KENNA

My mind betrays me every minute of the day. I try to focus on my work, but my thoughts always crawl back to Kaden. That night on the balcony, he perked my ears with his words, my nipples with his touch, my toes with his lips.

He faced me with so many raw emotions, only to end the night by giving me his back to chase Sylvie.

I won't lie to myself and say that it didn't hurt seeing him go. Even if I encouraged him to chase her, there was a small, immature, pitiful part of me that hoped he would stay.

I'm not angry at him. He did the right thing to make sure Sylvie didn't hurt herself in her despair. I feel torn about Sylvie. Her upset is quite unreasonable since Kaden made boundaries clear and is honest enough to not lead her on. Sylvie caught feelings for him although they had an arrangement, but I can't judge her because I'm making the same mistake.

There's a knock at my door when my latest patient arrives. Grateful for a distraction, I go answer it.

"Hey Hannah." I smile and look around for her daughter, who is the patient.

"Where is..."

"My daughter won't be coming." Hannah crosses her arms over her stomach, looking uncomfortable.

"Are you okay?" I ask, gesturing to her belly. "Do you want me to check it out?"

"I'm fine, Kenna. Look, I appreciate your service, but I won't be bringing my daughter around here anymore. She's still a kid, and I don't want her to get her morals twisted."

My heart plummets to my chest. I feel strangled by embarrassment and outrage.

"This is about the rumors?" I ask.

"Yes. Sorry, but I'm changing doctors. I don't want you to influence my child and make her some sort of..."

Slut. Home wrecker. The other woman.

I stand tall and force my tone to be neutral. "I understand. Thank you for stopping by. Please take care."

She nods and walks off. I'm left feeling devastated.

Earlier, when a patient canceled their appointment, I didn't find it strange. Now, a pattern is forming. My patients are dropping like flies..

Over the next two days, the pattern continues. Nine patients have transferred to another doctor. Most were men— probably forced by their females because they feared I would seduce them.

Chaney has noticed the chain of events, and keeps checking in on me. I appreciate her because I'm not fending too well.

I tell myself that I don't need to prove myself to anyone and that I haven't done anything wrong. I look in the mirror, stand tall, and remind myself that I'm a strong, independent woman that doesn't need an alpha to sweep in and save the day.

There are things I'm changing subconsciously to deal with the stress. I noticed that I've begun to wear long sleeve shirts with modest necklines, dull colors, and baggy jeans. I've feared looking promiscuous by showing too much skin. It's ridiculous, really, because werewolves don't care much about nudity. Walking around the woods naked won't raise any eyebrows, but here I am, insecure like a human.

I've been avoiding commonly used paths, too. The idea of being seen makes me feel uncomfortable. I hope that the less I'm noticed, the quicker these diabolical rumors will die.

I'm walking home from work when my name is called. "Hey, Kenna!" one guy who I met through Chaney eaves at me. He usually greets me when we cross paths.

He nearly stumbles when the female beside him tugs his hand, grips his chin, and makes him look away from me. An argument ensues, and I know they're talking about me because the woman gestures toward me.

I probably just ended their relationship.

Goddess, I need a drink.

I think of texting Chaney to invite her, but decide otherwise because I don't want to worry her.

The bar is pretty empty since it's a weekday — not that I mind. The fewer people, the less stares. I just want to entertain a glass of amber until I can't think clearly.

I sit at the bar and request brandy. I immediately regret it when the smell reminds me of Kaden and the filthy things we did on that balcony. The brandy covered up the scent of our arousal, but not the heat between my legs from my flustered pussy.

My phone goes off. I glance at the screen and find Kaden. He's calling me, but I don't answer. It's best that I don't speak with him until I'm in my right mind.

I squeeze my thighs together and toss the drink back, hoping to forget.

An hour later, the bar is still pretty empty. People flow in and out. I watch with a hazy gaze. Four glasses in, and I'm feeling tipsy.

I do a double-take when Milton walks in with two buddies of his. Our eyes lock, and a smile lights up his face.

Trouble is coming. I set my glass down and prepare to leave. I need no more bullshit. Enough is holding me down already.

"Doctor Kenna," Milton calls for me when I walk by. "Do you think you can stop by my place after you're done being Kaden's cum bucket? Let me be your next daddy."

Five people in the bar laugh. If I had still been holding my glass, it would have shattered under the pressure of my fist.

Walk away, Kenna. Be the bigger person.

Oh, yeah. I'll be the bigger person, alright. I'll stomp on this small weasel with my boot.

He started this, and I'll finish it.

"My next daddy?" I raise an eyebrow. "Right, because you're so good with that title. You knocked up a teenager and a grown woman within the same year. I think you've fathered enough pups, Milton. By the way, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be home, mourning the death of the woman you impregnated and manipulated to the point of suicide?"

His face drains. It's so satisfying that it's worth the possibility of me losing my job for disclosing information of a patient.

Mutters of confusion arise, and then arguments between Milton and his two friends. I smile as I watch his world burn and walk out a minute later.

I'm sure the gossip is already spreading through the pack, tying me to yet another situation. All for the taste of revenge.

Forgive me, Anya.

– • –

A loud knock awakens me early in the morning. I slip a robe on and peek outside. There are two men there, one of them holding papers.

"Who are you?" I ask through the door.

"The Medical Ethics board."

This has to do with Milton.

I open the door.

"You'll have to come with us, doctor."

My shoulders drop. This situation unraveled fast.

"Alright," I agree, offering no resistance. I'll take full responsibility for my actions. I was unprofessional, immature, and impulsive.

"Just let me change."

I turn, and hear, "what is going on here?"

It's Kaden. He's jogging across my yard, approaching the house.

"Good morning, Alpha Kaden. We are escorting the doctor off your property. She will be under our jurisdiction for the next two days as we question her."

Kaden comes to a stop before us. "Like hell you will," he snarls. "You're not taking my woman anywhere. Get the fuck off my land."