บททั้งหมดของ My brother-in-law is my mate: บทที่ 71 - บทที่ 80

Alexis Alpha Orion's dining room looked like a set piece for a tacky reality TV show, all chandeliers and silverware gleaming as if trying to outshine the sun itself, as though wealth could make up for personality, charm, or intelligence. Byron had dragged me here to attend another one of his ridiculous charades, rubbing elbows with people who thought their gold-plated opinions were worth more than anything else.I kept my smile tightly in place, but my mind was already plotting ways to escape without bursting into flames from secondhand embarrassment. I'd lose it if I had to pretend to care about these ridiculous people for one more minute.And then there were the wives. Oh, the wives. Drenched in designer gowns that seemed to weigh them down. Every gesture they made was an attempt to remind the room how much money they spent on themselves. Layla, the Blood Moon pack's Luna, sashayed to me. The heavy, suffocating cloud of her perfume hit me before she did, a mix of too many layers

Alex The morning of the election felt heavier than any other day. I woke up before the sun even dared to rise. Deep down, I already knew how this was going to end. Byron was going to win. It was stupid to underestimate him—he had always been two steps ahead, and the rigging machine he had in place would ensure it. Still, this wasn’t about winning anymore. If he did win, it would only give me more evidence to expose him for the fraud that he was.I dragged myself out of bed. After freshening up, I went to the kitchen, poured a cup of strong black coffee, and leaned against the counter, letting the bitterness wake me up. The morning light spilled through the windows but didn’t feel warm or comforting. It felt like a spotlight on the chaos that was my life.When I met with my team, we were busy with last-minute strategies and rehearsals. Everyone buzzed with nervous energy, talking over one another as they finalized plans. I tried to focus, but my mind kept drifting. The truth was, no

Alexis The private jet screamed luxury like it had been ripped straight out of a magazine. The leather seats were so polished they reflected my face, and the soft lighting tried its hardest to make me forget how stressful life had been. A mini-bar was stocked with beverages and snacks arranged like they were auditioning for a photoshoot.The carpet was the kind that made you want to bury your toes in it. Alex guided me inside, carrying Valen, who was a ragdoll of exhaustion.The soft hum of the jet made me forget the chaos we had just escaped. Relief washed over me like a long-overdue shower. Finally, we were leaving. Not “going away for a bit” leaving, but “good riddance, Byron, may you choke on your lies” leaving.Alex placed Valen carefully onto one of the back couches. His large hands moved with such tenderness that it made my chest ache. He covered Valen with a blanket. My baby looked peaceful, and his tiny chest was rising and falling like he didn’t have a care in the world.Al

Alex The journey back to the pack had been fucking stressful, but the 10-hour trip on the train was behind us. I had half expected Byron to have someone vandalize my home in my absence, but when I opened the door to my house, it was untouched.My familiar scent greeted me as I stepped inside. Gianna followed quietly, looking like she was carrying the weight of a thousand burdens. I didn’t blame her.“You take the bed,” I said, pointing toward my bedroom. “I’ll take the couch.”Too tired to argue, she gave me a weak nod and disappeared down the hallway. I heard the faint creak of the mattress as she collapsed onto it, and I sighed, running a hand through my hair. After sleeping for a bit, I whipped up a quick batch of pancakes. It felt strange doing something so mundane while everything around me was chaos, but I was starving.I called Alexis while waiting for the pancakes to cook. Her soft voice immediately filled the line, tinged with concern.“I saw Gianna on the train,” I said af

AlexisValen sat cross-legged on the bed and fumbled with the edge of the blanket and I joined him. The conversation I was about to have with him wasn’t one I’d ever thought I’d need to have so early, but life had a way of fucking things up.“Honey, do you know what it means to be gentle?”He tilted his head at me. “Like when I pet Rocky, daddy's dog?” His innocent answer made me chuckle.“Sort of,” I said, ruffling his hair. “Being gentle doesn’t just mean with animals. It’s about how you treat people too—especially girls.”He frowned slightly, clearly trying to process my words. “Why?”“Because, sweetheart, any boy who hurts a girl is a coward. It’s never okay to lay your hands on someone in anger, especially someone you’re supposed to protect.” “Like that man?”My chest tightened. For a moment, I was terrified he’d say “Daddy.” But he didn’t, and relief washed over me when I realized he was referring to the idiot who attacked me earlier.“Yes, like that man. That’s why it’s import