Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother (by CalebWhite) novel Chapter 8

But deep domn, I knew the truth. The second my eyes met Derek’s across that crowded hall, something clicked inside me. It was like recommizing menc known my whole life, even though we’d barely ever spoken.

My phone bazzed in my pocket. Aaron. Ed ignored his first three calls, but I couldn’t avoid him forever. Taking a deep breath, I answered.

“Where are you?” He sounded worried and seriously angry.

“I don’t know, somewhere on the Estate grounds.” I said, looking around at the fancy gardens.

“Stay there. I’m coming to get you.

Less than fifteen minutes later, Aaron’s truck skidded to a stop on the gravel path beside me. He jumped out, looking both concerned and furious. Without a word, he pulled me into a tight hug, then pushed me toward the passenger side.

The drive home was super quiet for the first few minutes, the tension so thick you could cut it with a knife. Finally, Aaron spoke.

J–what

What the hell happened in there, Erin?”

I stared out the window at the passing trees. “I think Derek Stune is my Soul Bond.”

Aaron’s hands tightened on the steering wheel until his knuckles went white. “That’s not possible.”

It is,” I whispered. “My wolf… she knew him instantly, I couldn’t control it.”

Jesus, Erin,” Aaron ran a hand through his hair, sounding stressed. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done? The Alpha was about to officially bind with Mya from the Silverpine Pack. That alliance has been in the works for years,”

Fresh tears welled up. “You think I don’t know that? You think I wanted this?”

Like I’d choose to humiliste myself in front of the entire Pack. Like I’d pick the most terrifying wolf in the territory as my mate.

What b

happened after?”

I hesitated, not wanting to worry him more. “Derek told me to never mention the Soul Bond again. He… he let me go.”

When we got home, the house was dark except for a single light in the kitchen, Ahon parked and turned to me before I could get out.

“Don’t tell Mom about this,” he said, his voice low and urgent. “She’s already stressed enough about your first transformation. This would destroy her.”

I escaped to my coom, preling off the white dress and stepping into the shower. As hot water poured over me, I finally let myself break down.

How did everything go so wrong so fast? Just yesterday, I’d been excited about my birthday, looking forward to my first full transformation, happy in my relationship with Bradley

Now my boyfriend had cheated on me with my best friend, and I’d publicly humiliated myself by claiming the Pack Alpha–the most feared wolf for milles–as my Soul Bund

And the worst part was, it was true.

When I got out of the bathrooms, I found Aaron sitting on the edge of my bed, looking grim.

“We need to talk,” he said quietly, patting the spare beside him.

I sat down, hugging my kores to my chest. “There’s nothing to talk about. Derek niade it clear I should never mention the Soul Bond again. I’ll just… pretend It never happened.”

Aaron shook his head. “It’s not that simple, Erin, A Saul Bond isn’t something you can just ignore, especially for a wolf as powerful as Derek. If you really are

Then there’s an ancient curse to consider. No Alpha can reject their destined mate without consequences, Its why the ceremony had to be soon as you made your claim.”

I frowned, remembering something Aaron had mentioned days ago in the car. The curse that affects the Alpha if he rejects his Soul Bond?”

Aaron nodded grimly. “If Derek rejects you, you’ll die. And he’ll lose his position as Alpha.”

The words hit me like a slap. Die? That can’t be right, Wolves reject potential mates all the time.”

“Not Soul Bonds, Aaron corrected. “And especially not Alpha Soul Bonds. The magic that binds our kind is ancient and unforgiving.”

1 buried my face in my hands. “So I’m trapped. Either Derek accepts me which he clearly has no intention of doing–or I die.”

Could this get any worse?

postponed

Aaron’s hand came to rest on my shoulder. “There might be a way out of this. Soul Blond claims can he contested. If Derek can prove you’re not his true mate, the nurse don’t apply.”

“But how would be prove that? My wolf recognized him. I know he’s my mate.” Despite everything, I couldn’t make myself doubt that fundamental certainty.

“That’s the problem, Aaron sighed. “Deep down, I think Derek knows it too.”

We sat in silence for a while, each lost in our own thoughts. Eventually, Aaron stood up.

“Try to get some sleep,” he said gently. “Tomorrow we’ll figure out what to do.”

But sleep was impossible. I lay awake, watching moonlight move across my ceiling, my mind racing with terrifying possibilities. By n

cision. If Derek wouldn’t accept me, and rejection meant my death, there was only one solution.

I had to convince him to contest the Soul Bond claim, even if it meant lying about what my wolf had felt.

morning. I’d made a