Prologue

Earth had been a planet that was lush and full of life, and maybe that was our downfall. We had foolishly thought we were invincible. We had thought that nothing in the world could hurt us.

What happened, didn’t just happen overnight.

We had plenty of warning signs that we stupidly chose to ignore.

Everything died, plants, animals, humans, we all died.

It was our fault that the planet had met its ultimate and untimely fate.

It wasn’t a bomb that took down our planet.

It wasn’t even something we could fight.

Earth as we knew it, came to an abrupt end when an uncontrollable super-virus took over the planet, killing everything in its path.

Nothing was safe from its reach, not the animals, not the plants, not even the once vast oceans were safe from its reach.

Most believed it was an act of God.

Others believed that we all deserved our end, our fates.

Yet others saw it as an opportunity.

They saw it as a new start to a better future.

Those were the ones who had planned ahead. They were the ones who built the space stations that now held the last hope for humanity.

It’s been two hundred and thirty seven years since Earth died.

We are the future.

Chapter 1

It’s been two hundred and thirty seven years since Earth as we knew it became unlivable. I’ve been living on one of the seven space stations that our scientists had foreseen to construct.

Each station has its own special reasons, and each has a certain group that will be able to travel to any new planets we find and begin life anew.

These seven stations consist of the farmers, the engineers, the scientists, the breeders, the doctors, the military, and the alphas, or also known as the future leaders.

I was lucky enough to be born on the military station, and I was quickly following in my father’s footsteps to becoming a leader of my very own squad.

It was a high honor to become a commanding leader, and it was an even bigger honor since I had managed to snatch the highest spot in our ranks at only eighteen.

“Hey, Mac, did you hear the news?” Max, or better known as Mad Max, rushes over to me as I walk down the hall towards my living quarters.

“No, what’s up?” I stop to study my second in command as he pants for his breath.

“The Alphas are coming, here, today.” He pants as he leans over to place his hands on his knees. “Something big is happening, Mac.”

“What do you mean? The Alphas always come to our station when there’s a big meeting, Max. It doesn’t mean that something big is going to happen.”

“No, but they don’t always bring Killian with them.” He grunts as he finally stands up straight and runs his hand over his short military style hair cut.

His hair was such a dark brown that it almost appeared black.

Pair the dark hair with his equally dark brown eyes and dark look he had about him, and you would understand why the younger military trainees called him Mad Max.

Max was a very harsh trainer, but his students all graduated with the best and highest scores.

Groaning, I continue my walk with Max by my side. “I really don’t want to see him, are you certain they are bringing him along this time?”

“Yes, they are definitely bringing him, which also sucks for our team because he’s going to want to watch us work and I can’t stand how judgmental he can be. I’d really like to see him go against one of us. I bet he wouldn’t last a minute.” Max replies.

“I don’t know if I would take that bet, Max, the Alphas are trained just as well as we are, if not more so.” I reply as I reach the metal door to my quarters.

Swiping my wrist over the red laser light next to the door it reads the micro chip implanted in my wrist, beeping to allow me access.

“I still say that you could easily take him on, Kenzie.” Max responds with a laugh.

Just as Max turns to leave my father appears around the corner, both Max and I fall in line with each other.

With our backs held straight and our chins held high, we salute him as he comes to stand in front of us.

“At ease, Dunn, you may go along with your business. I need to speak alone with my daughter for a moment.” My father commands using Max’s last name.

“Yes Sir, Captain Frost.” Max salutes him once more before walking off leaving me and my father alone.

“At ease, Mackenzie, I only want to talk.” My father sighs as he glances back to where Max had just left. “I’m sure Max has already informed you of the Alphas arrival for later today?”

“Yes, he did, and before you get angry with him he was only warning me that he heard that Killian was going to be coming along with them.” I reply.

“I’m not angry with Dunn. I understand that he watches out for you, that’s why he’s your second in command. You need that kind of trust when choosing your team.” My father sighs again roughly as he rubs his hand over his short cut, graying black, hair.

“Killian will be coming, and I’m afraid that since you’ve just turned eighteen, he’s coming before the council to demand that you become his.”

“Isn’t there anything we can do to stop him?” I question feeling absolutely helpless.

In our world, women were treated as property even if they proved themselves to be worth more. We were looked upon as if we were nothing more than just baby carriers to continue the survival of humans.

And I guess in a way it made sense, but it was unfair to us females who longed to be more than that.

We should have had the right to at least choose the path we wanted to follow.

He sighs again looking years older than his actual age of fifty.

“Our hands are tied, Kenzie. You know how things work here, when an Alpha wants something the council has no choice but to hand that thing, or person, in this case, over.”

His shoulders sag and I see the slight sadness that he carried in his eyes that he always tried to hide.

He was one of the few men who were for female rights.

Especially since his only daughter was being forced into something neither of us wanted or even thought was fair.

Killian had a bad reputation with my father and me.

I mean, he had been the one who took away my mother, and my father’s mate.

Who could blame us for holding a grudge?

“Try to get along with him, Mackenzie, because the Alphas being here isn’t the only thing we’re dealing with at the moment. The scientists have found a planet that can support life and the council is going to be putting together teams to send down.”

“Wait, when were they going to tell us this information?” I question.

“They’re going to be holding a meeting later in the week. It’s also when they will be officially calling out the teams that will be leaving.” He answers.

“I know my team has to be at the top of that list, Dad. Is this whole thing with Killian going to postpone us leaving, or is it going to speed things up?” I question curiously.

“I’m sure you are, Mackenzie, you and your team are unlike any other, and I’m proud of you for being the first female leader.” He sighs. “Killian is probably going to speed things along. You know they want whole groups with Alphas to go down, and I’m afraid that this time the teams won’t be returning to the station.”

“What do you mean, the teams always come back unless…” I trail off.

Teams didn’t come back when the stations decided to colonize a planet.

What that meant for me and my team was huge. We would be leaving our home, the only home we’ve ever known, for good.

That meant leaving our families and friends behind, it meant that we would be on our own to survive.

It also meant that we could possibly even die.

I wasn’t a big fan of that, I was a survivor.

“You’ve trained for this, Mackenzie, you know this won’t be easy, but it’s what we do.” Dad reassures.

“I know, Dad, but it’s going to be hard leaving you behind.” I tear up, quickly hiding it from my father.

I knew I had failed when his hand comes up to brush away my stray tears.

“Don’t cry, baby girl.” He whispers softly.

Team leaders were never to show emotion, it was seen as weakness, but I needed this moment.

“I can’t help it this time.” I whisper back.

“I know, but you mustn’t ever let anyone see your tears. You need to be the strong girl I raised you to be, the strong girl that your mother wanted you to be.” My father replies gently.

I nod wiping at my eyes as my tears continue to fall out of my control.

“Captain Frost.” A familiar voice rings out, and I inwardly groan.

It was Killian.

His voice alone, made me want to crawl into a meat grader rather than face him.

But I was going to have to face him.

Just not at the moment, not until my tears were gone.

Dad turns around quickly hiding me behind him as I fight to control myself and wipe any evidence of my tears away.

I couldn’t be seen like this, especially not by him, an Alpha.

“Alpha Killian, Sir, I’m sorry I didn’t realize you were here already. I was told that the Alphas would be arriving later tonight.” Dad salutes, his back straight and his chin up.

“At ease, Frost, I’m here to talk with your daughter. We have much to discuss.” Killian replies quickly, not even caring to explain to my father why he and the others had shown up earlier than expected, but that was almost expected from Killian.

Killian only said what he wanted, when he wanted.

“May I speak freely, Sir?” My dad questions and I peek around to see Killian nod.

“What exactly are your intentions with my daughter?”

“As you know already, I’ve been watching her and her team, they’re at the top, as am I, and I want them to follow under my lead.” Killian skirts around my father’s question.

My father nods. “I understand that, but you have shown other interests in my daughter.”

“I have, I admit that I have formed a soft spot for her. She would make a good match for me, would she not?” Killian questions my father who can only agree, if he would have disagreed then it would be possible for Killian to thrown him into the cells.

I hated our laws.

No one would ever dare to disagree with an Alpha.

It wasn’t fair.

“She would make a good match for you, Killian, if it wasn’t for her deep hatred of you.” Dad answers wisely.

I grin behind his back.

My father always had a way with words where he could speak the truth and the Alphas could do nothing against him.

“That is unfortunately true, and between you and me she isn’t my first choice, but as an Alpha I must take the best of the best.” Killian admits easily, making me hate him that much more.

He didn’t honestly like me anymore than I liked him.

We hated each other.

Stepping to the side, I salute Killian and flip him off as his jaw drops.

“Alpha Killian, Sir, you have some nerve…” I trail off, stepping closer to him not caring one bit about protocol.

I was ticked and I didn’t care if he threw me in the cells, at least then I wouldn’t have to be paired to someone I hated so deeply.

“You are out of line, Mackenzie.” Killian grunts as he grabs my hand before it can slap his face. Twisting it behind me, I cry out in pain as he pushes me until I fall down on my knees in front of him.

“Throw me in the cells then, Killian.” I taunt knowing that he wouldn’t.

I was far too valuable to him to just throw me away.

“Fine, if that’s where you want to be, I’ll take you there myself.” Killian grunts as he pulls me roughly back to my feet.

“Are you serious?” I question as I turn my face to look at him with shock.

His blue eyes pierce mine with anger.

Something was different about him. I couldn’t put my finger on it but normally his eyes weren’t filled with such hatred towards me.

Normally, they would soften and his anger would leave.

This time he wasn’t changing his mind, he wasn’t bluffing.

I was in big trouble.

“I’m dead serious, Mackenzie, I’m tired of these games you always play with me. I’ll give you two choices, either you spend a few days in the cells or you take ten lashes publicly, which will it be?” He grunts.

There was only one right answer to that, and he knew it as his lips form into a smug grin.

“I’ll take the lashes, I can’t be seen in the cells, it would ruin me and you know that, Killian.” I clip out.

“Good. I’ll meet you in the grand hall in two hours for your punishment. After that, we can talk like I wanted to in the first place.” Killian lets my arm go before walking off.

“You really did it this time, Mac.” Dad grunts before pushing past me disappointed.

“I’m sorry.”I whisper as I watch his back disappear around the corner.

Slowly, I stand to my feet feeling completely disappointed with the way I had acted out, I should have acted differently.

If only I could turn back time.

Turning around I walk back over to my door and swipe my wrist under the red light to open my door once again.

Reluctantly walking in, I lay down on my bed.

I was angry with myself for coming so unhinged around Killian.

I really needed to learn how to keep those emotions in check.

My emotions were bound to get me into trouble far worse than this, I just knew it.

How was I going to stand strong against ten lashes, I didn’t know, if I failed, it would make me appear weak, and I couldn’t let him make me out to be weak just because I was female.

I had to prove to every one of the other leaders in this station that I could stand with the best of them, being beaten down was not going to be an option.

Beating Killian at his own game would be a plus, especially since I knew what he was trying to do. He was trying to show his dominance over me.

It was something most guys had tried while training alongside me.

An unwarranted poke here, a swift kick, behind a commander’s back, there.

It was never ending.

Most girls, and women submitted to the men, that’s why we were treated as pawns and given away instead of treated as equals.

Thankfully, I wasn’t most girls.

I was one of the few who decided to show the world I would do more than just sit back and allow my life to be controlled.

Choosing this life had its complications though, like being stuck with Killian just because I would look good by his side.

Even with the status I had, I had to admit to still being a pawn.

I was still looked upon as an object, a very valuable object.

And that’s the way it would always be, sadly.

Unless women would grow a backbone and stand up for themselves, which was something I definitely didn’t see happening in my lifetime.

Chapter 2

Fifteen minutes before I had to report down to the grand hall I get a beep at my door, announcing that someone was just outside.

Opening it, I’m not surprised to see my team standing before me.

“What have you gotten yourself into this time, Mac?” Grey Dixon, one of my favorite team members and the quietest one of our group, questions with a dark raised brow that matched his dark hair and the dark mysterious look he had about him.

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 matter 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.

“That was one of my favorite jackets.”

“You have others, I’m sure.” Killian laughs.

He takes in a sharp breath as he begins removing the tattered remains of my shirt.

I knew it had to look just as bad as it felt.

My back felt as if someone had taken a meat grinder to it.

As he pulls a piece of cloth from a wound I close my eyes and whimper as tears pour silently down to the bed wetting the soft white sheets.

“I’m sorry, Kenzie, there’s only two other wounds that I need to pull the material from. The blood has somewhat dried so I’m warning you now, it’s going to hurt.” Killian explains just before two quick jolts of pain wash over me.

Moving away from me I turn my head to watch Killian as moves around the small, cold looking, space that I would now call home.

Until we went to the ground, that is.

For a moment I felt sorry for him as I watch his shoulders slump, and when he turns his eyes show just how worn he actually was.

He eyes me curiously as I continue to watch him.

“What are you thinking?” He questions.

I sigh. “I was just thinking about how tired you look.” I answer and his eyes soften a fraction before he stands up straighter and every trace of him being tired and worn disappears.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, I’m not tired.” He growls out before throwing a medical kit down to the floor next to the bed.

“You can fix yourself.” He snarls. “I’m leaving for a while.”

He then walks out of the room leaving me alone and still bleeding.

I stare at the door in shock by his random behavior. His moods had become erratic, and completely unlike the Killian that I knew.

Minutes later the door beeps alerting me that someone was just outside.

“Enter.” I command and the door opens revealing Maddox.

He walks in looking around curiously before his eyes land on me questioningly.

“He left me to fix this myself.” I answer his unspoken question.

His hands clench tightly as his jaw ticks with anger. “I swear if he wasn’t an Alpha I would kill him. He doesn’t deserve you, Mac.”

“I would kill him if I could too, Maddox.”I laugh out before cringing from the pain.

Without another word I watch as Maddox picks up Killian’s discarded medical kit and begins working on my back.

I lay there quietly as his hands gently brush over my skin as he cleans, and stitches up the worst wounds.

Placing a large bandage on my back he then helps me into a sitting position so he can wrap another bandage around my middle to hold the one on my back in place.

As he wraps the bandage around my breasts I become aware of just how exposed I had been to him.

It wasn’t the first time he had seen me like this since modestly wasn’t much of a big deal in our station, especially when the only place to clean up was one large bath room that both men and the few women who lived here shared.

But being here, like this, with him felt different.

Not bad, but not at all good either considering he was a member of my team.

I cross my arms over myself as he continues to wrap me and thankfully sensing my unease he stands to his feet before searching through a bunch of drawers, producing a shirt for me.

I’m thankful when he helps me into it before buttoning it up the front for me.

Looking into his eyes I smile slightly as he caresses the back of his hand over my cheek. “Are you going to be alright now, Mac?”

I nod. “I’ll be fine.” I lean into his hand. “Thanks, Maddox.” I whisper and he nods before breaking out into a smile.

“If you need anything, I’m just a shout away.” He states as he stands back to his feet and makes his way over to the door, glancing back once more just before walking out.

Moving slowly I lay back down on my stomach.

The pain was still too much to handle and I knew sleep was out of the question even though I felt exhausted.

I figured that I would just wait for Killian to return.

Thinking over what had just transpired between Maddox and me, I laugh out abruptly.

Maddox had surprised me by being so tender and I had never thought that I would ever see that side of him in my lifetime.

He had always been at my throat since the first day we had been assigned to the same team as young children.

But that moment of tenderness just reminded me that you couldn’t always judge a person just by what you saw on the outside.

He could be a good man when he wanted to be.

I was glad now that he was on my side and part of my team.

The minutes tick by slowly as I wait for Killian to return. I had figured he would have gotten over his anger for me by now.

