reject him," I said, my voice barely audible. "Then I wouldn't feel this pain."

"Is there a way to break the soul bond?" Amy asked hesitantly.

I turned to face my friend, a bitter smile on my lips. "Only my death would free me from this unwanted connection."

Amy's face paled. "Don't talk like that, Erin."

"I'm not planning to die," I assured her, though the emptiness in my voice did little to convince. "But sometimes I wonder if it would be easier."

"I haven't told Aaron," I admitted after a moment of silence. "About Derek and me. The true nature of our relationship."

"Why not?" Amy asked, surprised. "He's your brother. He'd want to protect you."

"No," I confirmed. "I don't want my brother to stand up for me. It was my mistake... falling in love with that man." My voice cracked slightly. "If he rejects me and I die, then I accept that fate. I don't want to bring trouble to my family."

My heart rate quickened as determination solidified within me. "If Derek goes through with this ceremony, he will forever be the betrayer in my heart."

---

After Amy left, I sat alone on my bed, staring into the darkening sky for hours. The pain in my chest was almost unbearable, a physical manifestation of my broken heart. With each passing minute, my love for Derek twisted and transformed, hardening into something darker, colder.

"Erin, come down!" Mom called from downstairs. "There's someone here to see you."

My heart leaped into my throat. Could it be him? Had Derek come to apologize, to call off the ceremony? I rushed down the stairs, my heart pounding with a hope I despised myself for feeling.

"Is it him?" I whispered to myself as I reached the bottom of the stairs, before my eyes focused on the visitor. "Alexander."

Alexander Windsor leaned casually against the wall, his handsome face breaking into a smile when he saw me. "Congratulations. Your soul... the Pack Alpha is having his binding ceremony now. Everything is going well. He seems quite satisfied with my shameless little sister."

I felt my wolf howling in agony inside me, but outwardly, I remained still. My heart turned to stone as the last shred of hope died within me. The pain was so intense it circled back to numbness.

"Why so cold, little Omega?" Alexander asked, studying my face. "You seem different from the innocent Erin I met before. Your mate seems to have broken your heart thoroughly."

"Ex-mate," I corrected flatly.

Alexander's eyebrows rose. "What?"

"He's not my mate anymore," I stated, my voice devoid of emotion.

Alexander frowned. "He rejected you? How is that possible?"

"I no longer consider him my mate," I replied calmly.

Mom appeared with a tray of coffee, her hands trembling slightly. "I don't believe we've been introduced," she said nervously.

"Alexander Windsor," I interrupted before he could speak. "The new Alpha of the Silverpine Pack, right?"

Mom nearly dropped the tray, her face draining of color. "What?"

"There's nothing to hide," I said, my gaze never leaving Alexander's face.

"Don't be afraid," Alexander told Mom. "I won't hurt your daughter."

I moved to her side. "Mom, I'm an adult now. Let me talk to him. He's my friend. He gave me a ride home once when I was in trouble."

Mom's posture relaxed slightly, but her eyes remained wary. "I'm sorry," she said to Alexander. "I'm too timid... You must be a good person if you've been kind to my daughter."

"I'll wait for you outside," Alexander said, nodding respectfully to Mom before walking out the front door.

Mom grabbed my arm. "Be careful," she whispered. "The Silverpine Alpha... he's dangerous."

"I know what I'm doing, Mom," I assured her, though I wasn't entirely certain that was true.

---

Outside, Alexander was leaning against his car, smoking a cigarette. He straightened as I approached.

"What do you want to talk about?" I asked directly.

"Come with me," he replied, flicking away his cigarette. "To my pack. I'll give your mother a good life there. Your brother can continue being an enforcer."

I stared at him, momentarily speechless.

"Come with me to the Silverpine Pack," Alexander continued. "I'll give your mother a dignified and respected life there. You and your mother can have dignity and respect in my pack."

He took a step closer. "Think about it, Erin. I'm leaving Darkwood territory tonight. If you're willing, I'll take you away from here."

"Alexander Windsor," I said his name slowly, deliberately. "I, Erin Blackwood, don't want to be anyone's slave anymore."

Alexander's expression hardened. "What are you saying?"

"I know what you want," I continued. "I can't help you. Since you told me I was Derek's pawn, I don't want to be your pawn either."

"So you'd rather stay here, watching him betray you with that woman every day?" Alexander challenged.

"Yes," I replied, a cold smile forming on my lips. "I'll stay here and witness his betrayal, but it will only make me stronger. I want to see how far he can go." I paused, my smile turning into something almost predatory. "Because in the end, he cannot reject me. If he does... he'll lose his position as Pack Alpha. When that happens, I'll make him realize how powerful the woman he wanted as his mistress truly is."

The anger I felt transformed into something fierce and determined. "I will pull on this soul bond so hard that his arrogance will be completely shattered."