Part 3 Tears Under the Moon

If it's not mine, it can be mine

Kade and Chastity walked over and River was close behind. This was shortly after Amber and Richard left. "Lucas is driving me f*****g crazy," Kade complained.

"What's up?" Zara asked.

"The pack should be under my command, but he is giving all the orders. He is sending River back out to sea to find out if there is word about Catori and now he is forming groups of six to go east, north, south, and west in search of Zion."

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Tabatha asked.

"Stick around we are going to need you on standby for any Vargis attacks while we're out on the searches," Kade said.

"No problem."

"What happen with Richard the other day? How did he lose his Rank?" Kade asked.

Tabatha explained what happen.

"Richard disobeyed a direct order but he should not have lost his rank. I'm giving it back to him and if Lucas has a problem we will just have to butt heads."

River sat eating a muffin as Kade complained. Zara looked at him smiling as he went over strategies.

"So what's your next move, Kade?" River asked after explaining the many options.

"Zion is the first priority and heads up Tabatha I think he asked Chenoa to send some healers from Silver Cresent Moon to help."

Tabatha bit her bottom lip but she said nothing. Although she couldn't help but wonder why they were needed. With the protective shield, she didn't even get the point of this stupid lockdown. As long as they stayed inside the barrier they were protected.

Dr. Arden cleaned the wounds Javoni had and gave him some medicine. She recommended he shift so that his wounds would heal faster, but they soon discovered he was unable to shift. His wounds seemed to be worsening and his veins appeared to be black under his skin. Soon he spiked a fever that was uncontrollable.

"If his fever gets any higher he is going to get brain damage." Dr. Arden explained this to Lucas and Rochelle, "I don't understand what is going on with him. Maybe Tabatha could help."

So again Tabatha was called in to assist in Javoni's healing.

"I can't move it. It's like it's part of him." Tabatha had explained.

"I will run more tests." Dr. Arden dismissed herself. Tabatha had sat beside Javoni's bedside and awoke to the voices in the hallway. She already knew who it was before she entered the room.

"Hi, Tabatha," Chenoa said, looking her over.

"Chenoa." Tabatha watched as she walked over to Javoni and touched his forehead. Even though he was covered in ice packs he was still burning up.

Tabatha was not even insulted that they called Chenoa, however, when two other members of her pack came in and the three began to do a healing ritual in front of her she was insulted. She didn't even say anything she just sidestepped them and left the room.

'Great!' Chloe growled when Kevin's scent hit her nose.

"Tabatha," Kevin said following behind her as she continued to walk like she did not see or hear him.

"Please just give me five minutes." He begged.

"What!" She hissed.

"I'm sorry." Tabatha rolled her eyes and walked away.

"HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT HOW I FEEL?" Kevin yelled.

Tabatha froze 'Is he f*****g serious' Chloe growled

"Tabatha I love you I swear I do but I had to do what I had to do. Being with you was poison. You belonged to another man and I still think it's f****d up that you ditched me for trying to be a gentleman. Then you mated with a f*****g demigod. And my Son was calling him daddy! You think it was easy cutting you off. It f*****g breaks my heart every day Tabatha I hate to see you hurt. I can't be that guy that goes around hurting people. I'm sorry. I love my mate and I love you too but I had to let you go."

"I'm poison?" Tabatha could not help but laugh at this.

"We were poison and you know it."

"Kevin you're selfish as hell you can apologize all day but I was not poisonous to you when my relationship was at risk I wasn't poison until she came along. And I get it you wanted to make it work. I don't care that you left me Kevin it's the f****d way you did it. Immediately you didn't even give me a chance to process all the s**t that was pouring down on me."

"Tabatha-"

"No Kevin, to top it off, you never even acknowledged her. That was the hardest part and then you gave your new baby her name."

"Tabatha I am not a total d**k I tried to talk her out of that name I swear, but it was her mom's name. I swear it was not a jab at you."

Tabatha wiped her eyes knowing that made her feel a little better. "Thank you, Kevin," Tabatha said as she turned to walk away.

She decided to go to her daughter's grave. She was surprised to find Chastity already there.

