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ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵒʳˡᵈ'ˢ

A/N: significantly shorter chapter that I wrote while sleep deprived. I'll worry about fixing typos later. Hope you enjoy ✨

This situation is what most people would describe as...tense.

"Just look at you---the years have been good to you and carrying four pups hasn't seemed to wither you in the slightest. No matter how miserable I was being married to you, I can always admit that you are far too gorgeous to be given to just anyone. Exotic toys must be kept in good condition, after all."

Enji looks as if he's ready to crawl right out of his skin, squirming underneath the scrutinizing gaze of his ex-wife. He doesn't like the way that she's undressing him with her eyes---it makes him feel filthy and dirty. Violated. Humiliated.

Because he knows exactly what she's thinking of doing to him.

Her view is obstructed by Keigo, angry scent swirling violently around them as he steps in front of his mate protectively. Touya almost wants to commend his father for the amount of effort he's using to keep himself from attacking their unwelcome guest right there in the kitchen. It would be a bloody mess for sure; it's amazing that he's able to keep such a level head.

"Don't you fuck with me, Rei, I will put you on your ass." He warns her, stepping forward into her personal space so that she understands that he isn't simply just trying to intimidate her. Keigo is no pushover by any means and though he'd rather not be violent in the presence of his mate, he'd gladly take another alpha to their grave for being so bold as to challenge his authority in his own home.

The dead expression on Rei's face sends uneasy chills down Katsuki's spine and he ducks behind Touya as her gaze flickers onto him with mild interest.

"Oh?" She hums. "What a pretty, tiny thing you are. Do you belong to my son? I wouldn't be surprised if they wanted to start breeding you early---"

"Watch your fucking mouth when you tak to him, hag." Touya snarls, growl rumbling low in his throat. "Better yet, don't fucking speak to him at all. You've already disrespected my parents by coming here uninvited. You need to leave, Rei."

The smaller alpha's brow raises in what could either be amusement or curiosity but Touya is willing to bet on the former. A cynical snort of laughter passes through her lips.

"Rei?" She parrots. "My, my, someone's an angsty boy. Are you still angry with me about leaving? I've sent your mother several plane tickets so you could come and see me, Touya. Your siblings and I have long since made amends; you are the only one who hasn't even had the heart to try and forgive me."

"Yeah, well, they don't know what kind of monster you really are either, do they? You think if Shouto knew you tried to kill him that he'd be such a daddy's boy with you?" Touya spits in retaliation and Rei's gaze sharpens almost instantly, cold and unyielding.

"Oh, Touya. You'd do so well to mind your tongue when you speak to me. I don't care who your whore mother marries; I am your father and you will respect me---"

Keigo's fist roughly tangles in the fabric of her shirt and Katsuki ducks further behind Touya at the terrifyingly angry noise that rips itself from the blonde alpha's throat.

"The fuck did you just say about my Enji?!"

Enji is beginning to panic and so is Katsuki, reaching out to grab Enji's hand and pull him behind Touya as well. If a fight breaks out, he'd much rather Enji didn't get caught in the middle. It would be best for him and Katsuki to leave but Katsuki doesn't think that Rei would just allow him to walk away so easily.

Rei goes to shove Keigo off of her but he's solid.

"How embarrassing must it be to have had to try and cover the remnants of my mark with your own? To try and cover the ghost of my seed with your own only to find that even his womb is stained with my mark---trying so desperately to raise my pups as your own? You are pathetic, Keigo Takami."