KENNA

I quickly scramble away, my skin getting scraped in the dirt below. My swift moves causes the warmth inside me to flow out.

I stand up and fix my clothes, my hands trembling as I struggle to register what Kaden has done. He came inside me, and there's no questioning his fertility. His sperm are probably on a mad dash for my eggs, fully determined to fertilize me and establish the title as the next Alpha.

Kaden senses something is wrong. "Kenna?" he calls for me.

Today has been a long day. Crossing Sylvie made me feel all sorts of discomforts, but it pales in comparison to what I'm feeling right now. I am enraged.

"Are you out of your fucking mind?! What the fuck were you doing?" I yell, my body pulsing with a single wave of heat.

He raises an eyebrow, not phased by me. "Trying for an heir," he replies.

"Trying?" I laugh, and more of his seed is pushed out of me, running down my inner thigh. "Kaden, you know you're easily going to impregnate me."

Werewolf and human women have different reproductive systems. We're fertile for more days, and stand no chance against Alpha sperm.

I have only a few hours to take some drugs to shield my eggs so they can't be touched by Kaden– kind of like a plan B. Still, it's not guaranteed. Once he implants, there is no plan C. I'd have his cub.

He crosses his arms over his chest.

"Don't you dare look like you don't know what you've done," I hiss.

"I'm sorry you're upset, Kenna. Truly. But I can't help but be confused. Did you not just announce to the pack that you agree to be my mate? Or did I hallucinate that when I was high from the feeling of being in your cunt?"

"What the fuck does that have to do with anything?" Goddess, I am volcanic.

Motherhood? I'm not ready for that. I'm barely able to care for myself. A child at this time is out of the question.

"One of the Luna's responsibilities is to carry the Alpha's children. Did you think I wanted my line to die out?"

"Spare me the sarcasm.I can't fucking believe you." I run a hand through my hair. "I'm not ready for that. This is something you communicate about. You can't just pump me full of semen without my consent."

What was supposed to be a few hours of kinky, naughty fun has become a nightmare. Now I'm going to have to spend the next few days paranoid over pregnancy.

Kaden looks genuinely perplexed by this conversation. I kind of understand where he's coming from. The guy is loaded with money and resources. Starting a family is no issue for him, because he can easily provide for it. Maybe he's just more mature than I am, or maybe he's too confident. Whatever the case, I'm not ready. My reputation in the pack is still in tatters. If I become pregnant, they'll figure I did it to trap Kaden.

I look at my thighs helplessly. They're glistening with his seed, like endless roots stemming from my core.

Kaden sighs and picks up his shirt. He falls to his knees, and gently wipes between my legs until I'm clean.

I sniffle, overwhelmed with emotion. My vulnerability is almost embarrassing. The only intense emotion I usually show around Kaden is anger.

He sweeps me into his embrace after straightening my clothes, and carefully carries me to his home. He sets me down in the bedroom, and I b-line for the bathroom. I spend some time in there, processing the day. More time passes than I expected. When I finally step out, I find a glass of water and a blue tablet on the nightstand. It's the pill that will protect me from pregnancy.

Kaden got it for me. I appreciate him for trying to atone for his assumptions, and respecting my wishes. I pick it up and look at it from all angles, before throwing it back.

Then, I slip under the covers and hug myself tight. I drift off, only stirring when Kaden pulls me into my embrace. I go right back to sleep. The drugs make me sleep heavily.

In the morning, the air hangs thick. Kaden slipped out while I was unconscious and made breakfast. When I find him in the kitchen, I give him a weak smile and silently grab a plate.

He walks up behind me, wraps his arms around me, and presses a kiss to the back of my hair. My heart throbs.

He releases me and sits on the table. When I join him and start digging in, he asks, "Why are you eating so fast?"

"I'm late for work." I reply through a mouthful of eggs.

"Kenna, if you think I'm going to let you work after yesterday's shock, then you're sorely mistaken." His tone is cold, authoritative.

I set the fork down, and calmly reply, "don't talk to me like that. I get it, you're my alpha, but if we are to become mates, you need to see me as an equal."

His jaw sets. "Why is it so hard for you to let me take care of you? Always blocking me out. Let me do my job."

Feeling defensive, I reply, "yeah, because you're so good at that, aren't you? Letting the pack drag me through the mud, and potentially putting a baby in me without my consent." I slam a hand on the table, emotions surging, and I walk away.

"Kenna!" he roars behind me.

I speed out the front door. Maybe this was a mistake. Maybe I should have kissed Sylvie's feet, after all. Kaden and I are toxic, and no amount of sweet kisses or thoughtful gestures like making me breakfast will fix that. Day in and day out, we argue.

I push the door aside and cross the threshold just in time to slam into a male holding two bags of groceries. He stays solid, but I easily go down. A hand wraps around my elbow, keeping me up, and I watch the delivery man get kicked down the steps until he lands on his back many feet away, groceries scattered everywhere.

Sensing violence, I stand on my feet and push my back against Kaden's chest to block him inside the house.

"Go!" I yell at the delivery man, who doesn't need to be told twice.

I hesitate with Kaden, who is trying to be gentle with me, but wants to chase his prey. After the man is far enough, I yell. "Stop it!"

He stops hesitating, but his hold is still tight around my upper arm and my belly.

What the fuck was that? How does a peaceful morning turn sour so quickly? Sweet Goddess, this will never work. The only thing we'll ever be good at is fucking. Communication is impossible.

I think I made the wrong choice.