The Visit to Kans' place or somewhere
Nova sat stiffly on the edge of the plush couch, her tea untouched in her hands. The living room of Kane's house looked like it belonged in a royal catalogue—gleaming marble floors, antique chandeliers, and velvet furniture arranged with perfect symmetry. But it wasn't the luxury that unsettled her. It was the smiles. The too many smiles.
His mother, Veronica, hadn't stopped beaming since Nova walked in.
"I hope you like lemon cake," Veronica chirped as she placed a silver tray on the glass table. "Kane mentioned it was your favorite."
"I… never told him that," Nova said, brows furrowing.
Veronica simply laughed. "Oh, dear. He must've sensed it, then."
Beside her, Ethan coughed quietly, his sharp eyes narrowing just a bit. Ryder sat with arms crossed, scanning the room like he expected a secret door to open at any moment. Max looked unusually silent. Even Darian, the always-detached one, kept shifting his gaze between the family and Kane with quiet distrust.
Kane sat across from Nova, too relaxed. He hadn't taken his eyes off her once.
"You alright?" he asked smoothly. "You look like you'd rather be anywhere else."
"I'm fine," Nova said, too quickly.
She wasn't. Everything felt off. Kane's parents—especially his mother—were treating her like someone they already knew. As if she were already part of the family. Like this wasn't just a first visit, but a test she'd already passed.
"We're so happy you're here," Veronica said again, clasping her hands. "You bring such… balance."
Nova forced a smile, confused. "Thanks… I guess?"
Veronica leaned forward slightly, her gaze intense. "You'll understand everything soon, dear."
Nova blinked. "Understand what?"
Before the woman could answer, Kane cut in smoothly, "Mom, enough. You're overwhelming her."
His tone was light, but his eyes were sharp—commanding, even. Veronica immediately backed off with an apologetic smile, as if she'd forgotten herself.
Ryder muttered low enough that only Nova and her brothers heard, "What the hell kind of Stepford wife moment was that?"
"I don't like this," Ethan whispered near Nova's ear. "Something's wrong. Really wrong."
Darian, standing by the doorway, spoke for the first time. "Kane's not what he pretends to be."
Nova glanced at him. "You think he's fake?"
"I think he's hiding something big."
At that exact moment, Zane burst into the room, laughing with a group of older teens—Kane's siblings, probably. They all looked… similar. Strong. Tall. Eyes a little too sharp. Movements a little too smooth. Almost animalistic.
One of them, a guy with deep-set eyes and a sharp jawline, clapped Kane on the back and said, "Is this her?"
Kane gave a warning glance, but the guy just grinned. "Relax, Alpha. I won't ruin the surprise."
Nova's blood froze.
Alpha?
Her brothers exchanged looks, every muscle suddenly tense.
Nova swallowed hard and stood up. "I think we should go."
Kane rose too. "So soon?"
Ethan stepped between them smoothly. "Yeah. Family stuff."
Kane's expression didn't change, but his jaw flexed. He walked them to the door in silence.
Just as Nova stepped outside, Kane leaned in and said softly, "You feel it too. You just don't understand it yet."
Nova looked up, eyes narrowing. "Feel what?"
His smile was calm. "You'll know soon enough."
As the door closed behind them, Nova didn't look back—but her heart was pounding.
Max finally broke the silence as they reached the car. "Okay. That was creepy, right? Not just me?"
Ethan looked at Nova. "You're not going near him again. Not alone."
Ryder nodded. "We need to find out what he is."
Darian's voice was cold. "He's not human."
Nova didn't answer. Because deep down, a small part of her—one she wanted to ignore—agreed.
Something inside her had shifted the moment Kane touched her hand.
Something ancient. Something waiting.