Chapter 3

Eli's pov

The girl's eyes widened before she crashed back, her arms stretched out to me.

On instinct, I caught her, pulling her forward and into my chest.

We stood like that, frozen in place while her body trembled and she gathered her bearings.

Then her palm planted itself on my chest and shoved me away. "Have you absolutely lost your mind?"

My lips curved up into a playful smirk. "I think I might. I'm so insane I just imagined you throwing yourself at me."

"I wasn't throwing myself at you." She snapped, her annoyance dangerously cute.

"You sure about that, princess? It looked like you were."

I pulled in the heavy trunk my father had instructed me to bring over while he drank with his friends.

Leaving his bride on her wedding day was such a typical thing for him to do. Then again, this little omega looked more interested in biting my head off than sleeping with him.

"What are you doing here? Didn't your father ever teach you to knock?!" Her voice grew louder and more offended.

Absolutely adorable. "Wow, you're really playing into the stepmother role. You might have to drop the act soon though."

"I'm not..." She paused, then frowned. "You know what, that's right. I'm your stepmother now. Which means you have to respect me. So get out."

I set the heavy pink trunk next to the bed, grunting from the weight. "Right after you say thank you."

"Thank you?"

"I'm dragging all five of your giant trunks up here. And in case you didn't notice when you packed them, they all weigh more than you do."

It was supposed to be a light tease, but the scowl on her face only deepened. "Get out."

"Oh, don't be like that. You're my mom now, after all. Aren't you going to show me some love?"

"I'm sure you've had your fair share of moms who don't like you." Her eyes narrowed. "Why don't you treat me like you probably treated them? Ignore me."

"Why would I do that? Most of them were either too old or too young for me." I let my eyes trail up and down her body. "You, on the other hand, are absolutely perfect."

Her face folded into one of disgust, and she stormed past me out of the room.

I dashed after her, my jaw locked while following her down the twin stairs. "You shouldn't go down there."

"Why not?"

"Because my father is there with people who love him and will hate you." I replied, my voice casual.

She didn't pause though. Her fingers dug into the hem of her dress, squeezing it so tight her knuckles turned pale.

We never made it down the stairs before Anya stepped out of the kitchen and spotted us, gasping audibly.

"What are you doing out here?"

Stella finally paused, huffing. "You had me sit in a room while my husband was down here drinking?"

"You're supposed to wait for him there." Anya scowled, shoving the tray in her hand to Stella. "But since you insist on being out here, you might as well make yourself useful."

The silent disdain in her voice was familiar now. It was the same attitude she'd given to every woman who ever walked into this house wearing that dress, besides my mother.

"Are you trying to stain my dress? This is red wine!" Stella hissed, shoving the tray right back.

The sight was honestly ridiculous. I could see Anya's shock. Stella was probably the first woman to not acknowledge her as the woman of the house.

Her voice lowered, just enough to be threatening while still sounding sweet. "I'd suggest you watch your tone. I could have you out of here by just snapping my fingers."

She demonstrated, causing Stella to blink, but not flinch. "You're just a few steps above being a mistress here. So know your worth, keep your head down, and do as I say."

"And here I was thinking you were my sister-in-law." Stella replied, her voice mocking now. "If you'll excuse me, I should go see my husband now."

Anya tried to block her path, tilting the tray and dumping the glasses of wine right onto the white silk material of the wedding dress.

The sound carried across the whole mansion, drawing the eyes of even those in the kitchen.

I stood aside, completely hidden in the shadows, watching as the chaos unfolded.

My father appeared moments later, his face turning red the moment his eyes landed on the dress.

Anya rushed forward to escalate things and toss all the blame onto the omega girl in the stained silk.

And then he noticed me, his anger rising when he caught my mocking smile.

He stepped towards her, his hand already raised.

"Surely this is no big deal, Father." I finally strode forward, blocking his view of her.

My mind was at war. I always found his wives amusing, but never had I defended one.

I'd also never called one beautiful before, but Stella seemed to be bringing out a new side of me.

"You didn't actually plan to strike your new wife for such a silly mistake." I patted his shoulder, deliberately letting my gaze shift to his friends who had followed him up.

He cleared his throat before turning. "I'll head out to Damien's estate now. We have work to do."

The rest followed behind him, and the door slammed shut soon after.

My feet remained planted to that spot for a moment, before Anya rushed out and came back with a broom.

A second later, she tossed it at Stella, her eyes wide and condescending. "Clean up the glass."