As I walk home, I look over my shoulder to make sure Kaden isn't following and bringing hell. Then I look ahead to make sure my mother isn't bringing purgatory. I'm trapped between the two.

I pass many bewildered pack members on my way home, but at least they don't know what happened between Kaden and I. Our secret remains protected by my manic grin and Tide Liquid Laundry Detergent.

When I reach my cabin, I find my mother pacing outside. She's like a vulture hanging around for the opportunity to claw into me. There's no way to avoid her. I have to enter the cabin, take a shower, and clock into work.

"Kenna!" she opens her arms when she spots me, as if wanting a hug. Her eyes are sparkling with joy. This is the expression I had expected to see when I got my college acceptance letter. Instead, I got a scowl.

"Hi mom. I'm going to shower and go to work."

"Forget all that! What happened back there with Kaden?" her hand tightens around my bicep, as if she's trying to squeeze liquid gold out of me. Instead, all she does is dirty herself with the detergent.

"What do you mean?" I ask, struggling to enter my slippery keys into the keyhole.

"Don't act stupid, girl. I saw how he grabbed you. How he looked at you! This is exactly what I meant when I told you to secure a powerful male. I have never been prouder of you."

My chest shrinks with pain.

She's proud of this imaginary persona of me— a conniving gold digger, but she's unimpressed by her real daughter. I will never be good enough for my mother; not unless I become a carbon copy of her.

"I need to shower and go to work. Excuse me."

"Kenna, I am not done speaking with you."

"Mom, gossip can wait. I have patients to see." I rush into the bathroom, feeling itchy although I'm not sure if it's from my discomfort with this conversation or from the detergent.

I lock myself in the bathroom, and leave my mother knocking on the door. I scrub hard to erase both Kaden and the detergent off me. There's a sly smirk on my lips as I brush my teeth, remembering Kaden in my mouth, letting him think he got the upper hand before reminding him who he's messing with.

Goddess, I must be suicidal since I keep playing games with this man. Getting involved with him was a terrible idea. He's become a distraction, and I have important things to do. Things that are more important than doing the alpha.

Our dynamic was destructive since day one. As enticing as he is, I know when it's time to call it quits. Our relationship will cause irreparable damage because we're both too hot-headed. Fire burns hotter whenever we're together, and I need to get away before the whole pack burns down.

Distance is the mature thing to do. I'll file the paperwork to be transferred to another pack, have him sign them, and move away.

When I slip out of my bathroom and change, I find my mother in the kitchen. I tip-toe out, masked by the scent of spices, and rush to the clinic.

When I arrive, I look for Chaney and ask for updates.

"What's this I hear about an altercation between you and the alpha?"

Wow, news travels fast. Then again, this is Chaney. She can read your mind before you have the thought. If she had a reality show, The Moon Goddess would probably tune in, popcorn in hand.

"Not much," I shrug. "My mom was just crushing on him, and I tripped over my horror. Kaden helped get me off the ground."

She raises an eyebrow. "Kaden? Since when are you on a first name basis with your boss?"

"Since when are you so far up my ass?"

She elbows me and winks. "Has Kaden been up your ass too?"

"No!" I blurt, and it's technically not a lie. We haven't had anal yet.

No, not 'yet.' Never. I'm leaving this pack — maybe for a few months, for a year, or forever. I'll leave for as long as it takes to wash away what happened between Kaden and I.

I dive into work, and as usual, I nearly drown. Since I started late today, everything was pushed back. I don't finish until ten at night, but I know the day won't end until I print and fill my transfer papers.

Chaney pops her head in my office and chirps, "I'm going home. Goodnight!" She sighs. "Goddess, Kenna. Why do you have the lights off?"

I hiss when she flips the lights on. "Turn it off. It burns!"

She smacks her lips. "Doctor? More like demon. I'd really love to see what happens when you enter a church."

"Probably evaporate," I grumble back.

She laughs as she walks out, and I finish up my report before locking down the clinic. When I arrive home, my mother is nursing a cup of tea in my living room. Her legs are crossed, her pose relaxed, but her eyes predatory.

"Welcome back, daughter. Are you ready to answer my questions?"

I drop my backpack on the table. "I'm sorry to disappoint, but there's nothing between Kaden and I."

She's not having it. She opens her mouth to rebuttal, but I interject. "Look at me. What could he possibly want from a girl like me?"

She scans me from head to toe, and hurts me a second time by considering my words. That's all it took to convince her.

She laughs. "Of course. Silly me."

Damn. The woman whose womb was my first home knows exactly how to gut me.

"Goodnight." I tell her, entering my office and turning on my computer. I print the transfer papers, fill them, and fall asleep right on my office chair.

"Turn it off, Chaney," I groan hours later, only to realize sunlight is streaming into my window and I'm running late for work. I rush through my shower, skip breakfast, and kiss my frowning mother's cheek.

"You shouldn't rush. Ladies don't rush."

Ladies also don't get rammed in the cunt by their bosses, but here I am.

I bid her goodbye, swing my backpack over my shoulder, and head out. It trickles outside, so I hunch over the folders against my chest to protect them.

"It would probably help if you used your backpack, girl."

The scent of cigarette hits me, and then the baritone of that voice. I look up and find a male leaning against a tree. He's shirtless, and his bare feet are covered in mud. Neither the toxic scent of the cigarette's chemicals, the misty air, or the dirt that clings to him can mask his handsomeness.

"Alpha Black," I dip my chin respectfully. "Good morning."

And goodbye, because I'm running late.

I'm not sure what Kaden's brother is doing here. Since he doesn't live in this pack, I've only seen him a handful of times. Last I heard from Chaney's gossip mill, he was banished. He shouldn't be here, but that's none of my business. I've learned to not get involved with men from this family. They're well-hung, but they drive me so crazy I might end up hung from a damn tree.

I rip my eyes away, determined to go on about my way. A slip of paper escapes my folder and flutters toward the mud. With a curse, I go to its rescue.

My fingers reach the paper just as Black's do. I look up at him and realize why he's named Black. It's his eyes. They're the darkest shade of brown I've ever seen.

There's a growl in the distance. Filled with so much entitlement and dominance that the mist in the air clears. The other brother— my true alpha, has arrived.

Kaden dashes toward us. I jump away right as the brothers collide, and the papers I had so desperately tried to protect scatter to the shaken wind.

"No!" I yell. "Stop!"

They don't listen. Why would they? I have no authority; I'm no Luna.