When the door finally does beep open I’m shocked to see Killian stumbling inside the room with another girl.

After the both of them enter the room while giggling the girl spots me first and elbows Killian gaining his attention before pointing towards me.

“Why is she in your room, Killian?” She questions and I smile smugly as Killian groans pinching the bridge of his nose.

“That’s Commander Frost, to you sweetheart.” I answer and her face pales.

“And since Killian seems to have forgotten, we entered into a union that I can now break, thanks to this little encounter.” I motion between the two of them.

Cheating was a big no, no, when you were in a union.

“I’m so sorry, Ma’am.” The girl salutes a little too late, but at that point I didn’t much care. She was my ticket out of the union with Killian.

“Get out, now.” I command and she does without another word.

Moving to sit up I watch Killian as his face goes red with anger.

I laugh out menacingly. “You really screwed this up, Killian.”

In a flash of movement he picks me up and slams me back against the wall. I choke with his hand firmly around my neck.

“You’re not going to say a word, Mackenzie.” He growls. “I didn’t mess anything up, and it would be my word over yours. Who do you really think they would listen to?”

“They will listen to me.” I growl back in anger as I move myself to fight him.

It was a lie to believe that the council would actually listen to me though.

The council would undoubtedly listen to an Alpha before listening to a female but I wasn’t about to be treated this way, especially not by him.

“No, they won’t. You will stay mine and you will not complain if I have a taste of…” He chokes out cutting his words off as I dig my hand into his inner thigh just below his family jewels.

“That is where you are wrong, Killian. If I am stuck in this, your hands will never touch another woman ever again.” I warn before shoving him back.

He comes at me again and I throw my leg out to kick him right in the chest. I cry out as I feel some of my stitches tear.

Catching me at my weakest Killian pins me back against the wall.

I cry out again in pain.

His cruel eyes study me for a moment before they soften and he backs away slowly, allowing me to slide down the wall.

He curses at himself before reaching for me again.

I slap his hands away refusing to be touched by him.

He turns around, his back to me, and I take that moment to yell out to the intercom that every room thankfully had. “Call, Maddox Weaver.” I yell and immediately get a response.

“You called, Captain Frost?” He answers gruffly.

“Help me. “ I yell just as Killian slams his hand into the intercom cutting the call off for good.

“You are going to pay for that, Kenzie.” Killian growls as he steps towards me.

Picking me back off of the floor he leans in so his face is mere inches from mine. His deep green eyes study my pale blue ones.

I close them as a few tears fall.

Killian curses softly before loosening his grip on my arms. “I’m sorry, Kenzie.” He whispers as his breath fans over my neck.

“It hurts, Killian.” I whimper.

Lifting me up, he places me back on the bed rolling me to my side so he could see the damage he had done.

I already knew it was bad.

My shirt was soaked with blood already, even my pants were soaking it in.

The door beeps announcing Maddox.

I half expect Killian to dismiss him but he commands for him to come in.

Rushing in Maddox kneels down as I lay myself on my stomach. “What’s wrong?”

“The stitches you put in tore.” I answer glancing back at Killian as his jaw begins to tick with anger.

He was mad that I had Maddox help me, but I didn’t care, he could only be mad at his self for leaving me alone to treat wounds that I couldn’t even reach.

“Why did they tear, Mac?” He questions and for a moment I look at Killian before answering.

“I thought that I could move better than I actually could. You know me, Maddox. I don’t like to be kept down.” I lie skirting around the truth.

Maddox studies me for a moment before nodding.

I knew he didn’t believe me.

“You scared the hell out of me when you called for help, Mac.” He sighs.

“I know, no one was here and I really didn’t want to bleed out alone.” I answer and he nods again before glancing over at the broken intercom.

His jaw ticks with anger for a moment until I place my hand against his arm to stop him. I didn’t need any more trouble for the night.

“Alright, well, since I’m here I should probably fix you back up.”He sighs looking down at my hand.

“I’ll take care of her, Maddox. You can leave.” Killian cuts in.

Maddox watches me for a moment as we talk silently with our eyes. I didn’t want him to leave me alone with Killian, but he really didn’t have much of a choice.

“Are you sure?” Maddox whispers, I nod removing my hand from his arm.

Standing up, Maddox’s eyes fill with anger as he faces Killian. “I will kill you if you hurt her again. I don’t fear you, Alpha.” He spits out before saluting me and then leaving.

Minutes pass as Killian watches me, and I watch him.

“Why did you even choose me, Killian?” I blurt.

He sighs as he looks down to his feet for a moment before looking back up to me. “I chose you because you are the best at what you do. I also chose you to keep you safe from the other Alphas that wanted you.” He answers honestly.

“How is this keeping me safe?” I question motioning around absently he bows his head with a sad laugh. “I don’t know, Mackenzie, but we need to learn to trust each other.”

“I hate you, how can you expect me to even want to trust you?” I clip out.

“I know it’s a lot to ask but you haven’t been told the entire story. I’m not exactly the bad guy you like to make me out to be.” He replies.

I laugh abruptly. “Yeah, and you expect me to believe that after what just happened and what you did to me earlier?”

“I tried to take my words back, but the council wouldn’t have it. I allow my anger to control my actions far too much.” He explains as he slowly moves towards me. “I really am sorry, and I will never be able to forgive myself for what I did earlier.”

“Did you forgive yourself for killing my mother?” I growl out and his eyes go wide with surprise.

“I never…” He begins.

But I cut him off. “Your name was on her death papers.”

“I didn’t sign those papers, Kenzie. I was for rehabilitating your mother.” He insists.

“Yes, you did. You just probably don’t remember.” I accuse.

“I’ll prove it to you somehow that I didn’t sign those papers, Mackenzie.” He promises moving ever closer. “Can we move on, for now, so you don’t actually bleed out?”

I nod giving up my fight.

I wouldn’t let it go though.

Not ever, or at least until he proved me wrong.

Chapter 4

“I think we’re going to have to go to the shower room in order to get these completely clean, Kenzie.” Killian states as I finishes pulling out all of the damaged stitches.

“I don’t know if I can even make it down there like this.” I whimper.

“I can clear everyone out if I have to, and it is late, most everyone should already be asleep in their quarters.” He answers and I nod in agreement.

Even though I hated the idea of him helping me anymore than he already had, I really didn’t have much of a choice.

My wounds needed cleaned out and I needed to wash the dried blood off of my body.

Holding my arm over my breasts I motion towards the drawers that held our clothes. “Can you get me a clean shirt or something to cover myself?”

Nodding, Killian quickly fishes out a shirt of his own, he holds it out to me and I take it while he continues to watch me.

“Can you turn around or something? I really don’t want you to watch me put this on.” I huff out.

He nods and turns his back to me.

I lift the shirt up to put it on but it hurts far too much to get it over my head. I growl out in frustration as I try different ways to put the shirt on.

Killian chuckles as I throw the shirt at his head.

“Can you stand on your own?” He questions.

“Yeah, I think so.” I grunt as I stand up on wobbly legs.

“Now, just turn to face the wall and I’ll help you.” He commands softly.

Turning around I glance back to see him watching me, he smiles softly as he moves closer and maneuvers the shirt in his hands before they come around me.

He holds it just far enough away for me to place my arms through the holes. His arms brush lightly against my bare skin and I involuntarily shiver.

With him being this close my mind wonders to dangerous places.

Places that instead of wanting to kill him, I wanted nothing more than to feel more of his skin against my own, and I wonder for a moment if I was just going crazy from the loss of blood.

That had to be the reason, because I hated him.

“Can you look down for just a minute so I can get this over your head?” He whispers, his breath fanning over my skin.

I do as he asks without a word.

I wasn’t even sure if I could speak.

Placing the shirt over my head I straighten and turn back towards him as he carefully pulls the shirt down covering me.

My eyes study his heated ones and for a moment, and I find myself not hating him so much.

“Are you ready?” He questions breaking our moment.

I nod as I close my eyes.

“Yes, I am.” I answer and wait as he places his arm around my waist for support like we had done before.

Before we leave Killian stops just outside the door before rushing back inside our room. Moments pass before he comes out with a bag.

I raise my brow curiously.

“I figured we would need fresh clothes and bandages to fix you back up.” He answers before slinging the bag over his shoulder and then wrapping his arm back around my waist.

“Good thinking.” I grunt as we slowly make our way down the three halls to the shower room, or what most called the bath house.

Thankfully, we don’t come across anyone else in the halls and when we reach the room there is only one other person standing under a shower.

It’s Maddox.

Killian turns to me for a moment questioning.

“Let him stay, there isn’t anything he hasn’t already seen before.” I answer his unspoken question.

Killian growls low as he looks from me back to Maddox.

“Why can he see you and I can’t?” He questions abruptly.

“Because there isn’t anything between Maddox and me, he’s more like family to me than anything else.” I answer honestly.

“Are you sure about that?” He questions with a raised brow and I nod.

There wasn’t anything to worry about, I mean we did kind of have a moment earlier when he had stitched my wounds, but that was just sympathy on his part.

Walking into the room on my own Maddox glances up and grins until his eyes land on Killian following close behind me.

“Nothing can keep you down, can it, Mac?” Maddox laughs.

“Nothing can, and I bet I could easily beat you in a match tomorrow.” I challenge playfully.

“I bet you could.” He laughs again as he turns on the shower next to him heating the water for me.

Grabbing my arm Killian stops me from moving forward.

“I don’t want you near him.” He whispers in my ear.

“I don’t really care what you want, Killian.” I reply pulling my arm away from his grasp before walking over to Maddox. He motions for me to lean down and with one quick and painless move he pulls off my shirt.

I quickly shimmy out of my pants and undies before stepping under the water, gasping as it hits my back.

Closing my eyes I allow it to run over my body.

It hurt but at the same time it felt oh so good.

Suddenly, arms come around me as I sway.

Opening my eyes I see Maddox clench his jaw with anger, as Killian’s hands move to my hips, I gasp again at the unfamiliar touch.

It was an unwelcome touch, one that I was definitely not ready for.

Turning around I half expect to see Killian just as bare as Maddox and I were, but he’s not, he was still fully clothed.

Motioning for me to turn back around I feel one of his hands lightly trace my wounds.

Closing my eyes again I refocus my mind on something other than the mix of pleasure and pain that I was currently feeling.

I sway as his fingers again find my hips and even as he turns me to face him I keep my eyes shut tightly.

I couldn’t look at him with the way his hands felt on me. I didn’t want him to see the need I had for him in them.

His hand comes back up my side before threading through my hair, pulling me flush against his body where I felt every contour of him through his wet clothes.

A small moan leaves my lips just before his lips caress my own.

My eyes open wide and I quickly shove him away realizing just who had been kissing.

I couldn’t believe my lapse in judgment.

Glancing around I couldn’t find a trace of Maddox anywhere and I became highly aware of the vulnerable position I had been placed into.

Placing his hands firmly back on my hips Killian pulls me back to him.

“Killian, I don’t want this.” I whimper as his lips trail down my neck.

“Yes, you do, you know you want this.” He pants as his hands trail back up my body.

God, he made this hard to say no.

But none of this felt right, the way I knew it should.

“I hate you, Killian.” I growl out trying my best at pushing him away.

“That’s just too bad, because I love you, Mackenzie.” He admits and then stops abruptly.

His eyes meet mine and widen before he lets go of me and rushes out of the room leaving me alone.

What the hell had just happened?

I kept replaying his words over and over in my head as I stand in the shower with the water still running over my body.

It couldn’t possibly be true.

He hated me as much as I hated him, right?

I don’t know how much time goes by as I stand still in the water, but I stand there motionless and in shock until Max comes in and begins speaking to me.

I watch as his lips move, but no sound comes out.

His hands cup my cheeks bringing my eyes to his. “Focus, Mac, what’s going on and why are you alone?” He questions breaking into my head finally.

“I don’t know what happened, Max. I don’t know anything anymore.” I answer as I sway on my feet before my eyes flutter and my entire world drops out from under me.

Chapter 5

“What happened to her?” My father’s voice rings out as I force my eyes to open.

I glance up into Grey’s soft eyes.

“I don’t know, she didn’t say before she passed out on me. She was lucky I had come in after Maddox practically went crazy with rage when he came back to our room. He mentioned something about Mac being in the showers with Killian and I figured I’d go check things out.” Max explains.

“Good call, Max.” My father commends.

“She’s awake, guys.” Grey states as he looks up to everyone.

Well, everyone but Maddox, I notice as I scan the room out of habit.

“Where’s Maddox?” I question and my father pinches the bridge of his nose.

“He’s in lockup, for now.” He answers.

“Why is he in lockup?” I question becoming alarmed.

“Because, he’s believed to be a danger to Alpha Killian, he nearly beat his door down when he found out that he had abandoned you in the shower room.” He explains.

“Then where is Killian?” I inquire next.

“He is also in lockup for putting a Commander into danger. Markus is quite angry with him right now for not taking care of you properly. The council is meeting in the morning to re-discuss your union and whether or not they should end it.” My father answers.

“Really, they’re rethinking it?” I question in disbelief.

My father nods. “Yes, at my request. He’s not good enough of a leader if he abandons his second.”

“I need to talk to him.” I respond quickly surprising everyone around me.

I try to climb out of Grey’s arms but he holds tight, and for good reason because I couldn’t really feel my body.

“Why can’t I feel anything?” I question in fear.

“We had a doctor stitch your back up, and he gave you enough pain killers to knock you out for a while.” Max answers this time.

“How long have I been out?” I question.

“Only a few hours, you should actually still be asleep.” Dad answers with a sigh.

“Then someone take me to Killian, I need to talk to him now.” I order.

“Why do you need to talk to him so badly?” Grey questions.

“I just do, he said something earlier that I just need to hear from him again.” I argue.

For a moment everyone stands quietly around me until my father nods and then motions for Grey to take me to see Killian.

Grey cradles me in his arms as we all walk out of my father’s room together.

“Don’t leave her alone with him, Max.” He orders in the hallway before walking in the opposite direction.

Dash comes up beside Grey and watches me closely before speaking. “What could he have possibly said to you that it’s so important for you to hear again, Mac?”

I shake my head. “I don’t want to say, Dash. I need to hear what he has to say about it, though. I need to understand why he left me alone, too.”

I needed so badly to make some sort of sense of it all.

And I could only do that with Killian.

I had so many questions.

“You need to talk to Maddox, too.” Grey suggests and I nod as we make our way to the wing that held the temporary lockup cells.

“I know I do. Something has definitely gotten into him lately.” I state absently.

Grey laughs out suddenly. “He’s in love with you, Mac, that’s what’s been wrong with him lately. He’s ticked off that Killian got his hands on you.”

“Whoa, what the…” I trail off for a moment. “How long has he…?”

“Years, Mac, he’s been in love with you for years.” Dash answers.

“Oh, god, this whole situation just got ten times more complicated then.” I whisper absently.

“Why?” Grey questions stopping in his tracks.

“Because, Killian may have admitted to actually loving me when we were together earlier, but I’m not sure if he meant it since he ran off without saying another word.” I squeak out finally choosing to give up my secret.

It was better if they just knew what was going on anyway, it wasn’t like they didn’t already know that something was bothering me, and knowing my guys they would hound me until they found out one way or another.

They were relentless when they wanted to be.

And anyway what would it hurt to get their opinions on the matters at hand.

“Mac, this is just crazy. You need to put those two back in line before they get themselves into real trouble.” Grey grunts.

I nod. I was going to have to channel my inner commander for this. I was going to have to lock my emotions out and approach them both as nothing more than trainees.

I was going to break some hearts.

Walking through the door leading to the cells Grey carries me to the front of Maddox’s cell first.

