2 | I Will Break You

STELLA

I clutched the towel Mom draped over my shoulders, its softness barely cutting the chill still clinging to my skin. 

We moved from the foyer into the living room, a big space with deep couches and warm lighting that should’ve felt inviting. Instead, everything felt charged, like the air itself was waiting for the next spark. 

I sank onto one couch awkwardly, while Mom fussed nearby. Richard sat across, his expression kind but steady, like he carried the weight of the whole house on his shoulders.

“Stella,” he started, voice warm and genuine, “I’m truly sorry about your father. He was an incredible man and a father. Losing him must’ve been devastating.” He leaned forward a bit. My heart ached remembering my dad. 

It always made me emotional and it was not easy to hold myself together in the past three years. “You’re like Kane to me now. My Family. You’re as precious to me as he is, so never feel unwelcomed here. This is your home. We want you to feel that.”

I smiled politely, the words landing soft but heavy. Part of me appreciated it but another part twisted with awkwardness. “Thank you, Richard. That means a lot.” My eyes flicked to Kane, who lounged against the far wall, arms crossed. 

He rolled his eyes hard, not even trying to hide it. Cold. Mean. Like my presence soured the whole room for him. The feeling was likewise. 

“Great speech, Dad,” Kane muttered, voice dripping sarcasm. “Real touching. She’s not me. Never will be.”

Richard’s face hardened. “Kane. Enough. She’s grieving. She’s family. Show some respect or walk out.”

Kane just smirked, but it didn’t reach his eyes. Mean energy rolled off him in waves. Mom jumped in quick, smoothing things like always. “Stella, honey, you must be starving. Dinner’s almost ready. We can sit down and talk properly.”

I shook my head, standing up. “Thanks, but I’d rather bathe and change first. I feel disgusting right now.”

Mom nodded, pointing down the hall. “Your room’s upstairs, second door on the right. Fresh towels in the bathroom. Take your time.”

Richard glanced at Kane. “Help your sister with her bags to the room.”

The word ‘sister’ nearly made me puke. 

“I’m fine,” I cut in fast, grabbing my suitcase handle before Kane could move but he never did. “Really. I can manage.” No way I wanted him anywhere near me right now. I hauled my stuff toward the stairs, ignoring the weight and the way my wet clothes squelched with every step. 

Their voices faded behind me with Richard warning Kane again and Mom trying to keep peace. Gosh- I felt so unwelcomed because of that piece of shit. 

I finally made it to the room, pushed the door open, and breathed out. Scanning it- I felt satisfied. It was a nice space. Big bed, window with countryside views. Taking a deep breath, I started unpacking quickly, pulling out dry clothes- a simple sweater and a pair of shorts- when the door swung open without a knock. 

Kane walked in like he owned the place. Actually, he did. He dropped onto my bed, sprawling back against the pillows with his ‘dirty’ boots still on like he didn’t give a damn.

“Get out,” I warned, heart jumping into high gear. Gosh- I had to wash the beddings- not just that- but everything. “This is my room now.”

He laughed low, dark. “Your room? Cute. It’s my territory. My house. My rules. You don’t get to waltz in and claim shit.”

I pointed my finger straight at him, stepping closer despite the warning bells screaming in my head. “Your rules? Bullshit. I’m here whether you like it or not. Deal with it or stay the hell away. And get off my bed before I drag you off.”

Kane’s jaw ticked. He poked his inner cheek with his tongue, eyes narrowing. Anger flashed hot across his face. In one move he grabbed my wrist, yanking hard. I tumbled onto the mattress with a gasp. 

He hovered over me instantly, pinning my arms above my head with one hand, his body caging mine. Heavy. Warm. Too close. The scent of rain and something sharper- cedar and fury- filled my lungs.

“You think you can talk to me like that?” he growled, voice twisted with rage. Bad boy energy poured off him, all sharp edges and no mercy.

“I hate people who disrespect me in my own house. Especially you. You strut in here like you belong, but you don’t. Stay out of my life. Don’t get comfortable. This isn’t your little Paris dream anymore.”

I struggled underneath him, twisting my wrists and legs kicking uselessly. “Let go, you asshole! I’m not scared of you.” But my wolf whimpered deep inside, intimidated by the raw alpha power rolling off him. 

His eyes glowed for a split second- outrageous, dangerous. Fear spiked through me real and sharp. He was bigger. Stronger. And that look promised pain.

Kane leaned closer and I felt his breath hot against my ear. “Scared now, princess? Good. I vowed to break you the second Mom said you were coming. Just like I broke those stupid dolls. Snap. One by one. I’ll do worse to you. Shatter that attitude and make you regret every second you spend under this roof.”

“Get the fuck off me!” I bucked harder, fury mixing with that flicker of fear. My heart slammed against my ribs. Part of me wanted to claw his face again. Another part registered how his weight felt- solid, controlling and way too intense. 

I was indeed physically weak but I did not want to back down- I did not want him to succeed in intimidating me. Tension crackled between us, hot and twisted. Hate. Something darker underneath that made my skin burn.

He tightened his grip, enough to bruise  and enough to remind me who held the power. “Fight all you want. It’s cute. But you’re in my world now. My rules. Disrespect me again and I’ll make sure you learn exactly where you stand. Beneath me.”

I glared up at him, breathing ragged. “Beneath you? Dream on. Let. Go.” I jerked my knee up, almost connecting but he shifted just in time, cursing under his breath.His laugh came out rough, angry. 

“This is me being nice. Push harder and watch what happens. I’ll ruin every comfort you try to build here. Every friend. Every moment of peace. You’ll wish you stayed in Paris crying over Daddy.”

“Shut up about my dad,” I snarled. A sudden sharp ache in my chest made me still for a moment. No one- no fucking one talked about my dad like that. I growled, twisting my wrists even more to get out of his grip, that my skin burned and reddened. 

“Never fucking talk about my dad. I will make sure you fucking rot in this palace of yours.  You’re entitled prick hiding behind alpha bullshit.”

Kane’s eyes darkened more. He hovered even closer and lips inches from mine. The tension thickened, making my wolf pace nervously even as I fought. “Prick? Keep talking. I love breaking loud ones like you. Slow. Painful. Until you beg.”

I twisted again, almost freeing one hand. “Beg? Never. I’ll make your life hell right back. I’ll make sure you pay for everything. For this. For every shitty word. Count on it.”

He watched me with his darkened gaze- his nostrils flared but finally released my wrists yet didn’t move off me right away. His hand trailed down my side, light but possessive, stopping at my hip and I gasped when he dug his nails in my soft skin. 

“Count on it? Bold. But remember this, Stella- you’re mine to torment now. No one else touches what’s under this roof. Especially not you trying to act like you own it.”

My breath hitched. Fear mixed with something fiercer that burned me. I shoved at his chest. “Yours? Like hell. Get off before I scream for your dad.” Kane smirked, twisted and full of dark promise, finally pushing up but staying close enough that his shadow covered me. “Scream. They won’t save you from what’s coming. This is just the start.”

He stood, straightening his shirt like nothing happened, but his eyes stayed locked on me.

“Welcome to my hell, little wolf. I promise to break every inch of you.”

His words rang in my ears as the door clicked shut behind him. 

I laid there on the mattress, chest heaving and wrists tingling where he’d held them. My wolf still whimpered, shaken by his alpha dominance, but my human side burned with fury and something I refused to name.

“You’re going to regret it, Kane Blackthorn. You have just made me crave your blood on my hands even more.