CAGED (Mackenzie Grey #2)

by Karina Espinosa

  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?”

  “Yes sir,” Sebastian said.

  “Are you the reason why my daughter disappeared?” my father accused and I had to step between them before anything happened.

  “Dad,” I choked. “No he’s not. Can we please go inside?”

  With some reluctance, he nodded and we followed my parents inside my childhood home. The small brick house hadn’t changed, but it no longer felt like it were mine. Every school picture and family portrait that filled the walls of the living room felt like a lie.

  “Where have you been, Kenzie?” My dad asked as he held my mother’s hands. She was still crying.

  “I was out West,” I said as I glanced at Sebastian. I didn’t know why, but there was something in me—maybe the wolf—that told me I could trust him. “I needed some space.”

  “Space from what, Dear? Us?” My mom said and I nodded. I couldn’t tell them the truth. They’d lock me up in a mental institute unless I showed them what I was, and then they’d disown me. “Why?” she asked.

  I raised my gaze toward them, trying to keep my own tears at bay. “Because I found out I’m adopted.” It was the excuse I thought up while on our way to Cold Springs.

  They paled and I didn’t need any reassurance from anyone—that was all the confirmation I needed.

  “How…” my mother muttered.

  Sebastian cleared his throat. “Mackenzie’s biological parents gave her away to keep her safe. Her identity was compromised and she’s in danger. It’s why she had to leave,” he said. Once again, Bash came up with an excellent cover story. Good thing, because I couldn’t find my voice at the moment.

  “I’m so sorry, Kenzie,” my mother cried. “We didn’t know.” My father pulled her into his arms and held her.

  “It was a closed adoption, how did they—whoever they are—find her?” my dad asked.

  “We are still trying to figure that out,” Bash said.

  “Why?” I mumbled. “Why didn’t you ever tell me? Does Ollie know, is he adopted too?”

  My dad shook his dead. “He doesn’t know…he’s our biological son.”

  “But—but we look alike, how is this even possible?” I was trying to find reason within all this madness. Oliver and I shared the same eyes, how could we not be related?

  “Coincidence,” my dad explained. “Mere coincidence.”

  “Were you ever planning on telling me the truth?” I didn’t even know who I was anymore.

  “Someday,” he said. “We just could never figure out the right time. I’m so sorry Mackenzie. This doesn’t mean we love you any less. You’re our daughter.”

  I wanted to be mad, I wanted to scream and throw things at them. Blame them for what was going on—but I couldn’t—none of this was their fault, not entirely. If anything, I was blessed that they chose me. Who knows where I could have ended up? The real perpetrators were my biological parents. They abandoned me in a world that wasn’t meant for me. They left me with humans who I could have injured because I didn’t know what I was. Luck was on my side because I never hurt anyone.

  “It’s okay,” I said, shedding the last bit of anger like a second skin. “Parents doesn’t always mean blood…it’s the ones who r
aised me that count. The ones who made sure I had a roof over my head, and a hot meal every day. The ones who took care of me when I hurt, and who were proud of me during my greatest accomplishments. You were both there…not anyone else. You’re my parents.”

  Chapter Nine

  I went to Cold Springs very angry, but I returned to the city with a lighter load. What I needed most was confirmation that what I had suspected for the past year, since Charles first told me, was true. I wished there were another reason as to why I was a wolf—but life wasn’t fair.

  We informed my parents of my situation as best we could, and I promised to stay in contact until the whole ordeal was over. I didn’t want them to get caught in the cross-fire of whatever was going to happen.

  Since we were closer to the city than Little Falls, Sebastian dropped me off at the warehouse before making the trek back to the Estate to pick up Jonah.

  “Stay in the warehouse, I’ll be back tonight. Until we know what threats are out there, I rather keep you safe with us,” Sebastian said as he parked outside of the building in Dumbo, Brooklyn.

  “Roger that,” I saluted and got out of the car.