"Hey." Chastity said to her.

"Hey," Tabatha said.

"Do you know they would be so big now? I bet they would be good friends." Chastity wiped her tears.

"They would I just know they would." Tabatha said smiling. Chastity looked past her and she turned there was Kevin.

"Why are you here, Kevin."

"I'll give you all some privacy." Chastity said.

"We don't need privacy." Tabatha walked past him leaving him there standing.

It was not until later when she was going back to the pack hospital to check on Javoni that she saw him again. "Tabatha,"

"Goddess Kevin can you not take a hint?"

"Why are you shutting me out?"

"Because the only reason you're giving me the time of day is that your mate is not here otherwise you would not give a f**k about my feelings."

Kevin sniffed the air. "You smell different are you-" Before Kevin could finish his statement They heard screams and a crash Tabatha looked back and a Vargis came barging out of the pack hospital and running full speed from their territory.

"What the hell!" Kevin yelled, "How did it get in here?" He ran back inside to check on his Alpha but Tabatha looked the Vargis in the eyes. She'd seen nothing but fear. "Oh, Goddess poor Javoni." That was all she could manage to say.

Several weeks passed and Zion had not come back to Mystic Moon. His grief had driven him mad. In groups, the pack went on daily missions to find their Alpha but they could never seem to get close to him. The Vargis went into hibernation and for months the packs were finally able to stretch their legs and run again.

Tabatha feared that Zion had suffered the same fate as Javoni. Poor Javoni had not been seen since he changed. Now they knew a bite from a Vargis to a Werewolf could change them, even worse, Lucas was awful and he was a tyrant. He was grumpy and snappy and ran them like slaves. There was not much social time. He had them hunt day in and day out to find food while the beast was sleeping.

He eventually allowed Kade, River, Dedrick, and Ryan to go with Vladimir to a place called DeMarcus Enterprise. In search of more information about the Vargis. They came back with a few prisoners, tons of information on the Vargis, and the remaining blood of the Chosen.

The facility was burned to the ground. They did discover one thing. Vanessa had been there when Kade caught her scent; he knew she had suffered the same fate as Javoni. They now understood the infection could be spread from the beast to them by bite. And while they were hibernating they torched the caves they slept in trying to eliminate the beast altogether.

Tabatha was the first to reach out to Mrs. Jene to let her know of Vanessa's fate.

Mrs. Jene had a thousand questions and Tabatha promised that she would call her as soon as there was more information.

Amber seemed to be a constant figure at Mystic Moon. There was even talk of the packs merging together. The thought of having to see her on a regular basis made Tabatha sick to her stomach. Every time she saw Richard they were together to the point Tabatha started avoiding him altogether.

Their runs were long and Tabatha started struggling to keep up. Most times she was ordered to stay behind in case something happened she would be there to help heal, but today she was forced to run with the rest of the pack.

"You okay girl?" Zara asked when she kept falling behind.

"I'm good the boys have me out of shape I guess." She concluded, she did start to worry as time went by.

Then it hit her, her period was late. Of course, it had crossed her mind but when she did not miss her cycle she put it out of her mind.

'Chloe nooo.'

'You need to take a test.'

So Tabatha went straight to the store and got three tests. She nearly pooped her pants when she bumped into Amber.

"Hey, what are you getting from the pharmacy?" Amber asked

'She needs to mind her business!' Chloe had snapped.

"Cold medicine, you?"

"Allergy drops." Amber had said as she grabbed the drops off the counter, "cold medicine is on that aisle."

"Oh yeah, thanks."

Tabatha had taken off she would come back later, no way did she need Amber spreading that rumor.

That night at dinner she was freaking out when one of her favorite foods was placed in front of her and the smell made her almost vomit. On top of that Amber made a big announcement

"Everyone, I would like your attention. Stand up, Richard." She ordered which made Tabatha cringe.

"As you all know Richard and I have been seeing each other for some time. We have decided to take things a step further and become Chosen Mates."

You could hear a pin drop. Everyone knew he lost his rank and it had not been given back just yet. Everyone could see her parents along with Luna Rochelle and Alpha Lucas whispering among each other.

