4 | His Little Warning

STELLA

I couldn’t sleep worth a damn. 

I tossed and turned for hours and sheets twisted around my legs like they were trying to trap me. 

Every time I closed my eyes, the nightmare hit- Kane’s hand in my hair, fangs flashing, that twisted promise to break me. Then it shifted darker, his body pressing me down, my wolf submitting in ways that made me wake up gasping, skin hot and flushed.

I bolted upright, heart slamming. What the fuck was happening? Gosh, my mind had started to play tricks. 

Early morning light filtered in the weak. I reached for the glass of water on the nightstand but found nothing. Groaning, I dragged myself out of bed with shaky legs, and padded toward the door. 

For a second I froze, peeking out cautious as hell. I did not want Kane jumping out to attack me. I sighed, tension easing a notch, and headed downstairs toward the kitchen.

The house was quiet. I grabbed a glass, poured cold water from the fridge, and drank deep. The chill helped clear my head but- Then footsteps. Bare feet on tile. I turned and nearly dropped the glass.

He was there. Shirtless. Grey sweatpants slung dangerously low on his hips, showing that sharp V-line dipping down. Messy black hair, like he’d just rolled out of bed. He was built with fine- broad shoulders, defined abs and that predator grace in every move. 

He looked so devilishly hot that my mouth went dry. If he wasn’t my stepbrother- the man I hated, I would have made my move but… ewww.

He walked closer, slow, like a hunter stalking prey. I tried playing it cool, setting the glass down with a clink. “What are you doing up?”

“Not happy about the shit you said at dinner,” he growled, voice rough with sleep and anger. He kept coming, cornering me against the counter. Our chests brushed as I felt heat rolling off his skin. 

“Calling me mateless. Mocking me. That was a big mistake, little wolf.” I glared up at him, refusing to shrink. “Back off, Asshole. You started it upstairs yesterday. Touch me again and-”

He moved fast and before I knew, he grabbed a fistful of my hair, tugged back firmly. I gasped, hands flying up to grip his biceps- hard muscle flexing under my fingers. His other hand braced the counter beside me. 

My breath caught as his sharp fangs peeked as he smirked, leaning in. He licked a slow line up my neck, hot and wet. I shivered hard. “I could rip your throat out right now,” he whispered, breath scorching my skin. 

“Kill you brutally. Slow. Make you beg first. But I think you’d like parts of it, wouldn’t you?”

Alpha dominance slammed into me, thick and heavy. My wolf reacted instantly- whimpering, pressing low and submissive. Traitor. Heat flooded my body, weird and unwanted, making my knees weak. 

He seemed to notice because his smirk turned mocking, twisted with madness.“Look at you, submitting so easily. Needy little thing. Desperate already?” He pulled back, eyes dark with possessiveness and anger. 

“Pathetic.”

I stood there stunned, breathing heavily and body flushed and buzzing. Why did my body react like that? My wolf still felt that pull, submissive and drawn to his power. Hate and heat twisted together, leaving me shocked and pissed at myself. 

Kane just chuckled low and walked out like he hadn’t just wrecked my morning.

The day dragged on after that. I avoided him as much as possible, burying myself in unpacking and small talk with Mom. Later, in the living room, Richard cleared his throat. 

“Full moon’s approaching. Our pack’s invited to the annual gathering.” I looked at him completely clueless. “It happens every year before the moon peaks. All packs are gathered and it's a good chance for wolves to find and meet, if they have mates from other packs.”

Mom smiled, teasing. “Maybe you’ll find someone, Stella. Handsome wolf from another pack. Wouldn’t that be nice?” Richard pulled a face like all protective dad. 

“She’s not rushing anything. My daughter deserves the best. No one’s good enough yet.” His words warmed me. I smiled real, feeling that- family pull despite everything.

“Sounds interesting,” I said lightly. “I’ll go.”

Later, heading upstairs, a hand slammed beside my head, pinning me to the wall. His body caged mine, heat pouring off him again. That same grey sweatpants from morning, but shirt on this time. 

Tension spiked hot and immediate. “You’re not going,” he warned, voice low and dangerous. Possessiveness bled through every word. Madness flickered in his grey eyes.

 “Stay away from the gathering.” I smirked, fierce despite my racing pulse. “I will go. Watch me.” His hand came up, thumb brushing my jaw rough. 

“Don’t get close to anyone there. Especially not the Ravenclaw pack. Shadowthorn and Ravenclaw don’t get along. One wrong move and it’s war. You hear me?” Anger. Twisted mind. He looked ready to snap. 

“Why do you care?” I challenged, voice breathy. “Jealous, Ill find my mate before you?”

He pressed closer, lips hovering near mine. “Care? I own you here. I am fucking warning you. If you caused me any trouble or my pack- You’re fucking dead.”

My wolf stirred again, submissive and drawn. Hot tension crackled and I hated how it affected me. “Try it. I’ll smile at every Ravenclaw guy now.”

Kane’s jaw clenched, fangs flashing briefly. He slammed a hand on the wall harder, breath ragged. “You push me and I’ll show you real madness, Stella. I don’t care if you die but if you cause any trouble to my pack, you’re fucking done for.”

He shoved off the wall and stalked away, shoulders tight with barely controlled rage. I watched him go with a sinister smile creeping across my face. 

I’d go to that gathering. I’d talk to every Ravenclaw wolf I could find. I’d want you to burn in the fire you started.