ALPHA (Mackenzie Grey #3)

by Karina Espinosa

  “I just couldn’t, Bash. I can’t be a hypocrite, not anymore.”

  Alexander stormed into the throne room with more guards than needed. He pointed right at me, his eyes flashing silver. “Seize her,” he growled. “Take her to the dungeons.”

  ****

  Ranulf dragged me across the castle, near the guard’s tower and down a set of stairs. The air turned muggy and the ground was littered with puddles of water that splashed with our rushed steps. The darkness soon consumed us and I had to switch to night vision. It took me a while to adjust.

  “What's with the speed walking?” I asked. My shoulder was getting sore with every pull—it was the one that had gotten dislocated not too long ago.

  “Yer a real stupid, girl,” he grunted, pulling me harder.

  “Ouch,” I winced. “I wouldn't say stupid—more like impulsive.”

  He stopped walking and whirled on me. “Do ye nae understand everything yer fathers been doing for ye; what yer friends have been doing? Ye think we were stupid and didn't notice? We've known all along, Princess, but the King wanted to protect ye and turned a blind eye.”

  I was left speechless. Maybe I never wanted to acknowledge that the King was actually a decent guy—at least a little. Some things still made me doubt him, but overall he was okay. Either way, I couldn't lie—it felt wrong. If I continued playing the part of Princess, this wouldn't be the last time I were asked to do it. They now knew what my weakness was and would use it against me the next time—of that I was sure of.

  “I appreciate it, but you don't understand what I've had to endure. What I've seen my friends go through. How can I walk around claiming to want freedom over my own life when someone else is controlling it in the background? What would people think?”

  “And ye care what others think?”

  I swallowed. I had previously said I didn't. “I guess so.”

  Ranulf stared long and hard before grabbing me and hauling me the rest of the way.

  The dungeons looked exactly how I imagined they would. Cell after cell, with no windows, encompassed in pure darkness. The dingy walls filled with carvings of the people who'd been there before me. I hadn't seen anyone else before Ranulf unclipped my shackles and threw me into my own holding cell. He slammed the door shut and locked it. “I hope it was worth it, Princess. Pray to the Gods ye survive tomorrow’s tribunal. Things are nae looking so good for ye.”

  “I don't regret a thing,” I said.

  “Aye,” he grunted and left.

  The sound of his footsteps grew dimmer and dimmer the further he got. I didn't know what material the dungeons were made of, or what was above us, but I couldn't hear a single thing.

  “Ain't this a bummer,” I mused. “I hope I don't start making a habit of getting locked up in cages.” I slumped down the grimy wall and popped a squat. The only thing in my cell was a dirty, metal toilet in a corner that looked like it had stopped working a few prisoners ago. The smell coming from it wasn't pleasant either.

  “It gets better, darling, hang in there,” a woman said. I shot up and pressed myself against the cell bars to get a better look. It was pointless, I couldn't see a thing—even with my night vision.

  “Who's there?” I yelled.

  “Nobody important. What ye in for?” she asked. Her voice scratchy from nonuse. I wondered how long she'd been down here.

  “Long story. Let's just say it's complicated,” I sighed.

  “Aye,” she muttered.

  “What about you? Did you wear the wrong colored shoes?” I joked.

  “I wish,” the woman chuckled. “I got messed up with the wrong people—sold some thing's I should nae have. Now I'm paying the price.”

  “So you’re like a drug dealer?”

  She laughed. “Something like that.”

  “Damn,” I slid down the bars and leaned against them. “Look at me getting the real prison experience—making criminal friends and all.”

  “Do ye know how long yer in here for?”

  “Nope. My trial is tomorrow. I can't believe this is my reality,” I kicked at something on the ground. I was going to pretend it was a rock—a really dark, sausage like rock.

  “I'm sure whatever ye’ve done, won't be as bad as me. As my mum used to say, the real trouble with reality is that there's no background music.”

  I quirked a brow and laughed. “That's brilliant!”

  “Aye. So go out there tomorrow with yer head held high, and play the soundtrack of yer life. Ye are the master of yer own destiny, donae let anyone else tell ye otherwise.”

