Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 165

Erin's POV

The evening of the party, I stood in Amy's bedroom, staring at the box that had arrived by courier earlier that day. Inside, nestled in tissue paper, lay a stunning gold dress that seemed to shimmer even in the dim light of the room.

"That's from Alpha Alexander?" Amy asked, her voice hushed with awe as she touched the luxurious fabric. "This is designer—from the international fashion house owned by the Silverpine Pack."

I nodded, lifting the small card that had accompanied the gift.

For a flawless beauty, a golden dress. Your boyfriend, Alexander.

"Erin," Amy said slowly, looking between the dress and my face. "What's going on? I thought you were just friends."

My mind drifted back to the restaurant after we'd left the airport that day.

"I'll take your hand this time," I had said, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside me. "Because we have a common enemy."

Alexander's eyes had glinted with amusement. "Enemy? You're not qualified to be his enemy."

The words, so similar to something Derek might say, had ignited fury in my chest. I'd felt my hands beginning to tremble with rage.

Alexander had reached across the table, grasping my hand firmly. "Calm down," he'd said, his voice lowering. "Anger doesn't solve anything."

"I know anger doesn't help," I'd replied bitterly. "Of course I know that."

I'd taken a deep breath, forcing my emotions back under control. "I know I'm not qualified. I can't even be as despicable as he is. But I'm here in front of you now. Who better to teach me than you?"

"Good point," Alexander had smiled, satisfaction evident in his expression. "You've chosen well."

Then, without warning. "Be my girlfriend."

The proposal had left me speechless, staring at him in shock.

"I'm serious," he'd continued, his thumb tracing circles on my palm. "If you want revenge against him, be with me."

"He doesn't care about me," I'd replied automatically, the words painful but familiar.

"That's true," Alexander had agreed. "But it would hurt his pride."

I had hesitated, considering the implications, the risks—and the potential satisfaction of seeing Derek's reaction.

"I need to think about it," I'd finally said.

Alexander had shrugged, releasing my hand. "I don't date others. Only you have the right to date me."

After a moment of silence, weighing the burning need for revenge against my remaining caution, I'd made my decision.

"Fine," I'd said. "We both have only one goal—the downfall of Derek Stone. I can be your girlfriend. But we're just pretending."

Alexander's smile had been triumphant. "Whether it's pretense or reality is up to me to decide."

---

"Erin? Are you listening to me? What are you thinking about?" Amy's voice pulled me back to the present.

"It's true," I said, meeting my friend's worried gaze. "I'm dating Alpha Alexander."

Amy sat down heavily on the bed. "Are you serious? When did this happen? Why didn't you tell me?"

"It's... complicated," I replied, turning back to the golden dress.

"Complicated?" Amy stood up again, her expression troubled. "Erin, if I had known about this, I would never have let you do it. You can't just leak someone's secrets like that."

"I've stopped doing that," I said, my voice hardening. "But I can't let that man go. I just hate him."

"And you think Alpha Alexander is better?" Amy crossed her arms. "Jack says he doesn't care about the pack. He only wants to expand his territory and influence. Have you thought about what he wants from you?"

I avoided my friend's gaze. I knew exactly what Alexander wanted—a weapon against Derek, leverage in their ongoing power struggle.

"Or is he just being nice to you?" Amy continued, studying my face carefully. "Should I assume he's interested in you?"

"No," I denied quickly—too quickly.

Amy's eyebrows shot up, a teasing smile replacing her concern. "Look at you blushing! The lonely Omega caught between two deadly Alphas." Her smile faltered. "I'm worried about you, though."

I shook my head, turning back to the dress. "Alexander got invitations for both of us," I said, changing the subject. "Jack is picking us up in an hour."

Amy sighed, recognizing my deflection but allowing it. "Fine. Let's get you ready then."

Standing before the mirror in Amy's room, I barely recognized myself. The gold dress hugged my curves perfectly, the color making my skin glow and my eyes seem more intense. I thought of Derek's cold dismissal, his refusal to acknowledge our bond, his arrogant certainty that I wasn't worthy to stand beside an Alpha.

You looked down on me, I thought, my resolve hardening as I stared at my reflection. You never acknowledged me as your soul bond. You believed I wasn't worthy to stand with an Alpha. But tonight, I'll show you what you deserve.

"Every Alpha would kneel for how you look right now," Amy whispered, adjusting the final touches to my hair.

A knock at the door announced Jack's arrival. When we emerged from the bedroom, he whistled appreciatively.

"Ladies, you look fantastic," he said, kissing Amy's cheek before turning to me with a friendly smile. "Ready for the big night?"

Amy leaned in to whisper something in his ear, and Jack's eyes widened as he glanced between Amy and me.

"You're dating Alpha Alexander?" he asked, unable to hide his shock.

Before I could respond, the sound of a powerful engine drew our attention to the window. A sleek black car had pulled up outside, its polished surface gleaming under the streetlights.

Alexander Windsor stepped out, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, a bouquet of flowers in his hand. His eyes found me immediately, a satisfied smile spreading across his face as he approached.

"Hello, beautiful," he said, leaning in to kiss my cheek.

I froze, unprepared for the public display of affection in front of my friends.

Alexander turned to Amy and Jack, nodding politely. "Don't mind her. My girlfriend is a little slow to warm up."

I recovered enough to make introductions, though my mind was still processing Alexander's casual claim on me.

"Pleasure to meet you both," Alexander said, shaking Jack's hand with a firm grip. "Shall we go? We shouldn't keep my sister and her future brother-in-law waiting too long."

As we walked to the car, Alexander's hand rested possessively on the small of my back, a gesture that didn't go unnoticed by Amy, who shot me a concerned look. I gave a small, reassuring smile in return, though my own thoughts were far from certain.

"Why did you kiss me in front of my friends?" I demanded once we were alone in Alexander's car, Amy and Jack following behind in Jack's vehicle.

Alexander glanced at me, amusement dancing in his eyes. "You even call that a kiss?"

"Whatever," I huffed, turning to look out the window. "Just don't do it again."

"And if I do?" Alexander challenged, his voice dropping slightly. "What will you do about it?"

I turned to face him, my expression deadly serious. "I'll kill you, Alexander."