Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 130

Erin's POV

I walked up to the screen, my eyes fixed on the information about the Silverpine Pack. My heart beat a little faster as I scanned the details about the pack that had once been connected to Derek through his engagement to Mya. Alex followed close behind, and I could feel his gaze lingering on me a bit longer than necessary.

"Anything special about this pack?" Alex asked, coming to stand beside me, his shoulder almost brushing mine.

I quickly masked my interest, not wanting him to know how much the Silverpine Pack meant to me—or rather, to Derek. "No, nothing in particular," I said, dropping my gaze to avoid his scrutiny. "I was just looking."

"Let's check out the other packs then," Alex suggested, gesturing toward the displays on the opposite wall. His hand hovered near my lower back, not quite touching but close enough that I could sense its warmth.

I lowered my eyes and nodded, following him across the exhibition hall. I could feel his gaze lingering on me as we walked, studying my reactions with unusual attentiveness. It made me slightly uncomfortable, but I tried not to show it.

"What's wrong?" he asked, leaning in slightly. "You don't seem very happy."

I forced a smile, trying to appear casual. "I'm fine, just a bit tired from work."

As we moved from display to display, I found myself absorbing information about the hierarchy of wolf packs. I learned that wealth didn't always equate to power in our world. Some packs were financially prosperous but lacked the strength and numbers that truly defined a powerful pack.

"The richest packs aren't always the strongest," Alex explained, his voice carrying an undertone of personal knowledge. "True power comes from loyalty, tradition, and the ability to protect what's yours."

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We eventually reached the display featuring the Darkwood Pack. My heart rate quickened as I saw the familiar emblem of my pack—my home. Pride swelled within me, along with a sense of belonging that had grown stronger since I'd learned about my connection to Derek.

"Would you like to know more about your Pack Alpha?" Alex asked, a strange glint in his eyes.

I laughed, trying to sound casual. "Why would I? I'm just an Omega. I have no interest in learning about the Pack Alpha's life."

My eyes caught Derek Stone's name on the screen, and I unconsciously whispered it aloud. I felt Alex's gaze sharpen on me, his attention focusing with an intensity that made me nervous.

The screen showed detailed information about the Darkwood Pack: an ancient pack that had once lived in poverty and hardship.

I couldn't believe our pack was once in such a miserable state, my eyes scanning the text. It was hard to imagine the powerful, wealthy pack I knew today had such humble beginnings.

I continued reading aloud: "The Darkwood Pack once bowed to other pack leaders in exchange for aid. A prophecy foretold of a leader who would change the pack's impoverished and exploited fate. Derek Stone, eldest son of Pack Alpha Harry Stone, was born to fulfill this destiny."

I felt a flush of pride warming my cheeks as I read about how Derek had been elevated to Pack Alpha and transformed our pack into the wealthiest among all wolf packs. My wolf stirred inside me, pleased at the connection to such a powerful mate. Despite all our conflicts, I couldn't help but admire what he had accomplished.

"Keep reading," Alex urged, his voice oddly tight.

My eyes moved to the next paragraph, and I felt my expression gradually shift from pride to distress. "Derek Stone is known as a ruthless leader who has personally killed hundreds of wolves and destroyed other packs. His hands are stained with the blood of his enemies..."

I frowned, stepping back from the screen. "I don't want to read anymore." The words felt wrong, like they were describing someone else entirely. Not the Derek I knew, not the man who had held me so gently.

Alex studied my reaction carefully, his eyes never leaving my face. "Why not? It's just history."

"Because it's not true," I retorted, unable to contain myself. "He's not that ruthless. He's charismatic and always thinks about his pack first. Why would they write these lies to defame our Alpha?" I felt defensive, protective even, of Derek's reputation.

"Do you think it's all lies?" Alex asked, his tone challenging. He stepped closer, invading my personal space slightly.

I hesitated, knowing I needed to be careful. "Some of it might be true, but he's a very good person. He cares about his pack members; people just don't know that."

I caught myself too late, realizing I had revealed too much personal knowledge about Derek. Alex's expression remained unreadable as he processed my words, but his eyes seemed to darken with an emotion I couldn't identify.

"Let's look at the Silverpine Pack again," Alex said suddenly, walking toward the screen we had viewed earlier. His hand briefly touched my elbow, guiding me in that direction.

I glanced at my watch, noticing it was already past nine. "It's getting late. I should head home." I was starting to feel uncomfortable with the direction of our conversation and the way Alex seemed to be probing for information.

"Just one more," Alex insisted, his tone leaving no room for argument.

---

Reluctantly, I followed him to the Silverpine Pack display, knowing it was connected to Derek's former fiancée, Mya. My stomach knotted with anxiety. I didn't want to be reminded of the woman who had once been promised to my mate.

"Go ahead, read it," Alex prompted. "I'd love to hear about them." He stood close enough that I could feel his breath on my hair.

I began reading hesitantly: "The Silverpine Pack represents nobility, wisdom, and wealth." I continued, describing how the upper echelons of the pack lived like aristocracy, owning the largest territory in Europe and enjoying hunting as their favorite pastime.

The slide changed to show information about their leader. "Pack Alpha Charlie Windsor..." I paused, recognizing the name as Mya's father. A knot formed in my throat as I thought about the family Derek had once been set to join.

"Go on," Alex urged, his eyes fixed on my face rather than the screen.

"Pack Alpha Charlie Windsor was the leader of the pack until his son returned from overseas," I continued, surprise evident in my voice as I realized the leadership had changed. I hadn't known about this development.

I read on, learning that the current Alpha, Alexander, ruled with cruelty and that pack members lived in fear of him. I wondered if Derek knew about this change in leadership.

"I suddenly find this boring," Alex interrupted abruptly. "Let's go." He turned away from the screen, his jaw tightening.

I frowned at his dismissive tone. "I'm not your servant to be ordered around."

Alex lowered his voice. "I'll drive you home." His eyes softened slightly, and he reached out as if to touch my arm but stopped short.

Outside the exhibition hall, as we walked toward Alex's car, I couldn't help but express my frustration. "You didn't even let me finish reading." I was genuinely curious about the Silverpine Pack now, especially with this new Alpha in charge.

"Why are you so interested in learning about that pack's Alpha?" Alex asked, his tone unusually sharp. His steps slowed, and he turned to face me fully.

"I didn't know that pack had an heir too," I explained. "That pack has connections with ours."

Alex opened the car door for me, his eyebrows rising in surprise. "You know about the broken engagement?"

I smiled faintly in response, sliding into the passenger seat. I didn't want to explain how I knew—that would reveal too much about my relationship with Derek.

As we drove toward my home, my curiosity got the better of me. "What's happening with the Silverpine Pack now?" I wanted to know if they posed any threat to Derek or our pack.