Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 150

Erin's POV

In the training hall, Ryan and I stood facing each other on the blue mats. The space was modest but well-equipped—heavy bags hung in one corner, weights lined the far wall, and mirrors covered the length of the room. I'd suggested basic training for the orphans a year ago, wanting them to have the skills to protect themselves in a world that often saw them as disposable.

"Come on, fight me," Ryan challenged, bouncing lightly on the balls of his feet. His stance was perfect—balanced, ready to move in any direction. As the son of a former enforcer, he'd been training since childhood.

I gestured to my blouse and jeans. "Bro, at least let me change first."

Ryan shook his head, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "You're one crazy woman, you know that?"

A year ago, I wouldn't have known the first thing about defending myself. I'd been the perfect Omega—soft-spoken, eager to please, physically weak. Now, I studied Ryan's stance, automatically noting his weight distribution, the slight favoring of his right side, the way his eyes telegraphed his intentions.

In the locker room, I changed quickly into a sleeveless t-shirt and cargo pants, pulling my hair back into a tight ponytail. I examined my reflection briefly. My arms showed definition now, lean muscle where there had once been softness. My posture had changed too—shoulders back, chin up, the perpetual slight crouch of submission gone.

When I returned, Ryan was warming up with shadow boxing. His movements were fluid, practiced. I joined him, mirroring his routine.

"If I didn't have a girlfriend, I'd chase you," Ryan teased as we began circling each other on the mat.

I saw the opening immediately—his weight shifted slightly as he spoke, his guard dropping fractionally. I spun into a kick, my foot connecting solidly with his shoulder. "Keep up with me first, then consider that."

Ryan stumbled back, surprise flashing across his face before he recovered. "You shouldn't try to attack your coach," he complained, rubbing his shoulder. "That's the first rule of training."

"And you shouldn't get distracted," I countered, already back in my fighting stance. "That's the first rule of survival."

We began in earnest then. Ryan threw a combination—jab, cross, hook—which I blocked, ducking under the hook to counter with an uppercut that stopped just short of his chin. He nodded approvingly.

"Your reaction time's improved," he noted, circling me. "Remember when you couldn't even throw a proper punch?"

I remembered all too well. My first sessions had been humiliating—falling constantly, unable to land a single blow, bruised and exhausted after just minutes. Now I moved with confidence, my body responding instantly to threats.

Ryan feinted left, then swept my legs from under me. I hit the mat but rolled immediately, springing back to my feet before he could press his advantage.

"Good recovery," he said, genuine approval in his voice.

We continued exchanging blows, neither gaining a clear advantage. I blocked a kick aimed at my ribs, countered with a combination of my own. My breathing remained steady, controlled.

"You know," Ryan said between exchanges, "most Omegas wouldn't last ten seconds against me."

I caught his wrist as he aimed a strike, using his momentum to pull him off balance. "I'm not most Omegas."

We were deep into our sparring session, both of us sweating but neither willing to concede, when my phone rang from the bench. I held up a hand to pause, checking the caller ID—Alpha Ethan.

Ryan nodded understanding and left the training room without a word as I answered.

"Where are you?" Ethan's voice was hoarse, slurred with alcohol.

I walked to the window, noticing a Delta's car pulling up to the orphanage. "Are you drunk?"

"It's all because of you," he said, the sound of glasses clinking in the background. "You were a big help arranging this celebration party."

I leaned against the wall, keeping my voice steady. "You're right. You couldn't win any project against Stone Group on your own, so you needed someone's help."

"Is it because Derek is investigating who gave me information about him?"

"If I was afraid of him, I wouldn't have done this in the first place." I straightened my spine, watching the Delta exit his car.

Ethan chuckled, the sound slightly muffled. "Thanks for telling me where Stone Group products are being produced. I've placed my people there."

My hatred for Derek burned in my chest, a constant, steady flame that never dimmed. I was willing to do anything to see him fail, to watch him lose everything he valued. "Congratulations. See you tomorrow."

"Great. Let me send you my location."

"At my place," I insisted, then hung up and texted him the address of a familiar restaurant.

---

I spotted Delta Mark talking with Grayson near his office as I left the training room. I averted my eyes, turning my head slightly to avoid acknowledging him. Apart from my brother Aaron, I avoided all of Derek's officials.

"I was wondering if I could take the girls out for a day," I told Grayson, referring to the older orphans who rarely got to leave the facility.

Mark immediately stepped forward, his face stern. "You can't take them out. It's too dangerous."

"I won't be alone. Ryan will be with me," I countered, keeping my voice even. "By the way, they're orphans, not caged birds that can't leave this cage."

Grayson looked between us, then nodded slowly. "I agree with Erin. I'll send some guards along too, just to be safe."

I used to be friendly with Mark, exchanging pleasantries whenever we met. But after what his Alpha did to me, I no longer spoke to him unless absolutely necessary.

After spending hours with the children, helping with homework and organizing games, I returned home to prepare dinner for my family. I moved around the kitchen with practiced efficiency, the routine familiar and grounding.

The next day, after finishing my classes at Silvermoon Academy, I drove to the restaurant where I'd arranged to meet Ethan. My hands were steady on the steering wheel, my mind clear and focused.

The familiar environment brought back memories as I parked—I'd once planned to confess my feelings to Derek here. "What a waste of time," I muttered as I checked my appearance in the rearview mirror.

Ethan was already seated at a corner table when I arrived. He stood up, pulling out my chair with an exaggerated flourish. I offered him a smile that didn't reach my eyes.

"You're an amazing young lady, Erin!" he exclaimed once we'd ordered. His eyes were slightly bloodshot from the previous night's celebration. "Would you like to work with me in my business?"

I took a sip of water, setting the glass down precisely. "Why? Is there another deal from Stone Group you're eager to get?"

Ethan leaned forward, lowering his voice. "May I ask why you suddenly want to destroy that man?"

I met his gaze directly, my voice steady. "Focus on yourself, don't pry into other people's business. I know who sent you. Tell him I'm satisfied with what he's doing."

Ethan sat back, studying me with newfound respect. I could see he was impressed—not many people would have the courage to challenge Derek on his own territory, especially not a young Omega like me.

Our conversation was interrupted by a sudden commotion at the entrance. The waiters and manager rushed toward the door, their postures instantly deferential.

"Our Pack Alpha is here," a waiter informed Ethan in a hushed tone.