Elena’s POV:
After Kane left for his Alpha duties, I decided to keep myself busy. I wandered around the house for a bit, straightening up here and there, but nothing really held my interest. That’s when I stumbled into Kane’s study room.
Curiosity got the better of as I ran my fingers along the spines of the books lining the shelves. Most of them looked like heavy Alpha business-type stuff—strategy guides, pack histories, leadership manuals. But then, tucked away in the corner of one shelf, I found sothing... different.
It was a novel, the kind with a glossy cover and a half-naked couple locked in a passionate embrace. I picked it up, my curiosity piqued, and flipped it open to a random page.
Big mistake.
The words jumped out at , each one more scandalous than the last. My cheeks burned as I realized exactly what kind of book this was. Kane had this in his study? Why? Was this even his? Or maybe soone left it here?
I told myself I’d just skim a little. Just to see. For research.
Before I knew it, I was sprawled on the couch, fully engrossed. And let tell you, this book was not age-appropriate. Not even remotely. Every word had my heart racing, my skin heating, and my mind spiraling.
The worst—or best—part? I couldn’t help but imagine Kane in every scenario. It wasn’t just the hero in the book anymore. No, it was Kane’s rough, commanding voice whispering those sinful words, his strong hands doing those things.
Goddess, what was wrong with ?
I could practically feel the heat radiating off my skin as I got to a particularly intense scene. My pulse was pounding, my thighs clenched together as I bit my lip, trying to keep myself calm.
Then, out of nowhere, there was a sharp knock at the door.
I jolted so hard I almost dropped the book. My heart leaped into my throat as I stared at the door like it was about to burst open.
Great. Just great.
And, of course, it had to be when I was at the best part. The absolute best part.
I scrambled to hide the book under a pillow, my hands shaking as I smoothed out my hair and slapped my face lightly to try to shake off the flushed, guilty look I was sure I was wearing.
What if it was Kane?
The thought made my stomach twist in panic. What if he sohow knew what I’d been reading? Or worse, what I’d been thinking about him while reading it?
Taking a deep breath, I stood up and walked toward the door, trying to act like I wasn’t on the verge of a ltdown. Whoever was on the other side, they’d better have a damn good reason for interrupting.
As I opened the door, I was t with the last person I wanted to see: Ashley. She stood there, glaring at with such fury that, for a mont, I thought she might actually lunge at . Her cheeks were flushed, her arms crossed, and her eyes were burning with unrestrained anger.
Great. Just great. What now?
"You..." she snarled, her voice dripping with venom. "It’s all your fault!"
I blinked, montarily stunned. My fault? What on earth was she talking about? I hadn’t even done anything!
"Excuse ?" I asked, crossing my arms and trying to keep my tone calm, though my patience was already wearing thin. "What exactly is my fault, Ashley?"
Her lips curled into a sneer. "Don’t act all innocent with , Elena! Ever since you ca along, everything’s been falling apart!"
I raised an eyebrow, feeling the heat of my own frustration starting to bubble up. "Falling apart? I think you’re being a little dramatic, don’t you?"
She stepped closer, jabbing a manicured finger in my direction. "Dramatic? Oh, please! Kane barely looks at anymore because of you. He doesn’t touch , he doesn’t need , and it’s all because of you! He was mine, and then you just—just waltzed in here like you own the place!"
Her words made my stomach twist. I hated confrontation, and dealing with her was exhausting. But this? This was ridiculous.
"I’m sorry, Ashley," I said slowly, trying to keep my voice steady, "but Kane isn’t an object you can just claim. He’s his own person. If he doesn’t want to be with you, that’s his decision. Not mine."
Her eyes widened, and for a second, I thought she might actually slap . Instead, she let out a humorless laugh, shaking her head as if she couldn’t believe what I was saying.
"You really don’t get it, do you?" she hissed. "I rejected my mate for him! I gave up everything for Kane! And now you think you can just walk in here and take him from ? What do you even have to offer him, huh? You’re nothing!"
The words stung more than I wanted to admit, but I squared my shoulders and refused to let her see it. "I don’t have to justify myself to you, Ashley," I said firmly. "And for the record, I didn’t ’take’ anything. Kane is my mate. Whether you like it or not, that’s the truth. Maybe it’s ti you accept it and move on."
