Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 234

Erin's POV

Derek glanced at his parents, then at me, still being held by Aaron. He walked over, took my hand, and led me from the balcony.

Inside his office, Derek closed the door behind us. I pulled away from him, my hands landing on his chest to push him back.

"Why did you do that?" I shouted, feeling my eyes shift to amber as my wolf surfaced. Derek's own eyes flashed gold in response. "You shouldn't have done that. Is everything funny to you? You just stepped down from your position. Are you kidding me?"

I grabbed his collar, pulling him closer, tears streaming down my face. "Why do you love me so much? Why? I don't deserve your love." My fingers twisted in the fabric, brushing against the warm skin of his neck. "You've done so much for me. Now you give up your Alpha position for me. How will you live without it?"

I collapsed against his chest, sobbing. My body pressed against his, seeking comfort even as my mind reeled with the magnitude of his sacrifice.

Derek's arms wrapped around me, one hand sliding up to cradle the back of my head, fingers threading through my hair. His touch was gentle but possessive, his body tense against mine.

"Don't cry, baby," he murmured, his voice rough. His breath was warm against my ear, sending shivers down my spine. "I can lose power, but I can't lose you."

I raised my head, my vision already blurred with tears. "What nonsense are you talking about? This isn't like you, Derek. Remember a year ago when you coldly rejected my love, saying you would never love anyone or give up your Alpha position for someone else? Where did that Derek go?"

Derek chuckled softly, wiping away the tears from the corner of my eye. "At that time, everything was like a tangled mess that I couldn't handle properly, so I cowardly rejected you. I'm sorry, Erin. You're right. When it comes to love, I am a coward." He paused for a moment before continuing, "The Alpha position required me to marry Mya, but I finally found a solution that works for everyone - finding all the Silverpine Pack officials and having them sign. This way, both the Silverpine Pack and Mya could be under my protection without me having to marry her."

I looked at him, determined. "If you mark me, you won't have to step down. All your efforts won't be wasted."

Derek shook his head. "I failed to protect you a year ago, which led you to meet that man, and you even almost married him. Do you know how angry and scared I was? From now on, I won't allow anyone to hurt you, including myself."

He wiped away my tears. "I'm leaving this place for a month. If I stay here, people will never accept Bradley as their new Alpha. I want everyone to accept him."

I pulled back, staring at him in shock. "Leaving this place? What about me?"

Derek sighed deeply, his hands resting on my waist. The warmth of his touch seeped through my clothes, contradicting the coldness of his words.

"I talked to everyone last night," he explained. "Bradley was wrong, but he agreed to take responsibility for Mya. Mya said she doesn't want to pursue it further either. She claims Bradley is innocent because it was Alexander who caused this. Charlie agreed to let Mya and Bradley be together. After the succession ceremony, he will give half of the Silverpine Pack to Bradley." His thumb absently stroked my hip as he spoke. "Now, everyone is satisfied. I've resolved all issues. They can live a happy life."

"And what about you?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. I reached up to touch his face, needing to connect with him.

Derek caught my hand before it reached his cheek. He held it for a moment, then let it fall, stepping back from me. The loss of his warmth left me cold.

"I'm fine," he said, his voice low. His eyes darted to my neck briefly before looking away. "You need to stay here because I can't risk your life. Your brother is here. I've asked him to bring your mother here so you can be with her. Tom and Mark will also be here, and they will protect you always." He swallowed hard. "I'll return in a month."

I remained silent, devastation written across my face.

"I'm sorry, Erin," Derek said, stepping closer again. "I couldn't be your great Alpha. I promised to give you everything as the Luna of the pack, but I failed."

He reached out, his fingers tilting my chin up. Our eyes met and locked. For a moment, I thought he might kiss me, and my body swayed toward him instinctively. His gaze dropped to my lips, his own parting slightly.

Instead, he pressed his lips to my forehead, his hand carefully cupping the side of my neck, avoiding the spot where he'd tried to mark me earlier.

"Cassandra will take care of your health," he murmured against my skin. "You'll be fine."

Then he stepped back, his hand trailing down my arm before releasing me completely. Without another word, he walked out, leaving me standing there with my heart shattered.

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Derek's POV

I walked into the living room, and my mother rushed to embrace me.

"My son, don't leave us," she pleaded.

"I'll be back in a month, Mom," I assured her.

After speaking with everyone, I turned to Bradley and Mya. She kept her head down, tears flowing down her cheeks.

Bradley hugged me tightly. "Brother, I don't know if I can handle this position—"

"You're my brother," I interrupted. "I believe you'll do better than me. You've always been unhappy with Dad for not making you the Pack Alpha. Today I've fulfilled your wish."

Bradley shook his head. "No, brother. I'm sorry. Please don't take my words to heart. Forgive my past behavior."

I ended our embrace, ruffling his hair. "It's okay. I never took them to heart. If I had, you wouldn't be here today." We both laughed, and our parents watched us with pride.

Each step toward the door felt like fighting against a current. My wolf howled in protest, demanding I return to Erin, mark her, claim her fully despite the consequences. The physical ache of leaving her unmarked throbbed through my entire body.

I couldn't stop thinking about how she'd felt in my arms moments ago—her body pressed against mine, the scent of her skin, the way her eyes had shifted to amber with emotion. My hands clenched at my sides, fighting the urge to turn back.

For the first time in my life, I was walking away from my responsibilities, from my birthright. But in exchange, I was protecting the only thing that truly mattered—Erin's life.

I couldn't mark her. I wouldn't risk her life, not even to satisfy the hunger that had been growing since I recognized her as mine. Every night apart from her would be torture, but I would endure it to keep her safe.

Because a world without Erin wasn't a world I wanted to live in, with or without my Alpha title.

Delta Mark entered. "Alpha, the car is ready."