KENNA

Kaden looks confused at first, but then his hands come down on my wrists. "This is not the time for this, Kenna." He pushes my hands away, gently. Then, he takes a step away and returns his gaze to the window. He's easily distracted by his thoughts, and that's understandable, but I'm left with an odd feeling lodged in my throat. Disappointment? Surprise?

It's rare for Kaden to deny sex, if ever. It's a firm foundation for our relationship; the very reason we got together. I got so comfortable with our desire that I never imagined he would reject me. He has every right to do so, but it caught me off guard.

I clear my throat and take a seat. Why am I not shrugging this off? There are more important matters to tend to.

Nothing happens for an hour, other than Kaden pacing. But then I hear the distinct sound of helicopters. Our backup is here.

"Ready?" Kaden comes to my side and takes my hand.

By now, I changed into some clothes I found and write a note to the homeowner that I'm thankful for his help and will ensure that he gets compensated.

One helicopter parks awry on the grass, while the other hovers in the sky.

Alpha Sillas rushes toward us with another wolf in his tracks. He stops by the helicopter, his head low as if he's irritated by the sound of the spinning blades. He must be here to oversee our safe departure.

Kaden runs out of the house with his hand in mine. I spot Chaney instantly. She's standing by, hands gloved and ready to provide medical assistance if needed.

Kaden ensures I enter first, and then he's behind me. He doesn't get a second foot in before the sound of gunshots attack.

Kaden shoves me inside, practically tackling me into the helicopter, and the vehicle tilts as it rises into the sky. There's a loud cry, and then a thud. I squirm violently when I realize Chaney has fallen out.

The second helicopter jumps into attack maneuvers, shooting its own ammunition at the threat, as we fly away.

"Chaney!"

A pack member slides the door shut. We're way too high at this point, and falling out would be deadly. I look out of the window desperately, and watch her run away with Alpha Sillas and his pack member. She seems uninjured, but I won't be at ease until I hear from her.

I quickly lose sight of her, and panic sets in.

"We have to go back. We need to turn around for her," I beg Kaden.

He kisses my temple, hugging me tight. "I'll call Sillas shortly to ensure she's safe."

He waits twenty minutes, giving them time to settle. It feels like the longest twenty minutes of my life. Then, he punches the numbers in, and has to yell into the phone because of the sound of the blades.

When he looks at me and nods, relief slams into me.

"Is she injured?" I yell.

He shakes his head, telling me that she's fine. I silently thank the Moon Goddess. Now, I have to worry about Alpha Sillas, because he has to deal with my crazy best friend.

We land on our territory, and Kaden takes my hand and pulls me inside like we're still being bombarded by bullets. He checks me over, grasping me by the shoulders and turning me to check for injuries.

He's unnerved; it's rare seeing him like this, and I don't like it.

After I repeatedly confirm that I'm fine, he's all business. He jumps on phone calls left and right. I go to the bedroom and handle my own business, calling the clinic and ordering a fresh wave of supplies in case we need them after an attack.

I don't have nearly as much work as Kaden does, but it makes me feel good to get at least a distraction from everything that happened, and let me feel like I contributed. I even called Chaney, who is fine, and thanked me for 'shoving me out the helicopter'-- which I certainly didn't do. She's grateful because she got to meet Sillas, who she's hot and ready for. I warned her that Alphas are difficult to deal with, and her response was that she was just enjoying the view because she wouldn't dare approach him.

Something tells me Sillas won't be able to stay away. There's an endearing charm to Chaney.

That evening, things are calmer. Kaden went on a patrol run. I now sit on the bed, finishing a book. Things won't be normal for a long time, as the environment is tense, but we'll take it one day at a time.

I think of what happened earlier today, and can't help but cringe that I thought sex was appropriate at such a stressful time. Not only that, but we were in a stranger's house. I was being inconsiderate and shouldn't have gotten upset that Kaden said no.

Needing more to de-stress, I set my book aside and reach between my legs. My free forearm is tossed over my eyes as I pleasure myself. The joy is building and my legs are dragging on the sheets. Everything comes to a gasping halt when the bedroom door opens and Kaden enters.

"Need help?" he raises an eyebrow.

Still embarrassed about what happened earlier today, I pull my sheets over my lap. "Sorry. I didn't think you would be back so soon."

He shrugs. "It's alright." Then, he comes closer, standing in front of the bed, dominating me my simply hovering.

I stand up to level our height and pull my shorts up my legs.

"Babe." He grabs my hips. "Let me finish you off."

"It's alright, Kaden." I smile at him. "Maybe in a few days when things are calmer."

"But you clearly wanted release if you were touching yourself." He frowns with confusion. "Are you angry at me?"

"No. Of course not. Don't worry."

"Is this about earlier today?" he pushes. "I didn't mean to upset you, but it wasn't a good time to..."

"I get it." My brows come together. I'm not sure what he's not understanding.

"Communicate with me, Kenna."

"I am. I'm mirroring your feelings that right now isn't a good time for sex because of the political situation."

"Then what were you just doing in bed? Sex."

Now I feel cornered. Masturbation is an outlet of de-stressing for me. It's a personal way for me to keep myself together. Sex with him is different.

"I assure you that nothing is wrong. This is getting out of hand. I don't want to argue." My voice becomes louder, and I instantly regret it, because I know what it's going to trigger.

The first thing Kaden taught me is that Alphas don't take conflict well.

"I don't want to argue either, but here we are!" he throws his hands up.

I move around him, thinking about leaving, before stopping and deciding that I should just go to bed. Talking with him will not get us further. Not when we're both irritated. "I'm going to bed."

"What the fuck are we even fighting about?" he gruffs, irritated.

"I don't know, but I'm done with the line of questioning. I'm going to sleep on the couch so we can have some space and de-escalate."

"You can't do that."

Oh, that really pushes my remaining buttons. He's demanding I sleep here with him?

"And who are you to say so?"

His jaw is set, his veins bulging. Here we go with the arguments. This is what we do to each other.