Part 3 Tears Under the Moon

Not just a Nobody

A few days before Zions return

Tabatha was alone in her room staring at the ceiling and rubbing her now swollen tummy. Things between her and Richard had been beyond complicated. Starting with the day in Luna's office when Richard stood silently by and did not come to her defense. She was over having that type of relationship with men. Richard was constantly harassing her now and she was so over it. Because although he claimed there was nothing going on with him and Amber and it was all in her head they were always together. She was making her life miserable to the point we're Tabatha seldom left the house.

She did love Richard though she couldn't deny that. He consumed her thoughts which was another reason she chose to stay out of site. Chloe was fed up. Her wolf was always ready to challenge Amber and to be honest, she did not want to get ripped apart. Amber was big, quicker, and in truth a much better fighter.

She had managed to avoid Richard for a few months by leaving Mystic Moon with Chastity and doing a pop-up visit on Aquaman. Seeing this side of Chastity was different. She and he did a dance almost as awkward as Tabatha's and Richard's. She enjoyed her time there for a while. She forgot about the Vargis or Vanessa's return, their missing Alpha, and her moment with Blaine. The problem with avoiding Richard was she was also shrugging off her parenting responsibility on Rose and her dad which was not cool so after a few weeks of avoiding the Luna's phone calls she finally received a mind-link from her. Tabatha Burns, I do not appreciate your blatant disrespect for your Luna if you wish to be able to return to Mystic Moon I better hear from you today! She returned that day and did not bother telling Richard. She knew she could not hide forever; she also knew she would have to decide what her next move would be. She should not have rushed into this situation. Her wolf could not handle losing another mate. Not to mention her pregnancy hormones had her craving Richards's body.

As soon as she returned Amber started with her. She managed to stay hidden for a few days which she knew was immature but she was so emotionally drained. What really did it was when Rose came home from the pack house one day furious. "What's going on guys." Tabatha had asked.

"Amber." Her dad said calmly. As Tabatha sat at the table eating a bowl of cereal.

"Amber!" Rose snapped. Tabatha's shoulders slumped.

"Oh, goddess." She groaned wondering what she had done now.

"That girl never pays me or him a bit of attention." She said eyeing her mate, "but today she made it a point to come over and ask where you were. Before I could answer she goes on to say how she thought it was inconsiderate of you to leave the boys on us."

"It was." Tabatha agreed.

"Honey you have been through a lot and you are a wonderful mom. Don't you dare feel bad for getting away for a while you have had a very stressful year. We all have."

"Thanks, Rose."

"Rose got out on the wrong side of the bed this morning." Her dad pointed out.

Tabatha laughed a little, "what does that mean?"

"It means she picked the wrong day to approach her. Rose told her politely that we told you it would be fine to get away and we loved having the boys around. So she says when are you expecting her back. Rose told her you will know when she's back because you won't see him anymore. She pointed at Richard."

Tabatha let out a laugh, "Rose!"

"It's true and I am sick of her," Rose said annoyance clearly showing all over her face. Tabatha decided it was time to stop hiding. That night she went with the family to dinner at the pack house. She was starving she was just sitting down when Richard spotted her. 'Your back.' he linked her and she did not respond. She thought he would get the picture. He did not. She watched him break away from his group which included Amber and pulled a chair up beside her. He assumed she needed space and that was fine he didn't have to talk to her but he was sitting next to her whether she liked it or not. He and her dad chatted and as she doted on Brock, Richard catered to BJ. She had to admit he was a natural with her boys. He was going to be a great stepdad. Maybe somehow they could make it work she was thinking. When she saw Luna approaching the table. "Tabatha welcome back did you enjoy your trip?"

"Yes, I did. Thank you for asking." Tabatha had not seen Luna since she returned. She tried mind-linking her but she never responded.

"Well, I hope you haven't gotten too cozy because I have an assignment for you."

"An assignment."

"Well yes, I was thinking you could go to the Silver Cresent Moon Pack and study a little more with Chenoa. You know then we would not have to call on them so much."

'So Luna has taken a side.' Chloe said to her. Richard had gone stiff as well. Tabatha was wondering what his thoughts were.

"When were you wanting me to go?" Tabatha asked her.

"Tonight."

Tabatha's brows raised.

"Luna, I will respectfully decline on Tabatha's behalf," Richard spoke up to both of their surprises.

"Oh." Luna said a little shocked, "and may I ask Richard what gives you the right to speak on Tabatha's behalf."

