I'm back everyone! This chapter is going to focus on Kenzi and her life in the after. I got a review asking if we would see her again, so this chapter was born. Among other ideas:) check out the end of the chapter for more notes on this!
Keelie has her own ideas about things, learning the truth about her father's past would help her see how things really were.
Lance is definitely forming his own ideas about pups and how they should be raised. He would most likely take his time in having his own, and his view on the firstborn being most important would likely be different as well.
Butch hurting her half-brothers did cause her to question things, but her father is a liar and a manipulator, he could easily convince her that he was looking out for the benefit of the pack in the long run. He wanted to be in charge of the pack because he felt Ace was too soft. The pack needed someone strong and more brutal.
An evil healer would definitely be interesting, but highly unlikely. I'm not really sure where the inspiration for Lilly's problems hit me. I do get a lot of ideas in the bathtub though"^^
Great theory on the Jewels! you hit it spot on!
Thanks for all the love everyone! Enjoy!
"Oof," Kenzi grunted as she hit the ground. It was hot. Unbearably hot. The desert sands glowed red from the heat and the sun was the color of blood, contrasting against the black sky.
She got up, sitting on her knees. The only sound was the heat crackling in the air. "Hello?" She called. Nothing.
Noticing a tall sand dune, she hurried over, scrambling to the top. She'd never been in the desert before, so she slipped a few times, getting covered in sand. Finally, she made it to the top.
In the distance, she could see a small group of jackals sitting around a small pot of water. Maybe they could help.
She tried to edge down the dune, but stepped on loose sand. Her foot slipped out from under her and she fell. She grabbed at the sand, trying to stop her fall, but she kept tumbling.
Finally, she was stopped when she hit something cast iron. The sound of water hitting the ground reached her ears, and several male voices threw slurs and swears at her.
She yelped when one of them grabbed her by the hair and drug her to her feet. Her hands pulled at his fingers and she swung her feet, trying to kick him. "Let go of me!" She demanded.
Another yelp as she was struck across the face. Then her head was yanked back to meet his face. The male holding her grinned, "feisty one eh? I think we should take her ta the boss." He turned to others, "what do ya think boys?"
They all nodded, along with a few hollers and whistles. The smallest, sleaziest looking one walked up to her and grabbed her face in his hand. "Such a pretty little thing," he smirked.
Kenzi squirmed, "get your hands off me!" When he didn't comply with her order, she spat a glob of saliva in his face.
He drew back, cussing her.
She smirked at him, watching in satisfaction as he wiped his face.
The others laughed at him. "Ya can't handle a little girl eh?" The one still holding her hair grinned.
"Shut up," he swiped the last of her spit off and flung it on the ground, still swearing under his breath.
"Come on ya, let's get her ta the boss."
Kenzi stumbled as she was shoved through the double doors. She sent a glare at the males behind her. "Get changed ya." It was obviously an order. Then the door slammed shut.
With a grumble, Kenzi got to her feet. Changed into what exactly? Oh no. Laying on the bed, was a skimpy, two piece dress. If you could even call it that. She wasn't even sure how to put it on. She didn't want to find out what would happen to her if she refused, so she undressed and tried to get it on.
As she was struggling with the straps that crossed her breasts she heard a voice. "What are you doing?"
Kenzi screamed and turned around, covering herself as she expected to see a man. But instead, it was a woman. She was very buff and had a stronger deeper voice than any woman she'd ever met before though. Maybe it wasn't a woman. She wasn't about to ask though. "I'm trying to get dressed." She was painfully aware of how pathetic she sounded.
With a sigh, they set down the tray they were carrying, "here, you'll need my help."
Kenzi allowed herself to be led to the bathroom and sat down at the small table. She gasped. They had a mirror, she'd only seen one a handful of times. She frowned. She looked awful. Her eyes were bloodshot and a bruise spread across the left side of her face. Not to mention her fur was drenched in sweat.
The other jackal went back to the bedroom to get a few things, then came back. "Take that off. You need to get cleaned up."
