Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother (by CalebWhite) novel Chapter 26

Chapter 26

For standing up to those jerks! For finally telling your truth!” Amy exclaimed. “Plus, it’s my birthday today, remember? We’re celebrating tonight at Moonshade!

Moonshade was the most upscale establishment in the city center—a two–story architectural marvel where only the wealthy and well–connected could access even the first floor, while the second level was strictly VIP only. It was exactly the kind of high–profile place I’d been avoiding for months.

‘I don’t know, Amy…”

“Please?” she wheedled, giving me her best puppy–dog eyes. “It’s my birthday. All I want is for my best friends to be there.*

I glanced at Jack, hoping for support, but he just shrugged unhelpfully. “Don’t look at me. You know she’ll get her way eventually.”

A reluctant smile tugged at my lips. “I’ll think about it, okay?”

“Nope, not good enough,” Amy declared, standing up and pulling me to my feet. “We’re going shopping right now to find you something amazing to wear tonight. No arguments!”

Amy replied with determined cheerfulness. “Come on, Erin. I know you’re scared, but you can’t let them win by making you hide away forever. I promise I won’t leave your side all night.”

Her earnestness wore down my resistance. Maybe she was right. Maybe what I needed was to reclaim my life, to show everyone–including myself–that I was more than just the girl who’d been rejected by the Alpha.

“Okay,” I agreed finally. “But I’m not staying late, and I’m definitely not drinking.”

Amy whooped in triumph, doing a little victory dance beside her car that made me laugh despite myself.

After classes ended, I decided to head to the mall alone. With everything that had happened today, I needed some time to clear my head, and I still hadn’t bought Amy a birthday present. The mall was mercifully quiet at this hour, most students still in their final classes of the day.

I wandered through several stores before finding myself in a small jewelry boutique. A delicate pearl necklace caught my eye–elegant with just a hint of whimsy in the way the pearls graduated in size.

“Would you like to see this one?” the saleswoman asked, noticing my interest.

I nodded, watching as she carefully removed it from the display case. The pearls gleamed softly under the store lights, and I knew immediately that Amy would love it.

“I’ll take it,‘ I said, feeling a small satisfaction at finding the perfect gift.

After paying for the necklace, I strolled around the mall for another hour, enjoying the simple normalcy of window shopping without any real purpo felt good to be somewhere where nobody knew me or cared about my Pack status–just another teenager killing time at the mall.

When I arrived home, I heard Amy’s cheerful voice in the room. A moment later, they both came out and greeted me.

“Hey, Erin!” Amy beamed, then turned to my mother. “Mrs. Blackwood, I was hoping I could steal Erin tonight for my birthday. I’m having a small gathering at my house.”

I stared at Amy in confusion. This was the first I’d heard of any gathering at her house. Last I knew, we were going to Moonshade.

“That sounds lovely,” Mom said, smiling at Amy. “Erin could use a night out with friends.”

“Great!” Amy clapped her hands together. “My parents made me promise not to stay out too late.”

“That’s fine, Mom agreed, clearly pleased. “It will be good for Erin to get out of the house for a bit.”

Chapter 26

Once we left my home, I turned to Amy with wide eyes.

“You shouldn’t lie to my mom like that, I hissed. “She’s been really worried about me lately.”

Amy rolled her eyes. “Relax, Erin. It’s just a party. Besides, I didn’t exactly lie–v