  “I mean it, Mackenzie, this isn’t a joke.”

  I leaned into the open window of the passenger side and rolled my eyes. “I know, Bash. Chill.”

  As promised, I went inside the home of the Brooklyn Pack, but I wouldn’t be staying there all day—it was only three in the afternoon. Sebastian was right to be wary of me because while he was road tripping, I was going to be putting my plan into action.

  “Hey, have you seen Blu?” I asked the first Luna I could find. She was a petite little thing, and she was cleaning up a table where others had eaten. The whole situation was making me grind my teeth.

  “She’s in the laundry room,” she responded.

  I was about to leave when I turned to her again. “Do you like cleaning up after others? Is this what you wanted to be when you grew up?” I knew I was being a bit cruel, but they needed to face the harsh reality.

  “This is all I know,” she said and walked away.

  ***

  The laundry room door was ajar when I heard yelling. I busted in there like the police and found Blu in a corner as another Luna was tossing clothes from a basket all over the room.

  “Vivian told you to do her load first before anyone else’s. Why are her clothes still dirty?” yelled the Luna.

  “Maybe because she should be doing it herself,” I suggested as I strolled in.

  Blu’s frown flipped to a huge grin as she saw me and I knew she was itching to tackle me into one of those Amy-hugs.

  “Mackenzie!” she exclaimed and I brushed past the Luna I didn’t recognize and gave Blu a hug. She gripped me something fierce.

  “Finally, someone actually missed me,” I joked.

  “Excuse me,” the Luna behind me interrupted. “We were in the middle of something.”

  “I know, but I take priority at the moment. Go on, shoo,” I waved her off.

  The Luna scoffed. “Wait until Vivian hears about this. She’ll have you both in trouble.”

  I whirled on the girl, my gray eyes flashed silver. “I dare you,” I growled. “Try me, because I’m the last person you want to mess with.” I was in no mood to have my buttons pushed.

  She stumbled backwards and diverted her eyes to the ground—leaving me alone with Blu.

  “Oh my gosh, Kenzie you can’t do that,” Blu complained with a smile. “It was great, don’t get me wrong, but Lunas aren’t allowed to establish dominance.”

  “What if I told you I wanted to change that?” I said and her eyes sparkled. I remembered Blu as a very curvy woman, but she lost weight, and not in a good way.

  “I’d say you’re asking for a death sentence,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest.

  “Possibly,” I conceded. “But it seems like I’m already knocking on hell’s door.”

  Her smile fell. “You know?”

  “Well shit, did everyone know but me?”

  She shook her head. “Everyone found out when you ran away.”

  “Whatever, I don’t want to talk about that. What I do want to chat about, is the future of Lunas,” I paused. “Look at me getting all political and shit. Can we say Mackenzie for President in 2020?”

  Blu laughed. “You never change, Kenz, that’s good. But why this sudden interest in Lunas?”

  “Charles gave me my freedom,” I said and her eyes rounded. “But it comes with a price. Other Packs can come and pretty much force me into submission if they want to. And according to Bash, they want to…because of you know…” I trailed off.

  “I know,” she said, “what are you planning?”

  I straightened and my smile grew, I was excited about this. I felt like I could really do some good. “Okay so Lunas have been taught to be mild and complacent all their lives, right?”

  She nodded.

  “Look at me, Blu, I’m the complete opposite. It’s not a genetic defect, Lunas are just afraid to go against the grain. We need to speak up and fight back. I can’t be the only one who feels that way.”

  Blu shifted on her feet as she scanned the empty room in case someone was listening. She went to the laundry room door and shut it all the way, locking it from any intruders.

  “What you’re suggesting, Kenz, is treason. You might get special privilege but that doesn’t mean any of us do as well. I don’t know…”

  “Answer me this,” I started. “Are there other Lunas out there who want more? Who want to be free?”

