Kane's POV
The Cullen house stood like a glass castle in the woods tall, elegant, and trying too hard to look unbothered by the storm on its doorstep.
Kane took his time walking up the steps.
He didn't knock.
The door opened before his fist even raised.
Carla stood on the other side, as composed as ever, but there was a flicker of something else in her eyes. Anticipation. Amusement. Maybe a test.
"You came," she said.
"You invited."
She smiled, stepping aside. "Welcome to our home."
Kane walked in, his boots thudding softly against hardwood floors that probably hadn't seen real dirt in decades. Everything was spotless. Polished. Controlled.
Too perfect.
Too fragile.
He liked it.
The room was full.
Edith leaned against the far wall, arms crossed, unreadable.
Emily stood near the fireplace, flicking her eyes toward him with faint, careful interest.
Jasmine was perched on the stairwell, pretending to be indifferent but her knuckles were white against the railing.
Esme sat in one of the armchairs, a polite, curious expression on her face like he was a guest, not a threat.
Alice was on the other end of the couch, spine straight, lips pressed together, trying not to smile.
And Rosalie—
Rosalie sat at the table, golden eyes like wildfire, jaw tight. Kane could feel her anger before she even looked at him.
He met her stare without hesitation.
She didn't look away.
"Where's your shirt?" Alice asked, suddenly, eyes flicking down his chest.
Kane glanced at her, then smirked. "Got tired of it."
"I can see that," Emily murmured under her breath.
Carla cleared her throat with delicate power. "Kane, please. Sit."
He moved without hesitation, taking the empty chair at the head of the long table Rosalie to his right, Edith to his left.
The power in the room shifted.
Carla sat at the other end, folding her hands. "We appreciate you coming."
Kane's gaze swept across the table. "Let's not pretend this is about appreciation."
Rosalie scoffed. "You think we owe you honesty?"
"No," Kane said simply. "I think you're here because you're curious. All of you."
That struck a chord.
Alice looked away.
Jasmine tensed.
Edith narrowed her eyes. "You're observant."
Kane smiled. "I pay attention when I walk into a den of lions."
Emily raised an eyebrow. "You think we're predators?"
"No," Kane said, leaning back casually. "I think you're territorial."
Rosalie's chair scraped lightly as she shifted. "Don't mistake curiosity for acceptance."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Kane said smoothly.
The room was thick with tension but it wasn't hostile. Not really.
It was electric.
"So," Alice said, breaking the silence, "why did you come?"
Kane glanced at her, then toward Carla. "Because I was invited."
"That's it?" Rosalie asked.
"No," Kane replied. "Also because I knew it would piss you off."
Rosalie's golden eyes burned. "You're playing a dangerous game."
Kane leaned in just slightly, voice low and confident. "I am the game."
A beat of silence.
Then Esme let out the softest, startled laugh.
And just like that, the edge cracked.
Emily snorted under her breath.
Even Edith looked faintly amused.
But Rosalie?
She didn't laugh.
She stared at him like she was seconds from either walking out or pulling him closer.
Carla finally stood. "We don't need to force anything tonight. Let's eat. Talk. Watch how this plays out."
Kane's smirk returned. "Sounds like fun."
And as the Cullen family began to move around the room, distracted by small talk and unspoken tensions, Kane caught Alice watching him from the corner of her eye.
Curious.
Tempted.
And just a little unsteady.
Rosalie didn't speak again.
But Kane could feel the storm building in her silence.
And he welcomed it.