Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 224

Erin's POV

Without waiting for a response, she took my elbow and guided me out of the living room. I glanced back to see Judy standing with her fists clenched, face flushed with anger. We walked past the startled maid, who quickly stepped aside, and out the front door to where a sleek red sports car was parked.

"You made a mistake," Cassandra said once we were standing beside her car. "You hurt Derek."

Anger flared within me, hot and sudden. "And what about how he hurt me for an entire year? What about me?" I demanded, my voice rising as I pulled my arm free from her grasp. "When I asked him a year ago, he told me he didn't love me."

Cassandra sighed, her shoulders dropping slightly as her eyes faded back to their natural deep brown. "You never truly hated him, did you?" she asked quietly. "You were just frustrated and broken inside."

I looked away, unable to deny it. My hands fidgeted with the hem of my shirt.

"We were forbidden to tell you the truth," she continued, her tone softening. "Derek was bound by his contract, and at that time, Alexander had escaped from the mental hospital. We didn't know how Alexander would retaliate, so Derek couldn't be sure if he could marry you." She paused, watching my reaction carefully. "But eventually, he took care of everything and saved you."

Her next words made me stop fidgeting immediately. "He's loved you for a long time, Erin. Long before you even knew him."

"What?" I whispered, my head snapping up to look at her. My pulse pounded in my ears.

Cassandra's expression softened. "The first time you came to the training ground to see your brother, I noticed Derek was paying special attention to you. For two years, he kept his distance because of his contract and because you were dating his brother." She shook her head slowly. "Then the Moon Goddness made you his soul bond, and he became selfish, wanting to have you. But when you rejected him, he let you go. Even before you stabbed him, he was going to let you go."

I felt my throat tighten as the full weight of my misjudgment crashed down on me. All this time, I had believed Derek was a monster, when in truth, I had been the one to wound him deeply. My chest felt heavy, like I couldn't get enough air.

"He's hurt, Erin," Cassandra said quietly. "You hurt him badly."

A sob escaped me as guilt overwhelmed me. I pressed my hand against my mouth, trying to stifle the sound. I had been so blinded by hatred that I couldn't see the truth right in front of me.

As tears streamed down my face, Cassandra stepped back suddenly, her eyes widening. "Look at your eyes," she said.

"What?" I wiped at my tears with the back of my hand, blinking rapidly.

"Look in the car window," she instructed, pointing.

I leaned forward, catching my reflection in the tinted glass. Where my eyes now glowed a rich amber, like polished gold. I touched my face in disbelief, my fingers trembling.

"The Moon Goddess truly created a beautiful Luna for her Pack Alpha," Cassandra murmured, watching me with a slight nod.

Inside the car, as Cassandra drove me to the hospital, I stared at my hands in my lap. My mind kept replaying everything that had happened, trying to piece together the truth from the lies.

"Listen," she said after a while, her eyes focused on the road. "You still have a chance to make up for your mistakes. He still loves you." She glanced at me briefly. "I hope you can understand his love."

I lowered my head, fresh tears spilling down my cheeks. I didn't bother to wipe them away. How could I have been so wrong?

---

At the hospital, I thanked Cassandra before entering through the main doors. The enforcers stationed inside immediately stood at attention, their backs straightening as they noticed me. They bowed their heads as I passed, their expressions shifting from alertness to respect.

"Luna," one of them acknowledged, stepping aside to clear my path.

I nodded uncomfortably and continued down the corridor.

I found my mother's private room, but paused outside the door when I heard a familiar voice. Through the small window, I could see my brother, Aaron, sitting by her bedside, holding her hand. My mother looked better than when I'd last seen her—her face had more color, and the monitors showed stable readings. I took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

"Mom, please wake up," I whispered, stepping into the room. My voice cracked slightly. "I'm so lonely... I need you, Mom."

Aaron turned at the sound of my voice, his face showing immediate relief. He stood up and crossed the room, pulling me into a tight embrace.

"Erin," he said, holding me at arm's length to examine my face. His eyebrows drew together in concern. "You look so pale. Are you okay?"

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak without breaking down again. I bit my lower lip and looked toward our mother.

Aaron's expression grew serious, his jaw tightening. "Mom's condition wasn't a natural heart attack; it was caused by someone's actions."

My heart clenched. I grabbed the back of a nearby chair to steady myself. Despite everything I'd learned, a part of me still feared Derek might have been responsible. "Brother, it wasn't Derek who made Mom sick, was it?"

Aaron's eyes widened in shock. "Are you insane? How could you think that?" He stared at me as if I'd said something completely outrageous.

"Then who—" I began, my fingers tightening on the chair.

"It was Alexander Windsor who caused Mom's condition," Aaron said, his voice hardening as his hands clenched into fists. "He gave her some kind of medicine which was intended to kill her. Alpha Derek protected her... Alexander wanted her dead, so Derek assigned all his guards to protect her."

I sank into the chair, my legs no longer able to support me. Everything I had believed about Derek was wrong. My breathing became shallow and rapid.

"Beta Tom asked me to convey his apologies," Aaron continued, sitting in the chair next to mine. "He was just trying to scare you because he couldn't find any other way to prevent you from marrying Alexander."