A frown cracks between my brows. "It's simple. You let me explore the woods without sending an army after me, and let me get sunburnt."

I cross an arm over my chest to cover my breasts. My free hand cradles my sex.

Kaden picks up a flashlight and flicks it on. He looks unimpressed. "Kenna, I've seen you eagle-spread when you were your back. The memory is burned into my mind."

"It has been over a month. Not everything looks the same," I counter.

"Are you pouting?"

"No. I'm walking away now."

With my assets tightly clutched in my hands, I waddle away.

Kaden chuckles behind me, undoubtedly studying my bare ass. "Cute."

I speed up. This was supposed to be a relaxing, refreshing run. I get so lost in thought that before I know it, and before Kaden can reach me, I slide on the mud.

There's a wet splash when I land, followed by my loud, "fuck!'

I know I've sprained my ankle without looking at it.

Kaden is there in a flash. He falls to his knees beside me, touching my thigh and trying to get a look at the damage.

"It's alright," I hiss, the pain searing. "It will heal."

"Did you break the bone?" he demands, being careful not to touch my ankle.

"Thank you, but I've got it."

For the next minute, I make sure nothing is broken. There are plenty of twigs I can use as a splinter, but I have nothing to tie it in place since I have no clothing with me.

Kaden can see my mind running.

"Let me help, Kenna. Let me in."

I chuckle bitterly. "Letting you in me is what got us into this trouble in the first place."

"I'm not talking about your cunt. I've conquered that already."

"So witty with your words. Aren't you, Kaden?"

I try shifting my weight. Getting on my feet will be a painful feat.

Kaden tires of watching me struggle and palms my bicep gently. "Let me help you," he pushes. "It's my duty."

"Don't worry. You're not responsible for me just because you're my Alpha."

"I'm responsible for you because I'm your man."

My expression cracks open, and vulnerability leaks out. No matter how stubborn I am, I'm still a red-blooded woman with instincts and desires that couldn't care less about my goals. I can't stop my heart from stuttering in response to Kaden's words.

He knows how to slam me down to my knees without making it hurt.

He breaks eye contact first. He passes me the flashlight and carefully sweeps me onto his back. I'm secured by the large palms under my thighs.

He knows how to make me feel weightless.

I clear my throat, trying to regain control of my frazzled senses. "Don't say that. Someone might hear you. Did you forget that I'm leaving the pack?"

"Then leave, but no distance will change what's between us."

My heart pulses along with my wounded ankle. "You allowed me to transfer packs," I remind him. "You signed the paperwork."

"Yes," he concedes. "But I never agreed to let you go. I'll haunt your dreams until you come back willingly. Every time you feel goosebumps, it will be your flesh reminiscing my touch."

I resort to anger. Anger will help me escape my attraction to him.

"Kaden, you crazy—"

With stealth only he could master, he transfers me from his back to his front without hurting my ankle. I'm straddling him now, glaring at his amused expression.

He palms the back of my head and tucks my face into the crook of his neck. "There. Calm down before you worsen your injury."

I nip his flesh threateningly, unable to help myself.

"Don't play like that, Kenna. You might start something dangerous."

He's right. Although he's probably worried about an accidental marking, I'm thinking about 'accidentally' ripping his throat out. We wouldn't want that, would we?

He walks with a steady pace, not wanting to disturb my ankle. I try to focus on the lingering mist in the air, the sounds of animals returning to the disturbed woods, the crunch of leaves. It's futile. Kaden is too warm, too close.

The pain in my ankle subsides with time. Two hours in, he still hasn't broken a sweat, but I'm ready to carry my weight. If we both shift, we would return to the pack much faster.

"Kaden?"

"Hmm?

"Can you set me down, please? I can walk now."

He hoists me higher in his embrace. "No, stay there. I'm cold. You wouldn't want your alpha to get sick. Right, doctor?"

I drop my forehead onto his shoulder. This man will be the end of me.

"Are you hungry?" he asks.

"No."

"Let me know. I'll hunt something." He insists, his drive to provide urging him on.

Five minutes later, he presents the same question. I begrudgingly admit that his concern is... cute.

It's late in the morning when we finally break out of the woods and arrive in my backyard. Kaden sets me down, and my hands return to cup my breasts and sex.

Kaden looks at his abdomen. I don't look down there, because I know what awaits.

"Why are my abs covered in wetness?" he asks.

"Because it was raining," I blurt.

"And what's the smell in the air?"

I'll admit that our constant rubbing slightly aroused me, but I had prayed to the Moon Goddess he didn't notice.

I raise my head— my mother's signature look. "Goodnight. Thank you for your help."

"Wait. There's something I needed to discuss. It's about Milton."

My attention perks. "Yeah?"

"I discovered that Milton is the cousin of a beta, who was in town for business three days before Anja's death. It could be a coincidence, or it could all be connected. There's a celebration for Chosen mates next week. Most alphas and betas will be there, and this would be an opportunity to investigate the beta."

I nod eagerly. "That sounds like a great idea."

"There's a catch. I need a plus one."

"And..." I blink. "You want me?"

He nods, and I'm instantly alarmed by the idea.

"I don't think we should be together in a room full of other alphas and betas. I seem to be allergic to your kind and will probably try to fight three alphas at a time."

He chuckles.

"I'm serious, Kaden. You and I are bound to bicker. You should take Sylvie. Focus on kindling a relationship with her. She seems like a nice girl; a good fit for you."

I won't lie, the words nearly knock my teeth out.

"You're promoting another woman over you? How do you get weirder with every encounter we have?"

"Hey, I—"

"I flip through dozens of reports daily, drone through hours of phone calls, and speak with so many people daily that I can hardly remember my name by the end of the day. Do you really think I need a timid woman by my side? I need adventure, Kenna. I'm a beast by nature."

Damn it, he is so poetic and handsome he could bring Shakespeare to his knees.

If I agree to the investigation, we will become further entwined. My deadline to transfer packs is two months away. I really shouldn't get involved in this.

"Fine." I cave for Anja. Her death must be investigated.

Kaden smirks. "Good. By the way, wear a high-slit dress."

"Why?"

"Easy access. I want to finger you on the balcony."

"You— you," I sputter. "I will definitely not do that!"