"Congratulations!" Kade yelled and started clapping eventually everyone else joined in except Tabatha.

Tabatha decided to slip out. It was ridiculous. What would happen when their true mate popped up? Maybe Amber had met hers but Richard surely had not. 'If he was open to Chosen mates' Chloe said sadly.

Tabatha stopped dead in her tracks Chloe's feelings were hers is that how she felt? Did you feel Richard that much? No way she kept walking but as she looked up at the night sky she felt really sad. Wolves were not meant to live life alone. She had taken the gift the Goddess gave her for granted now she would be alone forever. Worse was she was about to be a rogue. She was sure she was pregnant. She would be banished and considered a traitor. Where would she go? Blaine would not allow her to live among humans the minute he found out he would force them to go to Zerion and what? Watch him and Ophelia every day. No, she headed toward the waterfalls. Sitting and looking out at the water she realized she was totally screwed. She had messed up and it was coming back to bite her. Maybe Janice would allow her to come to her pack. No, her own pack barely tolerated her knowing she was mated to the man that killed the Chosen surely another pack would be horrible. She would have to raise her boys in the human world and if she did that how would she hide from Blaine?

Tabatha began to plan, she had no money saved. What the hell was she going to do? She began to withdraw from the others she knew would not be long before her scent changed and people started asking questions.

She was going to have to go to Zerion she had no choice; she needed to talk to Blaine. She waited until it was dark and headed out. She was nearly at the border when she heard someone behind her. "f**k River!"

"Where are you going?"

"Nowhere I just needed to stretch my legs."

"Cool, we're having a bomb fire to celebrate Richard and Amber's union. By the lake since the Vargis is sleeping wanna come?"

'I'd rather vomit in my mouth.' Chloe's moaned.

"Nah I'm not really up to it."

"Okay haven't seen you in a while. I'm going to see if there's any news of Cat tomorrow."

"How long will you be gone."

"Don't know depends on how close I can get."

Tabatha nodded, "well going to get going see ya around."

River watched her walk off he knew something was up but he figured she would talk about it when she was ready.

Tabatha felt like crap she hated lying to her friends but she had no choice. Worse she kept bumping into people, finally, she decided it was not a good night so she found a rock in a more secluded area by the lake and sat down. Looking up at the moon she had a good cry. She hated that it seemed all she did was cry. She was glad she had her boys she felt it kept her sane. She looked around and didn't see anyone and considered diving into the water. She heard a twig breaking and looked behind her. "Richard, what are you doing here?" She looked behind him figuring Amber was close behind.

"I was looking for you. River said he saw you why are you not coming? You left your Chosen to ask me why I'm not coming." She laughed at him.

"Yeah, you're my friend why wouldn't I?"

Why did that hurt? "Richard aren't you worried about one day meeting your true mate."

"Not really Tabatha." She looked at him with a look of confusion.

"I mean what if you do?"

"She's dead, Tabatha."

"What?"

"I met her already and I lost her already. She died."

"When did you meet her?"

"When Zion sent us to her pack. The first Vargis attack was reported. The bear claw pack, I knew immediately when I smelled her scent she was mine. She was a beautiful girl too."

"I'm sorry Richard."

"No biggy."

"It kind of is," Tabatha said looking at him oddly.

"I guess." He said tossing rocks into the lake.

"At least you have Amber now."

He laughed, "I kind of don't."

"I'm confused," Tabatha said frowning.

"That was her plan to get my rank back. We are not seriously mating. I told you she was not a total b***h she just wanted to help."

Tabatha let out a breath she didn't even know she was holding. "That's great I mean not great but well it is that you got your rank back."

'Goddess just shut up your rambling.' Richard laughted.

'Okay'

"Maybe we could hang out sometime. Again I mean not and do that but."

He said awkwardly

"I can't Richard."

"Why not?"

She just stared at him "because I screwed up and now I'm going to be banished."

"What" he laughed then he realized she was serious, "s**t what did you do?"