  She looked sick to her stomach and I understood her apprehension. She was going against everything she was raised to believe in. And I knew that my situation wasn’t ideal. I was no longer the underprivileged lone-wolf, but I came from some important people. I might not be the best person to cry injustice, but no one else was.

  “Yes,” she relented. “There is a group of Lunas who want things to change. They’re from all over the Northeastern Pack. During the full moon, they shift together.”

  “A group has already formed?” I asked in shock.

  She nodded. “But Lunas are scared to speak up, Kenz. They might agree on wanting change, but they won’t do anything about it. We’re very comfortable in our way of life. We would have to give up a lot in hopes of success. This could always turn out bad for us.”

  “I understand, Blu, but if we don’t try, we’ll never know if it was possible. Don’t you want to try?”

  She stared at me for a moment, deciding on whether I was right or wrong—whether fighting was even worth it.

  She sighed. “I’ll contact Rachel. I’ll let her know you want to talk, but that’s all I can do—for now.”

  I wrapped my arm around Blu. “You know I missed ya, right?”

  “Yeah, yeah,” she swatted me away. “Of course you did.”

  On my way home, I received another call from Roman and tried to answer but lost reception when heading toward the train. I had to remind myself to call him as soon as possible.

  When I walked into the apartment in Alphabet City, Amy was lounging on the couch watching TV while working on her laptop. Her flaming red hair was pulled into a messy top knot, and I think she was still wearing pajamas.

  “Whoa, now that’s a fashion statement,” I said as I shut the door and eyed her Harry Potter sweat pants and t-shirt. “Everything okay?”

  She sighed, “I miss Jackson.”

  I snorted. “Oh good lord, scoot over,” I knocked her feet off the couch and sat down. “It hasn’t even been twelve hours, Amy, what is there to miss?”

  “You have no idea, Kenz,” she wiggled her eyebrows. “He does this thing with his tongue like,” she stuck out her tongue to show me, but I smashed the palm of my hand in her face.

  “No, Amy, please don’t scar me more than I already have been today. Boundaries please,” I grimaced.

  She pouted. “Bad day?”

  I turned to her in anguish. “Horrible! I’ve been Jon Snow�
�d!” I exclaimed and she raised a brow.

  “Explain,” she said as she reached for a box of Girl Scout cookies. “Thin mint?”

  “No, you know I like Samoas,” I said and she shrugged.

  “Alright, what do you mean you’ve been Jon Snow’d? I have a million scenarios running through my head. And I’m praying it has nothing to do with White Walkers.”

  “Charles spilled the beans on my bio dad,” I said.

  Amy choked on a cookie and I patted her back as she coughed. “What? Like your real Pops?”

  “The one and only—and get this, he’s no regular Joe.”

  “Well obviously, you’re a total badass wolfey,” she said as she reached for my hand. “Who is he?”

  I took a deep breath before I said, “The King.”

  ***

  It was nightfall by the time I told Amy everything that had happened today. From Charles, to visiting my parents, to what I spoke about with Blu. And of course Amy took my side on everything because she was the greatest friend ever. Even after I ran off without her, she still stood by me when it counted. I wouldn’t be taking our friendship for granted ever again.

  “Do you know what he looks like? If not we can get a picture of a wolf and pretend it’s the sperm donor,” she said as she launched to her feet. “Oh! And we can dig up that dart board we have somewhere around here, and stick his picture on it!”

  I chuckled. “That is a good idea! While you look for it, I’m gonna go down to the bodega and get us something to eat. I’m starved,” I said as I sat up from the couch.

  “Ask Mrs. Mejia if she’s serving breakfast sandwiches. I can so go for one at this time of the night,” Amy said.

  “Oh my gosh, yes! A bacon, egg, and cheese on a hoagie sounds like heaven at this moment. You, my friend, are a genius,” I said as I gave her a loud kiss on the cheek.

  Amy went into the spare bedroom where my cage used to be and was now converted into a storage room. I grabbed my cell phone and ear buds and headed out of the apartment. This was the perfect time to call Roman.