Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 131

Erin's POV

Alex remained silent for a moment before answering, his knuckles whitening slightly on the steering wheel. "That pack didn't fall just because the marriage alliance failed. A simple engagement can't shake its position."

I felt relief wash over me. At least they wouldn't seek revenge against Derek for breaking the engagement. One less thing to worry about in our already complicated situation.

"You're very innocent," Alex remarked, glancing at me. His eyes softened momentarily. "I wonder how your soul bond treats you."

"My soul bond treats me very well," I declared confidently. "I'm planning to propose to him tomorrow. After that, we'll be together." The thought made my heart race with anticipation and nervousness.

"Don't be with him," Alex said quietly, his voice dropping to almost a whisper.

"What?" I asked, startled by his comment. I turned to look at him, confused by this sudden statement.

"I'll say it again—don't be with him," Alex repeated, his voice firm. He glanced at me, his expression intense. "What if he doesn't love you? You love him too much, which makes you vulnerable to getting hurt."

*But I do love him,* I thought. *I love Derek more than anything in this world. I love him more than my own life. I would do anything for him.* The depth of my feelings sometimes scared me, but I couldn't deny them.

"He loves me," I said aloud, my voice filled with conviction. "I believe he loves me." I had to believe it, despite all evidence to the contrary sometimes. The bond between us couldn't be one-sided.

Alex fell silent, his hands tightening on the steering wheel. I noticed a muscle working in his jaw, as if he was restraining himself from saying more.

When we reached my house, I checked my phone, disappointed to find no missed calls from Derek. I had hoped he might have tried to reach me, to see where I was.

"Thank you for today," I said to Alex, preparing to exit the car. "I don't think we should meet again." It was better this way—he asked too many questions, seemed too interested in my relationship with Derek.

Alex nodded, but his expression remained serious. His hand moved as if to reach for mine, then withdrew. "When hatred burns so fiercely that you're willing to die for it or kill for it, fate will lead you to a soul mate—someone who shares your hatred and holds the same grudge against the same target."

I stared at him in confusion. "What are you talking about?" His words made no sense to me.

Alex smiled enigmatically. "Goodbye, Erin Blackwood." His eyes held mine for a moment longer than necessary.

As I stepped out of the car and Alex drove away, I shook my head. "What a strange person! I don't even understand what he meant." His cryptic statement lingered in my mind, though I couldn't make sense of it.

---

I rang the doorbell, and Aaron answered, immediately looking past me at the departing car. "Was that the Pack Alpha?"

"No," I said quickly, stepping inside. "Just a friend." I didn't want to explain Alex to my brother.

"Go take a shower," Aaron suggested. "Then we'll have dinner together."

After my shower, I came downstairs to find my mother setting the table. She smiled warmly at me, and I felt a rush of love for her.

"It's been a year since we all had dinner together," my mother remarked, nostalgia evident in her voice.

During dinner, I noticed that my mother didn't question my late return. The conversation flowed easily, focused on Aaron's experiences and family memories. It felt good to be home with them, to feel normal for a little while.

After dinner, my phone rang. My heart leaped, hoping it was Derek, but the caller ID showed Amy's name instead. I felt a pang of disappointment as I answered.

"Happy birthday in advance!" Amy exclaimed when I answered.

We talked for a long time until the clock struck midnight. Aaron took the phone from me, telling Amy that it was family time now.

He covered my eyes with his hands and guided me to the living room. When he removed his hands, I gasped at the sight before me. The living room had been completely transformed with decorations, balloons, and a beautiful cake. I felt tears spring to my eyes at their thoughtfulness.

"Aaron did all this," my mother explained, smiling proudly at her son.

I kissed my brother's cheek in gratitude. "Thank you so much." Despite all our differences and arguments, I knew Aaron loved me deeply.

As I cut into my birthday cake, celebrating my nineteenth birthday, I reflected on how much had changed in a year. I had found my soul mate, lost friends, made new ones, and discovered strengths I never knew I had. I glanced at my phone, still hoping for a call from Derek.

Later, in my bedroom, I waited for Derek's birthday wishes. By twelve-thirty, he still hadn't called. *Doesn't he know today is my birthday?* I wondered, disappointment settling in my chest. I had thought he would remember, or at least that someone would have told him.

After spending time with my family, I returned to my room and eventually fell asleep waiting for Derek's call that never came.

---

The next morning, I was awakened by my alarm. I felt tired despite having slept through the night. After turning off the alarm, I checked my phone, hoping to see a message from Derek.

There were three notifications: messages from Amy, Bradley, and an unknown number.

Bradley's message was simple: [Happy birthday.] Just two words.

Amy's was longer, filled with expressions of friendship and love. I replied, calling Amy my best friend. She had been there for me when I needed someone most.

Finally, I opened the message from the unknown number: [Happy birthday, Erin Blackwood. May all the things that have brought you sadness be forgotten today, and may you restart your life. —Your Alex.]

I rolled my eyes at his presumptuous "Your Alex," but wondered how he knew it was my birthday. I hadn't mentioned it to him at all during our time together.

My mother called from downstairs, and I responded before heading to the shower. I dressed carefully in a light green maxi dress, applied makeup, pulled my hair into a high ponytail, and slipped on matching heels. I wanted to look my best today, for Derek.

When I went downstairs, Aaron wished me a happy birthday, joking that he should escort me to work to protect me from men attracted to his beautiful sister. I reminded him that I worked at Stone Group and would be perfectly safe.

After breakfast, I took a taxi to the company. During the ride, I consoled myself that Derek might have been too busy to remember my birthday, but just being with him would be enough. I rehearsed what I would say to him, how I would finally tell him that I wanted to be with him officially.

As the taxi stopped near Stone Group, I took a deep breath. "Today I'll tell you how I truly feel," I whispered to myself.

Entering the company, I noticed the tense, charged atmosphere. Something felt different today, but I couldn't put my finger on what it was. I walked directly to the elevator and rode it to the top floor, heading toward Derek's office. Employees watched me pass, but I continued with determination.

One employee tried to stop me, but I smiled and nodded, indicating I had business with Derek. Nothing would stop me today.

Without knocking, I pushed open the door to Derek's office.

I froze as I saw a woman embracing Derek. The door closed behind me, and the woman released Derek and turned around.

Shock coursed through my body as I recognized Mya Windsor.