3 | A Mild Spice Of Revenge

STELLA

I stood under the hot spray of the shower, letting the water beat down on my skin until the chill from the rain finally melted away. 

Steam filled the bathroom, fogging the mirror, and I scrubbed harder than necessary, trying to wash off Kane’s touch from earlier. My wrists still tingled where he’d pinned me.

That fucking bastard. 

His weight, his growl and the way his eyes glowed with alpha fury- it all replayed in my head, making my wolf whimper even now. But under the fear sat something hotter, angrier. 

I wasn’t some doll he could break. I’d fight back. I would kill him. 

Drying off, I pulled on fresh clothes- a soft sweater and shorts. I headed downstairs, hair still damp, and stopped short at the edge of the living area. Richard was helping Mom adjust some candles on the table, his hand brushing hers gently, a small smile passing between them. They looked… happy. Comfortable. 

My chest tightened with mixed emotions. I was happy for her, genuinely. She deserved peace. But it stung deep. Dad never got that. He stayed alone for me, poured everything into raising me right, and never moved on. 

Seeing her like this, laughing softly with Richard, made me miss him sharper than ever. Why couldn’t you have this, Dad? The thought burned. Before I could slip away, Kane walked past and deliberately bumped his shoulder into mine. Hard. I nearly stumbled, biting back a curse.

“Watch it,” I hissed under my breath. Richard spotted me then. “Stella! Come sit. Dinner’s ready. We were gonna call you.”

I forced a polite smile and took a seat at the table. She served me first, piling food on my plate with that eager look. “Here, honey. Eat up. You must be exhausted after the trip.”

“Thanks, Mom.” We settled in, conversation flowing easier than I expected at first. She asked about Paris, my old routines, then leaned in with a curious smile. “So… any boyfriend? Dating anyone special back home?”

I shook my head, twirling pasta on my fork. “No one. Been too focused on other things.” Kane snorted from across the table, stabbing at his food without looking up. “Shocker. Who’d want to date the doll collector?”

Richard shot him a glare. “Kane.”

Mom stayed quiet, but I could tell- she’d side with him if it came down to it. She always tried keeping peace, even if it meant overlooking his crap. Fine. I’d handle this myself. I wanted to give Kane a taste of his own medicine after what he pulled in my room. 

My wolf still felt rattled, but anger won out. I smirked and turned to Richard. “This is really good. Thanks for making me feel welcome earlier. It means a lot hearing "I'm precious here, like family.”

Richard smiled warmly. “Of course. You are.” Kane cut in before I could say more, voice cold and mean. “Precious? Don’t butter him up. You’re temporary. Don’t fucking get too cozy.”

“Temporary?” I mocked back, keeping my tone light but pointed. “At least I’m not ‘way too old’ still without a mate after all these years. What’s wrong, Kane? No one wants an angry alpha with control issues?”

The moment I completed- his fork slammed down. Anger flashed across his face, twisted and raw. Bad boy insanity simmered there- eyes darkening, jaw clenched tight. “Shut your mouth, Stella.”

I batted my lashes innocently, leaning in. “Why? Did I hit a nerve? Poor thing. All that territory talk and you can’t even claim a mate. That’s sad, really.” He leaned forward, voice low and dangerous. “I warned you to shut up. Keep pushing and I’ll make you regret every word. Right here.”

Tension crackled thick around the table. Hot. Intimidating. His badboy energy filled the room, all sharp threats and barely leashed fury. Mom sighed. “Stella, maybe you should-”

Richard interrupted firmly. “She’s fine. Kane, back off. You have been way too arrogant. Let her speak.”

I smirked, enjoying the win as I took another bite. Kane’s face twisted with rage. He shoved his chair back and stood up abruptly. “Fuck this.” He stormed out, cursing under his breath, the door slamming somewhere in the house.

Mom turned to me, gentle but disappointed. “Stella, that wasn’t right. You should apologize later. He’s family too.”

Richard shook his head. “No. She defended herself. Kane needs to learn boundaries.” His support felt good. I savored the rest of dinner as the satisfaction settled warm in my gut. 

Little revenge tasted sweet. Absolutely delicious.

Later, after helping clear a few plates, I headed back toward my room. Passing the side terrace, I spotted Kane outside, leaning against the railing with a cigarette glowing in the dark. 

Smoke curled around him like a second skin. He looked pissed. Brooding. Dangerous. I should’ve walked away. Instead, I stepped closer slowly, a smirk playing on my lips. Time for round two, a mild spice of revenge.

“Nice night for a smoke after running from dinner,” I said sweetly, acting all cute and innocent. “Dad really took my side back there. It felt sooooo good.”

Kane flicked the cigarette away, turning on me fast. His eyes were dark and burning with hatred. “Don’t call him Dad. He’s not yours. Richard. Say it right or I’ll make you choke on the word.”

I tilted my head, blinking innocently. “But he said it himself. I’m family. Precious, even. You heard him so .why so mad? Jealous, I fit in faster than you expected?”

He moved lightning quick, hand shooting out like he’d choke me as his fingers brushed my throat. Insanity flickered in his gaze- twisted and possessive. “You’re playing with fire, little wolf. I’ll break that pretty neck before I let you worm your way in. Stay in your lane or I’ll drag you into mine and ruin you.”

My heart raced, fear and heat twisting together. I stepped back just enough. “Dad!” I called out loud, voice carrying into the house. “Dad!”

Kane froze. He cursed at me viciously and gritted his teeth so hard I heard them grind. “You fucking bitch. Hiding behind him already?” He backed off, but the warning in his eyes was pure venom. 

“This isn’t over. Sleep tight knowing I’m thinking of all the ways to make you pay.”

He stormed off into the shadows, shoulders rigid with barely contained rage. I watched him go, pulse still hammering but a satisfied smile crept onto my face. 

I headed to my room, closed the door. Not just closed but locked it carefully and even checked the windows- any way of him trying to get in and choke me to death in my sleep. 

Finally, I crawled into bed. The mattress still carried a hint of his scent from earlier, but I pushed it aside. For tonight, I’d won a round. 

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

A shadow loomed at the foot of my bed. Tall. Familiar… Him.

He stood there, watching me, voice a low growl that sent chills racing down my spine. “Thought you could hide behind Daddy and sleep sound? Cute. But I told you- this is my territory. And I always collect what’s mine.”

My breath caught. He stepped closer, eyes glowing faintly in the moonlight, that twisted badboy smirk returning.