Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 81

Erin's POV

I pushed open the front door, exhaustion weighing on every muscle. The familiar scent of lavender and pine greeted me, momentarily soothing my frayed nerves. Walking through the hallway, I saw Mom wrapped in a thick blanket sitting by the fireplace, holding a leather-bound book of wolf legends.

"Finally home, Erin," Elena said, setting down her book and extending her hand to me. The firelight cast shadows across her face, highlighting the fine lines that had deepened over the years. Though she smiled warmly, I could see the worry hidden in her eyes.

"Sorry, Mom," I said, dropping my backpack by the door and kicking off my shoes. "The bus was late." I dragged my feet across the hardwood floor, each step requiring more effort than usual.

Mom adjusted her position, patting the space beside her. "You used to be so eager to share stories from the academy with me. Now Stone Group takes all your time." Her nose twitched slightly, catching my scent. "Even your essence has changed, child."

I sighed deeply and slid onto the sofa, resting my head on her shoulder. Closing my eyes, I said softly, "I just want to rely on our family. Relationships outside the pack are too complicated."

Mom suddenly turned her head, studying my face with the perceptive gaze that had always made it impossible to hide anything from her. "This isn't like you. Who's made my little wolf cub so dejected?" She gently stroked my hair, fingers working through the tangles. "There's a man's scent mixed with yours."

I quickly shook my head in denial, but the wisdom in her eyes told me she wasn't fooled. "Erin," she said softly, "when the Moon Goddess chooses your Soul Bond, that connection changes everything. I can see that change in your eyes."

Her hand found mine, her grip surprisingly strong despite her frail appearance. Her voice lowered, becoming serious. "You know about my heart condition. If I could see you established in a stable bond with your Soul Mate before I leave, I would go peacefully."

My eyes grew moist, and I turned my head, pretending to admire the dancing flames in the fireplace. I didn't want her to see my tears. Suddenly, I turned back and hugged her thin frame tightly. "Don't talk like that! Aaron and I need you, always."

I could feel her heart beating against mine, steady and reassuring, and I silently prayed to the Moon Goddess that it would continue for many years to come.

---

When I finally opened my eyes, the afternoon sunlight filtered through the bedroom curtains. After talking with Mom, I had retreated to my room, and the previous night's sleeplessness had finally caught up with me. The digital clock on my nightstand showed 5 PM—I had slept the entire day.

A gentle knock sounded at the door. "Erin? Are you awake?" Mom's voice called softly. "You should eat something."

"Coming," I replied, my voice hoarse with sleep. I dragged myself from the bed, not bothering to check my appearance in the mirror. What was the point? The person I had tried to impress clearly only saw me as a potential plaything.

Downstairs, Mom had prepared a simple meal of herb-roasted venison. The rich aroma made my stomach growl, reminding me I hadn't eaten anything the day before.

As I ate, I absentmindedly scrolled through my phone, bracing myself for the aftermath of last night's party. To my surprise, all photos of Derek and me at the event had been completely removed from the pack's social network. A cool wave of relief washed over me. Perhaps Derek had ordered the photos removed to avoid further speculation about our relationship—or lack thereof.

Thinking of him still sent a sharp pain through my chest, a mixture of hurt, anger, and underneath it all, a traitorous longing that refused to disappear.

My phone buzzed on the kitchen counter, Amy's name flashing on the screen. I hesitated for a second before answering.

"So?" Amy's voice was bubbling with excitement. "How was that fancy party last night? Did the Alpha announce to the entire pack that you're his Soul Bond?"

I stirred my cup of tea, watching the sunset through the kitchen window, golden light spilling onto the forest beyond our property. "Actually, I left early. We barely spoke," my voice sounded unusually flat, even to my own ears.

An exaggerated sigh came from the other end. "You're kidding! I could feel the tension from the photos. The way he looked at you—like a hungry wolf eyeing its prey."

