Alpha's Dark Desires
Chapter 79: Her Ex

Chapter 79: Her Ex

Kane POV

So, the idea of coming home for lunch wasn’t as bad as I thought. She had made lasagna. And had she kept some for thinking of me? I wish. But still, she offered to serve me, and that was enough to make my wolf settle a little.

I followed her into the kitchen, watching as she moved with that quiet confidence, her fingers deftly setting the plate and popping it into the microwave. I leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, trying to look cool when, in reality, my heart was thudding louder than it had any right to.

As I stood there, I couldn’t help but send a silent thanks to the Moon Goddess. Truly, I owed her for touching Elena’s heart and giving me this chance—giving us this chance.

Because, honestly, who would’ve thought?

Who would’ve imagined that the same mate who once looked at every escape route to get away from me was now here, warming up food, acting like it was the most natural thing in the world?

She glanced over her shoulder, her lips twitching with the hint of a smile. "You don’t have to just stand there, you know. The table’s not going to bite you."

I grinned, shaking my head. "I’m good here. Watching you cook is the highlight of my day."

She snorted, rolling her eyes, but I caught the faint blush on her cheeks. It was those little things that drove me crazy—the way she’d let her guard down for just a second, giving me a glimpse of the woman behind all the walls she’d built.

When the microwave beeped, she turned, plate in hand, and set it on the counter. "Here you go," she said, sliding it toward me.

I stepped forward, my fingers brushing hers as I took the plate. Sparks. That ever-present bond between us. It didn’t matter how many times it happened; it always left me a little breathless.

"Thank you," I said softly, holding her gaze.

She nodded, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear before busying herself with wiping down the already clean counter. "It’s just lasagna. Don’t get all sentimental on me."

I chuckled, taking a bite. The flavors exploded on my tongue, rich and perfect. "Just lasagna?" I teased. "This is amazing. Way better than what I would’ve whipped up."

Her lips curved into a small, satisfied smile, though she tried to hide it. "Well, at least one of us can cook."

I couldn’t stop the laughter that escaped me, the sound filling the kitchen. And for a moment, everything felt... right. No pack politics, no lingering doubts or fears—just her and me, sharing a meal and a moment that felt like the start of something real.

Who would’ve thought? My runaway mate was finally here with me, and I was never letting her go.

Just when I thought things were finally getting better—when the bond between Elena and me seemed to be growing, however slowly, and the future didn’t look so bleak—there was a knock on the front door.

Elena immediately offered to check who it was. "I’ll get it," she said, wiping her hands on a towel and heading toward the door without waiting for me to respond.

At first, I didn’t think much of it. My mind was still preoccupied with how natural it had felt to share this time with her. The sound of her laughter earlier, the softness in her eyes—it had been more than I could’ve hoped for.

But as the minutes ticked by and she didn’t return, unease began to settle in my chest.

I stayed seated for a moment, convincing myself she’d simply been caught in some neighborly conversation or a mundane delivery. But then my wolf stirred.

And then I caught it.

A scent.

It hit me like a punch to the gut—sharp, foreign, and unmistakable. A wolf. But not one of mine. Not a single member of my pack carried that scent, and whoever it was, they weren’t supposed to be here.

My instincts kicked in. My wolf bristled, his growl reverberating in my chest, and I was already halfway to the door before I even realized I’d stood.

"Elena?" I called out, but there was no answer.

Stepping into the living area, the scene unfolded before me.

Elena stood at the door, her posture tense, one hand gripping the edge of the frame as if she were keeping herself grounded. Standing across from her, just outside the threshold, was a man—a wolf. His face was pale, his hands raised slightly in what I recognized as a pleading gesture.

The moment I stepped into the room, his gaze flicked to me, and I saw the color drain from his face.

He knew.

He’d scented me the moment I arrived.

And by the look on his face, he’d been hoping I wouldn’t.

"Who the hell are you?" My voice was low, laced with a growl that I didn’t bother suppressing. My wolf was on edge, pacing within me, eager to pounce on this intruder who dared to enter my territory uninvited.

The man opened his mouth to speak, but the words seemed to stick in his throat. His fear was obvious, and it fueled my anger even more.

Elena turned to me then, her expression conflicted, her lips parting as if she were about to explain—but the hesitation in her eyes set me on edge.

"Elena?" I said, my voice a little sharper now.

She swallowed hard, glancing between me and the man before finally murmuring, "He’s... he’s my ex."

Her words hit me like a blow to the chest.

"What?" I barked, unable to hide the incredulity—and fury—in my tone. My wolf snarled, loud and clear in my mind, and I took a step closer to them, my fists clenching at my sides.

Elena flinched slightly, but the man—her ex—stayed frozen in place, his fear radiating off him in waves.

"Let me get this straight," I said, my voice cold as ice. "You—" I pointed a finger at him, "—are her ex, and you thought it was a good idea to just waltz into my territory without permission?"

He stammered, his words tripping over each other as he tried to explain. "I... I didn’t mean to... I didn’t know—"

"Didn’t know what?" I snapped, cutting him off. "That you’d be trespassing? That you’d be facing me if you came anywhere near her?"

"Kane—" Elena’s voice was soft, but I could hear the tension in it.

I turned to her, my jaw tight. "You know him?"

She nodded, her eyes flicking to the floor. "Yes. Like I said... he’s my ex. We... it’s complicated."

Complicated? That was the last thing I wanted to hear right now.

I took a deep breath, trying to reign in my wolf, who was practically clawing at my skin to be let loose. "Elena," I said, my voice quieter but no less firm, "what is he doing here?"

She hesitated for a moment, then said, "He just showed up. I didn’t invite him, Kane. I swear."

That was enough to calm me—slightly. I could tell she was telling the truth, but that didn’t explain why this guy thought he had the right to come here in the first place.

"Why are you here?" I demanded, turning back to him.

He shifted uncomfortably, his gaze darting between me and Elena. "I just... I needed to see her. I didn’t mean any harm."

I narrowed my eyes at him, my wolf growling low in my chest. "You needed to see her?" I repeated, my tone dripping with sarcasm. "You needed to see my mate?"

He winced at the word, and I could tell he hadn’t expected to hear it.

Elena stepped between us then, her hands raised slightly as if to keep us from tearing into each other. "Kane, please," she said softly. "Let me handle this."

I stared at her, my chest heaving with barely contained anger. The last thing I wanted to do was let her deal with this alone, but the pleading look in her eyes made me hesitate.

"Fine," I said through gritted teeth. "But I’m not going far."

I stepped back, giving her space but keeping my eyes locked on her ex. If he so much as looked at her the wrong way, he’d regret it.

Elena turned to him, her voice low and steady as she spoke. "What do you want, Derick?"

So, that was his name. Derick It didn’t matter. All I saw was an intruder.

"I just..." Derick hesitated, glancing nervously at me before continuing. "I wanted to talk. To explain. To apologize."

Elena crossed her arms over her chest, her expression hardening. "There’s nothing to apologize for. Whatever we had is over, Derick. It’s been over for a long time."

"But—"

"No," she said firmly, cutting him off. "You don’t get to come here and disrupt my life. I’ve moved on."

Her words sent a surge of satisfaction through me, but I kept my face neutral, watching the interaction carefully.

Derick looked like he wanted to argue, but the weight of her words—and my presence—seemed to crush whatever hope he had.

"I’m sorry," he muttered, his shoulders slumping. "I’ll go."

"Good idea," I said coldly, stepping closer. "And don’t let me catch you anywhere near her—or my pack—again."