Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 100

Erin's POV

Harry and Judy exchanged glances, clearly surprised by Bradley's relatively calm reaction. Judy's eyebrows rose, and Harry shifted his weight uncomfortably, clearing his throat again in the awkward silence.

I lowered my head slightly, unable to meet his eyes. "I came with the Pack Alpha," I replied quietly, deliberately using Derek's title rather than his name. I could feel my heart racing, my palms growing sweaty against Derek's steady grip.

Bradley took several steps into the room, his eyes never leaving my face.

"Erin, can we talk privately?" He extended his hand toward me, taking another step closer. "You know, there's so much I need to talk to you."

Derek's body tensed beside me. I felt his grip on my hand tighten protectively as he shifted slightly forward.

I remained silent, unsure how to respond. Part of me was curious about what Bradley might say, but a stronger part feared being alone with him again. I unconsciously leaned closer to Derek, drawing strength from his solid presence.

Bradley moved closer and reached for my free hand. "Nothing else, just a private chat," he said, his fingers brushing against mine. His touch felt wrong now – nothing like the electric connection I felt with Derek.

Before I could react, Derek pulled me back sharply, breaking Bradley's attempted contact. In one fluid motion, he positioned me behind him, creating a physical barrier between me and his brother.

"She doesn't go anywhere with you," Derek stated flatly, his voice leaving no room for argument. His broad shoulders blocked my view of Bradley, but I could hear the sharp intake of breath from the younger Stone brother.

"This is between Erin and me," Bradley insisted, his voice hardening. "It has nothing to do with you. She was my girlfriend for almost a year."

"Everything about her concerns me now," Derek replied, his tone dangerously calm. The possessiveness in his voice sent a shiver down my spine.

I peered around Derek's shoulder, watching as Bradley's expression shifted from confusion to realization, then to anger. His eyes narrowed as they moved between Derek and me, putting together pieces of a puzzle I wasn't sure I fully understood myself.

"Is that what this is about?" Bradley's voice rose, his hands gesturing wildly. "You're using her to get back at me for something?"

Derek didn't flinch. He stood perfectly still, the picture of controlled power. "You've come to Darkwood Estate. This place still welcomes you as family."

The words seemed innocuous enough, but Derek's tone carried an unmistakable warning as he continued. "When you become a guest rather than a member of this pack, I'll say the same to you."

Bradley's face drained of color as he understood the implied threat—the possibility of being expelled from the pack. Being a packless wolf was a fate worse than death in our society. He swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing with the motion.

"Derek!" Harry shouted, taking a step forward. Judy covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes wide with shock at the escalating confrontation between her sons.

But Bradley wasn't backing down. In a desperate move, he lunged forward and grabbed my wrist, pulling me toward him with unexpected strength. "Erin—"

I gasped as I was yanked forward, stumbling slightly as Bradley's fingers dug into my wrist. "Bradley, stop—"

Derek's reaction was instantaneous. A deep, threatening growl erupted from his chest as he wrenched Bradley's hand away from me with such force that Bradley stumbled backward. In one swift movement, Derek pulled me against his chest, his arm wrapping possessively around my waist.

The sudden proximity to Derek made my heart race. I could feel every inch where our bodies connected, the solid wall of his chest against my back, the strong arm around my waist holding me securely.

"Touch her again," Derek said, his voice barely above a whisper but carrying throughout the silent room, "and I'll have you removed from this house and this pack."

The threat hung in the air, heavy and unmistakable. No one doubted that Derek meant every word.

I could feel Derek's heart beating steadily against my back, his chest rising and falling with controlled breaths. His arm around my waist was firm but gentle, holding me securely against him. The contrast between his gentle hold on me and the deadly anger directed at Bradley was striking.

"Erin is under my protection now," Derek continued, his tone softening slightly as he looked down at me. Our eyes met briefly, and something unspoken passed between us. "She stays with me."

Bradley looked between us, his expression a mix of disbelief and jealousy. His hands opened and closed at his sides as he struggled to control his emotions. "So that's it? She's just another possession for the mighty Alpha to claim? Another prize to add to your collection?"

Derek's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Choose your next words carefully, brother."

The tension in the room was suffocating. I stood there, caught in Derek's protective embrace, watching as the two brothers faced off over me. Bradley's hands were clenched into fists at his sides, while Derek remained perfectly composed, the picture of Alpha confidence.

"You don't even care about her," Bradley accused, his voice breaking slightly. "You just want what I had. You've always been that way – taking everything for yourself and leaving nothing for me."

"You had your chance," Derek replied evenly. "You chose to throw it away when you betrayed her trust."

---

Harry stepped forward, his patience clearly at an end. "That's enough, both of you." He turned to Derek with disappointment etched across his features. "Derek, I expected better from you. Threatening your own brother? Bringing this... distraction into our family dinner?"

Judy moved to stand beside her husband, her composure somewhat restored. "I raised you to be a leader, Derek. Not to be led around by an omega who's clearly trying to climb the social ladder by any means necessary."

I flinched at her words, the accusation cutting deep. Derek's arm tightened around me protectively.

"You have responsibilities to this pack," Harry continued, his voice stern. "Responsibilities that should come before personal indulgences. Your brother is right – this girl is a distraction you can't afford."

Derek's expression hardened with each word his father spoke. I could feel the tension building in his body, the barely contained anger radiating from him in waves.

"I am disappointed in you, son," Harry concluded, the words hanging heavy in the air.

For a moment, complete silence filled the room. Then Derek spoke, his voice dangerously quiet.

"You're disappointed in me?" he asked, the question deceptively calm. "After raising Bradley to believe he could take whatever he wanted without consequences? After allowing Mother to treat members of our pack with disrespect based on their rank?"

He straightened to his full height, his arm still firmly around me. "I am the Alpha of this pack. Not you, not anymore. My decisions are not up for debate, especially not by those who failed to teach their younger son basic loyalty and respect."

Judy gasped at the rebuke. "How dare you speak to us this way!"

"How dare I?" Derek's laugh was sharp and without humor. "I dare because I earned my position, while you two have been coasting on past glory and undermining my authority at every turn."

He took a step back, bringing me with him. "We're leaving. When you're ready to respect my decisions and my..." he paused, glancing down at me with an expression I couldn't quite read, "my choices, we can try this again."

Without waiting for a response, Derek guided me toward the door, his hand firm at the small of my back. Bradley moved as if to block our path, but a single warning look from Derek made him step aside.

As we reached the doorway, Derek paused and looked back at his family. "And Bradley? Stay away from Erin. That's not a request."