He quickly stands before rushing over to the bars.

Reaching out a hand he tries to touch me but Grey steps back placing me out of his reach.

“You will salute your commander, Weaver.” I order and his eyes grow sad before he grows hard and salutes me.

“I’m sorry, Commander Frost, forgive my insolence.” He responds.

“I will as long as you keep yourself in line.” I order and he nods before I continue in a softer voice. “This is how it has to be, Maddox. You know this.”

“I know, and I will not forget.” He answers quickly.

“At ease, Maddox, I’ll see what I can do to get you out of here.” I order and he nods as he turns back to his seat on the floor.

Glancing back up at me once more I see his sadness before he places his head back into his hands.

I felt terrible, but this was the only way to keep my team members in line.

There wasn’t any room for those kinds of emotions between us.

They would only cost us dearly in the end.

Moving on, Grey moves me down a few cells to where Killian is already standing at the bars waiting for me.

“Why are you being carried around, Kenzie?” He questions.

Dash growls from beside me. “She’s being carried because you left her for dead in the shower room, or did you forget.”

“I don’t understand.”He answers.

Max grabs him trough the bars getting into his face. “You ran from her and left her alone in the showers. Luckily, I found her before she passed out. She could have died, you know.”

“I left her alone, yes, but she was fine.” Killian argues before sighing deeply, giving up the fight. “At least now I understand why Maddox came after me, and why I’m locked in here like some sort of animal.”

With a rough shove from Max, Killian falls back onto the floor.

When he doesn’t get back to his feet I’m shocked.

“Can you guys leave us alone for a few minutes?” I ask.

“No, I’m not leaving you alone with him. You can’t even stand, Mac.” Max growls.

“I just need to talk to him for a few minutes. Please, Max he’s behind bars and you won’t be that far if I need you guys.” I beg.

“How are you going to talk to him if you can’t even stand?” He questions giving me hope that he was going to give in.

“I can still sit on the floor and lean against the bars.” I answer easily.

Glancing between Grey and Dash, Max nods and so do they.

“Fine, but I swear to god you can’t tell your father I left you alone with him.” Max snarls as he looks to Killian.

“I won’t say a word.” I promise as Grey begins lowering me to the floor, leaning my back against the bars so I could sit upright.

After a few tense moments they all leave, finally leaving me alone with Killian.

I had so many questions running through my mind that I didn’t even know what to say to him first.

Finally settling on one, I find my voice. “Why did you leave me alone?”

“I don’t know, but I’m sorry that I did.” He sighs.

“Did you really mean what you said?” I question next.

He doesn’t respond for so long that I turn my head just enough to look back at him. Placing his head into his hands he shakes his head roughly.

“I don’t even know. I don’t have a clue why I even said those words, Mac.” He lies.

“The council is going to be reviewing our union because of this, you know.” I state and his head whips up to look at me.

And that just proved to me that he had been lying.

“They are?” He questions before laughing out. “I bet you’re happy. Now, you have a reasonable way that you can get away from me.”

I nod my head keeping my eyes firmly on him. “Yes, it does.”

“You should get away from me since you hate me so much, Kenzie. I don’t know why I thought pushing you into a union was ever a good idea.” He curses as he stands to his feet and begins pacing his cell.

“I didn’t want the union, Killian, but I wouldn’t want any other Alpha to lead me and my team. You’re the best.” I state and he stops to look at me.

I continue. “I’m going to request that you stay our Alpha, but I want our union over with. I know you’re lying about your feelings for me.” Turning more I place my hands on the bars and begin pulling myself up to stand.

Killian watches me with wide eyes.

“I don’t know how you’ve kept it hidden from me all this time but I know you love me, Killian, I can see it in your eyes, even now, but I can’t get past the thought of you being the reason I lost my mother.”

“I swear to you that I didn’t sign my name to those papers, Kenzie. I would never have done that to you, even then.” He answers.

“Who could have signed your name to those papers then, Killian?” I ask.

“My father, I honestly wouldn’t put it past him. You know how he is.” He answers.

I nod my head for a moment before glancing up to him. “I want to believe you. I really do, but even if I did, this, whatever it is, can’t happen.” I motion between the two of us.

As he nods I begin to feel faint again, and just as I feel myself fall I feel Killian’s arms reach around me through the bars.

He holds me close as his eyes search mine with worry.

“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to stop caring about you like you want me to, Kenzie.” He whispers softly as one of his hands comes up to stroke his knuckles across my cheek.

I close my eyes and lean into his touch.

And as his lips brush against mine I can’t help but enjoy it.

Pulling away he smiles slightly to himself before looking in the direction of the door that Grey, Dash, and Max were waiting on the other side of.

“I need to tell them to come get you.” He states softly.

I nod. “Yes, you do.”

“You know what you have to do to get us out of here with our honor still intact, right?” He questions abruptly.

He was talking about how to get him and Maddox out of the cells.

I knew what he was asking, but it was hard to want them to fight. They were both at the top and one or the other could possibly be hurt badly, or even killed.

It would be the only way to get them out tough.

And it would be the perfect way for them to settle the anger that Maddox had for Killian.

It would fix everything, and it would bring a greater honor to the winner.

“I know what I have to do, Killian.” I answer softly. “Just don’t kill him.”

“I wouldn’t do that to you or your team, Kenzie.” He answers before looking back towards the door as Max and the others rush back in.

“I hope you’re done, Mac, because I’m not leaving you with him another moment.” He growls and I smile at him sweetly.

“I am finished, Max, and as you can see Killian took care of me this time.” I answer motioning to Killian’s arms wrapped around me.

Turning to Grey I hold out my arms for him to scoop me up.

He does wordlessly.

Getting into Killian’s face Max stares him down. I could sense his anger and as his fists clench tighter I knew I had to stop him from whatever he was about to do.

“Stand down, Max.” I order.

It takes a moment for him to respond but when he does he turns to me. “You need rest, Mac.”He states and I nod in agreement.

“I know.” I yawn. “Goodnight, Killian.” I whisper.

He smiles sadly. “Goodnight, Mackenzie.”

With another yawn I wrap my arms around Grey’s neck as he begins moving, following Dash and Max out of the cell area.

“Goodnight, Maddox.” I yell back as we reach the door.

“Goodnight, Mac.” He answers with a low chuckle. “And don’t worry about tomorrow. I’ll follow the same rule you gave him.” He adds referring to what I had spoken to Killian about.

He was promising me that he wouldn’t kill Killian.

“Thanks, Maddox.” I answer softly before Grey carries me through the door and into the empty halls of our space station.

The dark cold walls and metal floors gave the whole station a haunted look when the lights were turned down low, giving everyone a sense of night and day.

It just gave me more reason to want to leave the confined space.

I couldn’t wait to step foot on solid ground for the first time.

To feel actual sunlight on my face was a dream of mine.

Walking past my room I glance up questioningly to Grey.

He smiles. “Max wants us with you at all times until you’re feeling better so we are all going to bunk together in his and Maddox’s room.”

“Oh, but isn’t that against our rules, won’t we get into trouble if the council finds out?” I inquire.

“Your father already approved it with the council. A commander must be taken care of by their team if something happens to them.” He answers with a nod.

“So, this is pretty much just a training exercise?” I laugh.

“Pretty much, we are going to be going to ground soon, and we need you back in top form before that happens, anyway.” He grins.

“Are we really going to be sent to the ground?” I question.

“It’s not completely certain, but from what I’ve heard through others, we are the council’s top choice, and with having an Alpha we were definitely lined up to be next.” Grey sighs roughly. “But now with all of this going on and possibly losing our Alpha, I’m not certain of anything, Mac.”

“We’re not going to lose Killian as our Alpha.” I admit.

He stops in his tracks. “You can’t be thinking of keeping your union in place?”

I shake my head. “No, I’m ending that but I am going to request that he stays our Alpha. He would be the best to have and we are considered the best team, so it would be a win, win, situation all around.” I explain.

“Good, you scared me for a minute. I thought for sure that after that little kiss you two shared that he somehow had changed your mind.” Grey laughs as we catch up to Max and Dash.

“You guys saw that, did you?” I laugh lightly.

“Yes, we saw and pretty much heard everything that was said between the two of you. Max said he’d leave you alone, but we had to know if he would say something to hurt you.” Grey smirks.

“Hell, it pretty much took Dash and I both to hold Max back when you swayed on your feet.” He laughs.

“Yeah, Mad Max almost came unleashed back there.” Dash laughs out.

“You shouldn’t have let him touch you, Mac.” Max snarls as he turns back to face us as we come to stand in front of his door.

“Let’s just chalk it all up to a loss of sanity, okay?” I sigh. “I still hate him, but maybe not as much as I should.” I admit with another yawn.

“Yeah, let’s just go with insanity and the loss of blood for your choice of words there, Mac.” Dash chuckles loudly.

Max waves his hand to open his door and we all walk in.

The second Grey lays me down on Maddox’s bed my eyes close.

“I really hope she isn’t falling for his lies.” Max growls as I fall into a deep peaceful sleep.

I really hoped that Killian hadn’t been lying to me, but a part of me told me not to fall for his words unless there was concrete proof.

There was still something off about him.

Something not right, but what could it possibly be?

Chapter 6

“Mac, come on, you have to wake up.” Dash shakes me roughly.

“Come on, you’re scaring the crap out of us, Mac.” Grey grunts as he takes his turn shaking me.

I groan and swipe at them blindly with my arms as I roll onto my back.

Pain shoots through my body and my eyes open wide.

“Ah, there she is.” Grey laughs before rolling me back to my side, taking away the pain.

“Why did you let me roll?” I ground out.

“I figured if the pain didn’t wake you up then we should get help.” He answers easily.

“Nice thinking, guys.” I answer sarcastically before looking around for Max. “Where’s Max?” I question and both men look to each other before looking back at me.

“He’s already talking with the council.” Grey admits.

Dash looks away rubbing the back of his head. “He’s kind of taking over your spot as commander.”

I sit up abruptly and wince at the pain. “He’s doing what?” I growl out.

Both men take a step back as I stand to my feet, and then without another word I march out of the room not caring one bit that I wasn’t even wearing my boots, or even socks for that matter.

I was a ticked off commander on a mission, and nothing was going to stop me from taking my position back.

Even though Max was only doing what he thought was right I couldn’t have him doing it. Being the first and only female commander I had to keep strong and I couldn’t allow myself to slip in any way.

If I did, the men would all begin challenging me for my team.

And I wasn’t about to lose my guys.

Storming down the halls, trainees, and leaders alike move out of my way quickly.

Without announcing my presence, I plow my way into the council room and walk directly over to a very surprised Max.

“What do you think you are doing, Max?” I growl getting into his face.

“I was just doing what I thought was best, Commander Frost.” He answers stepping back with a salute, quickly falling back in line as my second in command.

“You will not do that again.” I command and he nods quickly in agreement.

A cough comes from behind me and my eyes go wide.

“Are you finished, Miss Frost?”

I turn to face the council and Markus. “I’m sorry, Sir, but you have to understand why…” I trail off as he holds up his hand stopping me.

“I understand, Mackenzie. That was why we were just telling Max that he could not step into your place, we understand how hard it is for you being the only female commander, and we would rather not jeopardize that for you.” Markus explains.

“Thank you, Council Leader. I am sorry that I caused such a fuss.” I glance down at myself and smile sweetly before continuing. “I’m also sorry for my lack of clothing, if you will give me a few moments I can come back better prepared for our meeting.”

Getting a good look down at myself I finally notice the complete state of undress I was in.

All I had on was a button down shirt that must have been Maddox’s for the size thankfully brought it down to my lower thighs.

I blush as the council members smile and look me over before talking amongst their selves.

Looking back to me Markus nods. “You may leave, but we require you to be in full uniform when you return.”

“We will continue this meeting in fifteen minutes.” He orders to no one in particular.

I nod and salute along with the rest of my team before we all exit out into the halls to make our way back to our rooms.

“That was priceless, Mac.” Dash finally laughs out as we near the rooms.

“Yeah, yeah, laugh it up now but when we return, it’s back to the same old me.” I grunt as I walk over to the door to my room.

“We know and we will be on our best behavior.” Dash answers before disappearing into his own room.

“How’s your back feeling, do you need more pain medication for it?” Max questions quickly.

It takes me a moment to gather his words.

My back had not once really hurt and it still wasn’t hurting. In fact, it was beginning to feel numb.

“I don’t feel anything right now. Did you give me something before I woke up?” I ask.

He nods. “Yeah, I did, I had a feeling you would do exactly what you did. I hope you’re not really mad at me.”

“I’m not mad, Max. I just don’t want anything to get harder for me. You know how things go around here. I don’t want to end up losing you guys either.” I sigh gently.

“Yeah, I do understand, but no one could ever take you down, Mac.”He smiles before entering his room before I go into my own.

Quickly stripping down I carefully pull on my uniform and then one of my other favorite jackets.

Killian had been right when I had others but the black one had been my favorite.

Now, I was forced to wear my deep blue one.

I had to admit, it did make me look even more badass than before since it made my blue eyes pop.

After smoothing my uniform out, I strap on my two holsters for my throwing knives onto both of my thighs and then the holster around my waist to hold my two favorite pistols.

I place various other weapons within my jacket, and last but not least I strap on my two favorite weapons of choice, my swords.

Placing them crisscross over my back I loosen the straps a bit so they wouldn’t rub against my wounds too badly.

Looking in my mirror I smile and then braid my short hair into two small braids that came down behind my ears.

I was now ready to meet the council in full uniform as they had requested.

It was odd for them to request this, and as I thought it over I wondered just what the meeting would disclose.

Shrugging it all off as I smooth my hands over my shirt and pants. They had to have their reasons and it would be foolish for me to wonder it over too hard.

Again, I check myself in my mirror.

Every detail had to be perfect.

With an approving nod to myself I walk back out into the hall Grey, Dash, and Max all fall in line with me. Max walks by my side but one step back while Dash and Grey walk two steps behind him.

The group didn’t feel complete without Maddox, though.

I was eager to get him back with us.

Reaching the council chambers once again I announce our presence this time before walking in.

The members all give me an approving nod as I walk in.

“Thank you for returning so quickly, Commander Frost.” Markus states as he motions to someone behind us and we watch as Killian and Maddox are brought into the room to join us.

Both are cuffed and have blindfolds over their eyes.

I raise my brow as I look back over to Markus.

Chuckling lightly he answers my unspoken question. “We couldn’t get them to stop fighting so we took away their hands and sight.”

I nod once. “Do you mind if I…” I motion to the guys and he nods.

Walking over to Maddox first I take off his blindfold and watch as his lips turn into a smug grin.

Grabbing hold of a tender spot on his shoulder I pinch hard making his smug smile fall quickly.

“I’m not very happy with you right now, Weaver.” I growl out. “I want you down on your knees where you will deal with this meeting at a lower level since you think you’re on top.”

He does as I order quickly. His head bows and I nod satisfied with his submission to his commander.

Next, I move over to Killian.

Removing his blindfold he too holds a smug grin.

I inwardly wanted to groan at these two, but I don’t.

I couldn’t.

Instead I grab him by the throat. He chokes as I tighten my grip. His smile falters and finally falls as he realizes that he couldn’t win.

“You’re lucky I’m being so nice because even your behavior as an Alpha has been questionable.” I let my grip go and he nods bowing his head.

Glancing between the two men I sigh softly. “Are we going to have any more problems between you two?”

“No, you will not, ma’am.” Maddox answers.

I turn to Killian.

“You will not have another problem with me either, Mackenzie.” He answers gaining his smug grin back.

I couldn’t make him submit to me like I could to Maddox.