Tabatha's eyes filled with tears. She covered her face with her hands. He came and wrapped his arms around her. She pushed him away, "no you will hate me to everyone will."

"Tabatha," Richard said softly, "talk to me." He said grabbing her chin he forced her to look up at him.

She looked up into his gorgeous eyes. "Richard when I was in Zerion I had a moment." He already knew what she was going to say, "a moment of weakness."

"SO YOU'RE GOING TO BE WITH HIM! THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT!'

"NO, BUT RICHARD…I'm pregnant."

She turns her back to him in shame. He came and wrapped his arms around her again. "Tabatha, how do you know it's his?"

Tabatha went stiff. How did she know she had slept with him too, it was possible. "Oh, my Goddess I feel like a slut now, I... I don't know."

She turned to face him. "I don't know I hadn't thought about that as a possibility." Richard bent down lifting her shirt he lay his head on her stomach, "Tabatha if it's not mine it can be mine." He said looking her in the eye. She was speechless.

"I mean," he continued "I know you didn't want anyone to know about us but-" before he could finish she grabbed a handful of his hair bent down, and kissed him. He pulled her down to him and pulled her shirt over her head. She pulled at his shorts as he worked on unsnapping her bra as soon as her breast were free she shoved her whole tit in his mouth. He moaned with pleasure as she stroked him. He wanted to be in her so bad. He yanked at the shorts breaking the button he pulled them down ripped her panties off tossing them to the side and now she was sitting in his lap grinding against his manhood. He let out a low growl in frustration he needed to be in her now gripping her hips he lifted her slightly placing his manhood at her opening. She moaned as she felt him enter her. She was so moist and her scent was driving him insane. Tabatha began to ride him hard. "oh my Goddess you going to make me fly baby." She said in his ear as he stroked. "To the moon," he said as he started pounding her insides. Richard had been dreaming of this moment forever. She was giving herself to him willingly and she was not drunk his childhood crush was letting him have her. Tabatha rolled her hips rocking back and forth. Richard not only had a long d**k but it was fat as f**k and she was loving every minute of him being inside of her. When he began to suck on her mating spot she felt her climax building.

"Richard oh please don't stop." She whispered in his ear. He grabbed her and began to pound. Her legs started to shake uncontrollably.. "uh can have you Tabatha will you be mine?"

Tabatha grabbed his head pressing it harder into her neck and he sunk his teeth into her skin claiming her as his own. The sensation of the connection sealing them together made her orgasm even more intense. Chloe emerged and very aggressively she sunk her teeth into his neck claiming Richard as her own. When they both came back to reality. They both looked at each other and laughed nervously. Tabatha could not explain it but it felt so right. "You okay Tabby?" He asked softly.

"Yeah, you okay?" She asked as he just ran his fingers through her hair and kissed her passionately.

They took a dip in the River rinsing themselves off but it was useless because they ended up making love in the River again. And when they came from the water they lay curled up by the river's edge making love again. They could not seem to get enough of each other. "So how are we going to explain this to people?" Tabatha asked.

"I don't know we can go as slow as you want but I don't know how long Chaos is going to be able to stay away from you and Chloe," Richard said honestly

Tabatha places her hand on his chest. "Well, we should start with you spending more time with the boys."

"I'd love that, oh cool I'm a dad!"

Richard sounded so excited. He didn't seem bothered at all by the fact that her boys belonged to two other men.

"People will talk, Richard."

"People will get f****d up too," Richard said, giving her the most serious look. She felt so protected by him. She also felt connected to him in a way she had not with her other mates.

Richard had walked her back to her house that night and he tried leaving but Tabatha was not having it. She pulled him inside and they spent the entire night making love

He slept about an hour before he was up for training. Tabatha cleaned the boys up and they hung out for a while before she took them to the Omegas. She went to sign up for her two daily runs. When who should she run into, Amber? She looked like she had been crying so Tabatha tried to act like she didn't see her, but Amber was not having it. "Tabatha!"

'ah s**t Chloe here we go'

"Amber."

"What did you say to Richard?"

"I don't know what you're talking about "

"Oh, you know. Now all of a sudden he does not want to be involved with me anymore. You had something to do with this." Amber said shoving her.