"She is mine. And if my mate will be spending time at the Silver Crescent Moon Pack she will do so with me by her side and frankly with Zion missing it is not on the schedule." Luna's mouth dropped open. "Luna, Tabatha, and I would like to share our news on our own time so if you don't mind I would appreciate it if you would keep that to yourself."

"We'll uh of course I will have to tell the Alpha there are things that need to be done."

"The alpha knows."

"What?"Tabatha and Luna said in unison.

"Yes, I told him the day we were in your office. You know the day he demanded you make arrangements for a mating ceremony."

"Well uh, what I don't understand."

"I don't know why I made it perfectly clear I have a mate and that ceremony was not happening." Tabatha bit her lip as she stared at Richard as he firmly spoke to the Luna.

"Well why is Amb-" she looked toward her niece.

"I don't know honestly I'm becoming concerned with her mental health." Tabatha's mouth dropped open. Luna blinked a few times then said "Excuse me." And abruptly walked away.

They were all silent for a moment, taking everything in. Then Terry, Tabatha's father said, "Welcome to the family Son. I could not be prouder." He reached out to shake his hand and then instead walked around the table, Richard stood and they embraced. Tabatha watched as Amber got up and walked out with an attitude. Tabatha was just taking everything in. When Richard stood, kissed her forehead and walked away. That's how they had been moving since her return. She was so confused as her baby continued to grow in her belly. She did think slowing this down was a good idea. So when tonight instead of eating alone she went when Chastity did come dragging her out of the house with Zara who had been stuck to her like glue because River had been Under the sea for months. She agreed to go to the pack house for dinner. They were having her favorite. Lasagna, the baby loved it and so did she. As soon as she walks in, she sees Amber draped all over Richard. Chloe was going batshit crazy, but her pride would not even allow her to acknowledge them. As soon as Richard spotted her he walked over and pulled up a chair and being a little petty she still did not acknowledge him. She did sniff the air and was disgusted he was covered in Amber's scent and it made her sick to the stomach. Which pissed her off because she had been looking forward to her meal.

"Hey Richard, what's up?'' Chastity asked. He looked over at her and tossed a quick smile, "you look like your glowing."

"Love is in the air," Zara said in a sing-song voice earning an elbow from Chastity. "Yes, it is," Richard said, staring at Tabatha who now had her nose scrunched up.

Tabatha pushed her plate away from her and stood. "Where are you going, Tabatha? I thought you were starving.

"I lost my appetite." She said walking away. Chastity looked at Zara, "straight down the middle?"

"Deal!" They said as they both started scooping Tabatha's food from her plate. Richard was right behind Tabatha practically walking on her heels. "How come you didn't tell me you were back when you first got home?"

"Because I didn't want to see you." She snapped.

"Still mad at me?"

"CAN YOU PLEASE BACK AWAY FROM ME? YOU SMELL LIKE YOUR GIRL AND IT'S NAUSEATING!" She said coming to a halt. She turned to face him fuming.

"Tabatha." He said softly

"Yes!" She practically growled.

"You are so cute when you are mad." He said in the most serious tone.

"Hmph!" She said as she spun around and walked away yelling, "Leave me alone Richard."

Richard sadly watched her walk away. Thinking she was stubborn as hell but he didn't care she could stay mad forever as long as she was his he didn't care.

After everyone had left the dining area later that night she had gone back and now she was starving. "Sarah." She had said to the Omega, "was there any lasagna left?"

"Oh, you didn't eat honey? It's all gone. Tabatha wanted to cry, but instead, she asked, "could you make me a sandwich?"

"Sure honey."

While Sara made her sandwich Amber came waltzing in and she just had to come over to her. "Oh hi Tabatha made it back from…where did you go again."

"What do you want, Amber?"

"I was talking to Aunt Rochelle and she was telling me I needed more bridesmaids so I thought you and Zara would like to be there for me."

'Okay she wanna play games,' Chloe growled.

"Amber I know what you're doing, just stop I'm not in the mood."

"Whaaat." She said in the most annoying voice.

"I thought since you and Richard were close you would want to be included."

"Included in what?" Tabatha frowned.

"The wedding we are planning. Well, mating ceremony."

"Oooh," Tabatha said pretending to be surprised and she said, "girl bye he is not marrying you or mating with you."

"Look I know you guys had this thing." She paused, "he told me about it but he is going to be with me. Like he has been every night for the last few weeks."

"Oooh really are you guys saving yourself for the wedding night?"