  “Amen, sister,” I pumped my fist in the air. “I like you. I think I can bypass the fact you're a drug dealer. We should be friends.”

  She chuckled. “I'd like that.”

  ****

  My declaration to the people of Sheunta was not something the Summit or the King expected. For Alexander's sake, they wanted to clear this up behind closed doors but I was done pretending. For the last two days, all I'd done was conform to everyone’s ideologies—an archetype I'd been against from day one. How hypocritical of me. I was ashamed at the thought of any of the Lunas back home seeing me as I'd been. Smiling when needed, biting my tongue when I disagreed, coming and going as told. I was done. No more. The only way to truly clear my conscious was to come forth and let the truth set me free. I was a murderer—a rebel—and I had to pay for my dirty deeds.

  My wrists bound in silver shackles, Bash and Ranulf escorted me out of the dungeons. It hadn't been so bad. Charles silver cage was worse than the night I spent in the castles underground. I knew that was Alexander's doing as well. I didn't know why he cared—half the time he acted like he didn't—he was the one who threw me down there to begin with.

  A car awaited us at the front of the castle by the gate to transport us to an arena in Sheunta where I would publicly go to trial. All citizens and Lycans around the globe were allowed to travel here and witness the tribunal. Even Charles Cadwell took the time out of his rigorous schedule to watch my demise. Fan-fuckin-tastic.

  I wasn't sure anymore if they were going to kill me, my only regret was not getting my hands on those Sisters of the Sight and wringing their scrawny little necks. I still couldn't prove they killed Adaline, and that only made the sting worse. They won and I never got justice for Blu. If she could see me now, she'd be so disappointed. All those Lunas rooting for me, I let it get to my head and I accomplished nothing. This whole trip was a waste that only landed me back to square one—on death row.

  “Mackenzie,” Bash turned around from the front seat of the car. “Whatever you do, don't speak. Jonah and I have flown out the Packs lawyer to represent you.”

  “I don't need him,” I grunted as I looked out the window. Avoiding his stare.

  “You do! This is not the time to be stubborn, for once just listen,” he said.

  “I’ve been listening!” I exclaimed. “I did what you, Jonah and Alexander wanted. I let you control me like your own personal puppet and look where it’s gotten me. Stop trying to help. You don't know what I need.”

  “Everything we've done is to protect you.”

  “And look where your protection got me,” I deadpanned.

  “You did this to yourself. If you hadn't—”

  “I know this is my fault!” I admitted. “But they needed to know the truth! I'm no fraud, Sebastian. You should know better than to ask me to be someone I’m not.”

  The rest of the car ride was dead silent with Ranulf behind the wheel. I caught him staring at me during my interaction with Bash, but I was upset with him too. Not that I expected anything, but he just took me to the dungeons. He didn't try to fight for me—none of them did. I knew it wasn't fair to expect that from a man who didn't care either way what happened to me, but I still hoped.

  The arena was deep into the village and it was everything it was cracked up to be. The dome's roof had been opened and I could see the people lining up to be let in. We pulled in through the rear so no one saw me go
in. I was escorted into the arena by more guards and shuffled around like a doll. I thought they would take me into a holding cell to wait but they took me straight to the arena floor where the European and American Summit awaited. I felt like a gladiator walking in, the audience seats were rows and rows of concrete bleachers. Dead center of the ascending seating area was a section closed off for the most elite in Sheunta—the Kings Council and the royal family. A striped canopy was over them to block the sun. The village people and whoever else came, were still milling around on the bleachers trying to find the best seats for the show. That's what this was—a reality show for their entertainment.

  I stood for almost an hour in the middle of the arena floor, standing before the seated Summit. They were up on a dais and the King sat a little higher than the rest. He didn't look at me. Guards surrounded me as if they needed over a dozen to contain me. I was flattered that they found me so dangerous, but it really was excessive.

  The King held up a hand and the audience was quieted—everyone took a seat.

