It's not like Kaden would let me go, anyway. He clutches my hips, nailing me against his erection. None of my insecurities or half-hearted decisions will separate us, even the one about leaving the pack.

Kaden thrusts his hips up, grinding himself deeper against me, scattering all thoughts. I dig my nails into his shoulders with the same roughness. He grunts into my mouth when he feels the sting, and cracks a hand on my ass to return the pain. He tugs at my clothes, desperate to get me naked.

"The curtains," I whisper before getting shut up by his hungry lips. "Mmm, Kaden. The curtains."

Or lack thereof. If anyone peeked inside, they would find Kaden fucking me so deep into the couch that cushion would be coming out of the orifices he's not occupying.

Kaden's solution is to toss me over his shoulder and carry me into the kitchen— the nearest room that has curtains. I land on my back on the wooden dining table, sending the flower vase to the floor. Kaden pays it no mind. He's too animalistic to care about wordly possessions. All he wants is to be inside me.

I see the wild in his eyes as he pulls my clothes off. They're tossed haphazardly, landing on the stove and sink until I'm bare-assed on the table, just like that first time in the clinic.

He stares at my exposed breasts, trailing his heated gaze down my navel where he finds my hands cupping my sex.

He pulls his shirt off, revealing abs that have me cupping myself tighter. He's so strong that he'll wind up breaking either me or the dining table.

His hands claim my thighs and tug me, sliding me further down the table to his awaiting mouth. His mouth is warm on my pussy, but I still shudder. With his hands at my thighs keeping me wide open, he laps at me slowly, enjoying all of my curves and crevices. I look between my legs and find him staring at me as he sips, like a wolf drinking from a lake.

I look away. Eye contact is intimate, too hot. I palm his shoulders, hanging on for dear life as he attempts to suck my life through my pussy. My moans complete with the sound of skin crackling as he slurps from me. The bliss is immeasurable as it thrums through me. My pussy pulses with excitement and desperation, the pleasure becoming more unbearable with every lick to my clit. I don't know what to do with myself under the ministrations of this man, so all I can do is squirm and clutch his shoulder and the table below me.

Kaden is nose-deep in me, twisting his tongue and licking places so unholy that he could knock the Goddess from the moon. The kitchen reeks of pheromones, and the wood beneath me is marked with my nails.

He laps at my clit and sneaks a finger inside me, followed by another. It feels like I'm being fucked and eaten out all at once. His fingers fuck me furiously fast, while his mouth lazily sucks my flesh. The contrast is too distracting. I clench my teeth at the same time my walls clamp on his fingers and I orgasm, but I'm unable to stop my groan of release.

I'm still free-falling from my orgasm when I feel him enter me, sinking into the hot, wet mess between my thighs. It's his turn to groan.

My eyes open half-way, and I watch him lean forward until his forearms touch the table. He braces himself, and then thrusts, slapping his hips against the back of my thighs with a consistent clap that reminds me of his unwavering endurance. His eyes are fierce as he slams into my sensitive pussy. His grunts meet my moans, and although I squirm my hips beneath him, he always bottoms out.

I'm full with my Alpha's thick cock, spilling all over his dining table. My body jerks every time he buries himself inside me, demanding that I make space to accommodate him. My body accepts his like we were made for each other, although I find myself breathless as he empties my lungs when he surges inside.

His teeth find my neck, lingering on the skin without piercing it. He's playing a dangerous game.

"Goddess. Damn!" He growls, speeding up his firm thrusts like he's trying to go balls-deep.

I plant my feet on the table, and my weak, raise my battered pelvis to meet his thrusts. Kaden presses a hand on my belly, pinning me where he wants me, before fucking me in a frenzy so furious that I know my pussy won't ever be the same again.

He's inside me one second, and splattering all over my belly and face the next. I lay defeated on the table, exhausted. He kisses my lips one last time and then disappears.

I stare at the ceiling. So that's it, then. He fucked me and left me covered in his semen in his kitchen. I shouldn't feel disappointed. After all, friends-with-benefits was our official arrangement. He doesn't owe me anything, so why does it feel like he's not doing enough? Maybe after everything we've gone through, I thought we became more than this.

Something cool touches my body, and I jerk.

"Relax. It's just a wet paper towel."

I remain stiff as Kaden returns to wipe me clean. This was unexpected. My confusion becomes shock when he finishes wiping me, sweeps me into his arms, and carries me upstairs. He lays me on his bed, and I instantly crawl under the covers. Kaden chases me and I end up facing the door with his arm wrapped around me. There's silence as I focus on calming my heartbeat. I want to feign being cool and unaffected, although he just flipped my world upside down.

After half an hour, my body gives into sleep. When I wake up, I find that Kaden has re-arranged me so my head is on his chest.

I stir and glance up. He's staring at the ceiling.

"Welcome back," he says.

I grumble. What a day it has been. First, I got visited by Black, and then Kaden visited my guts. Although it's none of my business, I try my luck by asking, "what happened between you and Black?"

My hand strokes his chest, distracting me from the awkward silence.

"It's a story best untold. Don't worry about it." After a pause, he adds, "The day of the flower is approaching. Will you be there?" He changed the subject, but that was expected. Whatever happened with his brother was undoubtedly painful.

I hope he doesn't ask me to be his plus one, because I'll be torn between yes and no. I don't want the spotlight of the pack, but I can't deny that a part of me wants to explore things between Kaden and I. I can't walk away from him as easily as I thought I could.

"My mother will be there."

I stiffen. This is the first time he has mentioned his mother. She doesn't live in the pack, so I've never seen her in the few years I've lived in this pack.

"She's passing the flower to Sylvie."

My hand stills on his chest.

The day of the flower celebrates all females in a pack, and the most honored guest is the Luna. Since Kaden has none, the honor passes to his mother. The honored female gives a flower to a promising young woman to recognize her pure heart. All females in the pack kiss the ankle of the honored female to encourage prosperity.

I would have to bow down to Sylvie, to kiss her foot in front of the whole pack. I could skip the event like I did in previous years, but this time, it would smear me in a terrible light because of the rumors.

The worst part of it is that Kaden can't do much about this. The day of the flower is one of our most sacred holidays. The moon would be displeased if he rejected his mother's wishes.

"I can give you a task off the territory," Kaden says, as if reading my mind. "I can send you away for a few days, so you'll be excused from attending."

He wants me to run away. Again.

"No. I will be there."

"Kenna..."

"I will be there," I repeat, my hand fisting over his chest.

"Do you know what will be required of you?"

"Yes. How does your mother know of Sylvie? Are they close?"

He sighs. "My mother doesn't enjoy staying in the pack for too long. There are too many memories here. She met Sylvie a few times at formal events and figured I would eventually choose her as my mate after years of having her around. She must have heard the rumors that victimize Sylvie and is sympathizing. This is likely a show of support on her behalf. I insist you let me help you. You don't have to bow down to any other woman."

"I will be there, Kaden," I repeat.

And I will.