My Ex Husband The Alpha His Brother The Rogue novel Chapter 77

Chapter 77

Chapter 77

-Laila

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“Maybe because this feels like a shiny noose.” I reply, my tone blank and devoid of emotion. “It’s suffocating.”

Kael doesn’t even flinch. Instead, he leans down, his lips close enough to my car that his breath warms my skin.

“Noose…diamond, whatever else, It’s my mark. Wear it proudly.” He whispers, “If they want to hang you, they’ll burn for touching what’s mine.”

His words slide over me like weights. Hot and heavy. But I don’t respond. I can’t.

Because it’s not ‘them‘ I’m worried about. It him. It’s Kael.

He’s the one tightening the noose. He’s the executioner. He’s the one pulling the strings he’s attached to me like I’m some puppet he’d purchased.

And if I do respond, if I even open my mouth to say anything, I’m not sure if I’ll spit in his face or beg him to take me again.

And none of those options will end well. So I keep my silence. As always.

The tip of his nose grazes my neck and he inhales deeply. “You’re still mad about yesterday.”

It’s not a question, it’s a statement. And it’s not one he expects an answer to. Even if he does, I don’t have one.

He knows exactly what he’s done. What he keeps doing. And we both know he doesn’t plan to stop.

Kael will always be Kael. It’s the first lesson I learned after meeting him.

For a moment, he lingers, a hairsbreadth from touching my skin. And for that long moment, my breath is caught in my throat.

And then finally, he straightens and pulls away. His hand brushes down the line of my back, before he turns and heads to the door.

“We should go.” He says, his tone calm and collected like he didn’t just ignite a fire in my veins.

I exhale a drawn out breath, mentally reprimanding my thoughts, before following after him. Because what choice do I have?

The hallway smells of polished wood and a lighter, sweeter scent. My heels sink into the rug as we head for

the stairs.

Kael’s just a step ahead, always a shadow I can’t escape.

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Chapter 77

He pauses suddenly at the top of the stairs and as I arrive beside him, I see why.

Someone’s waiting.

Not just someone. Cameron.

“Laila.”

零

My name rolls off his tongue like it belongs to him. He’s leaning against the wall at the bottom of the stairs. His arms are crossed over his chest, and his eyes are fixed on me.

Kael takes a slow step down. He doesn’t quite turn but his body blocks my line of sight, like he’d expected this. Like he’d prepared for it.

“Cameron.” Kael’s tone is a warning. One that’s sharp enough to draw blood.

It sends a chill of terror running down my spine and I’m not even the one it’s directed at.

But Cameron? He doesn’t even flinch. He ignores Kael completely, and his eyes stay fixed on me.

They rake down my form. Blatantly, unashamedly showing his appreciation. His eyes linger on the neckpiece crested in the centre of my collarbone. “You look stunning, Lails.” He pauses for a heartbeat,

“Always. The lighting here was made for you.”

I reach for the railing on instinct, holding it in a tight grip. Because his words aren’t just words, they’re memories concealed underneath that single statement.

Kael probably doesn’t understand his words. But I do. How can I not?

The lighting? They’d been burned on one rainy night. Cameron fixed them himself while I watched.

It was then we’d learned about our favourite things. Colours, foods.

Years later, he didn’t remember what I liked anymore. But I still did. Then…now, I still know all of Cameron’s preferences like it’s etched into my skull.

Every part of this house, including the lighting holds memories he knows I remember.

Memories he wants me to remember. And he is doing it right here on purpose, where Kael can see.

There’s nothing subtle about it. It’s intentional.

An unspoken moment passes between us. Cameron and I. One that Kael doesn’t fail to notice.

His eyes narrow visibly, but he gives nothing else away.

The weight of tension presses down on all of us.

Kael breaks the moment when he moves again. His steps are slow and predatory. The way he always does when another man looks at me for even a moment too long.

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Chapter 77

“Careful…” He says. It’s not advice or a suggestion.

F:X

Cameron knows it. I know it. Heck, the lake house and the damned lighting knows it.

g

Kael isn’t Alpha in name, but that doesn’t take away his advantage. He is Alpha in every other way that

matters.

Which means, he’s not someone you want to provoke.

Cameron’s lips curve into a mirthless smile. “I’m just being polite.”

“Don’t. Kael’s tone is flat and final.

I cringe.

The tension stretches for a moment too long. If it was an elastic band, it would have snapped at this point.

It’s unsettling and so I break it myself, “I should go and check in with Shirley.” I whisper, though no one asked

1. me.

Kael’s eyes finally shift to mine. Cameron’s gaze has always been on me so there’s no need for a change.

Kael extends a hand, his eyes narrowed. His gaze dares me to refuse him. To deny him a claim to me in Cameron’s presence.

I know the repercussions. And so I don’t.

My fists clench and unclench before I reach for his extended hand, placing my hand in his.

He intertwines our fingers, his other hand pressed against the small of my back, guiding me forwards.

Cameron’s gaze darkens and I feel it burning into my back long after we pass by.

田

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