CAGED (Mackenzie Grey #2) (10 page)

“That’s why you’re here? For a child?”

“Wow, you sure are on a roll there, Mr. Cadwell. You should play the lottery.”

“She was reported by the Desert Wolves—any relation to you?” his eyes narrowed to slits.

I scrunched my brows inward. “The what?” I lied. I couldn’t implicate La Loba either, she had been too good to me.

“Guess not,” he paused. “If you must know, the child is here, under my order.”

All the confidence and cockiness that pumped through my veins chilled into ice, and I felt the blood drain from my face. Why would they keep her at the Estate for all this time? I had been told she’d be given to a Pack. I inhaled to catch a whiff of her scent but the smell of cigars in his office overpowered all of my senses.

“Oh don’t fret, Miss. Grey, she is in excellent hands. Quite the spitfire like yourself,” Charles said. “I’ll even let you see her before you leave—but only if you do as I say.”

Deals. Of course he wanted to bargain. My loyalty for a quick visit—and I hated to say, but I wouldn’t do it—not even for Emma. That thought made me sick to my stomach.

“Dad, this isn’t necessary,” Jonah said. “We aren’t here to play games.” Sebastian only watched me, always the observer.

“No games, Son. There is only one thing I want from Miss. Grey, and then she is free to go,” Charles said and that piqued my interest.

“Free?” I inquired. “Like lone-wolf free?”

He nodded. “Yes. Free.”

I half coughed, half gasped, as Charles said the one thing I never thought in a million years I’d ever hear him say.

“What do you want?” I asked.

He leaned back in his chair and took a sip of bourbon from his tumbler. “I only ask that you take a seat and listen to a story. When I’m done, you can decide what you deem is best for yourself—and if being a lone-wolf is what you think is right, we will not hunt you. Do we have a deal?”

Without a second thought, I extended my hand to Jonah’s father. “Deal.”

“The American Summit consists of the five region Alphas of the United States, two Alphas from Canada, and one from Central America,” Charles stated. “Many lone-wolves believe South America is a haven because no designated Packs live there, but that’s a mistake. We have a team of trackers positioned there, keeping that continent free of lone-wolves.”

I sat by myself as I listened to Charles, but watched Sebastian and Jonah on the sofa in front of me. It couldn’t be this easy. There was no way I would listen to some story and have my freedom, it sounded like a trick.

“Why are you telling me this?” I asked, impatient.

“Just listen, Miss. Grey,” Charles said. “Europe on the other hand, is different from the New World. They still live by very old laws—and still rule under a monarchy.”

“Charles, no,” Sebastian interrupted as he stood. “She isn’t ready.” His blue gaze flickered between the Alpha and I in concern.

“Sebastian, you don’t give Miss Grey enough credit. If she’d like to keep her freedom, then I’m sure this small story won’t do much damage, yes?” he motioned to me.

I was still looking at Bash and Jonah, both of them appeared as if they would throw up at any minute. How bad could this story be?

I nodded for him to continue, even if my gut told me to call off this deal, but I wanted to be free more than anything. I’d pay the consequences sooner or later.

“Very well,” Charles continued with a grin. “As I was saying, the European Summit does not consist of a committee like here in the New World, but a monarchy. One that has been ruled by the same family for many centuries. Although we have a Summit, the European one can overrule us whenever they’d like because they are
the law
.”

He paused to take a drink and I couldn’t stop bouncing my right leg like Emma does. He was building up for something major and it only pissed me off further that he was being dramatic about it.

“Any day now, Charles. I’m getting old here,” I said as I faked a yawn.

“There was a rumor, less than twenty five years ago, that our King—no less—was having an affair. An affair with someone that wasn’t a Lycanthrope, which is a huge no-no for the royal family. And an even bigger no-no to betray your mate.”

“Wow, real scandalous,” I laughed. “Would be an amazing reality TV show.”

Charles smirked. “Right. The Queen heard of the King’s betrayal, and had the mistress executed at once. Some said his lover was with child at the time, but there was never any proof.”

My smile fell to the pit of my stomach, and I paled as my gray eyes widened. My head whipped to Bash and Jonah, but neither of them would look me in the eyes. I didn’t want to hear what came next.

“There wasn’t any proof of a love child until a year and a half ago when a lone-wolf strolled in to the Brooklyn Pack,” Charles said.

“No,” I whispered. “You’re full of shit.” My feet stumbled over each other as I stood. My body shook so much, I could no longer stay seated.