"No, he couldn't keep his hands off me long enough to do that." Tabatha burst into laughter right as Sara placed the Tray on the table.

"Good night girls. I am exhausted now that the kitchen is closed."

Sarah said as she walked back and turned the light off. "You guys cut the other light off when you go."

"What's so funny?" Amber asked, completely ignoring Sara.

"Your lies."

Tabatha pulled her hair to the side bearing her mark, "Trust me I'd know." Amber's mouth dropped open. 'I am tired of playing with this b***h!' Chloe said.

'Me too.' Tabatha said as she watched Amber sitting with her mouth wide open. Then all of a sudden she picked up the sandwich

And tossed it at Tabatha "you f*****g b***h!" Amber screamed she grabbed the plate and hurled it at Tabatha.

"Ah shit." Tabatha heard Sara moan as the plate hit the wall behind her shattering.

"Did you just throw my sandwich!" Tabatha wanted to cry she was starving her voice just went up three pitches higher, "did you just throw a plate at me."

Amber growled and like a reflex Tabatha grabbed a handful of her hair and snatched her across the table. By the time Kade broke them up they both were bleeding profusely. Tabatha from the nose and Amber from the lip. "What the hell is going on?" Kade demanded.

"She is a dirty f*****g w***e!" Amber spat out. Tabatha laughed saying,

"But you trying to marry my mate and I'm the w***e? Girl bye!" Tabatha laughed. Kade looked at Tabatha as he held her back because he felt the roundness of her belly, sniffing the air he could tell her sent had changed. How had he not noticed.

Amber made a disgusting noise and then she sucked up a gob and spit on Tabatha. The hot slimy liquid landed on her nose and slid to her lip. Tabatha was so disgusted she wiped it away the feel of her fluid touching her skin was too much she bent over spilling her guts. Tabatha was beyond pissed now as she looked down at the floor she saw a shard of glass. Picking it up she yelled, "hey Amber" she ran at her taking the sharp glass she tried cutting her. Kade grabbed her arm pulling her back. "Have you lost your mind?" He said shaking her arm.

"GET THE f**k OFF MY MATE!" Richard came out of nowhere and shoved Tabatha out of the way. He and Kade were glaring at each other now.

"You would whether I let her go to jail for stabbing Luna's niece?"

Richard blinked then looked back at Tabatha, "she started it! That b***h threw my sandwich and then spat on me, and I'm hungry." She whimpered.

"Really Richard you let her mark you!"

"WHY DO YOU KEEP ACTING AS IF I OWE YOU AN EXPLANATION AMBER? WE ARE JUST FRIENDS!"

"WE WERE MORE THAN THAT!"

"EXACTLY AMBER. WERE, PAST TENSE. I'M SORRY BUT I CAN'T KEEP ALLOWING YOU TO COME AT MY MATE. STOP PLEASE!"

Amber looked at him and Kade and burst into tears. She went running out of the dining area.

"Are you going to follow her?" Kade asked.

"No, my responsibility is here. My mate is hungry she has not eaten, and she is eating for two. Sit down, Tabatha." He said softly.

"But-"

”SIT DOWN TABATHA!" He demanded. She looked at Kade and pulled out a chair. She sat silently still fuming but not sure why. Richard went to the kitchen and Kade looked at Tabatha. "He told Alpha Lucas he had a mate and he had no intention of being with Amber. He said she was special, should have known then it was you."

"You heard him say that?"

"The day you two went around outside the packhouse."

"He said that."

"Yeah, he did."

Richard came back and placed a hot steaming plate of Lasagna in front of her with salad and breadsticks too.

"I thought there was none left." Tabatha wanted to cry when the aroma hit her nose.

"I asked Sara to put a plate up because I knew you did not eat. I went to shower before I bought it for you." He said walking over he pulled the hoodie over her head that had vomit on it. And then demanded she eats then he went and got a broom and swept then mopped up her vomit. After dismissing Sara who was silently standing back.

"Now this is what I pictured for you," Kade said as he stood by watching.

"Guess I'll go make sure Amber doesn't drown herself or something. Some chicks can't handle rejection. Plus I need to check on Vanessa. Oh, congratulations Tabatha I'm happy for you."

