Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 226

Erin's POV

I watched his retreating back until Mya's soft voice pulled my attention back to the room. Charlie was being helped to his feet by Mya and Mrs. Windsor, while Harry Stone approached him with a concerned expression. I noticed Judy Stone carefully avoiding eye contact with me.

"Why did you call him your pack's Alpha?" I asked Charlie directly. "Why not Alexander? Why him?"

Charlie studied me for a long moment, his eyes calculating. "Perhaps you could change Derek's mind about accepting my daughter," he suggested, ignoring my questions.

I felt a flash of indignation. "Mistress is not a position with dignity," I said firmly, surprised by my own conviction. "And once I have the authority to deal with pack laws, I will ban these outdated rules." The words came from somewhere deep inside me, a place I hadn't known existed until that moment.

Everyone in the room looked shocked by my response. I hadn't expected to defend Derek's decision, but something about the situation brought out a protective instinct I hadn't realized I possessed.

Mya suddenly burst into tears and ran toward the door. "Mom, if you want me to live, please let me go now," she sobbed as she fled the office.

I turned back to Charlie, confused by her reaction. "I didn't mean to upset her."

Charlie shook his head. "I was talking about Silverpine Pack's business," he clarified, his shoulders slumping in resignation.

"Then explain to me," I insisted. "What did you mean when you called Derek your pack's true Alpha?"

Charlie sighed heavily, gesturing for me to take a seat. As I settled into a chair, he began to explain. "Years ago, there was a conflict between packs. Alexander abandoned our people, leaving them vulnerable. It was Derek who saved us, who showed the strength and leadership of a true Alpha." His eyes grew distant with the memory. "I begged him to help us."

My eyes widened as understanding dawned. "So when people talk about the 'true Alpha,' they mean Derek?"

Mrs. Windsor nodded, her usually stern face softening slightly. "He asked for nothing in return," she added. "Not money, not power, nothing."

I'd been wrong about Derek—about his motives, his character. He wasn't the power-hungry tyrant I'd painted him to be. The realization left me dizzy with conflicting emotions.

Harry Stone cleared his throat. "Silverpine members wanted Derek to be their next Alpha and marry Mya," he explained. "But Charlie's father-in-law was against it. This caused great discontent within the pack."

I began to understand why Derek's parents respected him so much, why they deferred to him despite his youth. He had earned their loyalty through actions, not just inheritance.

"Alpha Derek isn't like other young wolves," Harry said, her voice thick with emotion. "That old man and Alexander plotted against him, trying to ruin his reputation."

As her words sank in, I felt a shift in my perception. Could it be that Derek truly hadn't committed the heinous act he was accused of? The possibility made my heart race.

"What happened?" I asked, leaning forward.

Charlie took a deep breath before continuing. "After the conflict, Alexander was furious because Derek had opposed his takeover of my leadership position. He set a trap." He paused, his expression darkening. "He sent his female companion to Derek when he was intoxicated. The next day, she accused Derek of rape."

I gasped, my hand flying to my mouth. "And Charlie's father-in-law believed it without investigation," Mrs. Windsor added bitterly.

"When Derek faced the accusation before Silverpine Pack," Charlie continued, "he claimed it was a plot by Alexander and his companion. But as my father-in-law prepared to punish him, Derek shot the woman dead in front of everyone."

My blood ran cold at the image his words conjured. "He killed her? Why?"

"He said since no one believed him, he would rather accept the charge of murder than rape," Charlie quoted, his voice barely above a whisper.

---

The office fell silent as I processed this information. Derek had chosen to be seen as a killer rather than a rapist—a choice that spoke volumes about his sense of honor, twisted though it might seem.

I excused myself, needing space to think. As I left the office and walked slowly down the corridor toward our bedroom, I felt a strange sense of relief washing over me. Derek was innocent of the crime I had most feared, most despised. And I had misjudged him terribly.

I intended to apologize, to ask him why he hadn't told me the truth sooner. Then I remembered Cassandra's words from earlier: they had been forbidden to tell me the truth. Derek had been protecting me, keeping me safe from Alexander's potential retaliation.

Lost in thought, I didn't notice Bradley until his hand closed around my wrist, pulling me back.

"Why did you choose my brother after leaving that Silverpine Alpha?" he demanded, his eyes filled with disappointment and anger. "Why didn't you ask me even once? I would have married you without hesitation."

I stared at him, momentarily speechless. "I didn't know Alexander was such a despicable person," I finally managed. "Derek was protecting me."

Bradley moved closer, his grip on my wrist tightening. "I could protect you too. Would you choose me?"

The question hung between us as my mind raced. Cassandra had mentioned Derek loving me for over four years. Mya had said something similar. That meant Derek must have watched me with Bradley, must have felt the pain of seeing his soul mate with his brother. Had he sacrificed his own feelings all this time?

"This isn't a game, Bradley," I said softly but firmly. "He is my soul mate. I am destined to be with your brother."

Bradley's fingers tightened around my wrist as he leaned in. "How can I accept you as my brother's mate—"

"What are you doing?"

Derek's voice cut through the tension like a blade. I turned, shocked to find him standing just feet away, his golden eyes fixed on Bradley's hand gripping my wrist. I hadn't heard him approach, and I suddenly feared he might misunderstand the situation.

Derek's gaze flicked coldly to where Bradley held me before returning to his brother's face. "Let her go," he ordered, his voice carrying the unmistakable authority of an Alpha command.