“Mackenzie Grey—you are the illegitimate daughter of Alexander MacCoinnich—King of the Lycans.”

“No,” I mumbled as I shook my head. “You’re lying. My father is Thomas Grey…”

“He is not your biological father,” Sebastian murmured beside me. I hadn’t even seen him move. “Take deep breaths.” I was hyperventilating. The oxygen in the room was getting sucked out by a vacuum and it burned my chest. My eyes watered, blurring my vision. I gasped for air, but I still couldn’t breathe.

“You are in great peril, Miss Grey,” Charles said. “What others would do to have you join their Packs—”

“Shut the fuck up!” I gasped, clutching my chest. “Just shut the fuck up!”

“Kenz,” Jonah tried to comfort me, but I brushed him off. They couldn’t just tell me something like that and not expect me to freak out. I had no details on anything which made it easy for me to pretend that I wasn’t adopted. But now? Things were becoming real and the bastard knew it would get a rise out of me.

“Don’t “Kenz” me, this is some serious shit! And you all knew!”

“You said you didn’t want to know,” Bash said. “When you left, keeping you in the dark was okay because no one knew where you were, but now that you’re back,” he paused, “it changes everything.”

“Why? We can keep this a secret between us, no one else has to ever know,” I said. “I will go far, far away, you’ll never have to worry about me!” I attempted to bargain, but the look on everyone’s faces told me what I needed to know. 

“Do you remember The Summit meeting I had while you were home during Winter break with Jonah?” Sebastian said.

I nodded.

“That was when I presented your lineage to The Summit. Everyone already knows. You coming back to New York made you fair game to any Pack that wants you.”

I froze. “Excuse me? What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“It means,” Sebastian started. “That you’re in American territory and you’re unclaimed. Any Pack can easily force you into fealty.”

“Force me?” I repeated.

“Yes, Miss Grey. Sebastian has been all too kind with you, but if he really wanted, he could have forced you into the Pack,” Charles said. “Because of my son’s…fondness of you, I have put all Northeastern Packs on alert that you are hands-off, but I cannot speak for other regions.”

I could only imagine how I looked—like a red hot chili pepper. Scary scenarios ran through my mind, and before I knew it, I was running out of Charles office. My earlier fears came to life as I stumbled and knocked over a vase of flowers. The sound of glass shattering a distant noise as I rushed out of the house to the drive way. Hands on my knees, hair in my face, I tried to even out my breaths. I knew I was exaggerating to some extent, but Charles played his cards right, he’s expecting me to join the Brooklyn Pack for my own safety, and I would be stupid if I didn’t contemplate it.

“Mackenzie, are you okay?” Sebastian came up behind me as I dry-heaved. His presence a wall of emotion-free concern.

“I just…I just can’t be in there,” I panted.

“That’s understandable. Sit down before you pass out,” he motioned me over to the front steps of the Estate. He sat beside me as we both stared off into the winding drive-way. He kept some space between us, his posture rigid.

I shook my head as if that would make everything go away. “Bash,” I whispered. “Is it true? Am I adopted?”

Those cold blue eyes softened as he stared into mine. He only nodded.

“I need to go home, I need to speak with my parents,” I said as I tried to stand.

“You can’t just barge into your parents’ home and demand answers,” he said, pushing my shoulder to sit down again.

“And why the hell can I not?”

“Because they think you’ve been missing for the past year.”

“What?”

“Mackenzie, I know you want to figure all this out. I see now why you didn’t want to know, but aren’t you concerned about the other thing Charles mentioned? Not all Packs are like mine, some are aggressive and dangerous,” Bash said.

I was scared. I would be careless if I wasn’t, but that didn’t mean I had to make a rash decision either. I had my freedom for no more than ten minutes and already it was being threatened. It almost seemed comical.

Jonah walked out but didn’t hover, he stood at a distance, leaning against one of the statues by the front stairs.

“My father needs an answer, Kenz. Do you plan to stay a lone-wolf?” he said and I felt my jaw slacken.

“Are you serious, right now?”

“Jonah, I don’t think it is a good time,” Bash said.

Jonah rolled his eyes. “I know that, Bash, but she can’t leave the Estate without telling my father her decision.”

“Tell him to wait!” he barked.

“I’m not the bad guy here, don’t shoot the messenger.”

Sebastian stood and glared at his Beta. “You aren’t a messenger, you’re her friend.”

“Okay, everyone chill,” I cut between them. The last thing I needed was for them to fight. I needed them both on my side. “Tell your father that nothing’s changed, I won’t be joining the Pack.”