My fingers tightened around the cup, nearly crushing it. "Desire and love are different things, Amy," I said, my voice trembling slightly.

After a moment of silence, I suddenly asked, "You and Jack... do you think he might be your Soul Mate? What does it feel like?"

Amy laughed. "Wow, getting all serious suddenly? The Soul Bond connection is undeniable. It's like an invisible chain, feeling the other person no matter the distance." She paused, her tone becoming mysterious, "Especially when you're dealing with powerful figures in the pack, like an Alpha... the strength of that connection can be suffocating."

I walked to the window, pressing my forehead against the cool glass. "Maybe some connections are destined to fail. He and I... we're too different. Perhaps I should stay away from all this."

"Erin!" Amy's voice suddenly rose. "Don't you understand? Once a Soul Bond forms, it's like poison in your blood—impossible to purge. The more you struggle, the tighter it wraps. Trust me, I've seen wolves who tried to escape their Soul Bonds. The pain... unimaginable."

Her words echoed in my mind long after I hung up, disquieting whispers that corresponded with the restless pacing of the wolf beneath my skin.

---

For the weekend, I locked myself in my bedroom, crying until there were no tears left, then staring blankly at the ceiling.

I kept replaying the tender moments with Bradley, trying to understand how everything had changed so dramatically. Was there something about me that attracted these complicated situations with the Stone brothers?

But what troubled me most were the memories of Derek. The feeling of his hand on my waist. The sensation of his lips on my neck when he licked my wound.

The heat of his body when he stood close to me. The fact that my body still responded to these memories despite the pain he had caused made me all the more frustrated with myself.

Sunday morning, I looked at myself in the mirror and barely recognized the person staring back. Dark circles underlined my eyes from lack of sleep, and my skin was pale.

The wolf inside me whimpered softly, confused and unsettled. I ran my fingers through my tangled hair, wondering what Derek would think if he saw me like this now, then immediately hated myself for still caring about his opinion.

"Erin! Breakfast!" Mom called from downstairs.

I turned to my closet, my hand automatically reaching for a jacket—Derek's jacket, the one he had draped over my shoulders before driving me home that night. His scent still clung to the fabric, cedar and leather mixed with something uniquely him. I quickly pushed it aside, grabbing a simple sweater instead.

After dressing and making myself somewhat presentable, I went downstairs to join Mom for breakfast.

"Aren't you going somewhere today?" Mom asked, placing a plate of food in front of me.

I looked up, confused. "Where would I go, Mom?"

"It's the weekend. I thought you had plans." She studied my face carefully, noting my dull expression.

I shook my head, forcing a smile that didn't reach my eyes. The thought of going anywhere, possibly encountering Derek or anyone from Stone Group, made my stomach twist painfully.

Mom reached across the table, her warm hand covering mine. "Why so dejected, dear? Are you missing your brother?"

The mention of Aaron sent a pang through my heart. "How is he, Mom?" I hadn't heard from my protective brother in weeks, not since Derek had suspended him from his position as Pack Enforcer.

Before she could answer, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and nearly jumped from her chair. "It's Aaron!" Her voice trembled with excitement.

Mom quickly answered, her face lighting up as she spoke with her son, occasionally bursting into delighted laughter. After a moment, she covered the microphone with her hand and beckoned to me. "Aaron wants to speak with you, come quick!"

I took the phone and ran upstairs to my bedroom for privacy. Closing the door, I tried to steady my breathing. "Aaron?"

"Little one, your voice sounds strange." Aaron's deep voice came through, warm and familiar. "Is your wolf crying? I can feel it."

I wiped the corner of my eye with my sleeve. "No, it's not that. It's just... it's been so long since I heard your voice. My wolf misses you." I forced myself to smile, even though he couldn't see.

A displeased growl came from the other end. "Don't play games with me, Erin. I just received an interesting message—my sister, without my knowledge, became an employee of Stone Group? Reporting directly to the Pack Alpha?"