My Ex Husband The Alpha His Brother The Rogue novel Chapter 45

-Laila

The car arrives outside the lake house at exactly noon.

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I’ve been able to avoid crossing paths with Sarah all morning, spending most of the time grading papers in my room. But I can’t avoid her forever.

Shirley came in a short time ago to let me know we’ll be heading out soon. I’m already dressed and so I grab my purse and head downstairs.

I meet Shirley on the porch and she glances down at her watch. “Sarah seems to be running late. Do you mind waiting in the car while I go check on her?”

I nod slowly, heading over to the car. The driver pulls open the door for me and I get into the back seat, plugging in my headphones.

After what must have been almost a half hour, Sarah arrives, a few minutes after Shirley returns.

Sarah’s dressed up immaculately, hair in some complicated twist updo, her lips a sultry shade of red. She greets Shirley with a warmth that’s obviously fake.

She doesn’t look at me at first. She instead glances around, “Where’s my car?”

“Oh, I thought it’d be easier if we all just go together.” Shirley explains as she gets into the passenger seat.

Sarah looks thoroughly displeased with the arrangement, but she doesn’t protest.

“Perhaps we might go in separate cars next time?” I say to Shirley, “That way everyone can come down at their own pace.”

My words are hinting at Sarah’s late arrival. And the fact that she hasn’t said a word of apology to me for keeping me waiting.

Which I know she did intentionally. A pathetic attempt to aggravate me, I’m guessing. Or to remind me that she’s Luna Blackwood now.

“You definitely owe Laila an apology.” Shirley says, smiling at us through the rearview mirror.

Sarah’s eyes finally meet mine and I see it. That quick flash of disdain, hidden beneath the mask of cheerful innocence she always wears.

“I had a wardrobe emergency.” She says, “I’m sure you don’t mind.”

Her words are barely an apology, but I let it slide. She gets into the car and then we pull out into the road.

The ride to the venue goes by in an awkward silence, except for the few times Shirley attempts to fill the silence by striking up a random conversation.

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Chapter 45

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She points out some streets to us, telling us of the minor packs in the area and commenting on how much the city has changed since she was younger.

Sarah, of course, responds eagerly, every word she says is laced with a practiced sweetness and warmth.

I keep my eyes fixed on the window, nodding only when appropriate. Other than that, I don’t engage in the conversation.

After an hour long drive, the car pulls into a long driveway. It’s lined with trimmed hedges and marble sculptures.

At the end, there’s a grand estate before us. It’s a Victorian Styled property, with white stone pathways, and a wide staircase leading up to polished wooden doors.

Shirley straightens her dress as the driver pulls the car to a stop. “I hope you don’t mind, a few other Lunas will be joining us.” She reveals,

“It’s just a tasting event. But the hosts are all important Lunas, so don’t forget to make a good impression.”

I don’t bother taking note of the information. I’m not Luna Blackwood anymore. Making good impressions and mingling with practiced smiles is Sarah’s job, not mine.

Maybe Kael’s rubbing off on me, but I couldn’t care less what the Lunas think about me.

They all praised me as a good Luna and wife too. But no one cared if I was alive or dead in the three years after Cameron tossed me to the streets.

We step out of the car, and we’re instantly welcomed and ushered in by smartly dressed staff.

The doors are opened to reveal a wide hall with high ceilings.

Gold chandeliers dangle from the ceilings, and the marble floor is polished to a shiny gleam. The smell of roasted meats and spices is heavy in the air as we’re guided through different halls till we arrive at a large dining hall.

Several women are already seating around the table, they’re all dressed elegantly, yet minimalist compared to Sarah’s flashy choice of dress.

Most of the women have clearly been the Lunas of their pack for decades. Their every manner screams of

understated wealth.

They stand up as we approach, greeting us with bright smiles and pleasantries.

I don’t know half the women in this hall. A few that I do know, I’ve only met on one or two occasions.

“Luna Laila,” one of the Lunas greets warmly, kissing her cheek. “It’s been far too long.”

Sarah stiffens beside me but I don’t bother correcting the mistake.

I nod in agreement, a small smile on my lips

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The introductions pass by smoothly, and quickly, which I’m grateful for. I’m introduced as Kael’s wife, while Sarah is Cameron’s Luna and so our seating arrangements are rearranged accordingly.

Initially, much to Sarah’s horror, I’d been placed ahead of her.

Just as we take our seats, the food is brought out.

Platters of steamed fish, garnished with herbs. Small bowls of creamy soup, and more side dishes than I bother to count.

“As we all know, the Alpha summit is a very important event.” Shirley begins, “Business deals are signed and pack alliances are formed. All the Alphas that will be in attendance this time around have been ranked in the top packs of the continent at one point or the other.”

“So it’s extremely important that the food is exactly to their tastes. While my pack is officiating at the summit this time, it’s good we all get this experience as it might be any one of you the next time.” She says cheerily,

The women applaud her and the event begins. Various dishes are served in little quantities and all the women gathered sample it, and give their opinions.

I don’t speak much. Only chipping in here and there when I’m asked. I’ve never been one for social gatherings and if there’s one upside of being dethroned as Luna, it’s that I’m not expected to sit through these gatherings anymore.

Not that these women aren’t good company, but their smiles are so well practiced, you can never truly know what’s on their mind.

I know I’ve smiled and laughed with more than a few people I secretly hated in my day.

The event passes by quickly. It’s polite, cordial, exactly what Shirley promised it would be.

Until Sarah opens her mouth.

“This one’s pleasant, isn’t it?” she says, gesturing to a bowl of soup. She glances at me before turning back to the women. “Though I imagine Laila might prefer something heavier. Her husband was a rogue for quite some time…old habits of taste are hard to shake, aren’t they?”

The women exchange glances. Some chuckle softly while others glance over at me with curiosity. Sarah smiles like the joke was intended to be innocent and harmless.

I meet her gaze, unbothered as I set down my spoon. “My husband wasn’t a rogue…” I trail off, watching Sarah smirk as if I’m about to fall right into her trap.

“He still is.” I adjust.

There’s nothing to hide about Kael’s identity. Being a rogue simply means not having pack affiliations. It’s not something to hide.

“He’s probably only attending this summit because Grandfather Blackwood wants him to invest in the businesses of a few promising Alphas.” I lean back in my chair. “The cuisine is good, and he has the money to spare. So here we are.”

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Chapter 45

The Lunas giggle at my words, and Sarah’s smile drops.

The next meal to sample arrives. Thin slices of roasted lamb, drizzled with sauce.

Sarah, not one to back down easily, comments again,

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“I wonder,” She says lightly, “if you’re adjusting well, Laila. It can’t be easy. Going from Cameron to Kael. Two Blackwoods in a row. Most women would find it uncomfortable, getting married to their Ex–husband’s brother.”

Her voice is dripping with false admiration.

The table goes silent, the Lunas exchanging looks of discomfort.

I set down my fork carefully. I don’t answer her immediately. I let her words hang there, let everyone see her airing the dirty laundry of the Blackwood Pack without hesitation.

She’s already making a fool of herself so I don’t even have to try.

After a moment, I turn to the Luna at my left.

“What do you think of the sauce?” I ask calmly.

The woman hesitates, then answers. “It’s…a bit too strong. Overpowering.”

I smile faintly. “Yes. Some flavors try too hard to stand out. They ruin the dish when they could’ve been subtle.

With that, I carry on sampling the dishes in silence.

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18:50 Mon, Oct 13

Chapter 46

Chapter 46

-Laila

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