Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 178

Erin's POV

The sleek luxury car glided through the evening traffic, its engine purring quietly as we approached the Darkwood Estate. I studied Alexander Windsor from the corner of my eye, mentally cataloging his features. His expensive tailored suit accentuated his broad shoulders, the fabric alone probably costing more than my entire wardrobe. Everything about him exuded power and wealth—from his perfectly styled hair to his Italian leather shoes.

What fascinated and disturbed me most about him was his ability to switch personalities in an instant. One moment he could be charming and playful, the next cold and calculating. There was so little information available about him and the Silverpine Pack he led. Derek might be cruel and manipulative, but at least I understood his motives. Alexander remained an enigma.

"You're staring," Alexander said without looking at me, a small smile playing on his lips.

I quickly averted my gaze, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. "Just thinking."

He leaned closer, his breath warm against my ear. "Women say I'm amazing in bed," he whispered, "but afterward, they can never sleep with anyone else."

A chill ran down my spine despite the car's warmth. I pulled back slightly, confused by his statement. Was it a boast? A threat? With Alexander, it was impossible to tell. I decided to brush it off as another of his strange jokes, though the words lingered uncomfortably in my mind.

"I'll make sure to never find out if that's true," I replied dryly, fingers fidgeting with the hem of my dress.

He chuckled, seemingly pleased with my response.

The car turned onto the private road leading to the Darkwood Estate. My stomach tightened as the impressive mansion came into view, its windows glowing with warm light against the darkening sky. I took a deep breath, mentally preparing myself.

As the car rolled to a stop in front of the grand entrance, Alexander turned to me with an unreadable expression.

"Ready for war, little Omega?" he asked, his voice light but his eyes serious.

I nodded, my jaw set with determination. "Always."

---

Alexander opened my door with unexpected gallantry. I stepped out, shoulders squared and chin lifted, smoothing down my dress with deliberate slowness. I made my way toward the entrance without waiting for him. I wanted to appear confident and independent, not like some accessory hanging on his arm, though my heart hammered in my chest with each step.

Just as I reached the massive double doors, they swung open to reveal Judy Stone, Derek's mother. Her perfectly coiffed blonde hair and elegant evening dress couldn't mask the flash of displeasure that crossed her face when she saw me. Her lips pressed into a thin line, eyes narrowing.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded, her voice sharp enough to cut glass.

A year ago, I might have stammered an apology or looked away in shame. Now, I felt something else entirely—a cold satisfaction at her discomfort. My pulse quickened, not with fear but with anticipation.

I stepped closer to her, close enough that only she could hear my words. A small, cruel smile played on my lips as I leaned in. I could smell her expensive perfume, see the way her pupils dilated with surprise at my boldness.

"Oh, Aunt Judy, not happy to see me?" I whispered. "But you have no right to be unhappy." I paused for effect. "You should greet me with respect, because standing before you isn't the Darkwood Pack's Omega, but the future Luna of the Silverpine Pack."

Her eyes widened dramatically, shock washing over her features. She took an involuntary step backward, as if I'd physically struck her. Her hand flew to her throat, fingers trembling. The sight was immensely satisfying after all the times she'd made me feel worthless. A warmth spread through my chest—the sweet taste of revenge.

"You—you can't be serious," she stuttered, her composure cracking.

I simply maintained my smile, enjoying her reaction perhaps more than I should have. Power felt good, especially over someone who had wielded it against me for so long.

"Is there a problem?" Alexander's smooth voice came from behind me as he approached the entrance. His eyes flicked between me standing near the doorway and Judy's obvious discomfort.

He placed a possessive arm around my shoulders, his fingers pressing firmly against my skin. The weight of his arm was both reassuring and constraining.

"What's happening, darling?" he asked, his tone deceptively light.

I kept my gaze fixed on Judy as I answered, watching every flicker of emotion cross her face. "Nothing important. Just that Aunt Judy doesn't seem too pleased to see me here."

Alexander raised an eyebrow. "Is that so, Mrs. Stone?"

Judy quickly arranged her features into an uncomfortable smile, her hands clasping and unclasping nervously at her sides. "No, no, Alpha Alexander. That's not it at all. Please, come in."

As we stepped across the threshold, another figure appeared in the foyer—Mya. Her face contorted with anger when she saw me, nostrils flaring and eyes narrowing. But I noticed something else in her expression when she looked at her brother: pure, undiluted fear. She took a small step backward, shoulders hunching slightly, making herself smaller.

I frowned slightly, teeth worrying my lower lip. Derek could be intimidating, even frightening when he wanted to be, but Mya had never shown this level of terror around him. What had Alexander done to make his own sister look at him that way?

---

Alexander guided me further into the house, his hand firm against my lower back, steering us toward Mya. I felt the tension in his fingers as we approached her, the slight tightening that betrayed his controlled exterior.

"Oh, my little sister," Alexander said, his voice deceptively gentle. "How are you?"

Mya took a step back, her hands clasped tightly in front of her, knuckles white. "I... I'm fine, brother," she replied, her voice trembling slightly.

I watched her carefully, puzzled by her reaction, my brow furrowing. With Derek, she had always been confident, even arrogant. Now she looked like a frightened animal ready to bolt at the first sudden movement. Her eyes darted around, never settling on Alexander's face for more than a second.

"Everyone is in the study," Mya informed us, her eyes flickering between Alexander and me. "I'll go let them know you've arrived."

"The study?" Alexander's smile widened, but there was no warmth in it. "Are they discussing something I'm not supposed to hear?"

Mya shook her head quickly, a strand of hair falling across her forehead. "No, of course not. They're just... waiting."

"Then lead the way," Alexander instructed, his tone making it clear it wasn't a request.

Mya turned toward the grand staircase, casting a brief, worried glance at Judy, who still looked uncomfortable. I noticed how Judy avoided meeting Alexander's eyes, focusing instead on a point just past his shoulder. My curiosity deepened—both these women seemed genuinely afraid of Alexander, not just respectful of his Alpha status.

As we followed Mya toward the main living room instead of upstairs to the study, I leaned closer to Alexander, my lips almost brushing his ear. I kept my voice low, barely above a whisper.

"What did you do to her?" I asked, unable to keep the edge from my voice. "Why is she so afraid of you?"