I'm definitely going to wear a high slit dress.

As I stare at my closet, I realize there I have no other option. The only party dresses I own are my highschool prom dress which I grew out of approximately three hundred burritos and five hundred tacos ago, and one I purchased for a cousin's bachelorette party.

As luck would have it, the only dress that fits me is the one with a high slit. It's black with a modest neckline, but criss-crosses at the back to reveal my skin. The black cloth sparkles. It's meant to make me look elusive in the night, but not unforgettable. I bought the dress because it gave a balanced amount of attention, but I know once Kaden sees me, he'll stare as if I'm naked.

His lips licking, fists clenching, eyes narrowing, nostrils flaring. This is how he is. He doesn't care much for concealing his attraction.

I groan. I knew that I should have checked my closet for a dress earlier. Is this the work of the Moon Goddess? She must ship Kaden and me, because I can't seem to shake the overbearing man off.

He'll be here in less than an hour, and I have nothing else to wear. My only option is to call Cheysa and ask to borrow something, but then I would have to explain why I'm going to his high-profile party with Kaden.

She would raise an eyebrow and call my decision to transfer packs bullshit. Then she would demand that I keep tabs on all the Alphas and come back with gossip.

I slide on the dress. I fill it out better than last time. My hands aren't as I attempt to brush my lashes with mascara, and my red lipstick ends up staining my teeth.

My hair is spun into a bun. This is as fancy as I can possibly get. I'll turn heads tonight, but only because I look like I don't fit in. Alphas, lunas, betas, and all other high-pack members have the features of gods. They're almost ethereal. Me, though? I would probably be confused as a servant.

There's a knock at my door. Kaden is here, but why is he at my front door? I instructed him to come through my backdoor, where he's less likely to be seen.

I'm quick to open the door, grab him by his tuxedo, and tug him inside.

"Kaden!" I hiss after slamming the door behind us.

"Goddess," he blurts.

"What?" I reply, fighting the blush that's warming my cheeks because he's looking at me like I'm precious.

"I said you look like a Goddess. Goddamn, Kenna. Are you trying to get me stripped from my Alpha title because of the unholy things I'll do to you?"

My heart is racing, and my skin is goose bumping. Just like he warned, my flesh is reminiscing his touch.

"Stop being ridiculous," I try to pull a wall between us, desperate to escape his affection.

He jumps forward, gripping my hips and tugging me into his embrace. His nose skims my jawline, inhaling me— my lust, nervousness, curiosity, vulnerability.

"Kaden..." I whisper.

"Yeah, yeah. Just give me a second."

I cling to his biceps as he squeezes me tight and keeps inhaling me.

After a minute, he releases me.

"Let's go. The limousine is on the main road."

"You planned this," I accuse. "The plan was for us to not be noticed."

He shrugs. "I don't need to hide on my own land." He takes my hand and leads me outside. I keep my head low to shield my face as I try to walk straight on my heels. I have to say, this is harder than I remember. My ankle might end up broken this time.

"Do you need me to carry you?" Kaden offers.

It's a tempting thought.

"Don't get any ideas, Alpha."

I walk— wobble, beside him. Although my eyes are cast low, I sneak peeks at him. The man eats up the world in his three-piece tuxedo. His handsomeness is the bane of my existence, because it makes my attraction to him that much binding. I try to look away, but I'm roped back by his blinding smile, shoulders that beg to be climbed, and hair that tempts to be touched.

We pass three pack members, and I lower my chin until it touches my breastbone, desperate to not be recognized.

Kaden gets the door of the limousine, and I practically jump inside. The windows are tinted in here, so I'm able to relax a bit.

"I have to take this call. Excuse me."

During most of the drive, Kaden speaks business on the phone while I try to meditate. I ask the Goddess to give me the strength to avoid my craziness.

We drive out of state, and I realize a car follows behind— security, it seems. Kaden never looks over his shoulder, probably because he's used to this procedure when he's dealing with foreign affairs. As one of the four Alphas in the nation, there are many parties interested in him. Most of them are werewolves since there are only a few dozen humans on this side of the nation; the territories being owned by the Alphas.

I break the silence in the car when my train of thought shifts back to me.

"Shit. I forgot my purse."

"What do you need a purse for?"

"I had makeup in there. What if I needed to freshen up?

"You're beautiful," he counters.

"What if there's an emergency? I have no cash."

He laughs at this. "Do you seriously think you'll need money when you're with me?"

"Wow. They should rename you as The Alpha of Humility."

We arrive at the neighboring Alpha's territory— Alpha Darian. There's a ridiculously luxurious cabin before us, but I don't care much about the place. It's the people that interest me.

Outside, there are over ten parked cars and many servants. Kaden steps out of the car first, and I follow, trying to keep my skirts from parting too widely.

"Kaden!" An Alpha steps out and waits by the entrance.

I recognize his status because of his scent and size. He's a little older than Kaden— mid thirties, perhaps. But he's an Alpha nonetheless.

