Chapter 35 -Cameron : 65 vouchers The study fell into a tense silence since we walked in . Granddad sits at his desk , his swivelling chair facing away from the door so his back is turned to us . He hasn't turned back since we entered . He hasn't said a word either , but his silence speaks louder than any words he could have said . He's fuming . I can practically sense his wolf on the surface . It's been at least a few years since I've seen him be this furious . His anger is a heavy shadow over the study , and then finally , he turns . His glare shifts between Kael and I. But lingers more on me than Kael . I'm sitting across from him . At his gaze , my jaws clench and I resist the urge to engage in a clash of dominance . It's a habit I've formed to restrain myself where necessary . And this is one such time . " Is this how you handle pack affairs ? " He breaks the silence in a snarl , his question is obviously directed to me . " You'll ruin the Blackwood Pack if you keep going at this rate ." I tense , a growl rumbling in my throat . I don't appreciate the tone of voice , but I let the words sink even if I can't find any truth in them . My hands are tapping against the armrest of my chair , in a bid to suppress my defiance . I don't get it . I just can't . Kael , the bastard sank goods worth millions of dollars into the sea without thinking twice . And that isn't even a surprise because he's done even worse things in the past ... he's always been reckless like that . Adamant and ruthless . And while he's barely gotten a slap on the wrist , I'm the one on the receiving end of Granddad's disappointment . I've done many things wrong . I also know that . But Kael hasn't done anything right either . Not enough to prove he is better than me at least . So why does it already feel like I'm fighting a losing battle ? " You're brothers . " Granddad continues , his eyes narrowing . " Do I need to remind you about that ? Carrying the Blackwood name and acting like rivals on the street ? That reflects badly on the pack . On me . " I'm not the slightest bit surprised . The werewolf committee prides themselves on unity and expert leadership . If they even get wind that two Blackwood brothers are at each other's throat , My Granddad will lose his shot at a sit on the committee . I know that , and I've tried to hold back . But Kael just keeps pushing . With the company , with the pack ... with Laila . 18:47 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 35 ( 284 EZ 55 vouchers The final straw had been just earlier today ... It was a silly thing to do , but I sent over a gift for Liam and Laila had sent it right back , without even opening it . It's not my place . That may be true . But it wasn't Kael's place to wed Laila right after our divorce and he'd still done it . Laila doesn't know the kind of man Kael is . I'm certain of it . But how can I make her see the truth when she won't even give me a chance to get close ? Kael hasn't moved . He didn't even bother taking a seat and just stands by the door , arms crossed like he has more important places to be . Since his return , he's been arrogant and dismissive . He was always arrogant , even in the past , but now , he has more reasons to be . Kael's influence in the supernatural underground and beyond that is one thing . With fight dens littered across the city , his net worth has also skyrocketed . Mystic Inc is worth nearly as much as Blackwood Co , and the Blackwood Corporation has been running for decades longer than Kael's company . Even our Granddad is careful not to offend Kael . Kael has it out for me . It's obvious he's returned to get back at me , and he has undermined me several times already since his return . Yet I'm supposed to just sit with my arms crossed and not retaliate because Mystic Inc is our best chance at making a full recovery ? " Blackwood Co , " Granddad states , " is more than just a business . It represents our name . It's the heart of our pride as a pack . And under your watch , Cameron , it's suffering . Just because the papers aren't reporting it doesn't mean it's not happening . The board may still be smiling , but we're on a downward spiral . I'm not blind . I see the numbers . " I stiffen , my hands clench tighter . " I've kept us afloat . " " Afloat ? " Granddad slams his cane down on the floor . The sound echoes through the room . " The pack is running on half its usual revenue . And you still sit there , claiming to keep us afloat ." My brows twitch in annoyance . He knows very well most of our finances have gone into funding his political aspirations . Yet the blame is all mine to bear . " From today on ," He leans in closer , his gaze sharp " Cameron , you will stay out of Kael's businesses . Whatever deals he has , however he operates , you won't interfere . Do you understand ? " My jaws tighten . I don't respond immediately . I don't turn . I don't want to see the look of satisfaction in Kael's eyes . Grandad waits for a response with a stern frown . " Yes ," I finally force the word out . 284 Chapter 35 EX 55 vouchers " And you ... " He turns to Kael now , " I welcomed you back into our home . Whatever grudges you may hold , it's time to let it go and focus on reviving Blackwood Co. That means no more leaking our family affairs to the media . " " I let it slide once . I won't let it slide again ." Kael doesn't respond . And after waiting for a moment , Granddad moves past it . " We've been on the wrong side of the media for a long time now . I've arranged to make things right . There is an important summit coming up that requires my attendance . We'll be going together , as a family ... " A family trip ? With Kael and Laila ? My expression turns sour , and so does Kael's . " I can't fit that into my schedule ." I'm quick to decline . I've had enough of watching them together already . Going on a trip with Sarah present will only make Laila withdraw from me even more and push her closer to Kael . " Neither can I. I have a business to run . " Kael states blankly . Our Granddad isn't fazed . " You will go . Because I'll take Laila and Liam , Sarah and Kelly , along with or without you . " I blanch and Kael purses his lips . " Now go home and tell your wives to make the necessary preparations . " He doesn't wait to hear from us , tapping his cane dismissively . " Kael , you stay . " He adds as an after thought . I frown slightly but get up to my feet and walk out . The night air is chilly outside the mansion and there's a slight drizzle . As I'm about to head to my car , I sight something ... or someone that makes me stop in my tracks . " Laila ... " My tone is barely above a whisper . She's standing some distance away from Kael's car , her hand stretched out to catch rain droplets . She's giggling about something , with a grinning Liam in her arms . Gods ! She's beautiful ... she's always been but I don't know why I only see it now . And now that I do see it , it's blinding . It stirs a bitterness deep within me . Like she feels my gaze on her , her head turns slightly in my direction and our eyes meet . Abandoning my car , I walk over to her , ignoring Blake who's keeping watch just a short distance away . 18:47 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 35 784 EZ 55 vouchers He could report back to Kael for all I care . So long as Laila is willing , Kael is barely a concern . And I know she is ... she hides it well , but I see it in her eyes when she looks at me . I know who she'd rather be with . And it's not Kael . " Lai ... " I murmur , allowing a small smile to my lips . I haven't called her that since I met Sarah . It could have been something about the night sky ... or the silently drizzling rain , or the damp strands of her hair stuck to her forehead , or how she held her son with such tender care , or Kael's looming presence as he strides past me , his arm going around Laila's waist to stake his claim . But I feel something shift within me , and a strong urge to possess floods my senses , ' Mine ... ' Laila ... should be mine . AD Comment Send gift No Ads 18:47 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 36