As an Alpha he was above me and he knew he could get away with this little rebellion by calling me by just my first name.

Turning back to Markus and the council I take my stand, with my hands behind my back, my chest out and my chin up.

I was ready for this to be over with.

“Are you ready for this meeting to proceed?” Markus questions in a business like voice.

“Yes, Sir, we are ready.” I answer.

“At ease, all of you.” He then orders and we all relax.

“Now, first and foremost we want to discuss the punishment that Maddox Weaver and Killian Wolfe shall be dealt. Do you have a request for how this should be played out, Commander Frost?” Markus questions curiously.

“Yes, I do, if I may speak freely?” I question and with a nod from Markus I continue. “I think they should have a chance to fight out their differences. I believe that we can resolve this conflict with a good hand-to-hand fight. We could use it as a training tool for our new trainees.”

“I think that could be arranged as long as Alpha Killian doesn’t object. His status as an Alpha could be in danger if he lost. It could also cost him a leadership with a new team.”Markus replies looking over to Killian in question.

“I will fight as Commander Frost has proposed.” He answers simply.

“Alright, that brings us to our next issue. We have heard Killian’s side of what happened with the issue last night, and we have also heard Max’s side of the story but we would like to hear your side if possible, Mackenzie. We need to come to an agreement whether or not to remove your union.”

“I can’t really tell you much more than what Max or Killian could have told you, Sir, I don’t really remember much.” I answer quietly.

Markus nods. “We figured as much. From what we have gathered we are prepared to end your union. Do you agree with this, Mackenzie Frost?”

“Yes, Sir, I would like very much that the union between Killian and I be ended.”

“Then that‘s final, the union between Killian Wolfe and Mackenzie Frost will end as of right now.” Markus orders as another council member enters the information into a computer.

“May I say something more before we go on, Sir?” I question abruptly.

“Yes, you may.” He agrees.

“I know that I have just requested that our union be ended, but I don’t want Killian to leave my team as an Alpha. Would it be possible for him to stay a leader to my team without having a union with me?” I request.

Markus sits back in his chair for a moment speechless as he watches me closely.

Glancing over at his council members each one gives him a nod before he turns his attention back to me. “I don’t see why we can’t have him stay as your Alpha. This issue is one of a kind being that you are female, so the way I see it is that the only thing we can do is treat this as if you are not female.”

“That’s all I am asking, Sir. I just want you to see me as just another leader. I am no different than any of the men here and I’ve fought hard for my place.” I reply.

“Yes, you have, and we are all very proud of you.” Markus smiles before continuing on. “I do have to request that you find another suitor, before you and your team are sent to the ground.”

“So, we are being sent?” I question quickly.

“Yes, you and your team will be leaving within the next few days, along with a few other chosen teams. The council and I have considered this to be a colonization move and we will be treating it as such.” He answers and I’m struck speechless.

We would be grounded and we weren’t going to be coming back.

It was a lot to take in.

We were going to have to leave everyone and everything we knew behind.

“I’m honored that you chose my team for this, Sir.” I state quickly.

“You and your team will need to meet with potential members to be picked for your colonization team. They should be arriving soon to our ship, so chose quickly and wisely.” Markus adds.

“Yes, Sir, thank you for the heads up.”

“Don’t forget my request though, Mackenzie, you must find a suitor before your team can leave. If you do not, your team will be forced to stay back.” Markus reminds me.

“I will find someone, Sir.” I answer quickly not even sure if I could find a suitor, or if I even really wanted one.

A suitor was only chosen as an option for having children, which was something I didn’t want but was obligated as a female to do.

“We will meet back here tomorrow to discuss this further with you and the other teams. The fight will be prepared for late tonight.” Markus states before turning his attention to Max. “I want you to supervise Killian until that time.”

“Yes, Sir, I will.” Max replies quickly turning towards Killian.

Turning his attention to me next, Markus nods towards Maddox. “You can take care of him, right?”

I laugh out abruptly. “Yes, Sir, I can.”

“Thank you. He has been a handful for our security team.” Markus chuckles before he waves us away with his hand, dismissing us.

Helping Maddox to stand from his knees I wait for the guard to un-cuff him before leading him from the council room.

“You couldn’t even behave for the poor guards?” I question with a laugh. “The poor man is twice your age, Maddox, you could have at least given him a break.”

“It wasn’t entirely my fault. Killian played his part in me getting into trouble.” Maddox answers and Killian glances back with a smirk as he walks with Max in front of us.

“You shouldn’t have played into his games, Maddox.” I argue.

“I know, but when someone dares you to do something…” He trails off.

“Oh my god, Maddox just because he dared you doesn’t mean you have to do it.” I bark out and Dash falls into a fit of giggles behind me.

I turn my head to look at him in warning and he straightens but has a hard time holding his laughter back.

“What did he dare you to do?” I question curiously.

“I can’t tell you that, Mac, it goes against some sort of bro code.” Maddox teases.

“Killian, tell me what you dared him to do?” I try a different angle.

He turns to face me, walking backwards. “It’s against our bro code, Kenzie, sorry.”

“You guys just suck.” I grumble as he turns back around and we continue on.

I give up, throwing my hands into the air, I would find out sooner or later.

Chapter 7

“You should choose me to be your suitor.” Maddox states later while we sit together eating our dinner, which consisted of mostly vegetables since large animals weren’t really that easy to keep on stations.

“I don’t know if that’s wise to do.” I answer.

“Why wouldn’t it be wise, Mac, you know how I feel about you now. I know you have to feel something for me.” Maddox replies.

“That’s just it, Maddox. I don’t feel for you like that. You’re family, you’re my teammate, but we can’t be more because I don’t feel what you do.” I answer softly.

I didn’t want to hurt his feelings, but he had to know the truth.

“I could at least take care of you if nothing else. I wouldn’t push you into anything, Kenzie.” He all but pleads.

“If I can’t find someone else then I will choose you, that‘s all I can promise. I won’t let our team down. This is a huge step for us.” I answer trying to give him some sense of an easier let down.

“That’s something at least.” Maddox sighs as he continues to eat his plate of food.

“Are you going to be alright with this fight tonight?” I change the subject.

“I will be fine. Killian and I came to an agreement of sorts last night.” He winks filling his mouth so he couldn’t say another word.

“Tell, me what you two agreed to, Maddox.” I growl not wanting to play his games.

He smirks but only shakes his head.

I wasn’t going to get an answer.

“I swear I will hurt you one day for these games you play.” I snarl causing him to chuckle.

“That right there is why I like to play these games with you.”He chuckles. “You’re hot when you get ticked off.” He admits and my eyes go wide.

“And with that, I’m out. I’m going to go find someone else to watch you.” I stand to my feet leaving my food behind.

“Awe, come on, Mac, I was just teasing.” Maddox yells out as I walk away. I shake my head forcing myself not to smile.

I had to admit that what he had said had made the girlie part of me squeal with joy.

I hated my girlie part some days.

As I walk through the dining room Max walks in with Killian by his side, both watch curiously as I march up to them sigh roughly. “You’re watching Maddox, Max, I can’t handle him anymore.”

“Why can’t you handle him, Mac?” Max grins.

“I’m not even answering that. Just please watch him for me for a little while, and I’ll watch Killian.” I practically plead.

“Fine, but I don’t think this will solve your problem, Mac.” Max answers cryptically before leaving me alone with Killian.

Grabbing his arm I lead him over to a secluded corner. “Tell me this little deal that you and Maddox worked out.” I demand.

Chuckling Killian bows his head before looking back at my serious face.

“Why are you so worried about this fight, Kenzie?” He questions becoming serious as he takes a step closer to me.

Looking away I sigh. “I don’t want either of you to get hurt.”

“We won’t get hurt, but we are going to have to fight, Kenzie.” He replies.

I nod. “I know. I still don’t like that I had to place you into this position.”

“You just don’t like the fact that two people you care about have to fight and you have no control over what happens.” Killian states calmly, saying exactly what I was feeling.

I hated not having control.

I nod remaining quiet as I turn my face to look at him.

His hand comes up to brush away a stray strand of my hair, and I close my eyes.

“You should have kept our union, Kenzie.” He whispers.

“You know why I couldn’t, Killian.” I reply softly.

“I know, and I’m sorry I left you in the shower room, I scared myself when I admitted my feelings to you. What I said was true though, somewhere along the lines of knowing you I’ve fallen for you, even though you’ve hated me every moment.” Killian confesses.

“Things wouldn’t be so bad if you could just prove to me that it wasn’t you who killed my mother, Killian.”

“I will prove it to you.” He promises.

Grabbing my hand he pulls me away from our spot to an even more secluded spot where no one could see us.

I don’t move as he places his hands on my hips before leaning in pressing his lips firmly to mine. One hand comes up to cup my cheek and I sigh softly as I lean into him.

His tongue tangles with mine as I take that plunge into the unknown.

I wasn’t sure what would become of us, but I was damned if I wasn’t going to at least enjoy this for the moment.

Moving me back to a wall he continues to caress his tongue over mine as my swords hit the wall, my back suddenly splinters with pain, I gasp in agony.

Pulling me away from the wall pain continues to slice through my entire body as Killian curses.

“I’m so sorry, Kenzie.” He whispers as he pulls my face up to look into my eyes. “Tell me what to do.” He pleads helplessly.

“I need something for the pain.” I pant out. “Go tell Max and Maddox I need them. I can’t leave here like this.”

He nods watching my tears fall for a moment. Wiping them away quickly he kisses my forehead before walking back out into the dining room to get help.

Turning around I unbuckle my swords from my back and allow them to fall to the floor I could already feel the blood running down my back.

I swear I had the worst luck.

My stitches must have torn again, at least that’s the only reason I could come up for why I was in so much pain. Leaning my head against the cool metal wall I close my eyes as I feel my blood travels down my arm to drip off of my fingertips.

I was going to be in real trouble if I didn’t get my wounds healed.

“What’s going on?” Maddox questions as he turns me.

His boot slips in the small puddle of blood by my side and he curses.

“It hurts real badly, this time, worse than before.” I answer.

“We have to fix you up before you bleed anymore.” Maddox answers as Killian and Max squeeze their way into the tight space.

“Go get your medic kit, Maddox, and I’ll help her remove what she needs to. Max I need you to get her some sort of pain killers from the doctor’s office, tell them I sent you for it.” Killian commands, Max and Maddox.

Both nod and rush out.

Slipping off my jacket, Killian curses.

“It’s a mess isn’t it?” I question softly looking back at him over my shoulder, he nods. “Just cut the straps of my tank top and pull it down to my waist. I don’t think holding my arms up will help.”

“I need a knife.” He states right before I feel his hand glide down my thigh to where my throwing knives were strapped.

I shiver, and I swear I can practically feel him smile as he pulls one of the knives from its holster.

Even while bleeding and in pain I couldn’t help the way my body seemed to want to react to his presence.

Groaning, I lean against the wall again as he cuts through my straps, and then pulls down my shirt.

I feel his hands wrap around me as he grabs a hold of the bandage and then slowly unwraps it from around my body.

Closing my eyes I bite my lip as he pulls the medical tape from my skin before pulling away the larger bandage.

Glancing back to Killian I watch as his eyes fill with worry. “What’s wrong?”

“The stitches tore again.” He grounds out and this time I curse.

Moving to my side he turns my face gently to look at him. “I’m sorry for all of this. I’m sorry for hurting you, I’m sorry for leaving you before, and I’m sorry I kissed you.”

“It’s not totally your fault, Killian, and for the record I’m not sorry that I let you kiss me.” I answer him softly and he shakes his head roughly.

“I’m the one who did this to you. I’m the one who whipped you. You shouldn’t even let me near you.” He growls at himself.

“Yes, but I was out of line for acting the way I did towards an Alpha.” I argue.

“I still shouldn’t have acted so rashly.” He sighs. “I should have just kissed you then like I wanted to.”

Laughing softly I nod. “Yeah, you should have, but I still probably would have hit you afterwards.”

“Yeah, you probably would have, but it would have been worth it.” He grins sadly.

We laugh together as Max and Maddox return with Grey and Dash. They all glance between Killian and I oddly before Maddox jumps into action to fix my wounds.

“What did I miss while I was gone?” Max motions between us.

“Nothing happened that you need to worry about, Max.” I laugh, and then gasp as Maddox hits a tender spot.

“You didn’t tear the stitches too badly this time, Mac.” He grunts from behind me.

“Then why does it hurt so much worse?” I inquire.

“I don’t know. It may be getting infected.” He answers softly as his hands move quickly, but gently over my back.

Suddenly, I feel a pinch in my side and I glance down to see Killian pulling a needle out of my skin.

“Sorry, I figured it would be best as a surprise.” He answers.

“Can you hold her tight so she doesn’t move for a minute, Killian?” Maddox questions over my shoulder.

Killian nods before slipping in front of me. Pinning my arms between us he holds me tightly against his warm body. I sigh softly as I lay my head against his chest and relax my body.

“I could get use to this.” Killian whispers.

“Shut it, Wolfe. I will forget our agreement if you even dare say another word like that to her.” Maddox growls as I feel another pinch at my back before a sweet numbness takes over.

“That is so much better.” I groan as I snuggle farther into Killian.

“I bet it is.” Maddox chuckles softly as he continues to work.

“Is she going to be alright?” Grey finally speaks.

“Yes, she will be fine, but I need you and Dash to stay by her side at the fight. She’s probably going to be a little loopy.” Maddox answers.

“Oh, that’s going to be fun.” Dash giggles nervously.

“It’s going to be a nightmare.” Max states and I can’t help but giggle as I look up to Killian.

“Oh, yeah, it’s going to be interesting.” Grey adds.

“What the hell is going on back here?”My father’s voice cuts through the small space suddenly. “What are you all doing back here with my daughter?”

“She tore her stitches again. I’m trying to fix them so she doesn’t bleed too much.” Maddox answers.

“How did she tear her stitches?” He asks and I feel every eye turn on me and Killian in question.

“That’s what we would all like to know, Sir. Killian was the only one back here with her and neither of them will explain what they were doing.” Max snarls.

I fall into a fit of giggles abruptly. “They wouldn’t believe us even if we told them, Killian.” I giggle some more as I smack his chest playfully. “They wouldn’t believe that we were back here kissing.”

“You were doing what?” Maddox practically yells from behind me as he stops tending to my wounds for a brief moment.

“I think they do believe it, Kenzie.” Killian smiles sadly.

“I shouldn’t have ended our union.” I whisper and he nods.

“It was my fault again. I brought her back here to have a private conversation, but one thing led to another, and while I was kissing her I didn’t think and backed her into the wall with her swords still strapped to her back.” Killian answers my father.

“I don’t want her alone with you again. Do you hear me, Killian? After what you’ve done to my family I won’t have you take away my last reason for living.” My father growls barely holding back his anger.

“Yes, Sir, I’m sorry any of this happened.” Killian apologizes.

“Yes, I’m sure you are, but I no longer want you around her.” He growls one last time before leaving.

“Well, that didn’t go well.” Grey laughs nervously.

“No, that didn’t go well, but we need to finish fixing you up, Mac. Then we have to get you to the fight without causing anymore trouble.” Maddox responds as he gets back to work.

That was going to be easier said than done.

I could feel myself falling asleep.

But I was thankful for it so I wouldn’t have to deal with any of this anymore.

I couldn’t think straight and the last thing I needed to do was say something else that would cause someone else to be angry with me.

My father was at least disappointed. I heard it in his voice when he told Killian to stay away.

I needed to stay away from him just as much as he needed to stay away from me.

We weren’t good for each other at all.

Chapter 8

After a little nap and a stern talking to from my father, and Max, I walk along with Max to the fighting arena.