I feel incredibly uncomfortable to face another one of Kaden's kind. Kaden is unbearable, and now he seems to be multiplying.

Kaden leads the way to the entrance and shakes hand with the other man.

"Congratulations, Darian. I can't believe you trapped a woman to become your mate. It took you long enough."

"I didn't have to hold a gun to her head." Darian's eyes find mine. "What about you, miss? Blink if he's holding you hostage."

I blink twice just to humor him, and he laughs. "Don't be rude, Kaden. Introduce me to the beautiful lady."

"Slow your roll, friend," Kaden grumbles. "Need I remind you that you just got mated? Don't make me make a widow out of your luna."

"You're jealous!" Darian laughs and looks behind him. "Hey, boys, get a load of this!" he yells at the other Alphas inside. "Kaden is jealous!"

"He'll be the next one to fall. Throw your bouquet at him, Darian!" someone replies.

Oh, boy. This is going to be an interesting night.

I meet two other alphas, betas, lunas, and Darian's family members. It's hard to keep track of all the names, so I focus on not making a fool of myself.

"So, doctor, do you think you can cure Kaden's grumpiness?" Darian asks.

I sip my wine and reply, "I'd have a better shot at curing cancer."

Kaden grunts, while Darian and his luna holler. I'm glad the new mates are having fun.

"Kenna and Kaden. That has a cute ring to it."

So I keep getting told.

"What can I say?" Kaden slips an arm around my waist. "I'm a man that appreciates alliteration."

And driving me to insanity.

The night is pleasant. The other Alphas don't make my feelings go haywire like Kaden does. They're so cool I have no interest in assaulting any one of them.

"There he is," Kaden whispers. "Beta Aiguo."

I look toward where he gestures and spot a drunk man. He must be the beta of interest. The one related to Milton.

Aiguo makes eye contact with Kaden, and seems to sober up for a second.

Kaden leads the way. When he stops, he stays in front of me, only allowing Aiguo to get a glimpse of me. He had been beside me the whole night, laid-back and observant. Now, his guard is up.

"Hello, Alpha Kaden," Aiguo greets, offering his hand and a strong whiff of alcohol.

"Aiguo. What a pleasant surprise. I hope you got your business in order when you were in my territory last month. Was my beta able to help you with the contracts?"

Aiguo replies instantly. "Yes. Thank you again for allowing my safe passage. I—" he hiccups. "Excuse me. I need to stop by the bathroom." He leaves with a nod, and Kaden's eyes follow.

"He's lying."

"What makes you say so?" I ask.

"He never met my beta, because he was on vacation when Aiguo visited."

We got him. We caught him in a lie. This proves Aiguo was up to something that has nothing to do with the contracts he was allegedly working on.

"What's the next step?"

"I'm going to bug him. I'll have to speak with Alpha Ellis. It will be a difficult conversation, but it will happen."

I sigh. "Thank you for going to these lengths. Is there anything I can do to help?"

Kaden stares at me for a second, the lights making his eyes brighter, highlighting his mischievousness.

"Dance with me?"

"No one's dancing," I counter, embarrassed by the very idea. "They would stare."

And Goddess knows I've heard enough comments about how cute we are.

"At the balcony, then. Come." Kaden insists.

I sigh and take the hand he offers. We find ourselves in the balcony with the cool evening wind urging me closer to him.

We can't hear the music very well from this distance, so there's not much to sway to. Still, Kaden spans an arm around my waist. The other cups my hand.

I keep my eyes locked on his Adam's apple as I sway. This is too intimate, too dangerous. I if look up, I'll catch fire. And there won't be enough water in Ocean Pack to put the flames out.

I feel something on my thigh, and I realize it's him. Kaden is skimming his fingers up the slit of my dress.

"Kaden," I grit out.

We're out in the open, where the most important people in the world can see us. Kaden's back is facing the room, but they know I'm here with him. The Moon Goddess above has a clear sight of us, too.

"Hmm?" He reaches further, as if not concerned.

"We can't do this here." I whisper, gently taking his hand to not make a scene.

"Why not?"

"The Alphas..."

"They won't find out." He pushes further, hooking his fingers to the left to touch my soiled panties.

"I'll take care of you in every way. I've been waiting all fucking night for this. Having to watch you laugh, looking so beautiful, sparkling in that dress like a goddamn prize I can't have. You're a temptation I can't get enough of." He pushes my panties aside, and touches where I burn the hottest.

My eyes widen. "They'll smell me. I..."

"You what?" he asks, kissing my cheek as he slips a thick finger into my dripping, hot pussy that sparkles with slick, just like my dress.

"I'm so wet," I whisper.

He pumps his finger in and out while kissing my neck. Am I still swaying to the faint music? I don't know. I'm distracted by the intensity of it all.

This is so wrong, so dangerous, but all I want to do is sit on his finger, giving him all of my weight, until the entire digit disappears inside of me.