  “We are gathered here today to bear witness and place judgment for crimes committed within the Lycan community. These acts of violence and treachery were too dire to ignore. The law is the law, and it must be upheld to the highest power—no matter who the perpetrator is. With that being said, let’s commence,” Alexander said and the trial began.

  ****

  One after another came forth on the witness stand just above the arena floor, describing my atrocious and unforgivable behavior. They spent more time focusing on my un-luna-like behavior than the real reason we were here—I killed an Alpha. I tuned out half way through their testimonies and peered over at the crowd. In the bottom row to my right, sat Amy, Jackson and Lucian. Even Scarlet was in attendance. She was munching on her lip and I knew she was a nervous wreck. That girl seriously needed a Xanax. Jonah sat with the Kings council to my left—Ivana and Drew sat with them—and Bash was one of the guards that encircled me in the arena. Everyone I cared about—minus my human family—was here. I should have felt their support and love—all I felt was emptiness. Jonah and Bash felt more like enemies, even though I knew they were working hard behind the scenes to help me. Things had been rocky as of late, that I no longer knew whether it was still an act. Lucian was helping Scarlet find Cosima so I hadn't been able to talk to them much, and Amy was hard at work with Jackson, hatching up a contingency plan for after the trial. Everything depended on this stupid tribunal. If they hadn't skipped it up a few days, I would have at least lived to see twenty four.

  “Do ye have any last words before we deliberate?” One of the Summit leaders brought me out of my thoughts. I hadn't been listening.

  “Huh?” I snapped my attention to them.

  “Would ye like to say something?” he repeated.

  My gaze went around the whole arena, to the crowd of people that were here and the friends that attended. I didn't know these strangers and what they thought of my actions. One thing I did know was that there were Lunas here. They were daughters, mothers, sisters, and so on. No one else might care or agree with me—but they did—they more than anyone, more than me, understood the abuse.

  “This is all bullshit,” the words came out of my mouth before I could think of what to say.

  Everyone sucked in a breath.

  “I'm here because I killed Logan St. James—Alpha of the Chicago Pack. But all you care about is that I don't belong to a Pack, or that I don't speak like a lady should, or that I don't clean and cook and breed for the men. That besides Andrew, I would not be extending the MacCoinnich blood line which is unacceptable for a Luna. So what am I really here for—because I killed someone, or because I clash with your drapes?”

  The collective gasps was almost comical, and the whispers were down right hilarious, but I kept it all in to make sure they knew I was serious. I wouldn’t be holding a single word in.

  “We will deliberate and return with our verdict,” Alexander said and the Summit leaders stood and exited the arena—everyone else stayed.

  I felt a hand go to my shoulder and I automatically knew who it was—Sebastian. His scent was a lot stronger than normal and I didn’t even want to know why that was.

  Amy and Scarlet approached as well—Bash giving the guards the okay.

  “Kenz, how are you holding up?” Amy came up to me but didn’t hug me. No one was allowed to touch me besides the guards.

  “Honestly? I’m nervous as hell. I’m not sure if I’m ready to die.”

  “You won’t,” Amy’s eyes widened, hinting toward something, and I knew she had a plan.

  “Don’t do anything stupid. It’s not worth it,” I shook my head.

  “You’re worth it. Everything will be fine, just tune them out,” Amy nibbled on her lip ring.

  “Add some background music. That always works for me,” Scarlet smiled.

  I stood with my friends as they comforted me and gave me hope that it would turn in my favor, but we all knew the truth. Either way, I was grateful.

  “A verdict has been made!” one of the Summit Alphas announced thirty minutes later.

  “We’ll see you in a few, Kenz,” Amy and Scarlet waved as they went back to their seats.

  “Good luck, Mackenzie,” Bash murmured as he went back to his post.

  The Summit returned to their seats and I shifted from foot to foot. I was tired of standing up for so long. Every single one of them had excellent poker faces as they addressed me and my stomach bottomed at the thought of what they had planned. This was it.

  I started to play David Bowie’s Heroes in my head as Alexander cleared his throat. His lip twitched like he was trying to contain something—I just wasn’t sure if it was good or bad.