I still felt sluggish from the shots that Killian and Maddox had given me and when I fell behind Max would quickly speed me back up.

I had to appear to be completely fine, even though I was far from it.

My wounds weren’t really causing much of my problems. It was my heart that was dealing me all sorts of emotions that I wasn’t ready to feel, that was what I had my problems with.

My father had come into my room to wake me and from the moment my eyes opened he forbade me to see or even speak to Killian unless I absolutely had to.

He also pushed me into agreeing to a meeting with a potential suitor.

After that, everything just seemed to go downhill from there.

Maddox wouldn’t speak to me.

My heart felt as if it was being torn in two.

And now I was on my way to watch Killian and Maddox fight.

None of this was going to end well thanks to the kiss I had shared with Killian.

Walking into the room Max splits off from me to sit with other military personal while I had to join the group of commanders.

I wanted to be able to join Dash and Grey like we had planned before, but the way that the council set things up we were going to have to be separated.

I was going to have to be on my best behavior.

Thankfully, I wasn’t feeling all giggly like before, I was feeling depressed now, and it was probably for the better that way.

Sighing, I move towards the group of commanders that were already sitting down in front where the fight would take place.

The only seat available was between two of the worst commanders, Silas and Clark.

Both hated me just because of my status as a commander, and the fact that I was female.

They were always coming up with new ways to make my life a living hell.

I really didn’t want to bother with them, but I had no choice.

Making my way down the aisle I sit down between them, ignoring the look they give each other and ignoring the groan Clark gives.

“What’s up Frost?” Silas questions without his normal snarky attitude, which throws me off.

“Why do you care what’s up with me?” I question looking at him oddly.

“I was just wondering how things were going, I know we haven’t been the best of friends but after what Alpha Killian did to you…” He trails off.

“Yeah, you are a goddess to all of us commanders now. You not only took ten lashes, you stood up to an Alpha.” Clark adds with a little less of his attitude, also.

I watch both of them in shock.

They couldn’t be serious.

This had to be some sort of joke on their parts.

Any minute everyone was going be standing up and pointing their fingers at me while they laughed.

They had to be pulling something, they just had to be.

If not, then hell might just have frozen over.

“I’m not falling for this, you two have never been nice to me and if you don’t mind I would like to keep it that way.” I finally spit out turning my attention to the ring.

“We’re not trying to trick you, Mac. We’re just proud to have you commanding by our side. You won’t be tormented by any of us anymore.” Silas states before turning his attention forward, leaving me alone.

After a few moments of peace Silas turns to face me again. “Is it true what we heard? Are you no longer in a union with Killian?”

“It is true, but the council has requested me to find a suitor, soon.” I answer absently before wanting to bite my tongue off.

Leaning in closer he smiles. “So, is that why your father wanted us to meet later on?”

My eyes go wide before I answer with a sigh. “It figures he would choose you.”

Silas was a good man when he wanted to be and he was an exceptional young leader like me. So, I could see why my father would choose him, but he didn’t realize all the trouble that Silas and Clark had caused for me over the years.

“So, are we still going to meet up later? I would like to get a chance to actually talk to you for once. I don’t think we’ve ever had a regular conversation.”

“It’s your own fault that we’ve never talked. You and Clark have never liked me.” I answer before the lights dim ending our conversation.

The fight was about to start.

I watch tensely as Killian and Maddox step out into the bright light of the ring with Markus standing between them.

It was so strange to see them there together, shirtless, and only wearing loose shorts.

Their hands and feet were both taped up since this was going to be closely related to a mixed martial arts fight.

I had to admit they both looked good without shirts on.

Both men were so different yet the same in many ways. They were both built strong and agile, they carried themselves with a certain kind of confidence that leaders possessed, and they were both wearing cocky grins as they looked out into the crowd.

When Maddox’s eyes scan over me he gives a quick wink.

Markus raises his hand and instantly the room quiets.

“We are here today to watch Alpha Killian Wolfe, and Maddox Weaver, fight out a withstanding issue that they both posses, which will hopefully be resolved with this fight.”

“Continuing on, As Commander Mackenzie Frost suggested this will also release them from their punishments for causing a public disturbance last night.” Markus continues.

“Now, let’s give it up for these two fighters, and may the best man win.” Markus ends exiting the ring, leaving Killian and Maddox alone.

As Killian takes the first punch the crowd around me goes crazy. Everyone stands to their feet yelling out for who they wanted to win.

It was barbaric, and with every hit I flinched as I sit still in my seat.

Silas glances down at me as Maddox falls to his knees after a particularly hard hit from Killian.

My eyes were glued to the scene and I couldn’t take my eyes away even if I wanted to.

I let out a quick sigh of relief as he stands back to his feet wiping away blood with the back of his hand, smiling joyfully, before going back at Killian.

“They are enjoying themselves, Mac.” Silas states as I notice the large grin on Killian’s face.

Standing to my feet, I watch as they take turns hitting each other, and as I continue to watch I could see clearly that they were both holding back from hurting each other.

This must have been their plan all along.

“They could have at least warned me.” I mutter as Silas continues to watch me instead of the fight.

“So, which one do you want to win?” He questions.

“It doesn’t matter to me who wins.” I reply.

“It should, they are fighting over you, are they not?” He asks surprising me.

“How do you…” I trail off.

“They have both been in love with you for a long time, Mac. It wasn’t all that hard to see, and Maddox never kept it hidden from any of us guys.” He cuts me off.

“I didn’t see it.” I admit as Killian gets another good kick in.

“Why did you think none of us other guys every tried to be with you, Mac? It was pretty hard to even get close with those two around, especially Maddox.”

“I can’t believe I never saw it, but it does make sense now.” I laugh out.

“It’s the main reason Clark and I gave you such a hard time. They didn’t see us as competition and we were able to get closer to you than most.” Silas admits and I turn my face to look at him curiously as he rubs the back of his neck nervously.

“Just spit it out, Silas.” I command and he smiles.

“I actually like being around you, Mac.” He sighs bowing his head before looking up at me through his lashes.

I was taken aback by his confession.

Everyone around me had seemed to have been keeping secrets from me.

I had a feeling that things were only going to get weirder if I didn’t put a stop to this now.

The last thing I needed was a bunch of the guys trying to win me over once they found out that Killian and Maddox weren’t actually fighting to win me.

Having enough of it, I push my way past Silas.

I needed to talk to Markus, I had an idea that he and the council would more than likely approve.

At least I hoped they would.

My father on the other hand would probably be mad at me and want to strangle me, but if everyone felt like Silas did then I was in a bit of danger considering I was one of only a few females that lived on our ship.

The others were claimed, but I was not which would cause fights if they all found out they could possibly win me over.

I had to end this now, and it would be with either Killian or Maddox.

Making my way over to Markus I kneel down at his side as he watches the fight from beside the other council members.

“May I speak with you for a moment in private, Sir, it is very important?” I yell out loud enough for him to hear me, he nods before standing to his feet and leading me over to a nearby room.

“What is it that you need to talk with me about, Mackenzie?” He turns as I shut the door.

“I’ve come across a possible danger within our station.” I state as I face him, he looks at me intrigued.

“Go on.” He commands.

“I just became aware that many of our men are very aware of my status of being single and alone right now. I fear that this may cause us some problems if they choose to fight over me, or worse.” I explain.

He nods in agreement. “I did not think of that, but I have heard some of the chatter around the station. I only thought it was because of the fight tonight.”

“The men think that Killian and Maddox are fighting over me. They think that whoever wins this fight tonight gets me. If that doesn’t happen I think they will begin fighting amongst themselves and then we will be faced with an even larger problem.” I explain.

“What do you propose we do, Mackenzie?” Markus inquires.

“The only thing we can do, Sir, we have to allow Killian and Maddox to fight to win me.” I answer softly.

“Do you really want that?”He questions, surprising me.

His regards to my feelings were rare, women aboard our stations were never treated as if they had a say in what happened with their lives.

I had no idea he had felt differently on the matter.

“I don’t want a binding union with them.” I answer honestly before continuing. “I will however take one as a suitor to keep the other men away.”

“That can be arranged. All I need to do is speak with the council quickly and then we will meet you at the ring. For now, I need you to stop the fight between Killian and Maddox.” Markus answers.

I nod and as we exit the room I head directly to the ring while he motions for the council to meet in the very room we had just been in.

Seeing me coming Killian and Maddox pause as I climb into the ring with them, I stand in the middle and raise my hand to quiet the room.

“I’ve been ordered by the council to stop this fight for a moment while they talk privately. The fight will continue when Markus returns.” I yell out quickly.

Everyone in the room sits and begins talking amongst themselves as Maddox and Killian move in closer to me.

“What is this about, Kenzie?” Killian questions softly. “We weren’t going to hurt each other, if that’s what this is about.”He adds.

I nod my head. “I know you weren’t, but that’s not what I’m afraid of.”

“What is wrong then?” Maddox questions this time.

“It’s them.” I motion to the crowd. “The only reason half of these men have stayed away from me is because of you two. If they find out that you both aren’t in the running to win me then…” I trail off hoping that they would catch on to where I was going.

“They will hurt each other to get to you, or worse, hurt you.” Killian growls in anger and I nod.

“What are we going to do then? What is the council going to do?” He questions.

Looking between Maddox and Killian I sigh sadly.

I didn’t want to do this to them but I had no choice.

“You have to actually fight each other. The winner wins the place of being my suitor. The council is meeting now to approve it and I’m sure they will put their normal little twist to it as they always do. But the men here think that’s what this fight is about anyway.” I reply.

“They’re going to have to give a chance for anyone else to fight against the winner, at least that’s what I would do to keep the others happy and to keep an all out war from happening.” Maddox states abruptly.

“Crap, if that’s true then this is going to really suck for the two of you.” I curse not realizing that things were about to get a whole lot worse.

We stay quiet for a moment, each of us lost in our thoughts.

“I’m not going to throw this fight, Killian, our agreement ends if she comes into play.” Maddox warns.

“I’m not throwing it either, Maddox.” Killian snarls in his direction.

Thankfully, before another word is said between them Markus comes out from the room with the council.

He walks quickly down to the ring.

Standing next to me his motions for the room to quiet again and everyone goes silent.

All eyes were on us.

“There has been a change in plans with this fight tonight. Killian and Maddox will now be fighting for the chance to win a place to become Commander Mackenzie’s suitor.” Markus bellows.

The crowd begins yelling in anger and confusion, Markus glances down to me.

They had just unknowingly proved my theory correct.

Raising his hands again he yells. “You will all quiet down, now.”

When everyone becomes quiet once again he continues. “Now, the fight will not end with these two. If you want a chance at finding a spot to become Commander Mackenzie’s suitor you may sign up with Council member Cato.”

“Once we are down to four fighters, we will end the fights until tomorrow. You have five minutes to sign up, and who you fight against will be picked at random.” Markus warns.

“Let the fighting continue.” He commands tugging on my arm to follow him out of the ring.

Turning back, I watch as Killian and Maddox attack each other with a renewed energy.

Each hit they take is harder as they don’t hold back.

It was hard to watch them as their blood spills to the mat.

I would be lucky enough if they didn’t kill each other.

Placing his hand on my shoulder Markus stands by my side. “This is all for the best.” He states trying to comfort me the best he could.

I had a feeling that he knew just how hard this was for me.

I nod before glancing over to the huge line of others who wanted to fight.

“That’s a lot of fighters.” I mutter.

“Yes, it is, you made the right call, Mackenzie.” Markus answers.

Turning my attention back to the fight before me I watch as Killian lands a hard kick to Maddox’s face.

Everything stops, even my heart, as I watch Maddox sway before falling lifelessly to the mat.

Killian had knocked him out cold.

Moving quickly, I rush onto the mat and cradle Maddox’s head in my hands. I wipe away the blood away from his lips and he smiles slightly, just enough for only me to see.

“You threw the fight, you big idiot.” I laugh softly as I stroke my hand over his cheek.

As two medics come to take him away he opens his eyes giving me a quick wink as I stand to my feet.

Watching them carry him away I’m suddenly spun around in Killian’s arms before his lips descend upon mine.

Pulling back slightly he smiles. “You’re going to be all mine, Kenzie, I swear it.”

“Are you sure you’re up to fighting all of them?” I nod towards the line signing up.

Looking over, he curses lightly before glancing back at me with a cocky smirk. “I’ll fight them all if I get you as the prize in the end.”

“You’re going to get yourself killed.” I whisper.

He shakes his head. “No, half of them aren’t going to be half the fight that Maddox was. This will be easy.”

“Maddox also threw the fight, did you know that?” I question.

“He did?” Killian barks out surprised.

“Yeah, the big idiot did.” I laugh softly.

Chapter 9

With Maddox by my side we watch fight after exhausting fight.

“This is brutal.” Maddox laughs as Killian takes down yet another fighter.

“Yeah, it is.” I agree. “Is that why you threw the fight?”

“Kind of, I threw it mainly for the reason that you love Killian.” He answers and chuckles as my eyes go wide. “Don’t even give me that look. You know you do. I saw you flinch every time I hit him. Even now, you’ve flinched every time he’s gotten hit. Somewhere in there you love him and don’t want him to get hurt.”

“I just don’t like fights.” I lie causing him to laugh out abruptly.

“You lie. You love fights, you just don’t like when those that you consider family are in one, or one that you can’t control.”

“Having fun?” Killian states abruptly as he sits down next to me kissing my cheek.

His left eye was swollen but it didn’t seem to be affecting his upbeat attitude.

“Why are you down here? Did you lose?” I question worried.

“No, I didn’t lose. I’m just getting a break. Silas and Grey are fighting now.” He answers pointing towards the ring.

“No, not Grey, he can’t be fighting to win me over.” I huff out.

“He’s not, well, at least I hope he’s not. Max and Dash are fighting too. I think they want to even the odds that if at least two of us end up being in the last four that you won’t have to be left to someone you don’t want anything to do with.” Killian answers but then frowns. “I hope that’s what they are doing, anyway. Otherwise this is just going to get way worse.”

“I think they just wanted an excuse to fight.” Maddox laughs as we watch Grey grinning smugly as Silas hits the mat.

“Yeah, that could be it.” I laugh out.

I only hoped that that was it, or that Killian was right. I didn’t know how I felt about Grey, Max, or Dash wanting to be more than just teammates or friends.

They were like brothers to me.

Watching Grey take on fight after fight I glance down as Killian slips his hand into mine.

I smile softly leaning me head against his shoulder.

“You better win.” I whisper closing my eyes.

“I will.” He promises sounding exhausted.

Opening my eyes I watch as Grey suddenly goes down.

It was hard to watch as his commander. I wanted nothing more than to scream for him to get up while wanting to beat the living hell out of who beat him.

I spot Clark standing in the ring with a triumphant grin.

“You have to beat him no matter what, Killian.” I plead and he nods.

“Of course, I won’t let him win, Kenzie.” He promises making me feel marginally better.

The thought of Clark winning had me sick to my stomach. I knew he wouldn’t be nice to me behind closed doors. He was just like his father who had been executed for beating his mate.

Unlike Silas, I couldn’t imagine Clark apologizing to me for all the trouble they had caused.

He wasn’t anything but cruel.

“If he does win, I will kill him before I let him get his hands on you, Mac.” Maddox promises too.

Silently we watch as more fights fly by, Clark wins them all until he is given a break which meant he had made into the last four.

“Well, that’s not good.” I mutter.

“He won’t be a problem. He made many mistakes.” Maddox answers turning to face Killian. “Did you catch them?”

“Yes, I did, but he’s still going to be hard to beat. He fights dirty.” Killian answers.

Next up is Max and another young trainee that I didn’t even know.