"Amber I'm sorry you lost your s*x toy. That is between you and Richard though, wait I thought you guys were mating." Tabatha said sweetly.

"We are!" She growled

"Good luck with that," Tabatha said then she signed her name on the signup sheet beside Richards. And brushed past her

'I don't care if she is Zion's cousin if that b***h was on fire I wouldn't spit on her to put the flames out. That w***e would burn! She better keep her ass away from Richard!' Chloe growled.

'Calm down Chloe he is ours and we have the mark to prove it, period!' Tabatha assured her wolf.

Zerion

Zerion was not normally affected by the weather. It was climate controlled so aside from the time the Chosen had visited before her death most of the people had never experienced rain, snow, or anything other than sunny days. However, due to the damage, the dragon lord had done to the dome surrounding them they were experiencing rain. Ophelia just watched it come down feeling like it fit her mood

Flashbacks

"Mama, how come you give daddy a schedule every day with stuff to do." Four-year-old Ophelia asked as she held her feet up to admire the pink shiny sandals on her feet as her mother brushed her thick hair.

Her mother had laughed and Ophelia still remembered seeing her smile through the mirror. She looked like she held so many secrets. "Honey your daddy would forget his head if it were not attached to his head.

Ophelia giggled, "honey daddy is a strong King, but remember behind every strong King there is an even stronger Queen always prepared to take care of business."

"Will I be a strong Queen one day?"

"Even stronger than me."Her mother assured her.

"But mama your Charisma is the strongest even stronger than daddy."

"Yes power comes in many forms, power comes from here" she pointed at her chest "and here" she pointed at her head, "and you are already the smartest little girl I know."

Ophelia loved Blaine but she would never forgive him for only giving her part of himself and she would never be happy knowing that Tabatha had his heart.

It hurt her so much to know that he was only with her because Tabatha didn't want him. She felt if the Shewolf was willing to forgive he would surely go back to her or try to have them both.

She packed her luggage preparing for her departure. Normally the first and second families were the ones to attend the other Kingdoms but she could not muster seeing Blaine's face or being in his presence so she decided to attend the conferences. They were mostly to discuss new technologies in different realms. They never considered themselves to have many threats because of the barriers that protected them. When a King died they offered a piece of their soul to the book that protected their kingdom. And over the years the barrier became so strong no one was really a threat to the other however without the book. Well, things like Kreis the Dragonlord happened. On the other hand, as of now no one in the other realms knew what was going on in Zerion because if they did they could join forces with Kreis or claim Zerion as their own. If Blain had listened to her where his ex-mate was concerned and had the book of Thai been in place Kreis would have most likely moved on after the first unsuccessful attack. So powerful, and although rough around the edges he was a beautiful site to see yet scary and intimidating all at once. The Chosen had beautiful mates. Even her Alpha King was incredibly attractive. She thought of the first time she laid eyes on Blaine her heart had melted she never thought in a million years in the end his heart would still belong to Tabatha.

"Ulaf please have my luggage taken out to the royal transport vehicle."

Ophelia said moving away from the dreary old curtains and heading to her room to make sure she hadn't left anything she needed behind.

Ulaf gave a soft "Yes madame" and carried on.

Ophelia had suggested he be fired upon her return but he showed up every day, still. With his nose in the air like he was better than everyone else.

A servant, the nerve of him. Ophelia thought to herself as she grabbed a few odds and ends.

She had to keep up appearances and since Blaine was in and out she had to go. Now that the dome surrounded Mystic Moon and his Shewolf was unavailable he seemed more interested in her comings and goings. She planned to be gone for months at a time knowing with their being at war would stop him from coming after her. This would also weaken Zerion more but at this point, she did not care at least this is what she convinced herself of as she made her way downstairs. The palace seemed more peaceful now that Aphena was gone yet colder since her little secret was gone as well. The need for a child was burning through her veins. She needed to give Blaine a child to gain some respect back. A son would be the only way she would be seen as worthy in her people's eyes. The meeting had been planned some time ago and now she was anxious to get away.