Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 149

Erin's POV

"Mom, nothing's going to happen to you," I assured her, my throat tightening despite the ice in my voice. "You're going to live to be a hundred."

I sat on the edge of her bed, watching her pale face. My fingers automatically straightened the blanket over her legs, a habit from the countless hours I'd spent caring for her. My mother looked at me with those eyes that had once seen everything—my first steps, my first shift, my first heartbreak. Now they were clouded with worry and medication.

She pulled me into an embrace, her thin arms surprisingly strong. "I don't know how long I have, but I hope to see you and Aaron with your beloved mates. Especially you, my dear... you're an Omega, and an Omega without a mate is what worries me most."

I kept my face neutral as I returned her hug. I'd never dared tell her about my soul mate, about what had happened between Derek and me. She probably thought I was an Omega without a soul bond—a fate worse than death in our world. The moisture in her eyes melted something in my frozen heart.

"Alright, I'll do as you wish," I conceded, unable to deny her this comfort.

Her eyes brightened immediately, the worry lines around them softening. I knew she'd been sick with worry about me. The daughter she once knew—sweet, naive, eager to please—had vanished, replaced by someone cold and calculating. Someone dangerous.

I stood up, smoothing down my jeans. "I need to get ready for the orphanage visit."

---

I retreated to my bedroom, checking my phone as I closed the door behind me. Two missed calls from Ryan—probably about our training session. I tossed the phone onto my bed and opened my closet to change.

My eyes caught on a dark blue suit jacket hanging in the back. His jacket. I reached out, my fingers hovering over the fabric before curling into a fist. I had two of them—one I'd thrown away, and one I kept to remind myself daily of his betrayal. Even after all this time, I could still detect his scent on it, faint but unmistakable.

"Of all the pitiful requests," I said to the empty room, my voice hard, "begging for love is the most heartbreaking. And you, you pushed me to that point, made me plead for your affection."

I turned away sharply, grabbing a simple blouse and jeans. As I changed, I caught sight of myself in the mirror. My eyes were colder now, my posture straighter. I looked like someone who wouldn't break again.

I was halfway through applying mascara when my bedroom door burst open without a knock. I didn't need to turn to know who it was—only Aaron would enter that way.

"You leaked Stone Group information to Alpha Ethan, didn't you?" His voice was tight with anger.

I deliberately continued applying my mascara, not bothering to look at him. "Sorry, what was that? I'm heading to the orphanage."

Aaron stepped into my line of sight, his jaw clenched. "As your brother, I'm asking you to stop whatever you're doing."

I put down the mascara wand and turned to face him fully. "Oh yes. Let me tell you something, brother. I was your Alpha's executive assistant secretary. He fired me because he thought I was the one who did it."

Aaron stared at me, his eyes widening slightly. I could see the shock in his face—not just at my words, but at my tone. I'd changed so much he barely recognized me anymore.

"Erin, that's all in the past. Don't do anything that will hurt you." His voice softened, concern replacing anger.

I stood up, straightening to my full height. "Instead of warning me, why don't you ask your Alpha to break the soul bond?"

His expression shifted—a slight tightening around the eyes, a momentary hesitation. I knew he'd asked Derek about it and been dismissed. My brother was torn between his loyalty to his Alpha and his love for me. I felt a pang of sympathy for him, despite everything.

"Did he tell you I did it?" I asked quietly, crossing my arms.

"No," Aaron admitted, running a hand through his hair. "But I overheard you talking with Alpha Ethan about something."

"Then there's no proof I did anything," I replied, my voice level.

Aaron stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Erin, like you said, last time he found the truth; this time he'll find the truth too. If you're discovered as a traitor pack member, I can't help you this time."

I met his gaze without flinching. "Don't worry about me, brother. Let him busy himself investigating wolves hunting rogues. Who knows, maybe one day that wolf will hunt him."

I grabbed my purse and walked past him, my steps measured and confident.

---

The children at the orphanage swarmed around me the moment I arrived, their small faces lighting up with joy. I knelt down, opening my arms as they rushed forward. These children—mostly abandoned Omegas—were the only ones who still saw the real me.

"The kids really love you," Grayson Howl commented as we walked down the corridor. He was a middle-aged man with salt-and-pepper hair, a former Darkwood Pack enforcer who'd retired after an injury. Delta Mark had recommended him, and Derek had found him this position.

I watched the children playing in the common room, my eyes tracking their movements. Most were Omegas, deemed less valuable in our hierarchy-obsessed society.

"Is Ryan coming today?" I asked, checking my watch.

"He'll be here soon." Grayson nodded toward the entrance. "With so many girls around, he doesn't like to come often. You know he's a bit shy around girls."

"But not shy when it comes to fighting," I remarked, remembering our last training session.

Grayson chuckled, the sound warm and genuine. "Then I don't know why he's shy, maybe because there's a beauty like you here."

As if summoned by our conversation, Ryan appeared around the corner, his tall frame filling the doorway. He wore training clothes, his hair still damp from a shower.

"Absolutely not," he said, overhearing Grayson's comment. "If I thought that way, Erin would kill me."

"We're just good friends," I explained to Grayson, keeping my face neutral.

Ryan pulled me aside once Grayson moved away, his voice dropping to an urgent whisper. "What were you telling him? You didn't mention my witch girlfriend, did you?"

I shook my head, keeping my voice low. "Don't worry. I didn't tell him about your witch girlfriend."

He relaxed visibly, his shoulders dropping. His father wanted him to marry a female from an Alpha or enforcer family. A witch would never be accepted.

"Let's train," Ryan suggested, nodding toward the training hall. "I canceled my date when you texted you were coming."