It was then that Kenzi noticed there was a small washtub with a handle on the wall next to it. She did as asked, then the other jackal took her hand as she got her into the basin.
"Can you tell me what's going on?" She asked as the other pumped the handle and water poured out of a small hole and into the tub.
"You must be new. Well, if you're here that's a good sign. It means the boys took a liking to you, at least they think the boss will. If he likes you, and you play your cards right, he'll select you as his lady."
"I'm not anyone's lady," Kenzi snarled.
"I know. But you'd better fake it if you know what's good for you."
"What do you mean?"
The other kept silent for a moment as they measured shampoo and washed her hair. "Do you really want to know what happened to the last lady that was here?"
"Is she dead? Well, deader?"
"No. But she probably wishes she was."
It seemed like it took forever, but finally the other was happy with Kenzi's appearance. One final adjustment was made to her hair, "don't make him angry. Do what you need to to keep him happy." None of the women ever listened to this advice, but it was still given.
The door opened, and the male from before stood there, ready to escort her to see the boss.
They walked through a long metal hallway. At the end of it, a male jackal sat on a chair with a tall back. He had one leg crossed over the other, and held a wineglass in his hand.
Kenzi was shoved forward when she didn't bow. She landed on her hands and knees. A foot pressed against the back of her head, causing her nose to almost touch the floor. Before she could stop herself she snarled, "don't touch me."
Unexpectedly, the boss laughed. He set his glass on a nearby tray and gestured with his hand.
They let her up and she dusted herself off, grumbling.
"Come here."
Kenzi froze. She looked up to meet his gaze. He was very intimidating and looking at her with a glint she didn't like. It was almost a leer. But, she remembered the warning given to her by the other jackal. So, she made her way over to him with a slink in her step and a grin in her eyes.
By the way he adjusted in his chair she could tell he liked it. The smile spread to her mouth. It was working.
When she reached him he patted his lap, "sit."
Kenzi really did not want to do that. When she hesitated, his gaze turned angry. "Did you not hear me?" He asked.
She swallowed, then gingerly sat down on his lap.
His hands snaked around her waist, "not so bad is it?"
She shook her head.
His hands held her thighs and he turned her to straddle him. "You've never been held by a real man before have you?" He asked when he sensed how uncomfortable she was.
Her mind thought back to Crowe. He was the only one she'd been really intimate with, and Pierce, but he didn't count. Crowe had been careful, gentle. She'd never been left out of breath or seeing stars, something she'd always kind of wanted. But Anahi and Asia had said that wasn't important in order for them to have pups. Even when Crowe was sick, that side of him wasn't something she wanted either. Dare she say she'd lost interest in him? Wait. This male was trying to manipulate her. How could she? She'd been happy with Crowe. Right? Besides pups weren't born here. Unless you'd been pregnant or something when you died.
She realized he was still waiting for an answer.
"Well," she said finally, "no. But why the interest in me? I'm sure you know we couldn't have pups together here."
He grinned, "smart girl. That doesn't matter to me here. It did before, but now, I get to be in charge forever."
"Sure." She folded her arms, "so why do you even need a lady anyway?"
He rubbed her legs, "I have certain, desires."
"Really?"
"You are by far the most interesting girl I've ever met," he smiled with a predatory look.
She glared, "I am not a girl."
A laugh, "in order for me to believe that, you have to prove you're a woman."
"And how do I do that?"
"I think you know." He tugged on her skirt.
She jerked away, "unhand me."
A laugh, "you'll come around."
"I will not, you know it's wrong to mate with no intention of pups." They all laughed at her. Her face flamed.
"Honey, do you think I give a flying flip about right and wrong? That's why I'm here. That's why we're all here." He spread his arms at the words. Then he lowered his voice, "that's why you're here. Whatever rules you broke, you weren't sorry. Those stupid jewels sent us here to be punished." He spat on the ground. "But they don't really care what we do. Everyone here breaks the rules, and no one cares. Sure people get hurt," he shrugged, "but as long as they're not me." His finger traced her cheek, "or the ones I care about."