That did it. Her face turned an alarming shade of red, and she actually stomped her foot like a petulant child. "Move on?" she repeated, her voice shrill. "You think I’m just going to step aside and let you ruin everything? Kane deserves better than soone like you!"
I took a deep breath, trying to keep my temper in check. "Ashley, I’m not going to argue with you. If you have a problem, take it up with Kane. Now, if you’ll excuse —"
But before I could step back and close the door, she moved forward, blocking my path. "Oh, I’m not done with you yet," she said, her tone icy. "You think you’ve won just because you’re his mate? Let tell you sothing, Elena. Mates can be rejected. Markings can be undone. And if you think Kane won’t eventually see through whatever spell you’ve cast on him, you’re delusional."
Her words hit like a slap, but I refused to show any weakness. Instead, I t her glare head-on, my voice calm but firm. "That’s enough, Ashley. You can say whatever you want about , but Kane made his choice. And it wasn’t you."
Her eyes narrowed, and for a mont, the room was thick with tension. Then, she let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. "You can’t give him what he needs...you’re too innocent, childish, and can’t withstand his raw passion, We’ll see how long that lasts," she muttered, turning on her heel and storming off.
As soon as she was gone, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. My hands were trembling, my heart racing from the confrontation.
What the hell was her problem?
I closed the door, leaning against it for a mont to gather myself. Part of wanted to march straight to Kane and tell him about this, but another part of didn’t want to give Ashley the satisfaction of knowing she’d gotten under my skin.
As Ashley’s words hung in the air, I felt the heat of anger rise to my cheeks, my hands curling into fists at my sides. Who the hell does she think she is? Her voice, dripping with condescension and venom, replayed in my mind like a broken record.
"You can’t give him what he needs...you’re too innocent, childish, and can’t withstand his raw passion," she’d said, her smug smile making want to smack it right off her face.
I let out a frustrated growl, pacing the room as I tried to calm myself. Stupid bitch, I thought, imagining all the ways I could have put her in her place. A well-deserved punch to her arrogant face would’ve been satisfying, but people would’ve probably frowned upon decking soone at the Alpha house.
"She has so nerve," I muttered to myself, my anger bubbling just beneath the surface. "Coming here, spouting all that crap like she knows anything about —or Kane."
My chest tightened as her words replayed in my mind again, this ti hitting a little too close to ho. Too innocent...childish...can’t withstand his raw passion. Was that true? I couldn’t help but second-guess myself. Kane was unlike anyone I’d ever been with—his intensity, his dominance, his raw, unfiltered passion—it was overwhelming sotis, in the best way possible. But what if Ashley was right? What if I wasn’t enough for him?
No, I thought, shaking my head and standing straighter. She’s just trying to get in your head.
Kane had chosen . Not her. No matter what she said, he was mine, and I was his. Her bitterness and jealousy were her problem, not mine. Still, a small part of couldn’t shake the nagging doubt she’d planted.
I sat down on the couch, my hands gripping my knees as I took a deep breath. You’re overthinking this, I told myself. Kane wouldn’t have claid , kissed , and looked at the way he did if I wasn’t enough for him. He was all in, and I needed to trust that.
But damn, Ashley was insufferable.
"I should’ve punched her," I muttered under my breath, imagining the scene. The satisfaction of wiping that smug look off her face would’ve been glorious.
I groaned, flopping back against the cushions and staring at the ceiling. She was lucky I had so self-control, but if she pushed again, all bets were off.
For now, I needed to focus on what mattered—my mate. Ashley could stew in her bitterness all she wanted, but it wouldn’t change the fact that Kane wasn’t coming back for her. Not now. Not ever.
Let her choke on that reality, I thought with a small, satisfied smile.
I made my way back to the study, flopping onto the couch and glaring at the pillow where I’d hidden the novel. The scene I’d been reading before Ashley’s interruption felt like a distant mory now.
Still, as I sat there, my mind wandered back to Kane. His presence, his touch, his possessive kisses—it was enough to make my cheeks flush all over again. Maybe I’ll just start the Chapter over... I thought, picking up the book with a small, defiant smile.
Ashley might be determined to ruin my day, but I wasn’t going to let her win. If Kane was mine, then I was his—and no amount of bitterness or jealousy was going to change that.
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