Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 180

Erin's POV

I stared at Alexander, my mind struggling to process what he'd just revealed about Derek. Forbidden from entering the Silverpine Pack? Threatened with death if he crossed the boundary? The information felt like another piece of an increasingly complicated puzzle. My fingers drummed nervously against my knee as I tried to connect this new revelation to everything else I knew.

Before I could ask for clarification, Alexander leaned forward, his eyes darkening as they settled on Derek. The playful demeanor he'd shown me earlier had vanished completely, replaced by something cold and calculating. His shoulders squared, jaw lifted slightly—radiating the same commanding presence I'd only ever seen in Derek.

"Alpha Derek," Alexander said, his voice carrying an edge that silenced the room, "since we're all gathered here for dinner, there's something I've been curious about." He paused, his eyes sweeping across the faces of everyone present before finally stopping on Derek. The golden flicker in his irises betrayed his wolf stirring beneath the surface. "I'm rather curious about why you were exiled from the Silverpine Pack. Perhaps you could explain it to my mate?"

The air in the room grew heavy, charged with tension. I glanced at Mya, who seemed to shrink in her seat, her face paling. She looked directly at me, her eyes wide with warning.

"You should stop asking questions," she whispered urgently, but Alexander silenced her with a cold glare that made her flinch and look away.

I observed the reactions around me with growing unease. Everyone seemed tense, their postures rigid, eyes darting between Alexander and Derek. Whatever history existed between these two Alphas was clearly something that made everyone nervous. My palms grew sweaty, and I discreetly wiped them on my skirt, trying to maintain my composure.

Derek's expression remained impassive, but his eyes had turned to ice. Beside him, Mya reached out, placing a cautioning hand on his arm.

"Derek," she murmured, "stay calm."

The muscles in Derek's jaw tightened, and then, unexpectedly, his lips curved into a dark smile that never reached his eyes. "Alpha Alexander," he said, his tone deceptively casual, "you seem quite forgetful."

His gaze hardened as he looked directly at Alexander. "Why are you so interested in learning why I was exiled from your pack? Are you asking me to remind you?"

Alexander's smile vanished, his fist clenching on the armrest of his chair. I could sense his mounting anger, the control he was exerting to maintain his composure. The armrest creaked slightly under his grip, his knuckles turning white. My heart rate accelerated, instinctively sensing the potential conflict brewing between these two powerful Alphas.

Without thinking, I reached out, placing my hand on Alexander's arm. I could feel the tension in his muscles, like a coiled spring ready to release.

"Alexander, calm down," I said softly, my fingers pressing gently against his sleeve. Then, addressing everyone around the table, I forced a smile. "We're here for dinner, not to fight."

Derek's eyes narrowed at the sight of my hand on Alexander's arm, a muscle in his cheek twitching. The displeasure in his expression was unmistakable, a flash of offended anger passing through his eyes. For a moment, I felt a flicker of satisfaction at having provoked a reaction from him. My inner wolf sensed his displeasure and almost wanted to growl triumphantly at him.

---

Before anyone could respond, Beta Tom entered the room, carrying a folder of documents. He approached Derek with measured steps, his expression professional and detached.

"Alpha," he said, bowing his head slightly, "we've prepared the documents as requested. You'll need to sign and seal them after the other party has signed."

Alexander's eyes narrowed suspiciously as he watched the exchange, his body leaning slightly forward, clearly wary of this sudden interruption. "What documents?" he asked, his tone sharp.

Derek took the folder from Tom and opened it, his eyes scanning the contents. Then he looked up, his gaze settling on Alexander with a cold intensity that sent a chill down my spine.

"As her pack Alpha," Derek said, his voice carrying an authority that filled the room, "I've set a condition for her marriage."

I blinked, confusion washing over me. "Condition?" I repeated, my voice rising. "What condition?" I felt a tightness in my chest, my fingers unconsciously intertwining. Another decision I had no knowledge of, another choice being made for me. My breathing quickened, my cheeks warming with anger.

I turned to look at my brother Aaron, seeking explanation, but his expression remained neutral. This surprised me—hadn't he apologized and promised not to stand in the way of my marriage? I searched his face for any sign of explanation, but he avoided my gaze, which made me feel a pang of betrayal.

Alexander let out a dry laugh, drawing my attention back to him. "Erin, didn't I tell you he called me here for a contract?" he said, his eyes gleaming with mockery. "Alpha Derek values nothing more than the exchange of benefits."

His tone carried a certain cold sarcasm that made me realize the enmity between Alexander and Derek ran deeper than I had imagined. This wasn't just about me, but a power struggle that had been going on for much longer. What role did I play in this game? Was I a pawn or a prize? The thought made me feel slightly sick.

"This isn't about benefits," Tom clarified, his tone formal. "It's a personal condition."

Delta Mark stepped forward, his expression serious as he elaborated. "The condition is that you cannot force her to marry you."

The statement hung in the air, stunning everyone into silence. I stared at Derek, a mix of confusion and anger bubbling inside me. What game was he playing now? My fingers dug deep into my palms, leaving crescent marks on my skin.

"Brother," I said, turning to Aaron, my voice tight with frustration, "you know I agreed to marry Alexander."

Aaron met my gaze calmly. "We cannot be certain of your true feelings. Perhaps you're lying to us because he's forcing you."

Alexander's eyes flashed with indignation. "Do you believe your sister doesn't want to marry me?" His posture became more upright, an invisible aura of authority emanating from him that seemed to lower the temperature in the room by several degrees.

"Then why do you object to this condition?" Aaron countered, his voice level but challenging. "Didn't you claim at the party that you like her and she likes you?"

I felt trapped between them, my anger rising at being discussed as if I weren't present. My breathing became rapid, my chest rising and falling with suppressed rage. How dare these men speak for me, decide my life? I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to remain calm, but I could feel my inner wolf growling.

I turned to Derek, my voice cold. "I will marry him," I stated firmly. "He isn't forcing me—this is my choice. And yes, I do like him, so I have no intention of canceling this marriage."