She swatted his hand away, "you don't care about me. You just want me to get under you."
He grinned, "is it working?"
She was unamused.
"You get back to your room." He patted her cheek affectionately with a smile, "I'll see you at dinner."
Kenzi got back to her room in a whirlwind of anger. She took the silver headpiece off and flung it with a scream.
"I take it did not go well?"
Kenzi looked over at the buff jackal mixing a drink. It was handed to her and she tossed it back, coughing a bit. "It did. That's the problem. He likes me. I'm expected at dinner tonight." She sat down in the armchair with a huff.
The other jackal filled her glass with wine. Kenzi gave them an odd look. "You look like you need it."
Kenzi shrugged and sipped a little. "Thanks for your help though. Your advice worked."
A nod. "Good. I'm glad you took it."
They sat for a while in silence. The other jackal stood up, "we should start getting you ready."
"I'm already ready."
The other jackal gave her a look, but said nothing. They simply got up and went to the closet. They opened it, and flipped through the clothing inside.
Kenzi sighed, downed the rest of the wine, then went over to the closet too.
"So?" Kenzi asked as the other jackal took down her hair to redo it, "what's your story? Ow! Not so rough!" She complained as the brush caught on a tangle.
"Apologies."
"You gonna answer my question or what?"
"You are asking how I got to this place?"
Kenzi waved her hand dismissively, "I don't care about what you did in your other life." The other visibly relaxed. "I just mean, how did you end up basically being a servant?"
"The boss thought this would be a better use of my talents than before."
"What did you do before?"
"I worked in the mines, digging for silver and water."
"So why change? You seem very like a very hardworking man. Or woman," she added hastily when she saw the frown on the other's face. "I mean no offense."
"It's ok. I am a female. And thank you. My mate you see, he suffered a lot down there, he's not very strong. He's quite scrawny actually. The boss, he offered us a chance at a better life. We took it."
Kenzi frowned, "the boss doesn't just give things. What did he want in return?"
"A night with me." She seemed embarrassed.
"No offense, but you don't seem like his type."
"Because of how masculine I am?"
Kenzi squirmed a bit, "yeah."
Her large hand rested on her upper arm, "don't worry. You will not offend me. I've heard worse." She sighed, "but you're right. I'm not his type. He was..." she paused, thinking of what would be the right word. "Curious," she decided finally.
"Because you could be mistaken as a male?"
A nod, then her hands resumed braiding her hair. "Suffice to say, I'm the same as any other female. He learned that quick."
Kenzi watched herself frown in the mirror. "What did he expect?"
"Who knows?" She shrugged. "I think because of how deep my voice is and how muscular I am, he assumed something. Most everyone I've met does the same thing. Even when I was a pup. I was born this way," she added.
"But that's not a reason to be here, you couldn't change the way you were born."
"No. But what I did was."
Kenzi kept quiet. This was something new to take in.
Then, there was a knock on the door. The female smiled, "time to go."
"Thank you for all your help. Uh..."
She took her hands, "Malaise."
"Thank you Malaise."
The door opened and Kenzi was escorted to dinner.
"You can relax my dear," he grinned, "nothing is poisoned. Not that anything permanent would happen to you if it was."
"I do not trust you."
"You don't have to." He steepled his fingers, "I'd be happier though, if you saved room for dessert."
She glared, then quickly took a bite of the meat on her plate. Even though she could not die without food, she still could feel hungry. And right now, she was starving.
"Must you toy with me so my dear?"
"I have no interest in your idea of dessert."
A snicker, "well, you'll be sorely disappointed."
"Is that a threat?" She could barely keep the snarl from her voice.
He grinned, "just a fact." He stared at her as she busied herself with her plate. He was surprised at how quickly he'd found himself attracted to her. She was manipulative, he could tell, and it was pretty obvious her agenda came first. She held a lot of spite and venom, and he wanted to see more of it. Preferably with the two of them behind closed doors.
Kenzi could feel his gold eyes burning into her. She set her glass down, "why are you so determined? I'm sure you could have any woman you want."
"Yes, but I want you."
