Vanessa’s POV

The walk down the stairs with Daniel was a test of my patience. Every step felt like walking on shattered glass—uncomfortable, prickly, and impossible to ignore. I’d never liked him, and the thought of that stranger flashed again in my mind like a bad nightmare on loop. Kael is not the kind of alpha you mess with. So how in hell did he give that bitch the audacity to flaunt herself in his space like she owned the place?

My fist tightened involuntarily, nails digging into my palm.

When we finally reached the living room, my gaze drifted around until it landed on the large portrait hanging proudly...