Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 158

Erin's POV

I woke with a start, my mind immediately racing with the memory of Aaron's words from the previous night. My brother had mentioned that Alexander Windsor, the Alpha of the Silverpine Pack, would be arriving soon. The thought sent an uncomfortable chill down my spine.

"What's with this guy?" I muttered to myself, pushing back my covers and sitting up in bed. I rubbed my eyes, trying to make sense of my conflicting emotions. "Why is Alexander Windsor coming here?"

I recalled the last time Alexander had visited our home a year ago. What stood out most in my memory was my mother's reaction—I had never seen Mom so nervous, so careful with her words and movements. My normally confident mother had seemed almost... afraid.

A soft knock interrupted my thoughts. The door creaked open, and Mom appeared, looking unusually pale.

"Mom, are you okay?" I asked immediately, concern washing over me as I noticed the slight tremble in her hands.

She offered a weak smile. "I'm fine, dear. Aaron told me not to disturb your rest, but it's almost noon. You should come down for breakfast—or lunch, rather."

"I'll be right down," I promised, studying her tired face. "Did you take your medication this morning?"

"Of course," she assured me, though I wasn't entirely convinced. "Don't worry about me. Just come eat something."

After she left, I headed to the bathroom, letting hot water cascade over my body as I tried to organize my thoughts. What was I going to do about Derek? About Alexander? About everything that seemed to be spiraling out of control? I didn't have answers, just a growing knot of anxiety in my stomach.

When I emerged from the shower wrapped in a towel, I was surprised to find Mom still in my bedroom, sitting on the edge of my bed with my phone in her hand.

"Erin," she began cautiously, "who is Alex? Is he your new boyfriend?"

"What!" I exclaimed, nearly dropping my towel in shock. "No, Mom. Why would you think that?"

She held up my phone. "This Alex person has been calling you all morning. I didn't answer, of course, but he's quite persistent."

My heart skipped a beat. I quickly crossed the room and took the phone from her hand. Three missed calls from "Alex" and a text message asking where I was. Alex—Alexander Windsor. The Alpha of the Silverpine Pack was calling me directly.

I hit the decline button on the latest incoming call, my fingers trembling slightly.

"Erin?" Mom's voice was laced with suspicion. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," I said too quickly. "He's just... a friend."

My mind was racing. Between Derek's cold dismissal and Alexander's unexpected persistence, I felt caught in a dangerous game I hadn't meant to play.

"Just a friend?" Mom raised an eyebrow, clearly not believing me. "You know, there's nothing wrong with seeing someone new. After what Bradley did to you—"

"Mom, please," I interrupted, not wanting to revisit that humiliation. "I don't want to recall the past."

She sighed deeply, a hint of disappointment in her eyes. "Erin, I don't understand why you keep pushing away potential suitors. First, you were so heartbroken over Bradley, and now you won't even give other wolves a chance."

"You're a beautiful, intelligent young woman," Mom continued. "Any wolf would be lucky to have you. But you need to open yourself up to possibilities."

"Mom!" I cut her off sharply.

I turned away, unable to meet her gaze. If only she knew the truth—that no wolf wanted me as a mate. Not even the one destined by fate to be with me.

The painful thought remained unspoken, but it echoed loudly in my mind. I busied myself with drying my hair, hoping she would drop the subject.

Mom stood slowly, her hand briefly touching her chest—a gesture that didn't escape my notice. "I just want you to be happy, sweetheart. And I worry that my health... well, I may not have as much time as I'd like to see you settled."

"Mom!" My voice cracked with emotion. "Don't talk like that."

She offered a sad smile before leaving the room, closing the door softly behind her.

Alone again, I sank onto my bed, a wave of fear and pain washing over me. Mom's heart condition had been stable for years, but lately, she seemed more fragile. The thought of losing her was unbearable. I'd already lost so much—my dignity, my self-respect, my hope for a future with someone who truly wanted me. I couldn't lose Mom too.

---

The afternoon passed quietly as I kept Mom company, both of us avoiding any mention of Derek or romantic prospects. We sat in the living room, Mom knitting while I read a book, occasionally sharing something interesting or funny. It felt normal, peaceful even.

"Remember when you were little," Mom said suddenly, putting down her knitting, "and you used to say you'd build me a castle when you grew up?"

I smiled at the memory. "I was going to be a famous architect."

"You drew blueprints," Mom laughed softly. "They were just crayon scribbles, but you were so serious about them."

"I still have them somewhere," I admitted. "In that old box under my bed."

Mom reached over and squeezed my hand. "You were always such a determined child. Whatever you set your mind to, you'd find a way to make it happen."

I swallowed hard, thinking of how that determination had led me down a path of revenge that seemed increasingly hopeless. "I'm not sure that's always a good thing."

"It is," Mom insisted. "That strength will see you through anything, Erin. I've always believed that."

Her faith in me made my chest ache. If only she knew how lost I really felt.

For a few peaceful hours, I managed not to think about Derek Stone and the way he had looked at me on the hotel terrace—as if I were both precious and poisonous.

As evening fell, the front door opened, and Aaron stepped inside. He paused in the doorway of the living room, surprise evident on his face as he took in the scene of me and mother laughing together.

"You're home late," Mom remarked, her smile warm as she looked at her son.

Aaron ran a hand through his hair, looking tired but satisfied. "The Silverpine Alpha is coming tomorrow. I've been making arrangements at Darkwood Estate."

My fork clattered against my plate as I froze mid-bite.

"Alexander Windsor? Again?" Mom asked, her voice dropping slightly. "What does he want this time?"

"He's the guest of honor at the party," Aaron explained, hanging his jacket on the back of a chair before joining us at the table. "The Alpha wants everything to be perfect."