Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 164

Erin's POV

I stared at Aaron, disappointment and frustration burning in my chest as his words echoed in my ears.

"Aaron, please," I said, my voice strained as I fought to keep my composure. "Can you help me get a pass for the pack gathering? I really want to attend."

My brother's expression remained guarded, his enforcer persona firmly in place. "Why do you want to go?"

"Why wouldn't I? It's a major event." I tried to smile, but it felt strained on my face. "Everyone will be there."

Aaron's posture stiffened even more. "Even if Alpha didn't tell me, I wouldn't let you go."

The dismissal was immediate, absolute, with no room for negotiation. Just like Derek's orders always were. I opened my mouth to argue further, my hands clenching into fists.

"I remember when you and Aaron were inseparable," Mom said wistfully, her fingers nervously intertwining in her lap. "You used to follow him everywhere, and he would protect you from everything."

I remained silent.

"He's always been able to tell right from wrong," she continued. "That's why he makes such a good enforcer for the pack. So listen to him this time, Erin."

My movements stiffened, but I forced myself to maintain composure. If only she knew how much I'd grown to question Aaron's judgment lately.

"I know Alpha Derek can be... intimidating," Mom said, oblivious to how my knuckles whitened around the handle of the teapot. "I heard he once reprimanded you quite harshly. But he manages the pack affairs efficiently. We should be grateful."

If only you knew, I thought bitterly. If only you knew he's my soul bond, that he rejected me and chose another woman despite our connection.

"I don't understand why you've been spending time with Alpha Alexander," Mom's brow furrowed with genuine concern. "That man has a terrible reputation. People say he's ruthless, even by Alpha standards."

I placed a cup of tea in front of her, keeping my expression neutral. "Mom, you don't need to worry about me."

"But I do worry. The way Aaron described your behavior lately..." She sighed, then looked directly at me. "We should be grateful to Alpha Derek for handling everything so well. Aaron says he's been very understanding despite... complications."

Mom reached for my hand. "We should obey our Alpha. The Alpha knows what's right for all of us."

The words stung like salt in wounds that hadn't yet healed. But I nodded, unwilling to upset her when her health remained so precarious. For my family's sake, I would maintain this façade of compliance—at least in front of my mother.

Aaron shot me a grateful look across the kitchen, but I avoided his eyes. My exterior remained calm while inside, anger flared hot and bright.

"I understand," I said softly to both of them.

As I walked back to my room moments later, a new resolve hardened within me. I've become weak again. I need to pull myself together. No one can turn me into an emotional fool anymore. I've done everything I could to not interfere with Aaron's career. Now, I have no responsibilities left. I'll do what's good for me.

---

The next morning, I left the house early, avoiding both my mother and brother. After two days of absence, I returned to Silvermoon Academy.

The familiar buildings and bustling students provided a welcome distraction from the suffocating atmosphere at home. I spotted Amy waving enthusiastically from our usual table in the cafeteria and headed over, forcing a smile.

"There you are!" Amy exclaimed as I sat down. "I was starting to think you'd transferred schools without telling me."

"Just needed a couple days off," I replied, unpacking my lunch.

Amy leaned forward, lowering her voice. "So, about the party this weekend—Jack's got us covered. His sister knows someone who can get us in."

My smile faltered. "Actually, I don't think I can go."

"What are you talking about? You can't go to the party?" Amy's eyes widened in disbelief. "Why not?"

I glanced around before explaining my conversation with Aaron, keeping my voice low. "He won't help me get an invitation. Says it's too dangerous."

"Your brother is being overprotective again," Amy said with a frown. "Though I suppose he's worried the Alpha might—"

"No," I interrupted sharply. "He's afraid I'll tell his in-laws the truth. That's why he doesn't want me there."

Amy studied my face carefully. "I think your brother knows seeing them together would only hurt you more."

"The current me won't be heartbroken over Derek anymore," I said, my voice hardening as I stabbed at my salad with unnecessary force.

Amy looked unconvinced but didn't press the issue.

As we entered the self-service area of the cafeteria, Amy suddenly nudged me, nodding toward a corner table where Lily sat alone, her usual admirers noticeably absent. Instead of her typical confident posture, she hunched over her phone, her face drawn and pale.

"What happened to her?" I asked, surprise temporarily overriding my indifference toward my former friend.

Amy pulled out her phone, opening the campus social media group. "You haven't seen this? It's all over the school network."

The post showed screenshots of company documents and a formal termination letter. I scanned the text quickly: Lily had been fired from Stone Group for cheating in the competition and nearly causing massive losses on a project she had falsely claimed as her own. The Alpha had personally dismissed her and blacklisted her resume throughout the industry.

I froze, memories flooding back—of telling Derek the truth about Lily, of his dismissal of my concerns, of his apparent belief that I was lying out of jealousy.

"So he finally admitted I wasn't lying?" I murmured, almost to myself.

Amy glanced up from her phone. "Lily got some serious punishment. I hate to say it, but the Alpha is truly ruthless. He's blacklisted her in the entire industry."

"Stone Group deserved it," I said coldly. "I warned him it wasn't her project, but he still gave her the internship."

"Maybe that was his plan all along," Amy suggested, her voice thoughtful. "Give her hope, make her believe she succeeded, then destroy her completely when the truth came out."

The thought sent a chill down my spine. Had Derek believed me all along? Had he simply been waiting for the right moment to act? The calculated cruelty of such a plan aligned perfectly with what I now knew of him—patient, strategic, and utterly merciless.

Before I could pursue that disturbing train of thought, my phone vibrated in my pocket. The screen displayed a name that made my pulse quicken slightly: Alexander Windsor.

"Hello?" I answered, turning slightly away from Amy's curious gaze.

"Erin," Alexander's deep voice came through the speaker. "I trust you're planning to attend the gathering this weekend?"

"I can't," I replied, keeping my voice neutral. "I don't have an invitation."

Amy raised her eyebrows, mouthing "Who is it?" but I shook my head slightly.

"Is that all?" Alexander's tone was amused. "That's hardly an excuse, Erin."

"What do you mean?"

"You have the pack Alpha right beside you, and he's also the guest of honor. I could get you a hundred invitations to the party. Be ready to come with me."

After ending the call, I turned to find Amy staring at me with wide eyes.

"Was that who I think it was?" she whispered.

I nodded slowly, a small, defiant smile forming on my lips. Perhaps I would attend the gathering after all—just not how Derek or Aaron had expected.