Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 162

Erin's POV

The rain drummed against the windows as Alexander's sleek black car pulled away from the airport. I turned to him, pulling my hand from his grip. The remnants of our confrontation with Derek and Mya still burned in my veins, fueling my anger.

"You just told them I came to catch your attention?" I demanded, unable to contain my indignation any longer. "Why would you say that to them?"

Alexander's eyes flickered with amusement as his gaze traveled down my rain-soaked dress and back up to my face. A slow smile spread across his lips.

"Don't act coy now, little omega," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "You don't think your current appearance would catch any wolf's attention?"

Heat rushed to my cheeks, both from embarrassment and anger. I was painfully aware of how the wet fabric clung to my body, just as I had been when Derek's eyes had raked over me at the airport.

"I came because I was threatened," I snapped, pushing thoughts of Derek aside. "Not to put on a show for you or anyone else."

Alexander leaned forward to speak to his driver. "Take us to the Crescent Hotel."

My eyes widened. "Excuse me?"

"I said—"

"I heard what you said," I cut him off sharply. "Shut up."

The driver's eyes met mine in the rearview mirror, his expression uncertain. Alexander chuckled.

"Relax. The lady misunderstood. We're just going for a drink at their bar," he clarified, then turned to me. "Unless you don't drink?"

I ignored the innuendo and glanced out the window, freezing when I spotted Derek and Mya exiting the terminal. Derek's gaze locked onto our car, his expression dark and dangerous. My pulse quickened instantly. Even from this distance, I could feel the intensity of his stare, like a physical touch on my skin. My body responded traitorously, a familiar warmth spreading through my core. Without thinking, I rolled up the window, breaking our visual connection.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. It infuriated me that he could still affect me this way after everything he'd done.

"How did you know I don't drink?" I asked suddenly, turning back to Alexander.

"I just know," he replied casually.

"You investigated me?" I asked. "You should know that you are facing a very dangerous Omega that can want to destroy you at all costs, just like what I am doing to Derek now."

Alexander's smile never faltered. "I know."

The simple acknowledgment caught me off guard. I studied his face, searching for deceit or mockery, but found none.

"Derek's a fool," Alexander continued, his voice hardening. "Choosing that woman over you."

"You're right," I agreed, surprising myself with my honesty. "But Derek isn't stupid. He chose her purely for political advantage."

As I said the words, I felt an ache deep inside. Derek had chosen political power over our bond, over the pull between us that even now I couldn't fully deny.

Alexander nodded, seemingly pleased with my assessment. "Forget it, let's go eat. Where would you like to eat? I'm starving after that flight."

---

The restaurant Alexander chose was upscale but discreet, tucked away in a corner of downtown with soft lighting and private booths. As we were seated, I started to remove his jacket, but his hand shot out, gripping my wrist.

"Don't take it off," he said, his playful demeanor suddenly serious.

"Why not?" I challenged.

"Just don't," he insisted, then relaxed into a smile as the waiter approached with menus.

After ordering, I leaned forward. "Why are you really here?"

Alexander took a sip of water, his eyes never leaving mine. "I'm here to attend the binding ceremony," he said with false cheerfulness. "I've come to bless them."

The way his lips curved into a smile told me everything I needed to know. He hadn't come to bless anything.

"I'm afraid it's more than that." I said bluntly.

His expression shifted, becoming more calculating. "You know what I want, Erin. I told you a year ago when I left the Darkwood Pack. But you didn't take my hand then."

Our separation from a year ago flashed through my mind - he offered to let me go with him to the Silverpine Pack, and I turned him down because I wanted to get revenge on Derek personally.

I slipped off his jacket and pushed it across the table. "This time," I said with a small, determined smile, "I will take your hand. We have a common enemy now."

Alexander's eyes gleamed with triumph.

---

Derek's POV

The interior of my car felt suffocating despite its spacious design. I stared straight ahead, jaw clenched so tightly I could feel the ache spreading to my temples. The image of Erin in that rain-soaked white shirt burned in my mind—the fabric clinging to her curves, outlining her body in ways that made my wolf howl with desire. Then Alexander Windsor had draped his jacket over her shoulders, his possessive hand on her back like a brand.

My hands tightened into fists. The urge to rip his throat out had been nearly overwhelming. Even now, my wolf paced restlessly beneath my skin, urging me to chase them down, to claim what was mine.

Mine. The word echoed in my head, dangerous and primitive.

Beside me, Mya placed her hand on my arm, leaning close. "Derek, please don't be upset. She's nothing—"

I jerked my arm away, her touch feeling wrong, invasive. It wasn't her hand I wanted on me. "How many times do I have to tell you not to touch me?"

Her face fell, hurt evident in her eyes. "I don't understand. We're about to have our binding ceremony. Shouldn't we at least pretend to get along?"

I remained silent, focusing on the road ahead as the driver navigated toward Darkwood Estate. Every cell in my body was tuned to Erin—wondering where she was, what she was doing with Windsor, whether he was touching her. The mere thought sent a surge of possessive rage through me that threatened to break my control.

"I'm afraid of Alexander," Mya whispered after a long silence. "Please don't let him near me during the ceremony."

My fingers tightened around the armrest. "If he so much as looks at you wrong, I'll make sure no one from your pack ever finds his body."