Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 175

Erin's POV

Yet a part of me had felt a vindictive satisfaction seeing Derek's reaction—that momentary flash of something like pain crossing his normally impassive face. It was the closest thing to victory I'd felt in a long time.

"But it did make Derek falter a bit," I admitted. "That felt... good, in a way. To show him how much I despise him."

Aaron gave me a concerned look. "Is that what this is really about? Getting back at Derek?"

I didn't answer. I couldn't, without revealing how tangled my emotions truly were.

The next morning at Silver Moon Academy, I tried to focus on my professors' lectures, but my mind kept drifting back to last night's events. By lunchtime, I was exhausted from pretending everything was normal.

"Are you really going to be Alexander's mate?" Amy asked as she slid into the seat across from me in the cafeteria, Jack following close behind her.

I pushed my salad around my plate, avoiding their concerned gazes. "I... I don't know. I need to think about it."

"Erin, this is serious," Jack leaned forward, lowering his voice. "Becoming a Luna isn't like dating someone. It's permanent."

"I know that," I snapped, then immediately regretted my tone. "Sorry. I just... I need time to figure this out."

They exchanged glances, their worry evident, but thankfully dropped the subject. I couldn't explain to them how trapped I felt—how I'd walked into this situation thinking I had control, only to find myself backed into a corner.

---

By noon, I'd made my way to the Darkwood Orphanage, a place that had become my sanctuary when I needed to escape my thoughts. The training room in the basement was usually empty this time of day, making it perfect for working out my frustrations.

I found Ryan there, as I'd hoped. He was arranging practice mats on the floor, and looked up with a smile when I entered.

"Perfect timing," he said. "I was just setting up for some sparring."

"Good," I replied, dropping my bag and rolling up my sleeves. "I'm really angry right now. I need to train to relieve some stress."

Ryan raised an eyebrow but didn't question me. That was what I appreciated about him—he never pushed for explanations when I wasn't ready to give them.

We circled each other on the mat, and I launched into a series of attacks that he blocked with practiced ease. Each punch and kick helped me channel my anger, making it more manageable with every exertion.

"You're getting better," Ryan commented after successfully dodging a particularly aggressive combination. "Your footwork is much more solid."

I wiped sweat from my brow, breathing hard. "Thanks to you."

"My girlfriend wants to meet you, by the way," he said casually, shifting into a defensive stance.

The mention caught me off guard. "Your girlfriend?"

"Yeah. I've told her about this kind, caring girl who always comes to help at the orphanage." He grinned. "She's curious about you."

"Oh." I wasn't sure how to respond. The idea that Ryan talked about me to someone important in his life made me feel oddly normal—a welcome sensation amid the chaos. "Sure, I'd like to meet her."

"Great. She'll be happy to hear that." Ryan blocked my next punch and countered with a sweep that I narrowly avoided. "Now, focus. Your mind's wandering."

I nodded and redoubled my concentration, grateful for the physical exertion that kept my darker thoughts at bay, if only temporarily.

---

When I emerged from the orphanage later that afternoon, Alexander was waiting in his sleek black car, looking every bit the powerful Alpha he was. My momentary peace evaporated instantly, replaced by simmering anger as I slid into the passenger seat.

"Why did you change the plan?" I demanded without preamble. "We agreed to pretend we were dating. You didn't say anything about announcing me as your future Luna."

Alexander's face remained impassive as he pulled away from the curb. "I thought it would be more effective."

"Effective?" I turned in my seat to face him fully. "You made a major decision without consulting me. You took an unnecessary step that I never agreed to."

"I was serious when I made the announcement," he said, his eyes fixed on the road.

I stared at him, trying to decipher if this was another of his games. "Listen, Alexander. I can't be your mate."

"Why not?" His voice was calm, reasonable. "The Silverpine Pack would treat you with the respect you deserve. I can promise you that."

"That's not the point." I shook my head, frustrated by his apparent misunderstanding. "I need you to cancel the announcement. Tell your pack I'm not qualified or something."

Alexander's knuckles whitened slightly on the steering wheel. "Once a Pack Alpha announces his future mate, the declaration cannot be revoked. Only a soul bond has the right to cancel a binding ceremony."

"What are you talking about?" I gaped at him. "That's ridiculous."

"It's pack law." His tone was matter-of-fact, as if explaining something obvious. "Derek will never claim you as his mate, so the ceremony cannot be canceled."

A cold realization crept over me. "What if your soul mate appears? Wouldn't that cancel our binding?"

Alexander's smile vanished, his eyes darkening as he glanced at me. "That's impossible. I don't have a soul mate."

There was something in his voice—a finality, an old pain—that made me pause. Before I could process it, he added softly, "But I can bind with you and make you mine."

The possessiveness in his tone sent a chill down my spine. This wasn't part of our agreement.

"You're lying," I frowned, crossing my arms defensively. "Why do all you Alphas act this way? Soul bonds mean nothing to you, do they?"

Alexander remained silent for a long moment, his expression unreadable. When I couldn't stand the silence anymore, I reached for the door handle.

"Take me home," I said firmly. "You've ruined everything, Alexander. I don't want to be your mate."

Alexander reached out, his hand closing gently but firmly around my wrist. I tried to pull away, but he held fast, leaning closer to me.

"I've never been this interested in a woman before," he said, his voice low and intense. "I announced you as my mate. I know this wasn't part of your plan, but I like you, and now you can't stop me from binding with you."

I froze, my heart skipping a beat. "What did you just say?"

Alexander's gaze held mine, unwavering. "Erin, I like you."

The unexpected confession left me speechless, uncertain whether to believe him or if this was just another manipulation in a game I no longer understood the rules to.