“Kenzie!” Jonah exclaimed. “Think about this, you won’t be safe on your own.”

“I will not let someone own me!” I shrieked. “My freedom, my life, my goddamn decision. If you don’t like it, you can kick rocks barefoot. I will not let anyone intimidate me with fear, you hear?”

Sebastian wore a shit-eating grin and I felt like I had been thrown into an alternate universe. I thought for sure Bash would have been begging me to join the Pack.

“You’re just going to let her do this?” Jonah asked his Alpha.

“You heard her, Jonah. It’s her life, her decision. We will respect it and do what we can. You understand?” he ordered and Jonah could only nod and go back inside to tell his father.

“What was that about?” I asked.

“Nothing,” he grumbled. “You still want to see your parents?”

I turned back to the house where Jonah stood under the doorway, a grim look on his face. Then slid my gaze to Sebastian who was opening the car door. Once again I was stuck in the middle, but this time, I made a choice.

“Yeah, I still want to see them,” I said and followed Bash.

***

An over two hour drive of pure silence. Sebastian gave me the space I needed. I calmed down since Little Falls. I was no longer having a total melt down. I swear I could have been nominated for an Oscar with that scene I pulled at the Estate, but it was all just too much at once. It’s one thing to find out your adopted, but to find out you’re the bastard of a King, and that others are gonna come and try to take me by force? Yeah, it was all just too much for dear ol’ Mackenzie Grey.

“What’s going on between you and Jonah?” I said, as we entered Cold Springs, my hometown.

“Nothing.”

“No, there’s something and I feel like I’m entitled to know. So spill, because I won’t shut up until you do.”

He sighed. “We haven’t been seeing eye-to-eye, lately, that’s all.”

“Why? You guys are best friends.”

“Sometimes that’s not enough, Mackenzie. People change.”

“Do I have anything to do with it?” I fiddled with the radio station to occupy myself.

“Yes,” he whispered.

“Bash, don’t mess up your friendship with Jonah because of me. Trust me when I tell you, I’m not worth it,” I said, my heart shattered at this news.

He pulled the car into a random parking spot on the Street, and put the car on park. Sebastian turned and his gaze pierced me in place. His mouth in a firm line that hinted he was pissed.

“Mackenzie, you are worth it. And it isn’t because of who your father is, but because
you
are a very special woman. Jonah and I aren’t seeing eye-to-eye because he’s letting his father fill him with all these thoughts that aren’t in your best interest,” he paused as if wondering whether to tell me or not. “I stopped looking for you within a month of your disappearance,” he admitted.

My eyes widened. “Why?”

“Because whether I agree with you or not, it doesn’t matter. You don’t want to be a Luna, and honestly, I don’t think you’d be a very good one anyway,” he chuckled. “Letting you go was the best thing I could do for your interest. But Jonah…he hadn’t stopped searching for you.”

I didn’t know whether to be insulted or not. Bash gave me what I wanted, but Jonah kept hope that I would still come back.

“Charles gave him a story about getting you back so he could mate with you to keep you safe. Don’t get me wrong, Mackenzie, the idea has merit and Jonah is doing it with all the good intentions that we both know he has. But his father’s intentions aren’t pure—not in the least.”

“What does Charles want?”

“I don’t know. I can only guess that he wants what all the other Packs want from you—power—an in with the European Summit. But that’s an assumption—nothing concrete.”

“I understand. Have you tried talking to Jonah?”

He nodded. “Many times.”

“Okay, I’ll talk to him,” I said.

***

We pulled into my parent’s small house, when my cell phone started ringing. Roman’s name appeared on the screen. He was worried and I’ve given him every reason to be. I declined the call again, and told myself I needed to call him as soon as I made it back to the city and had some time alone.

“Mackenzie?” I heard my name as my mother’s mouth fell open and tears fell down her cheeks. She was standing in front of the kitchen window that faced the front lawn. She disappeared as she ran through the house and outside. “Thomas!” she screamed. “Oh my baby,” she ran to me and engulfed me in a hug that no longer felt warm.

My father came out of the garage in his signature fishing shirt and Levi’s. “What is all that—Mackenzie?”

“Hey,” was all I could say as they both held on to me with a death grip. “Can we come inside?”

My father’s gaze turned to Sebastian, and unlike Jonah, there was no warm welcome. “Thomas Grey,” my dad extended a hand to Bash and they shook. “You look familiar. Weren’t you here two Christmases ago?”