Max quickly puts him down giving me a wide grin as a section of the crowd chants ‘Mad Max’.

He was a bit of a celebrity around here, and he loved the attention.

With a smile I watch as he puts down all of his opponents with ease. At the end he looked as if he could still go on. He didn’t even have a single scratch.

“I think you may have your hands full with Max, Killian.” I chuckle as Max points to him and then mimic’s knocking him out before blowing me a kiss.

I laugh out as he bounces down to us and grabs me up into his arms he acts as if he’s going to kiss me and my eyes bug out with fear.

Oh god, this couldn’t be happening.

Chuckling he kisses my cheek. “Did you really think I would pass up a good fight? And no worries I don’t want to win, I just want Killian to have a better chance. If I have to fight against him I’ll throw the fight.”

“Thank you, Max.” I respond with my own kiss to his cheek.

Pulling back he grins widely as he once again motions to Killian in mock warning.

“She’s going to be mine, Killian.” He warns before walking away.

“He’s not going to give me a break, is he?” Killian laughs glancing in my direction.

“Nope, he’s not. He’s going to make you prove your worth before he gives you a break.” I answer.

Soon we watch as a dark haired man steps into the ring. It isn’t until his dark scarlet red eyes meet mine that I gasp in shock.

I hadn’t seen him since he had trained me but he hadn’t changed much other than the red eyes.

“Is that Cash?” Maddox asks in disbelief beside me.

“I think it is.” I whisper as he continues to watch me.

“Who’s Cash?” Killian questions curiously glancing between Maddox and me for an answer.

“He was Mackenzie’s commander before she became one herself. He trained her until his squad was sent down to a planet a few years ago. He was the only one they found alive. No one knows what happened or why his grey eyes changed to red.” Maddox answers for me.

Standing to my feet absently I make my way down to the side of the ring where Cash holds out his hand to me, before lifting me up to stand next to him on the mat.

“How are you here?” I question softly as his eyes search mine.

“How could I not be here, Love? I couldn’t let anyone else have you.” He answers, his voice making me feel so many forgotten feelings.

“But I thought you were still locked away.” I whisper.

“They let me out a while ago. I just didn’t know when would be a good time to come back to you.” He answers sounding sad.

“I missed you, Love.” He whispers as his hand gently cups my cheek.

“I’ve missed you too, Cash.” I reply softly.

Our moment is suddenly broken apart when Dash enters the ring. I glance back to him before looking to Cash with worry. “Please, don’t hurt him. He’s one of mine.”

“I won’t, Love.” Cash promises before watching me move out of the ring and back to my seat between Killian and Maddox.

“Now, him you’re going to have a problem with.” Maddox warns Killian.

“Yeah, I see that.” Killian answers as Dash goes down with one well placed solid hit from Cash.

Sitting in my seat I watch as Cash puts down everyone who steps into the ring with one solid punch.

And soon he finishes.

That left Killian, Clark, Max, and Cash as the four that would have to fight against one another tomorrow afternoon.

I knew no one had a chance against Cash.

Not even Killian.

But I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing now.

Now, I would end up torn between Killian and Cash.

Cash had a piece of my heart, always.

He had captured it years ago when we trained together and it broke when he had been taken away from me, especially when he had been forced to travel to a planet that had been known to be dangerous.

When he came back he hadn’t been the same.

But now I finally saw him, the real him, for the first time since the last day we had had together.

Markus breaks my thoughts off as he stands in the middle of the ring.

“The next fight will be tomorrow after lunch. Anyone who wants to watch can join us here. Everyone can have the rest of the night off.” He commands and everyone yells in excitement.

It wasn’t always that we had nights free to do whatever we wished.

“What do you want to do, Kenzie?” Killian asks as my eyes follow Cash.

When I don’t answer he steps into my line of sight. “What happened to wanting me?” He questions softly.

“He’s always had my heart. I’m sorry, Killian.” I whisper.

“He’s dangerous.” He growls.

Maddox clears his throat nodding in warning that Cash was approaching us.

Sighing roughly, Killian turns to watch him walk over to us.

“I hope you’re not mad with me for knocking him out.” Cash chuckles lightly while wrapping his arm around me and then turning to bump his fist with Maddox.

“I’m not, you didn’t hurt him.” I reply.

And it was true. Even though Dash had been knocked unconscious he hadn’t been hurt.

“Who else should I be warned about?” Cash questions with a grin.

“Well, Maddox is one of my team. Dash is the one you knocked out.” I begin and he nods. “Grey is coming over, do you remember him?”

“I think so.” Cash nods as Grey walks over to join us.

“Holy…Is that really you, Cash?” Grey asks as he approaches.

“The one and only, how are you doing, Dixon?” Cash answers using Grey’s last name.

“I’m good.” Grey answers bumping fists with Cash. “Was that you who knocked out Dash with one hit?” He questions and Cash nods.

“Ha, when he wakes up I’m not going to let him live it down.” Grey laughs before walking off.

“Who else is on your team, Love?” Cash turns his attention back to me.

“Max is my second in command.” I reply.

“I should have figured that, long lives Mad Max.” Cash laughs out and I join him along with Maddox, while Killian stands beside us looking confused.

“It’s a long story.” I explain and Killian nods.

“Cash, this is Killian, our Alpha.” I point to Killian and they share an awkward fist bump as they pretty much size each other up.

“Are you my competition?” Cash questions calmly.

“Yes, he is, but be nice.” I answer for Killian.

“Why should I be nice to the one I had to watch whip you over and over?” Cash growls as he turns his red eyes to mine.

“Because I asked you to, that’s why.” I answer sternly.

Locked in a silent battle we stare into each other’s eyes. He had changed, I could see it now, but I could still see the man I fell in love with in there.

“You’ve changed, Love.” He whispers the same words I had just thought about him.

“So have you.” I agree.

“Not as much as you think, Love.” He answers leaning in to whisper into my ear. “I still want to make you moan like I did the night before I left.”

Stepping back he walks away without another word.

I shiver thinking back to that moment, we had been young, and love controlled every one of our moves back then.

Chapter 10

“So, what are we going to do for the rest of the night?” Max questions as we walk in a group down the hall towards our rooms.

“I’m going to go get a hot shower.” I answer absently.

“I’m up for a good shower.” Max grunts.

“Alone, Max. I’d like a chance to get a shower alone.” I ground out and he puts his hands into the air in surrender.

“Alright, Mac, I get it.” He turns to everyone else. “How about you guys, do you want to go down to the bar and have a few drinks?”

Everyone quickly agrees, except for Killian. “Are you going to be alright on your own, Kenzie?”

“I’ll be fine, Killian.” I answer honestly. “But I might need some help later to re-bandage my wounds if you’re up for it.” I smile sweetly and he nods.

“I can do that.”He leans in brushing his lips against mine briefly.

“I’ll call you later then.”I reply before watching them walk back the way we had come.

As they disappear around the corner I let my shoulders drop with exhaustion.

There was just too much to think about, I couldn’t believe that Cash was back.

And I didn’t know what to do about my growing feelings for Killian.

Walking to my room I blindly grab my things and then head down to the shower room that was thankfully empty.

I didn’t think I could handle dealing with anyone else at the moment.

Time alone was just what I needed in order to get my thoughts and feelings into order.

Placing my things on the bench I walk over to the mirrors stripping my jacket off as I go, then my tank top, I discard them to the floor as I begin the task of un-wrapping my bandages.

Strong hands suddenly wrap around me stopping my progress before taking the bandages from my hands to continue.

By the soft touch and overpowering presence I knew that it was Cash and I found myself not caring that he was with me.

I watch in the mirror as Cash silently takes me in with heated eyes as more and more of my body becomes exposed.

Discarding the first bandage to the floor he then proceeds to gently tear off the tape holding the second one on my back.

I wince as he gently pulls away the parts dried with blood, careful not to damage or tear the stitches any more than they had been already.

Once it hits the floor he curses softly as he takes in the amount of damage that Killian had done. His fingers trail between each wound as if he could fix them with just a simple touch.

It did make me feel better but only because I knew he felt for every single wound.

He could feel my pain, I was sure of it.

“How badly does it hurt, Love?” He questions tenderly.

“It doesn’t hurt right now, but when it does it brings me to tears.” I answer honestly knowing that he would understand my words.

Turning me to face him his hands glide down my sides to rest on my hips before slipping his fingers just under my pants to slide them off.

“Shower with me?” He questions leading me over to the shower side of the room.

I nod even though I knew I didn’t have to, I would have done anything he asked, anything to feel his hands on me, like he had done so long ago.

Turning the water on, he holds me close as the water falls all around us. I lay my head against his chest to listen to his heartbeat.

The steady beat calms me, and I relax into him as I allow the water to work its magic on the rest of my body.

“Do you still love me, Mackenzie?” He questions softly after a few moments.

“Always and forever, Cash.” I answer looking up into his red eyes.

It was the very words we had used so long ago before he was forced to leave me behind.

“What about Killian, do you love him as well?” He questions next.

“I don’t really know. Part of me wanted to hate him for killing my mother, but part of me wants to love him as well. He told me that he wasn’t really the one who signed his name to my mother’s death papers anyway.” I sigh. “I honestly don’t know how to feel about him, but I can’t dismiss the feelings I seem to be growing for him.”

Leaning back Cash looks at me with surprise and anger. “He has been lying to you, Kenzie. He signed those papers. I was there when he did. I was trying to fight for her. I knew she could have been saved.”

“If that’s true then you better win tomorrow.” I answer placing my hands against his hard chest.

Cash wouldn’t lie to me, so I knew he had to be telling the truth.

It made me angry with Killian but I couldn’t find the strength to want to fight at the moment, not with Cash so close and with his hands warming my skin.

“I wasn’t planning on having it any other way, Love.” He chuckles brushing his lips against my own as his hands pull me tightly against his body.

Tangling his tongue with mine I let out a little moan.

Pulling back slightly he smiles against my lips. “That’s what I like to hear.”

Taking the kiss deeper his hands gently caress my back.

“I can’t wait until you are actually mine so I can finally have you the way I really want to enjoy you, Love.” Cash growls in a sexy voice as he continues to caress my body in ways I had only imagined and longed for from his hands again.

“She’s not yours yet, Cash, and she never will if I have anything to do about it.” Killian’s voice rings through the shower room. “Take your hands off of her, now.”

“No.” Cash growls as he places me behind him.

“Are you seriously going to say no to an Alpha?” Killian spits out with a menacing grin.

Cash was falling right into his hands and I wasn’t about to have it. I wasn’t about to allow Killian to win like this and I wasn’t about to let him lock Cash back up just because he wanted me.

I move quickly getting in between them.

“Stop, both of you.” I turn to Killian. “I’m not about to watch you throw around your status as an Alpha.” I warn moving closer to him.

His smile falters.

“I won’t allow you to do to him what you did to me.” I growl backing him against the wall.

In one swift move he turns us so I’m the one against the wall.

“You will be mine, Kenzie. I’m not about to lose you to the likes of him.” His lips turn into a smug grin once more.

“It’s not your choice, Killian. If you really want me that badly you’re going to have to fight for me. And you’re going to have to prove that you actually care more about me than just winning some competition. I won’t allow you to win by cheating.” I growl shoving him away from me.

He sways on his feet a little and I groan.

“You’re drunk, aren’t you?” I question and he bows his head.

“Go to bed and in the morning you can apologize to both me and Cash. You better hope I’m in a better mood by then to forgive you for all of this.” I order and watch as he stumbles away.

Cash wraps his arms around me, pulling me close against him once more.

“You really have changed, Love, you would have never have challenged an Alpha, let alone order around an Alpha like that before.” He whispers into my hair.

Leaning my head up I brush my lips against his, I wasn’t in the mood to talk any longer, and we had lots of lost time to make up for.

“Take me to my room, Cash.” I order pulling away.

He nods with a smile as he wraps a towel around me, being careful to place it gently around my back.

Hand-in-hand he guides me back to my room where I quickly swipe my hand under the red light.

Looking in both directions of the hall as the door opens I pull Cash in with me.

With wide eyes he looks between the now shut door and me before watching me toss off my towel and lay back gently against my bed.

His deep red eyes heat suddenly, just the way I wanted.

“Come, sleep with me.” I coax with a wave of my hand.

“I’m beginning to like this newer version of you, Love.” Cash laughs as he drops his own towel and our other things before climbing into bed with me.

“I want you, no one else but you.” I whisper as I hold him close.

“Are you sure?” He searches my eyes.

“You can’t go back if we do this.” He warns and I answer him with a deep kiss and a soft moan.

“That’s what I was hopping you’d say.” He laughs lightly as he climbs on top of me.

He kisses me deeply, passionately, before pulling back ever so slightly to search my heated eyes once more to be certain that I wasn’t going to change my mind.

I wanted him and I hoped that my eyes showed it.

“I love you, Cash.” I whisper against his lips giving him the words I longed to repeat over and over for the rest of my life.

“I love you too, Mackenzie, my love.” He replies with a kiss.

Chapter 11

“Mackenzie, I know you’re in there. Wake up and open the door.” My father yells through the door as I struggle to wake up.

“Enter.” I groan as I rub my eyes and roll into Cash’s body.

I suddenly bolt upright as my father enters, covering myself quickly as he curses and turns to look the other direction. “Who are you with, Kenzie? Please, tell me it’s not Killian.”

“No, Sir, I am definitely not Killian.” Cash grunts out a laugh beside me.

My father turns as his jaw drops in shock. “Cash, is that really you? I heard rumors this morning but I didn’t believe them that you were really released from lockup.”

“Well, I am. I’m also in the running to win your daughter, Sir. I hope you don’t mind.” Cash answers sitting up behind me.

“It looks like you’ve already claimed her.” My father grunts as he motions towards our state of undress.

I bow my head as I smile and blush.

“And by the look on her face, you don’t have to answer that.” My father laughs out. “Just make sure you win the match against Killian. I don’t want him anywhere near her.”

“I had no plans on letting him win, Sir.” Cash answers with a cocky grin.

My father nods. “Alright, well anyway I was here to tell you that you needed to get ready for the fights, Kenzie. They are about to begin.”

“And since I’m here I might as well tell you to get up and get ready for the fights too, Cash.”He adds with another laugh and an awkward glance in our direction.

A few moments go by of silence.

“Anything else you needed to say, Dad?” I question and he shakes his head giving us one last smile before leaving.

“I think your dad likes me.” Cash grins against my shoulder as he kisses it.

“I think he does, too.” I smile.

“Are you ready for this fight?” Cash questions me and I shake my head as I turn towards him.

“No, I’m not. I’m actually scared.” I admit.

“Why are you scared, Love?” He asks turning my face towards him.

“I just have a really bad feeling that I might lose someone today.” Looking up to him I continue. “Please, be easy with Max, and I know I shouldn’t even be saying this but be careful with Killian too.”

“I will make the fights as quick as I can.” He promises with a kiss.

“I love you, Cash.” I whisper softly.

“I love you too, Love.” He answers with another kiss.

“We need to get ready.” I state as he continues to kiss down my neck.

“I’d rather stay here.” He breathes against my skin.

“Me too, but you need to win these fights otherwise we won’t be able to continue this.” I argue.

With a nod and a grunt Cash quickly moves off of me to stand next to the bed. I watch as his muscles ripple as he places his shirt over his head.

My eyes heat once more as I watch this fine specimen of a man, there wasn’t an ounce of fat on him, only pure muscled flesh.

My fingers itched to touch him.

“I can feel you watching me, and it’s not helping me want to stay out of bed.” He warns glancing back at me over his shoulder.

I stand to my feet and slip on my undies and pants before groaning as I take in the state of my back in my mirror.

