Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother (by CalebWhite) novel Chapter 23

Erin’s PO

“Come on everyone,” Lily called out, her voice deliberately theatrical as she addressed the growing audience. Gather round for the juiciest Park gossip

Students pressed clown, their expressions ranging from eager curiosity to malicious anticipation. The scent of their collective excitement made my nose

“First, she latched onto Bradley Stone–the Alpha’s brother–thinking that would give her status.” Lily’s voice dripped with mock sympathy. “But when Bradley finally saw through her and dumped her pathetic ans, she set her sights even higher,”

She stepped closer, her amber eyes gleaming with malice. “She actually had the audacity to claim she was the Alpha’s Soul Bond. Can you imagine? This nobody,” she gestured dismissively at me, “claiming Derek Stone–the most powerful Alpha in three territories–as her destined mate?”

The crowd’s whispers grew louder, and someone let out a low whistle. I could feel my wolf pushing against my control, growling deep in my chest, demanding to be let out to defend our honor.

“Stay calm“, i told her silently. “This is exactly what Lily wants–to provoke us into losing control.”

ent so pathetic,” Lily continued, circling me like a shark sensing blood. “A desperate omega who doesn’t understand how our world

“I would be sad if it weren’t so

works.”

Her condescending tone made my blood boil. I’d taken her abuse silently for too long. Every insult, every humiliation had been building up inside me like a pressure cooker ready to explode.

Π

“Are you done?” I asked quietly, my voice somehow steadier than I expected.

Lily blinked, clearly surprised that I hadn’t crumbled or fled. Her momentary confusion gave me the courage to continue.

“Because if you re finished with your little performance, Ed like to get to class.”

Her eyes narrowed dangerously, and she stepped even closer until we were nearly nose to nose. “I’m just getting started, you omega bitch. By the time I’m done with you, you’ll wish you’d never set foot in this school.”

Her hand shot out, fingers wrapping around my throat. The move was so sudden that several students gasped.

“You’re nothing,” she whispered, her voice so low only I could hear it. “The only reason anyone ever paid attention to you was because I allowed it. 1 let you fang around me out of pity.”

Something in mesnapped. Six months of bottled sage, humiliation, and grief surged through me in a white–hot wave. My wolf, tired of being restrained, snarled and rushed to the surface,

“ENOUGH!” she growled inside me. “We are not prey!”

Before I could stop myself, my hand shot up, grabbing a fistful of Lily’s perfect blonde hair and yanking hard. She shrieked, her grip on my throat loosening as she stumbled backward.

“Dont you dare touch me, I snarled, my voice deepening with the influence of my wolf. I could feel my canines lengthening slightly, my vision sharpening as my wolf leat me her strength.

Lily recovered quickly, her woll sing to meet the challenge. We collided hard, grappling in the middle of the hallway as students scrambled back, forming a wider circle. Some cheered, others pulled out phones, eager to capture the light

I dodged, my reaction quicker than they had any right to be. My wolf was fully allert now, her instincts guiding my minements. I might be an omega, but I watni without strength.

Lily’s nails raked across my cheek, drawing blood. The sharp sting only intensified my age. I shoved her hand, sending her stumbling back into the lockers