  “Mackenzie Grey, ye have been found guilty of the murder of Logan St. James—Alpha of the Chicago Pack. As well as the attempted uprising against the Lycans. These crimes are punishable by death,” Alexander paused. My breath hitched and I was starting to feel faint. I couldn’t believe— “Ye have been hidden within the human world and have been ignorant of our traditions and customs. For this, we have granted ye leniency—ye will nae be executed today.”

  Amy’s squeal flooded over me and I still couldn’t breathe. Not yet—I felt a but coming.

  “The punishment for this offense is twenty five years in the tombs. Ye will be given the option to either spend the next twenty five years in confinement, or fight for yer freedom. If ye choose the latter, ye will choose a Champion to fight on yer behalf. Ye have fifteen minutes to make yer decision,” Alexander finished and grinned. Bash was already approaching me, when the Kings gaze went straight to him. They nodded to one another and I knew exactly what happened. Alexander expected Bash to fight for me—the only person besides Jonah who would fight to the death. Jonah stood from his seat with the Kings Council and we locked eyes. The both of them were volunteering. Did they know me at all? I didn’t need fifteen minutes.

  “I’ve made my decision, I will fight for my freedom,” I declared and never broke eye contact with Alexander. “And I choose myself as champion.”

  ****

  I was rushed out of the arena and into one of the alcoves away from the audience that was now in an uproar. They couldn’t believe the audacity I had to declare myself as my own Champion. Alexander hadn’t seen it coming and I wondered if he knew me at all.

  “Let me fight for you, Mackenzie,” Bash said as he came into the alcove. “Don't put your life on the line.”

  “I should save mine, and risk yours?” I snorted. “I hope you hear how ridiculous that sounds.”

  “I'll win.”

  “And I won't?” I scoffed. “You should know better, Sebastian.”

  “Then let me fight for you,” Jonah strolled in, behind Bash.

  I laughed. “Jonah, if I won't let Bash do it, what makes you think I'll say yes to you?”

  “I want to prove my—”

  “Let me stop you right there,” I held up my hand. “Neither of you have to prove a
single thing to me. You owe me nothing—while I owe you everything.”

  “Kenzie...”

  “Listen, this doesn't have anything to do with you. It’s about me. I need to do this for myself. How can I want independence, when others are doing it for me? It’s an oxymoron.”

  After all this time, they still didn't get it—would they ever? I was done being a hypocrite and half-assing everything. I was tired of feeling scared because of Logan, and what happened to the Lunas. I'm sick of playing games. All of the bullshit ended today—I'd make sure of it.

  “If ye won't let yer lovers be yer champion, how about yer brother?” Drew said as he leaned against the entry way. “Anything for my little sister,” he winked.

  “If I want to spend twenty five years in prison, I'll let you know,” I rolled my eyes.

  “Ye think I'd volunteer to die? My life would be on the line, Princess.”

  “I'm sure you'd figure a way out of it if you lost. I'm not taking the chance,” I said and turned back to my friends. “Thank you for your offers but I'm not changing my mind.”

  I flinched as Jonah's fist went flying and struck the concrete wall. “Damn it!” he yelled as debris flew around him.

  Bash studied me carefully, sizing me up.

  “We don't know who you'll go up against, but he will be fierce—he may not be Lycan. I can guarantee he'll be bigger than you, and that will be an advantage. You'll be faster.”

  Jonah scoffed. “How can you stand there and give her pointers?” he exclaimed. “We need to be trying to change her mind.”

  “It's useless, Jo. She's made her decision, now let’s get her out of here alive,” Bash said without ever breaking eye contact with me.

  “Everyone has lost their goddamn mind,” Jonah muttered. “We're signing her death certificate if we let her do this.”

  “You aren’t letting me do shit,” I gritted through my teeth. “I make my own decisions, not you. Let’s get that straight.”

  Jonah turned red as he looked away. It was harsh but it needed to be voiced. His overprotectiveness was starting to piss me off and that made me feel like a shitty person. It was only because he cared, but I needed him to let me fight my own battles.