Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 171

Erin's POV

Something reckless, almost self-destructive, propelled me forward. I met his challenge head-on. "Yes, my future Alpha, my husband, my mate. I'll complete the binding ceremony with him when we marry."

The binding ceremony—the most intimate ritual between wolf mates. Even saying the words aloud made my cheeks flush, images I didn't want flashing through my mind.

"Erin, stop—" Derek's warning was tight, controlled, but I could hear the edge beneath.

"I don't care about your warnings," I cut him off, my voice steady despite the chaos inside me. "This has nothing to do with you."

Derek moved with Alpha speed, grabbing my arm again.

"He's not good for you," he insisted, his voice dropping lower. "He's evil."

I looked up at him, struck by the genuine concern in his expression. Was he actually worried about me? The thought sent a confusing warmth through my chest that I quickly stamped out.

"And you've been so good to me?" I countered, unable to keep my voice from breaking slightly.

His grip on my arm loosened, his thumb unconsciously stroking the inside of my wrist. Each small circle sent tingles up my arm. "You don't understand the situation," he insisted.

I pulled my arm free, stepping back to clear my head from his intoxicating presence. "I understand perfectly. I'm going to marry Alexander because he can give me what you couldn't—the title of Luna and the respect that comes with it." I paused, watching his expression darken as I delivered my final blow. "And he can make me forget about you."

It was a lie—I knew it even as I said it. Nothing could make me forget Derek Stone. Not time, not distance, not even another man. The bond between us was too strong, too deep, burned into my very being. But I needed him to believe I could move on, needed to believe it myself.

"Erin—" The raw emotion in his voice nearly broke my resolve.

"Stay away from me, Derek," I interrupted, not trusting myself to hear what he might say. "I don't want Alexander to misunderstand. We both despise you."

Something flickered across his face—pain, perhaps, or disbelief. "You can't hate me," he muttered, so quietly I almost missed it.

"Watch me," I challenged. "Soon, I'll be the Luna of your enemy. Remember that."

I saw the exact moment his control snapped. His eyes flashed golden, a muscle jumping in his jaw. With a low growl that resonated in my bones, he grabbed me, pulling me against his chest with such force that it knocked the breath from my lungs.

The sudden contact was overwhelming. His heart pounded against mine, his warmth enveloping me, his scent clouding my senses. For a disorienting moment, I wanted to surrender, to melt into him, to let the bond between us consume everything else.

The thought terrified me.

"Let me go!" I shouted, struggling against his iron grip, fighting both him and my own traitorous desires. "Derek, let go of me now!"

---

"Alpha, please release my sister."

My brother's voice from the doorway made my heart skip a beat. Aaron stood there, his expression a mixture of confusion and concern. I hadn't expected to see him here, and the last thing I wanted was for him to witness this moment of weakness.

"Alpha," Aaron repeated, his voice steady despite the tension in the room, "please don't hurt Erin."

I looked at my brother, surprise and unwanted emotion welling up inside me. For all our disagreements, Aaron was still trying to protect me. I forced down the surge of affection, unwilling to show vulnerability in front of Derek.

"Brother, don't beg him," I said coldly. "He doesn't deserve it."

Aaron frowned at me disapprovingly. "I need to speak with the Alpha."

Derek closed his eyes, his jaw tight with barely contained fury. After a moment, he released me, stepping back as if it required immense effort. The absence of his touch left me strangely bereft, a chill replacing his warmth.

Aaron bowed deeply, the picture of submission. "I'll accept any punishment, Alpha."

"No!" I moved between them, my dress swishing around my legs. The thought of Derek punishing my brother—because of me—was unbearable. "Aaron, stop it. You're worshipping the wrong Alpha. He's a coward."

"Erin!" Aaron shouted.

"You always scold me because of him," I accused, pointing at Derek, who watched our exchange with unreadable eyes.

"You've messed up a lot of things by agreeing to be Alexander's Luna," Aaron replied.

I looked at my brother, suddenly tired of all the secrets, all the lies. "Do you know he lied to you? Ask him about our soul bond relationship."

Aaron's eyes widened, his gaze shifting between Derek and me with growing shock.

"The soul bond is unbreakable," Derek admitted coldly. "I lied to you."

In an instant, my brother's face paled, his shoulders tensed. My heart ached for him despite everything.

"He doesn't deserve your respect, brother," I said quietly. "He was going to marry another woman despite our bond."

I turned to Aaron, unable to keep the tremor from my voice. "He thinks your sister is worthless. He wanted me to be his mistress so I wouldn't go around revealing the truth about our soul bond."

The color drained from Aaron's face as he stared at Derek, looking as though the foundations of his world were crumbling. I bit my lip, suddenly realizing I might have gone too far. There was more I could say—about how Derek had used my feelings, how he'd manipulated me with promises about Aaron's position—but seeing my brother's devastated expression, I couldn't bring myself to deliver more blows.

Aaron suddenly lunged forward, grabbing Derek's collar. "How dare you?" he growled, his voice shaking with rage. "How could you even consider making such an offer to my sister? My sister, who was already hurt terribly by your brother, and now you?"

Pride and fear warred within me as I watched Aaron stand up to his Alpha. Pride for his courage, fear for the consequences.

"Enforcer Aaron!" Beta Tom's thunderous voice echoed from the doorway as the lights in the lounge suddenly blazed to life.

Tom stood there, his face contorted with fury as he glared at Aaron. Delta Mark moved swiftly, yanking Aaron away from Derek and delivering a powerful punch that sent him staggering.

"Brother!" I cried out, genuinely frightened as I watched Aaron fall.