It was rare to hear him speak with his deep rough voice.
“Yeah, how did you manage to tick off Killian this bad, Mac?” Dash Brooks, the jokester, flirt, and self proclaimed ‘ladies man’ of our group adds next.
His soft grey eyes twinkle with excitement and a hint of worry, as he runs his hand trough his light brown hair.
“I may, or may not have, flipped him off before trying to slap him.” I admit and Maddox Weaver, the most untrustworthy and challenging member of our group laughs out loudly.
“You are becoming a real treat to be acquainted with, Mac. I still can’t believe you were chosen over me, but with all of this drama…things might be looking up for me, huh?”
“In your dreams, Maddox, I’m not going to falter. I will not allow you to take over this group.” I warn lightly.
It was always like this between us, but in battle he would have my back just as I would his.
He kept my guard up at all times considering he was always trying to overthrow me but it actually helped me out more than it did any harm.
The constant threat to my leadership always kept me on my toes, which in turn made me into the ruthless leader I was, it also cut my reaction time to near milliseconds, and he was always testing that by coming up with new and different techniques just to catch me off guard.
“Mac, this is really serious.” Max whispers softly.
“I know, Max, but I have to suffer the consequences of my actions now. I shouldn’t have let him get to me. My emotions need to be kept in check if I am ever going to get us through a battle.” I sigh.
“Are you even going to make it through the ten lashes, Mac?” Dash questions and I nod.
Failure was not an option.
I had no choice but to make it through.
If I failed then I would have just been better off thrown into the cells.
“I won’t fail, Dash, I can’t fail. I have to show that I can handle anything. This is what we’ve been training so hard for. If this was battle we could suffer far more dire injuries than this. I need you guys to stay strong as well. You can’t try to save me, okay?” I glance towards Maddox and he nods understanding my unspoken request.
He would keep the others in line for me.
Smoothing out my uniform, which consisted of form fitting pants and a tank top with a long leather jacket, I walk between my men to lead them to the grand hall.
“I think this is the first time I have ever seen you without some sort of weapon, Mac.” Grey grunts as he falls in line, behind me.
It did feel awkward to be without my normal array of weapons, but there was a really good reason I had left them behind.
“I have to go unarmed, Grey, if I didn’t my reaction would only be to fight back…and well…that would get very bloody.” I grin as he smirks.
“We wouldn’t want Killian to get scratched, would we?” Maddox snorts abruptly.
“God forbid, he would never be seen at something like this anyway. He deals out the punishments, but I have yet to see him actually watch.” Max adds with a harsh laugh of his own.
I was glad that they were trying to make light of the current situation, but my thoughts were only focused on the horror of what had happened to my mother.
“He was there when my mother was punished.” I add as memories of my mother’s execution flood my mind.
The guys around me become quiet.
It was well known why my mother was executed. She had been caught stealing supplies to feed the addiction that none of us had been aware of.
My mother could have been rehabilitated, but stealing was a major law that she had broken and death was the only punishment that Killian would approve.
That was the sole reason I hated him so much.
My mother could have been saved, but he chose otherwise.
He killed her.
He took her from me.
And even though he wasn’t the one who pushed the button that killed my mother, he might as well have been.
It was his name that was signed on her death papers.
Arriving at the main doors to the hall I smooth my outfit once more before tying my short blonde hair back in a ponytail.
I was stalling, but I wasn’t ready for this.
“You got this, Mac.” Maddox whispers, surprising me.
Glancing back to him I raise my brow in question.
“Just because we’re always at each other’s throats doesn’t mean I think this is right, Kenzie. I’m on your side, always.” He explains.
“Thanks, Weaver.” I hold out my fist and he bumps his against mine. His much darker skin makes mine look as pale as parchment paper in comparison.
His deep brown eyes take me in for a moment more before nodding towards the doors.
“Better not be late, Mac.” He grunts.
I nod and reach my hand out towards the red light.
It beeps as an automated voice announces my entry before I walk in with my team.
Inside the doors the hall is filled with hundreds of other teams, and leaders, along with all of the newest trainees.
Rolling my eyes I stand tall, I should have known everyone would turn out to see me put in my place.
I’m sure most of them couldn’t wait to see if I would fall.
Killian steps forward as we approach the stage where everyone would see my punishment being doled out.
Of course my punishment would also be used as a tool to teach new trainees to stay in line, and to not disobey Alphas.
Suddenly, going to the ground was looking far better at the moment.
At least there I wouldn’t have to answer to no one but myself, and my team.
But then again Killian would still be there.
“Right on time, Mackenzie, are you ready for this?” Killian smirks and I find myself balling my fists wanting to slap it off of his face.
“I’m ready, Alpha, are you ready to watch?” I question curiously.
“I’m the one who is going to be holding the whip, Mackenzie.” He answers softly, surprising me.
“Why?” I question.