He said dismissing himself. Vanessa, Tabatha thought with River gone and she as well had anyone called her mom? She could not focus on that right now because the closer she got to finishing her food the hotter Richard looked with that mob in his hand. Her scent hit his nose and he let out a low growl. "You like what you see over here mate?" Now he started being Richard he did his version of a sexy dance which ended with him on the floor humbling the broom and Tabatha in a fit of laughter. When he was done she got down and crawled over to him straddling him. "Right here?" He said looking around, "really?" He said like he was shocked as she pulled her teeshirt over her head. He looked her in the eyes and they stared at one another, "goddess your so beautiful Tabatha." He reached up pulling her hair to the side admiring her mark, "mine." He whispered lovingly. Tabatha had to have him right then. She yanked at his sweatpants trying to free his manhood. Excited as he was to have her he didn't want anyone else enjoying what was his so he pulled himself up and lifted her carrying her into the kitchen he placed her on the counter. He noticed the small baby bump beginning to form. She felt exposed suddenly until he bent down kissing her belly. "Hey, daddy's girl." He whispered.

Then he slid her pants down. He went to kiss her but she pulled back remembering she had puked earlier and had not brushed that and garlic lasagna was not a blessed combination. Richard did not like it either he grabbed a hand full of her hair and forced his lips on her. Which turned her on even more.

"Um, I want to be in you." He moaned. Tabatha had no problem with that she wrapped her legs around his waist sliding her bottom forward. "Oooh," she moaned as he plunged inside her.

"Oh, my goddess your so wet for me baby."

Tabatha had lifted her bottom trying to get every inch as he began to gently stroke her. The one thing she loved about Richard is the s*x seemed to get better and better. Maybe because they were becoming more and more in tune with each other. She loved that he talked her through the entire thing and it totally made her wetter and wetter. When she talked back to him he got more turned on and gave it to her even better. "You have been hiding that sweet little honey pot from me."

"Yeah what are you going to do about it?"

Richard started to pump her even harder. "I'm gonna ugh" he growled because she was working her hips and it was driving him mad. "I'm going to take that shit." He said, pounding her hard now. It felt so good that Tabatha's eyes began to roll in the back of her head and her muscles began to tighten around his hard erection. "Oooh yes take it baby take it!" She screamed she nearly lost it as his seed splashed against her walls.

"You gonna jump?" Kade asked Amber whom he found standing by the waterfall.

"No." She said with a pout, "I just got my hair done."

Kade laughed looking at her. "Amber, what the hell is with you? You can not be truly that into Richard." Amber looked back at Kade and rolled her eyes. She knew he was referring to the night they spent together.

"It is not about love, it's about winning."

"I kind of figured that which makes it more f****d up. Tabatha deserves Richard and he deserves her."

"Yeah and what about me?" Amber said, "When will it be my turn? I'm getting older Kade, my biological clock is ticking."

Kade laughed, "Don't be in such a hurry, love is complicated. Relationships are complicated. Look at me I rejected my mate yet for the last several weeks I've spent more time in a cage trying to understand her and this beast than I have in my own bed. Not to mention running a pack and searching for Zion."

"How is that going?"

"Which part arguing with your Uncle because he does not want to follow the chain of command or covering the damn f*****g state and half of the next state over with no Zion?"

"Is uncle Lucas that bad?"

"Yes."

They both laughed, "What is she like Kade?"

"She is her, but she is not mine anymore. She seems more connected to him…than me, which I guess is normal since I disconnected from her."

"How does she feel about you."

"I don't know. She isn't into me I know that."

"Can I see her?"

"Why? She is not a freak show Amber."

"No, I know that. Goddess, I'm sorry."

"You could help me out though?"

"How?"

"Check the cage out and see if you have any ideas on ways to make it more comfortable."

"I'm down let's go. Anything to get my mind off Richard and Flabby Tabby." Amber said throwing shade.

Kade laughed shaking his head he turned and walked away. She ran up behind him jumping on his back.

"You know Tabatha is hot as hell right?" Kade said.

"She has had three kids, I bet she has stretch marks all over, flabby boobs, and a potato ass."

"A potato ass."

"Yes." Amber laughed.

"Jeesh what have you been eating girl."

"Stop it, Kade, I'm light as a feather."

"Do you tell yourself this s**t to make yourself feel better?" Kade said walking down the steps to the dungeon. They walked around a corner to the cage Vanessa was holding in. "Can we get drunk after this?"

Amber asked as she hopped down off Kade's back.

"I could use a drink," Kade said. Vanessa turned to see Amber slide off Kade's back.

"Hi Vanessa, remember me? Kade thought maybe I could think of a few ways to make the cage mo-" before she could finish her statement what could best be described as a tentacle emerged out of Vanessa's back with the lightning speed it wrapped around Amber's waist and started slamming her back and forth into the bars. Amber screamed as the tentacle tightened. "Vanessa no!" Kade was screaming, "no!"

