Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 225

Erin's POV

I sat in my mother's hospital room, struggling to process everything Aaron had just told me. The stark white walls seemed to close in as my brother's words settled heavily in my mind, each one reshaping what I thought I knew about Derek Stone.

"I know I've told you before that Derek is a dangerous man," Aaron said, his voice low and earnest as he leaned forward in the uncomfortable hospital chair. "But when he told me if I could get all the signatures from Silverpine Pack officials in time, he would marry you... I wavered." He ran a hand through his dark hair, a gesture so familiar it made my heart ache. "He promised me he wouldn't let you fall into the hands of bad people."

The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting harsh shadows across Aaron's face. I could see the conflict in his eyes, the struggle between his protective instincts as my brother and his loyalty to his Alpha.

"So you made a deal with him?" My voice came out smaller than I intended. "You helped him get control over Silverpine Pack in exchange for him marrying me?"

Aaron nodded slowly. "I didn't know what else to do, Erin. Mom was sick, Alexander was showing his true colors, and Derek... despite everything, I've seen how he looks at you when he thinks no one is watching."

Something inside me cracked. Despite my promise to myself that I wouldn't cry anymore, I reached out and pulled my brother into a tight embrace, tears streaming down my face. My body shook with silent sobs as Aaron held me, his hand gently patting my back like he used to do when we were children.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I thought I was protecting you."

---

Later that evening, I returned to Darkwood Estate, my emotions still raw and tangled. The grand entrance hall was unusually quiet, my footsteps echoing on the marble floor. I assumed most of the pack members were in their rooms, the day's revelations affecting everyone.

As I stood there, uncertain where to go, a maid approached me with a quick, respectful bow. "Luna," she said, the title still feeling foreign to my ears, "are you looking for someone?"

"Where is Derek?" I asked, my voice steadier than I expected.

"Alpha is in his study. The main pack members are with him," she replied, gesturing toward the corridor that led to Derek's private office.

I thanked her and made my way through the hallway, my heart beating faster with each step. Something important was happening, I could feel it. And after everything I'd learned today, I still didn't know how to face Derek. What would I say to him? How could I look into those golden eyes now that I knew he might not be the monster I'd convinced myself he was?

As I approached the study, I could hear muffled voices from behind the heavy wooden door. I hesitated, then moved closer, peering through the gap where the door stood slightly ajar.

Derek sat in his imposing leather chair, his face impassive as he surveyed the room. Mya stood with her head bowed beside her mother, her posture rigid with tension. Around them, the high-ranking members of both packs formed a loose circle, their expressions ranging from curiosity to concern.

I was about to knock when Charlie Windsor's voice cut through the silence.

"Alpha Derek, please accept my daughter as your mistress."

My hand froze mid-air. My breath caught in my throat as I processed his words. Mistress? I pushed the door open wider without thinking, shock propelling me forward. Derek's eyes flickered briefly in my direction; he'd sensed my presence before I'd even made a sound.

"Why would you want that, Charlie?" Derek asked, his tone measured, giving nothing away. "You know I don't love your daughter, and I've already promised to protect her. I won't change that."

I stood rooted to the spot, my fingers trembling against the doorframe. A part of me had expected—perhaps even wanted—Derek to agree, to show me that another woman could love him and not just covet his power or position. To prove I wasn't special to him.

Charlie Windsor's pleading eyes never left Derek's face. "My daughter has deep feelings for you. She always has."

I felt a strange twist in my chest. Not quite jealousy, but something adjacent to it. My gaze shifted to Mya, who kept her eyes downcast, her cheeks flushed with what might have been embarrassment or determination.

"I cannot make her my mistress," Derek's voice was firm, unyielding. "My soul mate would not appreciate sharing me with another woman."

After all the times I'd pushed him away, after all my coldness and rejection, he was still considering my feelings. A warmth I hadn't expected spread through me, melting some of the ice I'd built around my heart. Perhaps Derek truly did care for me, in his own complicated way.

Charlie Winchester suddenly dropped to his knees before Derek, an action so unexpected that a collective gasp rippled through the room. "Even if you don't accept Mya, please don't abandon Silverpine Pack," he pleaded, his voice breaking with emotion. "Our members have been waiting for you for so long. Because our true Alpha isn't Alexander, it's you, Derek Stone."

His words hung in the air like smoke, heavy and suffocating. I stepped fully into the room before I could stop myself, confusion overriding caution.

"He is the true Alpha of Silverpine Pack? What does that mean?" I asked, drawing all eyes to me. The weight of their gazes made me want to shrink back, but I stood my ground.

Derek turned to me, his expression unreadable. "My pack's Luna has the right to know the truth," he said, his voice carrying the authority that came so naturally to him. "Charlie, you tell her." Without another glance, he walked past me and out of the office, the scent of his cologne lingering in the air between us.