"If you really want me, why don't you just do it? You are stronger than I am." She knew it was stupid to ask, but she was curious. He was obviously in charge of everyone here, so what was stopping him?
He grinned, "because my sweet, it will be so much more satisfying when you beg for it."
Kenzi stared at the ceiling in bed that night. His last words at dinner felt like lead in her stomach. This was insane. She would never belong to a man. Never again. They were all manipulative and only cared about one thing. He was proof of that. Now all she had to do was figure out how to get out of this.
Just as she began to fall asleep, she heard a scream. She bolted out of bed. What was happening? Malaise had gone back to her own quarters, so she couldn't ask her. Was there a danger she should be concerned about?
When she heard the scream again she ran from the room, looking for Malaise. Not because she was afraid though. Just concerned.
She reached the other jackal's room. She'd seen it on an earlier escort so she knew which one it was. She pounded on the door.
It swung open. A short male stood in the doorway. "What's going on?" He asked while rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"Where's Malaise?" She gasped, her ears falling back as the same agony filled scream echoed down the hall.
"Misery?" The woman's deep voice asked as she walked up behind him, "who is it?" She was worried it was the boss. "Kenzi?" She asked when she saw the woman in the doorway. "Is everything ok?"
Kenzi jumped at the crying jackal somewhere in the building. "What's going on?" She asked as she looked at her attendant.
"Come inside," she said. Her mate stepped back to let her in.
Kenzi was soon seated in a wooden chair and handed a small cup of tea. The jackal carefully raised her shaking hands and took a small sip.
The male jackal, Misery, gave her a small smile and set a honey roll on a plate in front of her. "To calm your nerves," he said quietly.
Kenzi only nodded and took a small nibble. She was surprised at how small and soft spoken he was. He was the complete opposite of Malaise. Small, petite, and almost shy. It was like he was the woman in the relationship, and she was the man. Weird.
Malaise cleared her throat, "have you not been contacted by the jewels since your arrival here?"
"No."
"She doesn't know," Misery murmured.
Her head whipped around to face him, "know what?"
He flinched and drew back, almost hiding behind his mate.
A smirk slipped onto Kenzi's face despite herself. She still liked intimidating others. It gave her a sense of superiority.
"You don't need to be worried," Malaise interrupted, "someone is receiving their punishment. You will get used to it."
"I thought this was the punishment."
"No. Not really. The jewels give us all a punishment. We experience it every so often, it's always the same thing." A sigh, "they will contact you soon and tell you what yours is."
"What do you mean by experience?"
Misery spoke up, "it's like an illusion, but real. You feel it. You see it. But no one else does."
"Everyone's punishments are different," Malaise added. "They fit your crimes so to speak."
"What's yours?"
She glared, "do not ask that. It's not something we share with others."
Kenzi nodded.
"Get back to bed, I'll see you in the morning."
Kenzi got back under her blanket. This place was insane. Her stomach twisted as she thought about what the jewels could possibly have in store. She remembered Golden's words, she would live the life she inflicted on others. She'd bossed Cujo and ignored her daughters. Connived and undermined Pierce's authority. She'd killed Zayla's and Haven's children with no remorse. How would they decide she was to be punished? She chewed her lip, she would take it however it came.
Right now though, she was coming up with a plan. She could still be in charge. She could manipulate that stupid boss jackal and run things behind him. A smirk. Oh yes, she could do this. She'd let him think she was interested in him, let him have her. But she couldn't be too eager. He liked hard to get.
She wiggled down in the bed, getting more comfortable. This was going to be too easy. She fell asleep with a smile, tuning out the cries of pain still echoing in the hallway.
So, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! This is the last of Kenzi we'll see in this story. I don't think I've ever enjoyed writing a bad character as much as I've enjoyed writing Kenzi. Hopefully everyone has enjoyed hating her as much as I have! I do have ideas/plans for a story revolving around her life in the after. Would you guys be interested in reading a continuation of this chapter? Be sure to let me know! I will still get Ace and Nia's story up too. Thank you so much lovelies!
