Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother (by CalebWhite) novel Chapter 196

Chapter 196

I could feel Derek’s heart beating steadily against my back, his chest rising and falling with controlled breaths. His arm around my waist was firm but gentle, holding me securely against him. The contrast between his gentle hold on me and the deadly anger directed at Bradley was striking.

*Erin is under my protection now, Derek continued, his tone softening slightly as he looked down at me. Our eyes met briefly, and something unspoken passed between us. “She stays with me.”

Bradley looked between us, his expression a mix of disbelief and jealousy. His hands opened and closed at his sides as he struggled to control his emotions. “So that’s it? She’s just another possession for the mighty Alpha to claim? Another prize to add to your collection?”

Derek’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Choose your next words carefully, brother.”

The tension in the room was suffocating. I stood there, caught in Derek’s protective embrace, watching as the two brothers faced off over me. Bradley’s hands were clenched into fists at his sides, while Derek remained perfectly composed, the picture of Alpha confidence.

“You don’t even care about her,” Bradley accused, his voice breaking slightly. “You just want what I had. You’ve always been that way – taking everything for yourself and leaving nothing for me.”

“You had your chance,” Derek replied evenly. “You chose to throw it away when you betrayed her trust.”

Harry stepped forward, his patience clearly at an end. “That’s enough, both of you.” He turned to Derek with disappointment etched across his features. “Derek, I expected better from you. Threatening your own brother? Bringing this… distraction into our family dinner?”

Judy moved to stand beside her husband, her composure somewhat restored. “I raised you to be a leader, Derek. Not to be led around by an omega who’s clearly trying to climb the social ladder by any means necessary.”

I flinched at her words, the accusation cutting deep. Derek’s arm tightened around me protectively.

“You have responsibilities to this pack,” Harry continued, his voice stern. “Responsibilities that should come before personal indulgences. Your brother is right this girl is a distraction you can’t afford.”

Derek’s expression hardened with each word his father spoke. I,could feel the tension building in his body, the barely contained anger radiating from him in waves.

“I am disappointed in you, son,” Harry concluded, the words hanging heavy in the air.

For a moment, complete silence filled the room. Then Derek spoke, his voice dangerously quiet.

“You’re disappointed in me?” he asked, the question deceptively calm. “After raising Bradley to believe he could take whatever he wanted without consequences? After allowing Mother to treat members of our pack with disrespect based on their rank?”

He straightened to his full height, his arm still firmly around me. “I am the Alpha of this pack. Not you, not anymore. My decisions are not up for debate, especially not by those who failed to teach their younger son basic loyalty and respect.”

Judy gasped at the rebuke. “How dare you speak to us this way!”

“How dare I?‘ Derek’s Jaugh was sharp and without humor. “I dare because I earned my position, while you two have been coasting on past glory and undermining my authority at every turn.”

He took a step back, bringing me with him. “We’re leaving. When you’re ready to respect my decisions and my…” he paused, glancing down at me with an expression I couldn’t quite read, “my choices, we can try this again.”

Without waiting for a response, Derek guided me toward the door, his hand firm at the small of my back, Bradley moved as if to block our path,

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