It looked absolutely horrible, the jagged stitches made it appear as if from a horror film.

I needed to place another bandage onto it.

Without a word Cash slips on his fighting short before moving around my small space, retrieving just what I needed before motioning for me to turn my back to him. “This is looking pretty bad, Love, you need to take it easier so it can heal.”

“I know, I’ve been trying but things haven’t exactly gone my way. I’m sure last night didn’t help things either.” I smile as he places one bandage over the wounds with care before wrapping my entire upper body with another bandage.

When I feel a pinch in my side I turn abruptly to see him placing an empty syringe into the waste basket.

“I gave you something to numb your back. I assume that’s what you’ve been doing, right?” He questions grabbing one of my tank tops from a drawer.

“Yeah, Killian and Maddox have both given me shots to numb everything.” I answer as he slips my shirt over my head before grabbing my jacket and holding it for me to slip on.

Absently, I grab my knives and strap them on before filling my jacket with my normal array of weapons and then strapping on my swords and gun belt.

“Are you preparing for battle?” Cash questions abruptly with a raised brow.

I shrug. “I just feel like something is off today.”

“Yeah, I felt that too when we woke up.” He answers looking to the door absently.

Moving towards the door with his bag he glances back to me. “I’ll see you soon, Love.”

“See you soon, Cash.” I reply as he walks out of my room.

I look around once more before another odd feeling comes across me and I quickly find myself filling up my bag with clothes, food packs, and extra weapons.

Something just wasn’t right today, and I wasn’t about to shrug the feeling off.

As a fighter we were taught never to ignore our instincts, most times they would warn us of danger before we were faced with it.

Listening to them could mean the difference between life and death.

“Call, Max, Dash, and Grey.” I command my intercom.

“What’s up commander?” All three voices ring out.

“I want you to be in full dress today, weapons and all. I also want you to pack a bag.” I command.

“You felt that too?” Max questions.

“Yeah, I did, and it’s best to be too careful than not.” I answer.

“Maddox is already gone, but I’ll pack his bag for him.” Max replies.

“Thanks Max. Grey, Dash, I want you to add any extra weapons you have and plenty of food, okay.” I order.

“Yes, ma’am, we’re already on it.” Both respond and I hear them all shuffling around their rooms.

“End call, Grey, Dash.” I order the intercom leaving just me and Max on the line. “Max, can you do me one last favor?”

“Of course, Mac, what is it?” He replies.

“Can you pack an extra bag, just in case?” I ask.

I knew he would get my meaning, that I wanted the extra bag for Killian.

“Of course I can.” He answers with a pause. “This feels like it’s going to be really bad.”

“Yeah, it does.” I state sadly.

“End call, Max.” I sigh as I go back to my weapons drawer and empty the rest of my knives into my coat and a two more holsters of throwing knives around my thighs.

I really looked like I was ready for a war, but it wasn’t much more than most normally saw me in.

With one last look back into my room I had the thought of never seeing it again before turning to walk away.

With my bag in hand I walk down the halls towards Cash’s room.

I approach just as he’s exiting his room.

“Can we put our bags in your room?” I question as Max and the rest of my team walk up behind me.

“Of course, I was just going to say something to you. My room is the closest to the escape ships.” Cash answers, opening his door for us all to throw our bags in quickly.

We didn’t want to draw unwanted attention to our bags either, carrying them around would definitely draw attention.

Not everyone had the instincts like my team had and it would be useless to have everyone worried just because we felt something off.

I didn’t need to be questioned.

I just knew it was better to be prepared for the worst.

At least then if nothing happened we could laugh it all off later.

“Hey, Cash, can I talk to you for a minute?” Max quickly questions before both him and Cash motion the rest of us on.

“We’ll catch up with you guys in the fight room.” Max replies to my raised brow.

Nodding I turn to walk away with Grey, and Dash following closely behind.

Walking into the fight room we all move to where Maddox and Killian are standing.

“Hey, guys.” I greet.

“Hey, Mac, what’s up?” Maddox questions quickly picking up on my unease.

His eyes scan me from head to toe before he grabs hold of my arm leading me off a few feet from the others.

“Why are you in full battle gear?” He questions sternly but quietly.

“Don’t you feel that things are off?” I question and he nods looking around at the room absently.

“Yeah, I felt it.” He nods as he opens the side of his jacket revealing all of his weapons.

I nod. “Good, I had Max pack you a bag, just in case we have to get out of here quick. Everything is in Cash’s room.”

“Thanks for that, Mac. Should we tell anyone else?” He inquires.

“No, I don’t want to panic anyone.” I answer just as Killian joins us.

“Can I talk to you alone, Mac?” He asks surprising me with not using my normal name that I was so familiar with him using.

“Yeah, of course you can.” I answer and Maddox leaves us.

Rubbing the back of his shaggy blonde head he peeks up at me through his lashes. “I’m sorry about last night.” He begins. “I just saw you with him and I lost it. I don’t even know him and I hate him. Something about him just isn’t right, Kenzie.”

“He’s perfectly fine, Killian. You only hate him because he might beat you today, and that means you won’t have me.” I ground out.

“I thought you wanted me to win, what changed?” Killian inquires.

“You lied to me.” I answer before walking off.

I wasn’t sticking around to hear anything more from him.

My heart already hurt from just walking away like this, I didn’t want to waste anymore time hearing more of his lies.

I just couldn’t.

Moving back over to Dash and Grey I sigh as I feel overcome with a deep sadness. “I want both of you by my side at all times.” I order and then nod to Maddox as he joins us. “I want you by my side as well.”

“We weren’t even thinking about leaving you, Mac.” Grey answers and Dash nods in agreement.

Sitting down together in front of the ring we stay silent as we watch all the other teams and groups of visitors walk in.

I had completely forgotten that we were supposed to be meeting with them, and I mentally kick myself.

“Grey, find a couple of those people to come sit with us.” I order and he nods as he stands to his feet.

I watch as he walks away before turning my attention absently towards the ring.

Minutes later, he returns with three young looking girls.

I roll my eyes to Maddox.

I should have known better.

“This is, Addie Lake, from the Farmers station, Demi Baker, from the Breeders station, and Nova Star, from the Engineers station.” He motions to each one and I smile. “Girls, this is my commander, Commander Mackenzie Frost.”

“But she’s female, she can’t be a commander.” Demi replies with a snooty attitude that instantly makes me hate her.

“You will address Commander Frost with better manners, Miss Demi.” Markus commands as he joins our little group.

Her head bows, but she doesn’t apologize.

“I’m sorry for her behavior, Commander, I should have warned her.” Grey apologizes for her.

“You do not apologize for her, Grey. She can leave us now if she won’t apologize herself.” I snarl looking directly at her.

With a cocky smirk, that only I could catch, she walks away.

My unease multiplies.

“Mackenzie, I need you up in the ring with me.” Markus orders gruffly and I nod as I stand to follow him.

As we reach the ring he stops abruptly and scans me from head to toe.

“Well, that answers my questions.” He mutters.

“What questions, Sir?” I raise my brow.

He sighs running his hand over his face. “My feelings of unease, I knew if you felt them then something around here was not right, and judging by your attire something is definitely not right.”

“Yeah, and what just happened with that girl has made my unease grow farther.” I admit.

“There have been many of the visitors acting out like that.”

“That sounds bad.” I sigh roughly.

Markus nods. “Yes, and I’m afraid we might be seeing something bad happen soon.”

“Have you told anyone else?” I question and he shakes his head.

“No, I haven’t, I don’t even know what I would say that wouldn’t make me appear foolish.” He admits before ending our conversation by moving into the ring where Killian, Max, Cash, and Clark are all standing.

Raising his hand up most of the room grows silent.

All of the military men do, at least.

The rest continue to chatter until my father stands to his feet.

“Shut the hell up.” He growls loudly and thankfully this time they go quiet.

“Thank you, Commander Frost.” Markus nods to my father as he sits. “Now, I am happy to announce that this will be our final fights for today. The council and I have picked the fighters at random to fight against each other.”

He pauses a moment before continuing. “The winners of the first two fights will then fight each other, and the winner of that fight will have our lovely, Commander Mackenzie.”

Boo’s and curses come from the crowd and Markus frowns along with the rest of us in the ring.

When things finally calm down Markus continues. “Killian and Clark will start the fights.”

With that, the rest of us walk off leaving Clark and Killian.

Within minutes of us sitting down the fight starts and Killian quickly comes out on top, but just as Clark appeared as if he was going to hit the mat he quickly slams his fist into Killian’s jaw.

I gasp practically feeling the punch, myself.

It was hard, and Killian sways slightly before he gives the finally blow to knock Clark down.

The crowd boo’s him and he flips them off as he exits the ring.

“What the hell is going on, Mac?” Silas inquires as his group joins mine.

“I don’t know, but it’s not going to be good.” I answer him while watching the ring as Cash and Max enter.

“Take your men back to your rooms and arm yourselves, Silas.” I warn as I continue to watch.

“Alright, we will return quickly.” Silas nods before his group stands and leaves the room.

Cash and Max circle each other in the ring for a few moments before they rush at each other to begin the fight.

I watch as they play it out well without even hitting each other too hard.

Only someone who knew them well would know that they weren’t really fighting.

Max and Cash string the fight out as long as they can before Cash directs what appears to be a crushing blow and Max falls limp to the mat.

I sigh out in relief that that fight was over, but I wasn’t ready for the next one.

Markus reenters the ring and without caring he yells out at the top of his lungs. “Let the best man win.”

He motions to Cash and then to Killian as he enters the ring before leaving them alone.

With my breath held I watch as both men circle one another before rushing in to fight much like Max and Cash had, but this time every hit was real.

Every hard hit echoed through my heart.

Even when Cash would land a hard hit on Killian I would find myself flinching, I just couldn’t help what I still felt deep down for him.

With blood being spilled everyone’s eyes were on the ring, right where our new enemy wanted us to be watching as they rose from their seats and positioned themselves around the room.

I bump my shoulder into Maddox and he scans the room quickly before bumping Grey and Dash. Both of them take a quick survey and then tap my lower back letting me know they saw the danger.

Silas and his group come back in, his face pale as he looks directly to me without saying a word.

Sliding my hand into his I squeeze it giving him a small amount of comfort.

“Just stay by our side. We have an exit plan.” I whisper just loud enough for him and his group to hear.

He nods ever so slightly as he squeezes my hand back.

Just as Cash is about to hit Killian we are all thrown out of our seats as the whole station lurches to one side abruptly.

Everyone stands as the room becomes chaotic.

“Maddox, Grey, Dash, are you alright?” I question while looking to Silas as he calls off his group.

“Yes, we’re good, Mac.” Maddox nods.

“Is your team good, Silas?” I question and he nods.

Pulling out one of my guns my team follows suit and so does Silas’s team.

We circle each other so our backs are to each other that way nothing would surprise us this way.

As the station lurches again my team and I are ready but Silas bumps into me.

My stitches tear but thanks to the shot earlier I don’t feel the pain.

Spotting my father and his group circle out of the corner of my eye I quickly nod to him and he nods to me.

I mouth ‘goodbye’ to him and he mouths ‘I love you’ and ‘proud’ to me before his groups is attacked by the very groups of people who were only supposed to be here to visit.

Moving as one, Silas and I move our two teams out of the fight room and into the even more chaotic hallways.

Already, there were fighters lying dead at our feet.

“This is really, really, bad.” Maddox grunts.

“Yeah, this is.” Silas agrees.

“Run.” Max yells out suddenly joining us and without question we all break into a run down the halls as shots ring out from behind us.

Two of Silas’s men go down and Grey cries out as he’s hit but doesn’t fall.

I glance back and he points to his shoulder, pointing out his injury.

Pulling out my other gun as we round a corner I stop and fire at the others firing at us. It wasn’t just the other stations people that were at war with us, it was our own men.

It was a full blown mutiny.

Cursing, I shoot down people that I never thought I would ever have to kill, many that I had considered friends and family.

Max stands at my side firing away. “What now, Mac?”

“Now, we hold off them as Silas and the others get our stuff from Cash’s room and get their asses onto a ship.” I reply between gunshots.

“You heard her, guys, go now. Dash you’re in lead.” Max orders as we continue to shoot.

Hearing footsteps fade behind us I knew that they had listened to our orders, and hopefully they would make it safely.

“What are we going to do about Cash and Killian?” Max grunts as he pulls out another gun and begins firing with both as the enemy continues to rush forward.

“There’s nothing we can do now. We can only hope that they get out alive and meet us at the ship.” I answer feeling as if seeing them again was never going to happen.

It all felt hopeless.

The probability was low for them to survive, especially without weapons.

Chapter 12

“I’m almost out, Mac.” Max grunts as we continue to shoot.

“Just hold out a little longer and then we can run.” I answer as the number of fighters rushing towards us slows.

I couldn’t believe the amount of bodies lying dead in front of us, most being our own men.

“This is just bull. Why do we have to kill our own?” Max growls as he takes down yet another one.

“I don’t know, Max, but we have no choice. They’re the enemy and they need to be put down, just like we were taught. Just block it out, Max.” I reply.

“I can’t. This is too much, Mac. I’ve trained most of these men.” He answers, his voice laced with sadness.

When no one else rushes towards us, I motion quietly for him to run, and we do, as quietly and as quickly as we can.

Down the hall my eyes catch sight of something I dreaded.

It’s Dash, his body lying on his stomach, dead.

I choke on a sob as we pass him and rush on down the hall and towards what I hopped to be freedom from this nightmare.

“Keep running, Mac, just keep running.”Max orders taking control this time.

We worked well as a team like this, when I faltered he picked me up and when he faltered I picked him up, it was what having a second in command all was about.

I was definitely thankful for having him now, especially since all I wanted to do was go back and cradle Dash’s body as I cried.

Shots ring out behind us again and we both gain a renewed sense of urgency as we make our way past the rest of Silas’s team, lying dead, on the floor and then past Cash’s open door.

I breathe a sigh of relief to see that all of our packs were gone.

At least someone was still alive.

“How much farther do we have to go, Mac?” Max questions as we stop behind a corner and fire back to give ourselves a breather.

“Not much farther, Max.” I promise.

The ship was at least a hundred feet away still, and that might as well have been three-thousand miles when we had to fight our way past two other intersecting hallways without getting ourselves killed.

“On three, we run again.” I yell and count down.

On two we run.

We run as if our lives depended on it, which in this case it did.

Stumbling, I fall to my knees and without a second thought I reach up for Max’s hand and he drags me to our next stop between halls.

Gasping for a breath, I nod to Max before we make another mad dash down the hall and closer to our freedom.

The closer we came the better I felt.

But it still didn’t take away the ache in my heart that I felt when I thought about having to leave Killian and Cash behind.

Down the hall I watch as the girl, Demi, which I had met earlier steps into our path with guns drawn.

Max and I skid to a halt before I gather my wits and snatch one of my throwing knifes from its holster, and within a blink of an eye it hits her directly in her chest.

She goes down as her guns fire at us.

Max and I both duck down, thankfully managing not getting hit.

“That was close.” Max grunts as the shots stop and we make our way cautiously over to the girl.

She gags as blood seeps from her lips.

I had hit her lung and she was drowning.

“Bet that will teach you to disrespect a commander again.” I laugh menacingly as I pull my knife from her chest and grant her mercy by ending her suffering.

It was more than what she honestly deserved.

“Shit.” Max yells as he tackles me to the ground before a loud bang rings out around us.

A cloud of smoke covers us as Max grabs hold of me pulling me down the hallway as our ears ring.

We must have had luck on our side, because I don’t think we would have made it otherwise.

