I keep my eyes north, having no interest in seeing this man's groin or disrespecting Kaden. The alpha, however, doesn't have the same reservations. He scans me from head to toe, his eyes lingering on my ridiculous sneakers that I wear with my dress.

His expression is curious, the anger gone as if he recognized the only way I can hurt him is by making him laugh too much. I could never fight an alpha physically. The only place I can tumble with Kaden and survive is in bed.

"Who are you?" his thick, rumbly voice asks.

I open my mouth to respond, but a deeper rumble interrupts me.

"What the fuck is this?"

I turn to face Kaden right as he snatches me by my waist and spins me so I lose sight of the other alpha.

"Kaden." The stranger says.

Great, they know each other. They can just shake on it and call it a day.

"I asked you a question, Sillas." Kaden scowls.

I squeeze his biceps, pleading with my eyes for him to calm down. It won't be easy. He reeks of possessiveness, feeling threatened by the other male.

"I'm investigating. I'm not too keen on having strange, beautiful women trotting all over my territory."

Shit. Did we trespass onto his land? I had no idea. After all, this land is supposed to be unclaimed.

"This is free, unmarked land," Kaden claims, his fingers digging deeper into my hips. "So go on with your bullshit. I won't forget your disrespect."

Sounds to me like he's also being disrespectful, though.

Sillas stands taller, his brow cracking. These two are radiating hostility. "I'm in the process of acquiring this land."

"In the process," Kaden repeats. "Meaning it's not yours yet. Are we done here?"

"Yes," I interject. "We're done. Alpha Sillas, it has been a pleasure. Please excuse any misunderstandings." I tug at Kaden's arm, trying to get him to disengage, but he won't budge. His pride weighs him down to the ground, and he won't move until Sillas submits. I don't think that will happen soon, considering Sillas is also an Alpha.

"Alpha!" our driver calls from a distance. He runs frantically toward us, a phone tight in his grasp. He's about to reach us when the unfamiliar sound of gunshots goes off. Kaden shifts instantly, and I follow. Together, we tear into the wilderness for cover. I quickly lose sight of Sillas and the driver.

I instantly know who is attacking us. Humans. In the werewolf world, weapons are rare. We fight with our bodies, shifting to our wolf forms and bearing our teeth. Humans have no option but to depend on tools.

Their attacks are rare, but always well-organized. They must have gotten intelligence that the gathering of important alphas would be happening. Centuries ago, humans lost the continent to werewolves and had to relocate to the south. Their attacks haven't stopped since. Although they have no chance of losing against all the packs, they have hope.

I run fast, because I don't know how many of them are after us. Kaden lags behind to protect me. I turn toward a clearing with houses in the distance.

Another wolf runs ahead of us. It's Sillas, headed to meet his pack members.

Kaden b-lines for a cabin. I follow. The resident inside screams when Kaden bursts inside, throwing their chips all over their couch.

"Kaden shifts back and slams his back against the door. "You," he glares at the trembling man. "Get me a phone, now."

I go to the windows, peering out to see if any humans followed us. We don't know how many of them are after us. I question the entire day. How long have the humans been plotting this? Are they behind the car breaking down?

"Kenna, get away from the windows and take cover. That's an order," Kaden commands.

I listen only because I don't want my head to get blown off by a bullet.

The owner of the cabin scrambles to give Kaden his cellphone, and the alpha doesn't hesitate to punch in numbers.

"It's me," Kaden says. "Send two helicopters to Sillas' pack, and lock down my territory. No one gets in or out. Do it now."

There's a pause before he continues, "humans attacked. We took cover in Sillas' land."

"Kaden, come out here." Sillas speaks from outside.

Kaden grumbles. "Get me those fucking helicopters," he demands to the phone before hanging up and storming outside.

"Did you secure the perimeter?" Kaden asks Sillas as if he's the alpha here.

Sillas crosses his arms over his chest. There are about seven men and women behind him. "I'll demand respect from you if you're going to be in my land."

Goddess almighty, we're going to be slaughtered by humans by the time these two get their heads out of their asses.

I give the trembling homeowner a respectful nod before entering a random room in search of clothes. I find myself in a bathroom. Not wanting to waste any more time, I shift back, gently remove the shower curtain, and wrap it around myself.

Outside, I find the two alphas glaring at each other.

"Sillas, thanks for allowing us to cross into your pack," I speak.

His eyes find mine, and again, he checks me out.

"Your attire is always interesting," he says.

"If you keep looking at my woman, the humans will be the least of your problems," Kaden interjects.

Sillas takes a step forward, and so does Kaden. Goddess, save us, please.

"I didn't know you took a luna. When did that happen?" Sillas asks.

"Recently. I would appreciate it if you didn't gawk at her."

"Hard not to. She's a beauty."

Kaden growls. These fools are going to get us all killed. How do they manage to keep the packs safe when they spend so much time being petty?

"We'll be gone soon. Won't we, Kaden?" I ask.

"Yes, my backup will be here within hours. You should go inside, Kenna. I don't want you out in the open."

I really don't want to leave them alone, so I add, "will you come with me?" I know Kaden won't resist my request. Not when so much danger surrounds me.

"Yes. Is there anything else you want to address, Sillas?" He rolls his shoulders, as if mentally begging Sillas to take the first swing. Even if a pack stands behind Sillas, Kaden wants war.

"No. I'm going to report the attack. Call for my beta if you need any resources while you're here. You'll be relocated to another cabin."

"Would prefer to stay here," Kaden says.

"Fine." With that, Sillas leaves.

Kaden takes me inside. The owner of the cabin is still on the couch, watching with wide eyes.

"I need to occupy your home for a few hours. You will be handsomely compensated. Do you accept?"

The man nods and runs out of his own home.

Kaden's phone goes off, and he answers instantly. "Yes?" He raises an eyebrow and hands me the phone. "It's for you."

I accept the phone. "Hello?"

"Hey!" Chaney speaks into the phone, the sounds of helicopter blades loud in the background.

"Chaney, where are you?"

"On my way to the party! They said they needed nurses, so I volunteered."

Worry strikes me. "You should have stayed home. It's not safe here."

"I'm alright! Looking a little crazy since they gave me no time to change out of my pajamas, though."

I grumble. "Sillas would love you."

"What?" she asks.

I watch Kaden pace the windows, huffing and puffing. "Nothing," I reply to Chaney. "I have to go."

"Busy?"

Well, I'll have to get on my knees and entertain Kaden's dick to calm him down before he kills Sillas. So yes, I'll be pretty busy.

"Yup. See you soon. Be safe," I tell my friend.

After hanging up, I walk up to Kaden. "Are you feeling uneasy?" I ask touching his shoulders.

He laughs. "Uneasy? I'm murderous, yet can't do anything but sit here like a weakling."

I know that if I wasn't here, and he didn't feel urged to protect me, he would be running the perimeter in search of humans to slaughter.

"Why don't I help you calm down?" I ask, reaching for his belt.