Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother (by CalebWhite) novel Chapter 238

Erin’s POV

I stared at Derek, unable to comprehend why he was being so distant, so cold. This wasn’t the man who had held me tenderly just days ago.

Derek moved from his desk to the couch, sitting down and lighting a cigarette. “Speak,” he said simply, exhaling a cloud of smoke.

The casual dismissiveness of his tone pierced my heart. I walked closer to him, my voice small as I whispered, “Mate.”

‘You shouldn’t call me that in front of her,” Derek replied, his tone matter–of–fact.

“Why not?” I asked, but Derek offered no response. The silence stretched between us, and I felt my confidence faltering. I lowered my head, suddenly unsure of myself, of everything. Was Mya going to take Derek away from me? The thought was unbearable.

Unable to stand anymore, I knelt in front of Derek, resting my head against his thigh. I closed my eyes, fighting back tears. “If I’ve done something to make you angry, you can punish me, mate,” I whispered desperately. “But please don’t let that woman near you again.”

Derek’s hand came to rest on top of my head, gently stroking my hair. He didn’t speak, but the touch was comforting, an acknowledgment of my presence. I felt a tear escape despite my efforts, and I quickly wiped it away. I couldn’t lose him–not to Mya, not to anyone.

“Don’t think about anything else,” Derek finally said. “Just focus on your work and your studies.”

I looked up at him, my eyes searching his face. “What about us? Am I not supposed to think about what’s between us either?”

Derek frowned, leaning down to look at me more closely. His hand moved to cup my cheek, and I instinctively leaned into his touch, craving

the connection.

In a sudden movement, I stood up and sat on Derek’s lap, wrapping my arms around his neck and burying my face in his shoulder. I held him tightly, as if afraid he would disappear if I let go.

“If you hurt me,” I whispered against his neck, “I swear no one will be able to stop me from leaving this time.”

Derek’s arms encircled my waist, holding me close as he pressed his nose to my neck, inhaling my scent. “Nothing will change between us,” he murmured, his breath warm against my skin. “No one can deny that you are my mate.”

Relief flooded through me at his words. I pulled back slightly, cupping Derek’s face in my hands. I closed my eyes and pressed my lips to his, pouring all my desperation and love into the kiss. Derek responded immediately, his lips moving against mine with equal fervor.

I kissed him with all the passion I had been holding back, afraid of losing him, afraid of what Mya’s presence might mean. When we finally broke apart, I rested my forehead against his, both of us breathing heavily.

Opening my eyes to meet his gaze, I made my confession. “I love you, mate.”

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