Betrayed By One. Bound To Three-Chapter 44: Walls and Ears.

Morning light filled the dining hall as they entered.

It poured through the tall windows and stretched across the long wooden table where breakfast had already been arranged with careful order.

Platters of roasted meat rested beside baskets of warm bread and bowls of fresh fruit. Porcelain cups filled with dark tea released thin spirals of steam that carried a faint, bitter fragrance into the quiet room.

Servants moved discreetly along the edges of the hall, adjusting linens and replacing dishes with the quiet precision of people who had long ago learned to exist without disturbing their masters.

Selena stepped into the room first.

Her posture was naturally straight, her movements unhurried, the calm composure of someone raised with the understanding that others watched her even when they pretended not to. Silas entered beside her a moment later, his presence calm and confident as his gaze moved briefly across the room.

Loretta followed just behind them. Her expression carried a brightness that seemed almost deliberate, as though she had already decided this morning would belong to her.

The three rogue brothers were already seated.

Kael sat directly across from the place prepared for Selena. His posture appeared relaxed, but the stillness in him suggested discipline rather than ease. His gaze remained lowered toward the plate before him, yet the tight line of his jaw revealed that he was aware of everything happening across the table.

Ronan sat to his right, watchful as always. His eyes moved casually between the doors and windows, the habit of a man who had survived long enough to trust instinct more than comfort.

Edris occupied the seat to Kael’s left. His hands rested loosely together near his plate while he observed the room with quiet intelligence.

Selena approached her chair without hesitation. It had already been pulled slightly away from the table for her.

She sat smoothly.

Silas took the seat beside her, but before settling fully he allowed his hand to rest lightly at the small of her back as if guiding her the final inch toward the table. The touch lingered just long enough to feel intentional.

Across the table Kael’s fingers tightened briefly around the handle of his spoon before relaxing again.

Ronan’s gaze flickered toward Silas and then toward Selena.

Edris noticed the movement as well, though his expression remained thoughtful and unchanged.

Silas withdrew his hand and sat back comfortably.

Loretta lowered herself into the seat beside him and smoothed the fabric of her dress with an easy motion.

Selena reached for the porcelain cup beside her plate. Green tea had been prepared the same way it always was. She lifted it and inhaled the faint bitterness rising with the steam before taking a measured sip.

Beside her Silas leaned slightly closer.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked.

"Yes," Selena replied calmly.

His eyes lingered on her face. You are looking beautiful," he complimented

"Thank you." she calmly replied.

Silas reached for a slice of bread but allowed his fingers to brush briefly against Selena’s wrist as he passed the basket toward her.

Across the table Kael’s jaw tightened.

Selena accepted the bread without acknowledging the tension and placed it quietly on her plate.

Silas leaned back in his chair.

A few seconds later Loretta lifted her cup and looked around the table with a bright smile.

"Good morning, everyone."

Her voice carried warmth that felt slightly too cheerful for the quiet hall.

Kael muttered a brief greeting without lifting his eyes.

Ronan inclined his head politely.

Edris gave a faint nod.

Selena set her cup down gently.

Loretta studied the room as if measuring the attention she had gathered before speaking again.

"Even though nobody asked," she said lightly, "I had a wonderful morning."

Selena glanced at her. "Really?"

Loretta’s smile widened.

"Yes. I kissed someone."

The room did not react loudly, but the atmosphere shifted in a subtle way that made every movement feel sharper.

Ronan looked up.

Edris’s brows lifted slightly.

Kael remained still.

Silas regarded her with mild curiosity. "And who was the fortunate man?"

Loretta allowed her gaze to drift slowly toward the opposite side of the table where the three brothers sat.

"One of the rogue brothers."

Ronan leaned back slightly in his chair, his expression sharpening with quiet interest.

Edris studied her more carefully now.

Kael did not move.

Selena kept her voice even. "You sound very pleased with yourself."

Loretta laughed softly. "Should I not be? They are guests in our home, and sometimes guests deserve a warm welcome."

Ronan glanced briefly at Kael before looking back at her. "That is one way to describe it."

Edris rested his elbow lightly against the table and regarded Loretta with thoughtful curiosity. "I do not recall any of us being greeted this morning."

Loretta tilted her head as if amused by his tone. "Perhaps you were not the one I greeted."

Silas watched her calmly. "Then whoever it was should be careful."

Loretta raised an eyebrow. "Careful?"

Silas’s voice remained relaxed as he cut into the meat on his plate. "Rogues have a reputation for breaking hearts without noticing."

His gaze flickered briefly toward Selena before returning to his meal.

The meaning did not go entirely unnoticed.

Ronan’s lips curved faintly in a quiet, knowing smile.

Edris’s eyes moved thoughtfully between Selena and Silas.

Loretta laughed again. "Is that a warning or advice?"

"A little of both," Silas replied.

Loretta turned her attention back to Selena, her smile softening into something more curious.

"Are you upset?" she asked lightly. "Considering that they are your friends."

Selena met her gaze calmly. "Why would I be upset?"

Loretta’s eyes sparkled with quiet mischief. "Because you brought them here. I wondered if you might feel protective."

"They are not possessions," Selena replied.

Loretta traced the rim of her cup with one finger. "Perhaps not, but attachments can form quickly."

Selena did not answer immediately.

Across the table Kael’s fingers curled slowly into his palm.

Ronan observed the movement.

Edris noticed it as well.

Loretta continued as though she were merely entertaining herself.

"Besides," she said, "it would be interesting to see how the pack reacts if one or three of them decides to stay and marry one of their princesses."

Kael finally lifted his eyes.

The look he gave her carried no invitation.

Only warning.

Loretta held his gaze with a faint smile.

"I enjoy challenges," she said.

Silence settled briefly across the table.

Then Kael pushed his chair back.

The sound cut through the hall with quiet finality.

He stood, lifted his glass, drank, and placed it back down.

"I am going outside," he said.

Without sparing any person at the table another glance, he walked toward the doors.

Ronan watched him leave before standing as well.

"Thank you for the breakfast," he said calmly.

Edris rose almost the same time, "We appreciate the hospitality," he said calmly before walking out of the hall with his brother.

Their absence left the room feeling noticeably larger.

Silas finished his tea before setting the cup aside.

"I should check on the pack guards," he said as he rose.

Selena inclined her head slightly. "Of course."

Silas studied her for a moment longer before leaving.

The door closed behind him.

Only Selena and Loretta remained at the table.

Selena stood.

She had no intention of continuing a conversation that had already revealed enough.

She had barely taken two steps when Loretta’s voice stopped her.

"Sister."

Selena paused but did not immediately turn.

Loretta’s tone had lost its earlier brightness.

"You should be careful," she said quietly.

Selena looked back at her.

Loretta’s eyes held a strange calm now.

"These walls listen more than people realize," she continued. "And there are always eyes watching."

For a moment Selena felt the sharp edge of anger rise in her chest.

She almost answered with it.

Instead she forced the emotion down and regarded Loretta with composed stillness.

"Thank you for the concern," Selena said politely.

Loretta studied her.

Selena allowed a faint smile to touch her lips.

"But if the walls are truly listening," she continued calmly, "perhaps you should remember that ambition tends to echo louder than loyalty."

Loretta’s expression hardened slightly.

Selena turned and walked out of the hall without looking back.