“A freaking bomb, can you believe that crap, Mac?” Max growls as we take another breather around a corner.

I could see the ship we wanted from where we were and I could see Maddox in the doorway waiting for us.

He couldn’t see us though.

“Maddox, watch to your left.” I command knowing that he would know we were coming from his right.

Yelling out wrong information was just an easy way to throw off any potential enemies.

Another thing I had learned from my father, and in turn had taught to my team.

It wasn’t taught like it should have been within teams, but right now that was an advantage that we had.

“Don’t move.” Maddox commands just before we decide to run.

Shots ring out and I peek around the corner to see Maddox and Silas shooting down the hall leading to the ship from the other side.

“Run faster.” He orders someone I can’t see.

“Who is it?” Max questions peeking over my shoulder.

“I don’t know.” I answer with a shrug.

“Now, Mac, run.” Maddox growls as he continues to fire off rounds.

Max and I jump into action.

We slide into the ships door as shots barely miss us.

Without catching our breath Max and I join Silas and Maddox as we watch Cash running down the hall with enemies close behind him.

“Is he carrying Killian?” Max asks in awe as we fire at the men behind them.

“Yeah, I think so.” Maddox nods.

Suddenly, my father joins him along with Clark, and Jace, another one of our commanders.

I watch in horror as my father goes down.

He turns on his back to shoot as the rest continue to run, leaving him behind.

Taking a step forward I want nothing more than to rush out and save him, but I knew he would kill me himself if I did.

“No, Mac.” Max commands grabbing onto my arm.

I nod as I fire on the men closing in on my father.

Just before they reach him he looks back before placing his own gun to his head.

He wasn’t going to let anyone have the pleasure of killing him.

“Love you, Kenzie. Be strong, baby girl, you need to be strong.” He yells out before his shot rings out.

I crumble to the floor. “Daddy, please no, no, no.” I cry as I curl myself into a ball.

“Get her into the ship, Max.” Silas orders and Max quickly grabs me and hugs me close as he carries me into the ship.

Placing me into a seat next to Grey he straps me in and then moves over to Grey who hasn’t yet reacted.

Strapping him in Max leaves us alone.

My eyes blur as I continue to feel myself break down.

In a rush the door to the ship slams shut and we shake as bombs explode just outside the door.

Cash drops Killian to the floor beside me before rushing to the front of the ship with Max.

Jace straps Killian into a seat before strapping himself in.

Silas walks in slowly.

“Are you alright, Mac?” He asks and I sob.

Cursing he sits in a seat across from me and straps himself in.

“Is everybody ready?” Cash yells back from the front of the ship.

“Good to go, Cash.” Jace yells back.

The ship rocks back and forth before it feels as if we are freefalling.

I listen as Cash and Max curse.

I glance around suddenly realizing the absence of Maddox.

“Where’s Maddox?” I question as I start to unbuckle myself.

“Right here, Sweetheart.” He grunts as he slides on the floor past me.

Nearing an empty seat he pulls himself up before strapping in.

“Damn it, they have ships everywhere.” Cash curses.

“Silas, Jace, we need you on the guns.” Max yells and they quickly rush into place as the engines fire on our ship.

“Are those ships even ours?” Max questions.

“Those aren’t ours, they aren’t even human.” Jace growls as he fires the ships side gun.

“What are they?” Silas questions firing from his side.

“They’re your worst nightmare.” Cash answers calmly.

“This is messed up.” Maddox mutters as the ship is rocked by random fire. “Cash, please tell me these aren’t what you ran into?”

“I can’t tell you that, Maddox.” Cash replies causing Maddox to let out a string of curses.

I sob as I hold my gun tightly in my hand.

The ship gets a hard hit and I cry as I lift the gun to my head. I was ready to end things right then and there.

They wouldn’t get me alive, and they wouldn’t have the pleasure of killing me.

“No, stop, Kenzie. Don’t you dare do it, don’t you dare pull that trigger.” Maddox growls as he quickly unfastens his belts.

“I can’t let them take me.” I cry.

“They aren’t going to get us, Babe.” He answers kneeling in front of me as he reaches for my hand. “I won’t let anyone get you.” He promises.

“He’s dead, Maddox, they’re all dead.”I whisper.

“I know, Babe, I know. None of it was your fault.” Maddox whispers as he pulls my gun from my hand before grabbing the other one from my belt.

Grey finally snaps out of his trance to look at me with sad eyes.

“Don’t cry, Mac, please don’t cry.” He whispers softly as he reaches for my hand. “I need you to stay strong. We need you to stay strong.”

“I can’t.” I choke out with another sob.

I couldn’t be strong.

I wasn’t the leader that they needed.

I had failed them.

“We’re clear.” Cash finally yells out and everyone around sighs out a breath of relief.

Maddox turns to watch as Cash makes his way back towards us.

“Are we really clear? Shouldn’t they be sending ships after us?” Maddox questions as he watches Cash closely.

“They aren’t attacking the ships that are flying away, yet.” He answers as he kneels down in front of me.

Placing his hands on my cheeks he moves my face so I have no choice but to look into his eyes. “We are safe, Love.” He whispers softly as his thumbs wipe away my tears.

Glancing over at Killian’s lifeless body he sighs.

“Maddox can you take care of Grey’s wound?” Cash questions, Maddox nods as he moves over to Grey.

Leaning over towards me he snatches one of my knives to cut away at Grey’s shirt.

“Love, I have to tell you this now even though I hate to even say the words.” Cash bows his head.

“I couldn’t save him.” He blurts and I look to Killian’s lifeless body.

His face was pale and his head hung loosely.

“No, he can’t be dead.” I pant breathlessly as I fight against the belts that held me in my seat.

“They killed him right on the mat before we could even get out of the room.” He explains letting me free of my seat.

Kneeling in front of Killian I reach out and touch his face.

My knuckles caress his still warm cheek as another sob gets caught in my chest.

It was all just too much.

“I’m sorry, Love. I am so sorry.” Cash apologizes as I rise to my feet feeling numb.

I stand still for a moment before crumbling down to the floor.

Cash grabs me and then curses as he feels the blood soaking through my jacket.

Removing my swords he tears my jacket off before tearing through the bandages.

I lay still on the floor as Maddox joins him in cursing.

“Don’t worry about me, Maddox. My wound stopped bleeding. Help her. She’s lost too much already.” Grey demands.

“Just let me go.” I whisper as I feel the urge to give up my fight.

“No, I will not let you go, Love.” Cash growls fiercely, while placing my face into his rough hands. “I won’t lose you again. I fought to get back to you the first time and I’m not about to lose you when I finally just got you back.”

My eyes flutter as I look into his red eyes. “I love you, Cash.”

“I love you too.” He whispers as I’m pulled into a deep darkness.

Chapter 13

“How is she?” Cash questions nearby.

“She’s going to make it but she is going to be in a hell of a lot of pain when she wakes up.” Maddox answers. “I don’t know why none of us thought to bring a decent medic kit, or at least one that contained some sort of pain killer.”

“Once we are on the ground I should be able to find something to help her.” Cash replies.

“What’s waiting for us down there?” Maddox inquires curiously.

“It’s a primitive world on one side, and on the other side is a world far different from our own. They are dangerous and won’t hesitate to kill.” Cash explains.

“We need to be quick to land on the side that’s primitive and hopefully we can do so without attracting unwanted attention.” Cash continues. “That’s the only way I survived. I had help and hopefully I can find that help for us again.”

“I hope so too, Cash, because right now this is all looking pretty hopeless.” Maddox answers and Jace, Grey, and Silas grunt in agreement.

“I need you up here now, Cash.” Max suddenly yells.

I open my eyes as pain washes through me as the ship jerks.

I scream as it jerks again.

“Shhhh, Mac, you’re going to be okay.” Maddox speaks softly as he pulls me to lean forward.

“It hurts.” I pant out as tears fall from my eyes.

“What hurts the worst, Mac?” He questions.

“My heart hurts, Maddox, it hurts so badly.” I answer with the first words that popped into my mind. It was the honest truth though.

It hurt far worse than my back did at the moment.

Looking into my eyes I see tears form in his eyes for the first time since I had known Maddox. I had never once seen any one of my guys cry.

“I know it hurts, Babe, mine hurts too.” He answers softly as he wipes away my tears. “We just have to stay strong, okay?” He questions with his voice clogged with emotion.

I nod looking over to where Killian’s body had been.

“We moved him to the back. When we land we can bury him.” Silas answers this time as he watches us with sadness in his eyes.

“I’m sorry, Silas.” I whisper and he nods as he looks back out the window near him.

He had lost everyone close to him and that only made my heart hurt worse.

I felt his pain as if it were my own.

I couldn’t imagine the pain I would have been in if I would have lost my whole team. It would have been overwhelming.

It was hardly bearable to have lost Dash and Killian.

But I was thankful to still have Maddox, Grey, Max, and Cash.

They were everything to me.

Grey’s hand slips back into mine as I close my eyes. “We will be fine, Mac.” He whispers. “We will all be fine with Cash now.”

I nod in agreement as I squeeze his hand tightly in mine.

He was right, with Cash we could make it through this.

“I can’t believe the council was going to send us to the same planet that they sent him to.” Silas blurts out abruptly.

“They were going to send you to ground here?” Cash questions from the front.

“Yeah, they were going to send teams of us down. My team and Mac’s were the first chosen.” Silas answers.

“Then those idiots deserved this.” Cash growls out as the ship jerks again.

I cry out in pain.

“Sorry, Love. I promise it won’t hurt much longer.” Cash yells back to me.

“Maddox strap her back in and get into your own seat.” Max commands. “Silas, Jace, we need you on the side guns again. Bad shit is coming at again.”

Moving like lighting, both Jace and Silas move into position.

Maddox buckles me back against my seat tightly to reduce my pain as we are jerked back and forth over and over.

“Where are they coming from this time?” Silas curses as he fires.

“Behind us, they’re giving chase.” Cash yells back as the nose of our craft angles up at a steep climb.

“You need to get them off of us.” Max snarls from the front.

“I’m trying the best I can. These stupid ships weren’t made to do these types of maneuvers.” Cash growls out right before our ship turns left sharply.

Cash cuts us right and I cry out as the pain triples in my back, any more movement was bound to have me blacking out, but at the moment blacking out was looking like the better option.

It was either that or to face the feeling of crash landing, or worse, being blown straight out of the sky.

Neither sounded like a good option to me.

I wanted to at least reach the ground in one piece.

I wanted to feel the dirt beneath my feet and the air on my face as I stood in the sunlight.

“You better not get us killed, Cash.” I growl out abruptly.

“I won’t get us killed, Love.” He laughs along with everyone else.

“You better not, I want to feel that damn ground beneath my feet.” I yell out. “I want to feel the sun on my face, and I want to breathe in the fresh air.”

“I want to eat some real meat.” Jace adds.

“And I want to have wild sex with the natives.” Grey barks out and a round of laughter sounds through the ship.

“I want to feel your lips against mine, and your beautiful body again.” Cash yells back making everyone go silent.

“I want that too, Cash. More than anything I want that again.” I answer.

“Dude, she’s like my sister, I don’t want to hear that smut.” Max barks out jokingly and everyone chuckles.

“Don’t make me turn this ship around, Max, because I will.” Cash warns lightly.

“Okay, grandma, let’s see you try.” Max teases as the ship takes another sharp turn.

“Is that all you’ve got, grandma?” Jace teases and the ship turns sharply to the left.

“Damn it.” Cash curses as the ship tilts upward once again.

“Can you get a clear shot of them, Silas?” Cash questions quickly.

“No, I can’t. If I shoot now I’ll kill us by nicking the wing.” He answers.

“If I tell you to take the shot, will you?” Cash questions and Silas looks back to me.

“Are you asking me if I’m willing to kill us?” Silas raises his brow in question.

“No, I’m asking you to trust me that when I tell you to take the shot that I have a plan to keep us alive and them dead.” Cash replies.

“Then yes, I’ll take the shot when you order it.” Silas answers.

“Max, get into the back with the others. If this goes bad it’s best you’re back there than up here.” Cash orders calmly.

“I’d rather stay up here. You’re going to need me to keep this boat from getting too out of control.”Max responds.

“Fine, but everything is on my count, my command.” Cash relents.

“Yes, captain.” Max replies seriously.

“Alright, is everyone ready for this family trip to be over?” Cash question making light of the tense moment.

“I’m more than ready, grandma.”Maddox yells.

With a sharp turn to the right and then a quick turn to our left Cash curses. “Get ready Silas.”

“Ready, and waiting, Captain.” Silas grunts.

I swear everything next happens in slow motion.

My body is jerked right again and then left before the nose tips up and then abruptly down before one last turn left.

“Shoot, shoot now.” Cash orders and shots ring out as Silas takes his shots.

A loud boom sounds from behind us and Silas smiles turning towards me. “I hit them.” He calls out.

“Great job, now I need both you and Jace to get into seats into the middle near Mac, before this boat hits ground.” Cash calls out and they quickly move as the ship turns right and left abruptly as the nose takes a dive downward.

Barely getting into his seat next to me Silas curses as he buckles himself in, Jace quickly buckles in next to Maddox.

“Are we good?” Cash yells back.

“We’re good.” Jace calls back.

“Good. Now, hold tight to your undies, because this is going to hurt like a son of a…” His words end as the ship impacts with solid ground.

My breath is knocked from my lungs as I slam against the belts holding me in, I cry out as Maddox curses.

The ship suddenly tumbles and this time Cash curses along with Max.

Glass shatters.

Metal crunches and we continue to tumble.

With every tumble I come closer and closer to the darkness that I so badly want at the moment.

The pain was unbearable.

I prayed for us to stop, for us to all be alive, that I wouldn’t lose anyone else, I couldn’t lose anyone else.

As fast as it all started the ship comes to a stop. I cry out as it jerks me in my seat but at least it had ended its tumble upright.

“Cash, Max?” I yell out as the ship fills with smoke, or dirt, I wasn’t sure.

“Please, tell me someone is alive.” I yell out.

I’m met with silence.

“Please, someone be alive.” I beg as my eyes begin to flutter shut. “Cash, please answer me?”

My eyes flutter again as the darkness takes me down into it depths.

I fight it but it’s no use.

Maybe it was better to not fight it. I didn’t even know if anyone else was even alive.

What was the use if I was just going to end up alone?

At least if I did die here and now, I was on the ground for the first time ever and I would be back with my father, Dash, and Killian again.

And my mother, I would give anything for her to touch my cheek and tell me a story of a world I could only dream about going to.

I was finally there.

I was on the ground.

But was I even still alive.

####

Episode Two Teaser

“Um, guys, I hate to break up your moment but I think we have a big problem.” Max growls out low as he and Maddox duck down closer to the floor.

I instantly become alarmed.

“What is it?” I question moving off of Cash.

“I don’t think we are alone in here.” Maddox answers quietly.

We all go silent as we watch different spaces of the ship. I couldn’t see anything, but I could hear what sounded like soft footsteps.

I awkwardly stand to my feet and pull a knife from my thigh holding it out in front of me as Cash stands to his feet and reaches for another one of my knives.

Just as his hand grazes the knife I’m pulled back from his reach and I feel someone, or something, grab for the very knife that Cash was going for.

I cry out in pain as my back slams into a hard body.

Cash, Max, and Maddox curse as they watch me.

“What the hell has a hold of her?” Maddox snarls.

Against my neck my blade ever so lightly taps my skin.

It was weird feeling the thing holding me but at the same time not being able to see it.

“Drop your weapons.” A deep voice sounds from behind me.

No one moves.

“Drop the weapons or your female gets killed.” The voice warns while dragging the cold blade of my knife across my neck.

Thank you for Reading.

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