Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 198

Erin's POV

I turned away and settled into a hanging swing chair on the balcony, gazing out at the forest. The isolation gave me time to think, and vulnerability crept in despite my efforts to remain strong. How had my life become so complicated? Just a year ago, I was happily dating Bradley, looking forward to my eighteenth birthday. Then everything fell apart - discovering Bradley's betrayal on that very birthday, learning Derek was my soul mate only to be rejected by him, and now being caught in this tangled web with Alexander.

I knew what Derek was doing by bringing me here - trying to convince me to cancel my binding ceremony with Alexander. But he didn't really want me as his soul mate; he just didn't want to lose to Alexander. If he truly wanted me, he wouldn't still be engaged to Mya.

"I will never cancel the binding ceremony," I whispered to the trees.

Hours passed as I sat on the balcony. When I glanced back into the bedroom, I saw Derek sitting on a sofa inside, smoking a cigarette, his eyes fixed on me. In the light of the setting sun, his eyes glinted gold - his wolf watching me intently. A chill ran down my spine as I wondered if he would truly take me home when the day ended as promised, or if I had made a terrible mistake by coming here.

As twilight deepened into evening, the temperature dropped. The moon rose, bright and nearly full, its light casting silver shadows across the balcony. I was bored but stubborn, unwilling to ask to be let back in. Instead, I tilted my head back to admire the moon.

Suddenly, strong arms encircled my waist from behind, and I felt Derek's chest press against my back. He rested his chin on my shoulder, his breath warm against my neck.

"H-how did you get out here?" I stammered, heart racing. "The door was locked."

Derek's low chuckle vibrated against my back. "This is my house, little wolf. I have keys to every lock."

I realized he had been pretending to be unable to come out all this time. "Then why—"

"You asked to be alone, and I didn't want to disturb you," he explained softly. "Besides, watching you from a distance is one of my wolf's favorite things to do."

His words sent an unwelcome shiver through me. I tried to move away, but his arms tightened slightly.

"Please, Erin," he said, his voice uncharacteristically pleading. "Don't go through with the binding ceremony with Alexander."

I let out a cold laugh. "I knew it. You brought me here to manipulate me again. Just like Bradley did."

"I brought you here because I didn't know what else to do," Derek admitted. "My wolf needs your scent to calm down."

He hesitated, then continued, "I can't cancel my engagement to Mya. It involves an alliance between two packs." His arms loosened slightly around my waist. "But my wolf still wants to be with you. Tell me what the right thing to do is."

"Be loyal to the woman you're binding with," I replied coldly. "Stop pursuing other women, especially me."

"I can't," Derek growled. "You're my soul mate. Why can't you see that Alexander only wants you because you're my soul mate? He wants to take the Darkwood Pack."

His words angered me. "Then do the one thing that will solve all this," I challenged, my voice sharp with sarcasm. "Reject me as your soul mate, Alpha Derek."

Derek shook his head, his eyes flashing dangerously gold in the moonlight.

"I'll have Alexander use his power as Alpha of the Silverpine Pack to get my transfer certificate," I threatened. "And if you don't want me to go through with the binding ceremony, you still have time to reject me. Even if I die because of your rejection, I don't care."

Derek's voice behind me was low and dangerous. "I cannot reject you as my soul mate."

I turned to face him, feeling the soul bond vibrate between us at the closeness. "What did you just say?"

"I said I don't want to reject you, Erin." His eyes held mine. "If I reject you, my wolf will never accept it, and I'll lose leadership of the Darkwood Pack."

I laughed bitterly, then the laugh grew until I was nearly doubling over. "You're lying."

Derek's face hardened, his eyes flashing gold. "This isn't funny."

"Wolf?" I asked sharply. "Do you really care about what your wolf feels?" I stepped back, putting distance between us. "You only started caring after Alexander announced our binding ceremony."

I felt anger rising in me. "You're deplorable, Derek Stone. You'll do anything to get what you want."

"If you know what kind of man he is, why are you stupidly going through with the binding ceremony?" Derek demanded.

"He's an Alpha," I defended. "He'll make me an honorable mate." I lifted my chin defiantly. "He told me he likes me and doesn't care that I'm an Omega, and I believe him."

Derek's eyes narrowed. "Alexander Windsor has a reputation with women, and not a good one."

"A man who has been engaged for years but still formed a soul mate bond with his brother's girlfriend has no right to talk," I shot back.

Derek closed his eyes, and I could sense him fighting to control the wolf inside him. I took another step back, feeling the railing press against my spine.

"I think we're done here," I said firmly. "Stop chasing after me. After the binding ceremony, I'll leave Darkwood territory."

Derek opened his eyes and looked directly at me, his wolf eyes fully visible now. "I'm sorry," he said, stepping toward me. "Don't go. When you asked me if I cared about you on your nineteenth birthday..."

He grabbed my hand and pulled me toward him. The soul mate bond shimmered between us, making my skin tingle where he touched me.

"My wolf chose you, and I can't fight this bond," Derek said, his voice rough with emotion. "I love you, Erin."