Dr. Mars yelled from the other cage. "I warned you she was unpredictable but you people think you know everything."

Kade did not want to hurt Vanessa but Amber was not looking good so he did what had to be done. He grabbed the knife they all carried at their sides now and cut the tentacle in half. As soon as Amber dropped doctor Mars screamed "Run she going to spit!"

Kade grabbed Amber and carried her out of range just as Vanessa spit acid that literally left the floor smoking.

Dr. Mars was yelling, "She is not that girl you used to know. The sooner you accept lt the better we all will be."

"Vanessa what the hell!" Kade yelled at her.

"Why did you bring her here?"

"You heard her say why, to look at ways to make you more comfortable. And you have lied to me."

"About what?"

"Your beast had no reason to dislike Amber that attack was all you! You can control it, you choose not too."

"I can't!"

"You just did. Why did you do that to Amber?"

"Goddess." Amber mumbled pulling herself up. She stayed where she knew she could not be reached,

"Vanessa is clearly jealous. It's okay honey I'd be jealous of me too." Amber said, antagonizing Vanessa more.

Vanessa laughed, "Oh baby don't flatter yourself. You are cute but you are not me, even on my worst day."

Vanessa said in a very sure tone. Now normally this would have been a challenge for Amber but in truth the few times she had met Vanessa they had no issues. She knew they were cut from the same cloth.

"Then why are you being a b***h?" Amber asked, "I don't want Kade, been there and had that. And he may be your number one but he only rated a three on my scale. He isn't much into deep sea diving and I prefer swimmers. Maybe even a four in truth."

Vanessa and Kade both stared at her in awe. Dr. Mars and Demetri laughed as well as the guard. Amber was clueless as to why they found her words funny. Her focus had changed. Something had been nagging her since they came. Vanessa had a very strong pungent scent, it was rank. Yet underneath that overpowering scent was another smell. Of Oak wood, kind of musky and airy. Her wolf was alert and she was bouncing around.

'What is it?' Amber asked but she did not respond.

Amber jumped over the acid that still was smoking on the floor. That scent was calling her. As soon as she balanced her self she looked over in the cage that was the source of the wonderful scent.

Quamir walked over and stood before her. "Where will I fall on your scale mate?" He asked as Amber's mouth dropped open.

Vanessa couldn't help but take a jab back. "Oh I'm sure your a solid 10 Quamir. Been there and he isn't much on fruit but he can eat the hell out of a peach."

Kade's head tilted to the side, "Really Nessa?" He turned and stormed away.

Amber now wore the same look as Vanessa did when Amber rated Kade, "Amber let's go!" Kade shouted but Amber only stepped closer to Quamirs cage. Reaching a hand through the bars she brushed her fingers against Quamir's face. Immediately she felt sparks go through her. She snatched her hand back as if she were shocked. She abruptly turned to follow behind Kade.

As soon as they stepped outside into the sunlight Amber completely lost it. "Why is this happening this way?" She burst into tears.

Kade embraced her. Patting her back he said, "Well I guess the moral to this story is be careful what you ask for."

Amber pulled away looking at Kade with her face covered in tears and she laughed.

"Beta I need a drink." Amber said

"Me too." Kade put an arm around her shoulder and led her toward the club.

"I have a mate Kade and he is a prisoner in my Uncle's dungeon. A nobody."

"I wouldn't say that. Apparently, Quamir's father was an Alpha. He is an heir, of the Blue Blood pack his father is dead. They lost their Alpha but amazingly they did not disperse his father's parents had been running the pack, and they lost his grandfather to the Vargis. So twice they have lost a leader so you can imagine her excitement when I called and said we were housing their grandson in the dungeon."

"So he is a nobody."

"Maybe not just an untrained Alpha asshole with an attitude."

"When is she coming?"

"2 days she should be arriving they are all the way by the coast."

Amber was silent taking it all in. Kade didn't ask but he was wondering if it had it occurred to her how things would have played out if she had her way with Richard.

"I have Alpha training I could teach him," Amber said earning a smile from Kade,

"look at you Amber sounding like a Luna and true mate already."

"Shut up." She said shoving him playfully.

"Just so you know," Kade said "I eat peach too! I just never ate yours."

"What, seriously," Amber said shocked and insulted.

"Yeah, seriously only my mate gets that pleasure."

Amber laughed, "Lucky b***h.