Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 145

Derek's POV

In the car, I pulled Erin closer to my chest, studying her face. Even unconscious, her features were tight with pain. My driver kept glancing in the rearview mirror, but wisely said nothing as I cradled her against me.

I traced the curve of her cheek with my finger, my chest tight with an emotion I refused to name. The memory of our confrontation in my office replayed in my mind. I had let her believe I didn't care, let her walk away thinking I wanted her only as a mistress. And now she was hurt, burning with fever, because she'd been trying to get away from me.

As I carried her into the hospital, barking orders at the staff, I felt her stir slightly against my chest. Her eyelids fluttered, and for a moment, I thought she might wake. But she remained unconscious, her breathing shallow, her skin still too hot.

I stayed by her side as the doctors examined her, refusing to leave even when they suggested I wait outside. I needed to see for myself that she would be alright. The doctor confirmed what I had feared—she had a high fever and bruising on her abdomen, though thankfully no internal damage.

While I waited for her to regain consciousness, I pulled out my phone, sending a series of texts—one to arrange for the orphanage to be thoroughly investigated, another to ensure the Omega girl was placed with a proper family, and a third ordering increased security around Erin's apartment. Whatever happened between us, I would make sure she was safe.

I watched her sleeping face, memorizing every detail. The way her lashes fanned against her cheeks, the slight furrow between her brows even in sleep, the curve of her lips that I'd kissed just hours ago. Something inside me ached at the sight of her, a feeling I couldn't—wouldn't—name.

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Erin's POV

I woke to the sterile smell of antiseptic and the soft beeping of medical equipment. For a moment, I was disoriented, unsure where I was or how I'd gotten there. Then I saw him—Derek, sitting in a chair beside my bed, his eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made my breath catch.

The doctor standing at the foot of my bed smiled when he saw I was awake. "Good, you're coming around. Your fever was quite severe, but we've managed to bring it down. I've treated your abdominal bruising as well. Fortunately, it's just some contusions—no internal damage."

I tried to sit up, but pain shot through my abdomen, making me gasp.

"Careful," Derek said, reaching out to help me.

I jerked away from his touch. "Don't touch me."

The doctor's eyes widened at my tone. "Miss Blackwood, this is our Pack Alpha," he said sternly. "Show some respect."

I bit my lip, too exhausted for this confrontation. "I'd like to be discharged, please," I said to the doctor.

He hesitated, looking at Derek, but then nodded. "Your fever has broken, and the bruising will heal on its own. I'll prepare your discharge papers."

Once the doctor left, Derek leaned forward, his eyes hard. "Were you trying to disrespect me in front of my pack's doctor just now?" His voice was low, dangerous. "First my office this morning, and now this?"

I stared at the ceiling, refusing to meet his gaze. The memory of Alex's warning echoed in my mind: "He will keep you locked up forever." I couldn't let that happen. There was only one way to free myself completely.

"Alpha Derek," I said, my voice surprisingly steady, "reject me."

Derek froze, his expression one of shock before it hardened again. He grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him. "What did you just say?"

I met his gaze directly, pouring all my hurt and anger into my words. "I said reject me."

"You'll die," he said flatly.

"Why did you lie to Aaron?" I demanded, changing tactics. "You told him there was a way to break the soul bond."

Derek's jaw tightened. "I lied so he would focus on his training," he admitted after a moment. "I did it for him."

A bitter laugh escaped me. "Right. For his own good. Just like how you're fucking his sister behind his back for her own good too?"

Derek's eyes flashed dangerously. "Don't be so stubborn, little one. Be good."

"Good?" I repeated incredulously. "I wish I could make you feel the pain I'm feeling right now. I wish I could give it all back to you..."

My voice broke, tears threatening to spill over. The magnitude of what I'd lost—what I'd never really had—crushed down on me. I had given Derek everything—my heart, my body, my trust—and he had planned all along to marry someone else, to keep me as his dirty secret.

Derek stood abruptly. "I'll take care of your hospital bill."

"No," I said firmly. "You don't need to do that."

His eyes searched my face. "How long are you planning to stay away from me? You'll come back to me eventually, Erin."

"Don't count on it," I whispered. "Don't expect me to come crawling back..."

I swung my legs over the side of the bed, nearly falling when my knees buckled. Derek caught me reflexively, his hands steady on my waist. I pushed him away as if his touch burned. "Every time you touch me, it makes me sick... I wish I had never met you, Derek."

His expression darkened. "Stop talking before you say something you'll regret. You're the one who needs me. Not the other way around."

"I don't need a man who's about to bond with someone else," I shot back. "Maybe you're the gold-digger who wants someone else's pack—"

"Erin." My name was a warning on his lips.

"I hope you fall in love with someone you can never have," I said, the words pouring out like poison. "I hate you, Derek Stone..."

Derek's face went completely blank, a mask sliding into place. "That will only ever happen in your dreams... I don't love anyone... You are nothing to me... I'm just protecting you."

He turned toward the door. "From today, you're free. Don't dare show your face to me. And stay away from my brother. If I see you around him, I'll kill him first, then hunt you down."

I grabbed a pillow from the bed and hurled it at him, but he was already gone. Tears streamed down my face as I collapsed back onto the bed.

"I hate you," I sobbed into the empty room. "I hate that I fell in love with a man like you. I will break your arrogance, Derek Stone. I just hate you."

I was sitting on the floor, my back against the bed, when Aaron burst into the room. A pillow lay on the floor where it had landed after missing Derek.

"Erin!" Aaron rushed to my side, crouching down. "What happened? Are you okay?"

I closed my eyes, tears still streaming down my cheeks. It was over. My love for that man, my dreams, the last piece of me that was still alive—all of it was gone.

Aaron pulled me into his arms, and I let him hold me, though I felt nothing but a hollow numbness. I was too exhausted to feel anything more.

Derek Stone, I thought as Aaron rocked me gently, I will give you no forgiveness. I was ready to quietly walk away from your world, but you pushed me into the abyss of hatred yourself. You chose to make me hate you.