“The council isn’t giving me a choice. If I want you to be mine, I have to prove that I can keep you in line myself. My hands are tied on this, and right now I’m wishing I wouldn’t have reacted so rashly.” He replies.
“At least you’re man enough to admit it.” I growl with anger.
“Kenzie, I’m sorry.” He pleads quietly while walking me over to the middle of the stage where his father, Aden, and the head council leader, Markus, are standing waiting for us to join them.
I salute them both, along with my team.
“I’m very disappointed to see you here, Mackenzie.” Markus sighs. “You know what you must do now, right?”
“Yes, Sir, I do. I’m sorry that I disappointed you, Sir.” I reply robotically.
Markus nods slightly accepting my apology before nodding slightly in Killian’s direction.
“Get into position.” Killian orders motioning to the bench I was supposed to lean on.
“I’m not going to bow down to get my lashes, Killian. I’ll take them standing up.” I answer finally seeing that little hint of sadness in his eyes that I had been looking for earlier.
He still didn’t seem like himself though.
Something with him was still…off.
“You do know that the lashes will hurt more that way?” Killian questions and I nod.
This was my chance to prove that I wouldn’t bow to anyone.
I had to do this to prove my worth.
Shrugging off my jacket I hand it to Dash. He gives me a weak smile as he takes it from my hands.
This was going to be extremely hard on them.
They all were very protective of me, and we were close, like family.
Glancing to Maddox I nod towards the others and he nods, positioning himself between Dash and Max.
I wasn’t worried so much about Grey, unlike the others I knew he would listen to orders no ma
tter what. It would break him inside to watch this happen to me, but he would never disobey an order.
“Commander Mackenzie Frost, are you ready to receive your punishment for disobeying Alpha Killian?” Killian’s father questions loudly for everyone in the hall to hear as he moves to my side.
“Yes, sir, Alpha Aden, I am ready.” I answer as I stand straight and hold my chin high.
Moving behind me then, Alpha Aden pulls out a knife and quickly slices my tank top just enough to expose my back.
I flinch ever so slightly when he trails the cold blade down my spine.
His warm breath fans over my cheek as he leans in closer.
“If my son didn’t have his eyes on you, I would make you mine, Mackenzie. You are an exquisite creature.” His hand lightly brushes against my butt and I feel myself wanting to throw up.
I wanted him gone.
When he finally moves away from me I let out the deep breath that I had been holding.
My mother had always warned me about Alpha Aden, but I never believed her stories, until now.
Now, he scared me.
“When you’re ready, Killian, you may start.” Aden states before leaving the stage.
I stand still as I mentally prepare myself.
It felt like forever before Killian moves towards me, I brace myself.
As the first crack of the whip rings out I close my eyes as the stinging pain cuts into my back. I feel my skin as it parts under the leather.
Biting my lip I refused to cry out as the whip repeats its loud crack a second time.
I push my thoughts towards a place better than this, a place that I could escape to.
If only there was another place I could be.
Another crack rings out.
Clenching my hands into fists I let out a fierce growl as the whip hits its mark once again.
If I couldn’t cry out I would let my anger build so I wouldn’t have to feel the pain. It was easier that way, to direct the feeling of pain into anger.
We had been taught that it would be a good skill to posses when in a battle.
It was by no means easy though, the pain was quickly becoming unbearable.
Another crack rings out causing me to sway a little on my feet.
Killian pauses behind me, I turn to glance in his direction.
His face was pale and I could see his hand shaking slightly as he watched me.
“Continue on, Alpha Killian. Do not show me any sympathy.” I growl back at him.
His jaw ticks as he nods his head, I straighten back up and wait for the next crack of the whip.
Neither of us could show anymore weakness.
We had to be strong.
Thankfully, Killian doesn’t hesitate to distribute the rest of the lashes quickly.
As the last one slices my back my eyes blur as I fight to stay conscious.
The pain was more than I had ever felt before, and it wouldn’t be long before I would pass out but I couldn’t do that in front of the crowd still filling the hall.
Looking around for a face to focus my energy on, my eyes land on my father wearing a proud but sad smile.
Nodding in my direction he salutes me along with every trainee near him.
More commanders and trainees follow suit before exiting the room.
It was an honor to be saluted to by another commander. I had made them all proud by not giving into the pain, for not bowing in submission.
Killian steps into my line of sight and I watch as his lips move. I can’t hear anything he is saying though, and his brow scrunches with worry.
As Maddox, Grey, Max, and Dash reach my side they watch me carefully. They knew they couldn’t touch me yet. I still had to appear strong to the others.
If only the room would clear faster.
I wasn’t going to be able to hold on much longer.
“She has to stand strong until they leave, Killian.” Maddox growls in warning as Killian tries to make his way closer to me.
“She’s going to pass out. We can’t let her fall to the floor.” Killian argues as Maddox holds him back.
“We have to. She would appear weak if we helped her now.” Grey replies.
“I can’t just stand here doing nothing.” Killian snarls as he tries again to move past Maddox.
