Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 156

Erin's POV

The cool night air caressed my face as I stepped onto the hotel's rooftop terrace, seeking solitude from the evening's emotional strain. The space was elegantly designed with potted plants and comfortable seating areas, but its true appeal was the unobstructed view of the night sky. I walked to the edge, placing my hands on the railing, feeling the cold metal beneath my fingertips.

My phone vibrated in my purse. I pulled it out, seeing Amy's name on the screen.

"Hello, Amy?" I answered, my voice carrying in the quiet night.

"Erin, where are you? Jack and I are ready to leave if you still want a ride."

"I'm on the terrace right now," I replied, gazing up at the stars. "You guys can take your time. I just needed some fresh air."

"Okay, we'll come find you in a bit."

I ended the call and slipped the phone back into my purse, welcoming the silence that followed. The gentle breeze played with strands of my hair as I tilted my face toward the sky. The full moon hung low and bright, casting everything in a silver glow.

Grace's words from earlier echoed in my mind. I'm his soul bond... He proposed to me last month. I laughed bitterly to myself, remembering how I once believed my soul bond would love me too. What a naive girl I had been.

"Moon Goddess," I whispered to the night sky, my voice barely audible even to my own ears. "When will I finally become indifferent to you? When will you grant me the chance to ruin him?" The Moon Goddess had been my spiritual anchor for the past year, a silent witness to my pain and determination.

"Never."

The deep voice behind me sent a jolt through my body. I hadn't heard anyone approach, hadn't caught a scent—but I would recognize that voice anywhere. It had haunted my dreams for months.

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I turned slowly, my heart pounding against my ribcage. Derek stood there, his tall figure silhouetted against the terrace entrance, hands in his pockets. His jaw was set, eyes hard and focused directly on me. The moonlight accentuated the sharp angles of his face, making him look almost predatory.

His scent hit me then—pine, leather, and something uniquely Derek. The familiar fragrance triggered a wave of anger that washed through me, but beneath it was something else—an unwanted pull that made my skin tingle.

"What are you doing here?" I demanded, my voice sharper than I intended.

"You will never achieve your goal," he replied calmly, ignoring my question. His voice carried no emotion, just cold certainty.

I was surprised he hadn't left the hotel yet, but I refused to let it show. I straightened my spine, lifting my chin with false pride. My heart was racing, and I prayed he couldn't hear it.

"And why do you think that, Derek?" I asked, determined not to break down in front of him.

Derek moved closer, his steps measured and deliberate. The distance between us shrank until he was close enough that I could see the flecks of gold in his grey eyes. My breath caught in my throat as he leaned down, his breath warm against my ear.

"Because you don't have what it takes to be my enemy," he whispered, his voice low and dangerous.

I backed up until I felt the railing press against my lower back. His proximity was overwhelming—the heat radiating from his body, the scent of his cologne mixed with his natural scent. Anger flared within me, but I refused to cower.

"Oh, really?" I let out a soft laugh, trying to ignore how my body reacted to his closeness. "Then what qualifications do I need to become your enemy?"

His jaw tightened at my retort. A muscle twitched in his cheek as he moved closer still, invading my personal space. I could practically feel the power emanating from him, reminding me of the Alpha he truly was.

"What's happened to you?" he asked, his eyes searching mine, narrowing slightly. "You were never like this before."

My heart seized at his words. Had he noticed the changes in me? The hardening of my heart, the walls I'd built? His gaze was too intense, too penetrating, as if he could see through all my defenses.

"The way you're trying to get back at me," he continued, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper, "leaking information about my company? Is that your idea of revenge?"

He laughed, the sound devoid of humor. "Do you think revealing business secrets will truly hurt me? That's just a minor inconvenience, Erin. Nothing that can't be fixed."

I clenched my fists at my sides, my nails digging into my palms. I was acutely aware of how close he was standing, how I could feel the heat of his body through my dress. My wolf stirred inside me, recognizing her mate despite my hatred.

"I hate you, Derek Stone," I whispered, each word dripping with venom, trying to convince myself as much as him.

Derek took a step back, his face impassive as he regarded me. His eyes traveled slowly over my face, lingering on my lips for a moment before meeting my gaze again. The intensity in his eyes made my stomach clench.

"To qualify as my enemy," he said slowly, answering my earlier question, "you need to hate me enough that your hand wouldn't tremble when driving a knife into my chest." He turned away, walking back toward the door.

I felt tears of rage and fear gather in my eyes. My body was betraying me—still responding to his presence even as my mind rejected him. I quickly wiped the tears away when Derek paused at the entrance.

Without turning around, he added in a low voice, "You will never reach that level. So stop deceiving yourself. Stop wasting time on things that ultimately mean nothing."

The door closed behind him, leaving me alone with the moonlight and my shattered composure. The tears I'd been holding back spilled over, running down my cheeks. I turned back to the moon, my vision blurred.

"Why?" I asked the Moon Goddess, my voice breaking. "Why did you give him so much power over me? Why did you make him so cold, so unfeeling?"