His sudden worry about me was shocking but I couldn’t think about it any further, the pain was the only thing taking over my mind.
I would have to get to the bottom of his sudden kindness towards me later.
“You’ve done enough to her already, don’t you think?” Dash snarls as he gets into Killian’s face.
It was the angriest I had ever seen Dash.
I had to stop him before he got himself into trouble, and found himself in the position I was currently in.
“Stand down, Dash. I will be fine.” I pant as my eyes blur again and my hands begin to shake involuntarily.
“You’re not fine, Mac, and you know it.” Max whispers fiercely.
At last the last person in the hall with us leaves, the doors slam shut and I fall to my knees as I finally cry out in pain.
My whole body shakes as I curl on my side into a ball.
“I need my dad, someone get my father, please.” I beg as tears pour from my eyes.
“I’ll go get a doctor.” Killian grunts as he turns to leave.
Maddox growls as he grabs onto Killian’s shoulders turning him back around so he had no choice but to look down at me.
“No, you’re not going anywhere. You wanted to do this to her and now you’re going to have to sit by her side and feel her pain, you need to feel what you did to her.” Maddox growls again shoving Killian to his knees beside me.
“Just let him leave if he wants to, Maddox, I don’t want to be near him.” I snarl and turn my attention to Killian. “I hate you, I hate you so much more than you know, and I loathe even being around the air your breathing.”
His head bows in shame.
“I’m sorry, Kenzie, I really am, but you’re going to have to deal with me since the council has already approved our union.” His eyes meet mine. “You belong to me now.”
“I would rather die, than become yours, Killian.” I curse as I grit my teeth. “You don’t really want me anyway, so why don’t you just go back to the council and break the union.” I suggest, as I pant out trying to catch my breath.
“That’s not…” Killian trails off as my father and Grey rush over to my side.
“We need to get you off this floor, Mackenzie.” My dad grunts as he kneels down next to me. He brushes my hair away from my face in a fatherly way, giving me the only comfort he could.
“How are we going to get her out of here, we can’t carry her.” Max whispers.
“We have to do something. We can’t leave her here like this.” Dad answers.
“I just want to go back to my room, Dad.” I whimper.
“Your room has been moved, Kenzie.” He replies softly.
Closing my eyes I allow more tears to fall.
This couldn’t be happening, not now.
“Just take me anywhere, I honestly don’t care at this point, because by the time I get there I won’t be conscious enough to care anyway.” I cry softly.
“You’re going to have to help her, Killian. You will be the only one who she will be allowed to show weakness to since you have entered into a union with her.” Dad explains before turning his attention to me.
“You’re going to have to pretend to like Killian until he can get you into a private room, Kenzie, do you think you can handle that?”
“I’d rather die than even act to like him.” I growl out.
Max kneels next to me taking my hand in his. “Do this for me, then. Do it for me, Dash, Grey, Maddox, and your father.”
He was right, I had to do this for them, and I had to push away my feelings for Killian. I would just have to deal with this task for the moment.
It’s not like I would have to do it forever.
/> All I had to do was act friendly enough towards him until we were behind closed doors once more.
It was going to be easier said, than done.
Chapter 3
“Just a little bit farther, Kenzie.” Killian coaches me on as we make our way down one of the halls to our new room.
His arm was around my waist holding me closely as if we were just one happy couple enjoying a stroll down the hallway together.
In reality, I wanted to scream, tear his arm off of my waist, and slam his face into the floor.
But every part of my body hurt, and it was a fight just to keep myself from leaning against him for more support.
Every movement brushed my jacket against my wounds, and every time I wanted nothing more than to cry out.
But I couldn’t, I wouldn’t show my pain.
“You just said that at least five minutes ago, Killian.” I ground out biting my lip hard enough that I began to taste blood.
“I’m just trying to help.” He growls out.
“I hate you.” I pant as I finally give in and lean my weight against him fully.
I was losing my fight.
“I know you do, you never let me forget that little fact.” Killian replies sadly as we finally make our way over to a door, Killian swipes his hand under a red light and it beeps.
It opens and we quickly make our way inside before the door closes behind us.
Shoving Killian’s arm away from me I sway for a moment before crumbling to the floor. The pain had taken every ounce of energy out of me.
I cry out silently as I curl into a ball.
“Kenzie, I’ve got to clean and bandage your wounds.” Killian talks softly as he gently brushes a few strands of my hair away from my face.
I shove his hand away weakly.
“I don’t want you touching me.” I cry out with anger.
“It doesn’t really matter what you want, Kenzie. You’re mine now so I can touch you all I want.” Killian bites out.
“I will kill you.” I growl as he moves closer to pick me up.
“Just let me fix this and then we can kill each other later.” He grunts as he scoops me up and places me face down on the nearby bed.
My jacket rips abruptly and I growl out as he drops the pieces of scrap down to the floor.
Eden One, Episode One Page 2