Part 3 Tears Under the Moon

Origin of the beast

Zion was over the hospital bed. At this point he didn't care what Dr. Arden or his mother said he was out of there today. The two women were constantly fussing over him. His father offered no assistance only subtle conversation because his mother would flare up anytime he approached business "He needs to rest!" She would say.

"Rochelle, we were not discussing business. I was just letting him know Vldamir was here and we have made him quite comfortable." Lucas chuckled at the look on his wife's face.

"Vladimir is here?" Zion asked, he had not seen the Vampire since Catori's death. He was the one that had killed Godfrey among the chaos. Zion was grateful although he intended to kill him himself for River's sake he was glad the blood was not on his hands.

"He is, he actually is the reason you are still with us. He brings with him the last of Catori's blood. You were injected with it." Lucas said.

Zion tilted his head cracking his neck. This explained a lot he felt much better with the exception of the twitch he kept randomly getting. He dared not mention this to Dr. Arden.

She had already bombarded him with test after test. Zion pulled the covers back. And swung his feet around to the side of the bed.

"No, you don't Sir!" His mother snapped.

"Mom, I am fine and I have a pack to run. The longer I am in this bed the longer the enemy has time to prepare."

"No son, they would be fools to try to attack us again." Rochelle attempted to assure Zion.

"It is not their attack I fear they are planning for but prepping for mine."

"What! Zion, you can not be planning to attack those people while the Vargis and humans roam our woods and they control them."

Zion's wolf showed himself momentarily as his eyes changed colors. His mother adjusted her tone and Zion came forward. "Mother I am Zion Black alpha of Mystic Moon mate of Catori the Chosen. Aside from that, I am the son of Lucas Black what type of man would I be if I allowed an Alpha to invade my territory unchecked? Not only do I plan to attack I plan to hang his head on the outside of the border along with the other Alpha's that have challenged me. And his people will be rogues. Mystic Moon no longer accepts outsiders, it is no longer a place of refuge." Zion stood and tied his hospital gown sliding on his Jordans he waltzed right out of the hospital.

Rochelle glared at her husband, "one more day to heal was that too much to ask Lucas?"

"There is work to be done dear," Lucas said walking out and leaving his mate alone fuming.

Zion stood in front of the pack hospital. The sun seemed brighter. He held his arm up to observe to block the sun flexing his hands he felt something strange

"He is in the dungeon's son," Lucas stated as a group of giggling school girls walked by.

"Was there nowhere else to put him?" Zion asked as he felt a breeze on his backside.

"I think he is fine with the accommodations," Lucas said strolling toward the packhouse while Zion headed toward the dungeons.

"Son you may want to tighten that gown, "Lucas called out chuckling as he passed the same group of girls that had all stopped gawking at Zion's bare ass. Zion grumbled as he tied the gown tighter and went on his way.

When first entering there were few prisoners. The ones that were there shouted trying to get his attention but he ignored them making his way further toward the back. Once he came upon a door he tapped lightly the door seemed to open on its own accord. Vampires and Werewolves had exceptional night vision. He entered the dark room looked around and gave a sigh of relief. Mystic Moon always made him proud. No windows were in this room and though it was a dark and damp dungeon this room now held a king-size bed, dresser, and nightstand. Pictures lined the wall and the tv was now mounted on the wall. The room even had a bathroom small but it was okay upon short notice.

"Thank you Lycan King for the accommodations," Vladimir said to him.

"It is I who owe you a thank you. I understand you played a great deal in my recovery."

"Owe Lycan King the blood was more yours than mine I simply returned it to its rightful owner."

"I um I apologize Vladimir I did not reach out to you in person to offer my condolences when I heard about Klaud."

"Well, Zion I believe we have both suffered great losses of late. No grudges here Son." Both men were silent acknowledging each other's pain.

Vladamir, you worked for the council in the past and I know you have given me a lot so I hate to ask but do you know of the warlock Alibaster?"

"Yes, the one born with the white light. Capable of traveling to different dimensions like the Chosen."

"Yes. Do you know of a way of contacting him? I hear he does freelance work."

"Lycan King are you attempting to find the DemiGod?"

"Yes and no. To be honest I also am searching for my son."

Vladimir, whose back was turned, faced Zion.

"Son?"

"Catori had my son before she died and I do not know his whereabouts. He was last seen in the land of time. I need my boy. I need him safe… I-" Zion stammered,

"No need to explain Lycan King if anyone understands your plight it is I. As for the DemiGod."

"I wish to rip his heart out." Zion's wolf came forward and nodded in agreement.

"And you will have the opportunity sooner than you think."

Vladimir watched as Zion had a seat on the chaise he began to fidget.

"Still not quite yourself?"

"I feel this… twitch I can't explain," Zion said as he tried shaking the feeling off.

Vladimir began to chuckle, as his eyes began to sparkle, "So my vision was true."

Zion looked up at him for an explanation.

"You already have transferred power flowing through your veins."

"No, it is nearly diminished since Catori's sudden demise," Zion admitted.

"No Lycan King, it has just gone dormant. Your focus is off but the blood is like a boost. That twitch you are feeling is just your senses trying to activate what is already inside you. It is like a fuse searching for a spark. Patience jt shall ignite in its own time. I have been searching for purpose Lycan King losing Klaud and Madeline has been quite trying. The council is rebuilding itself and they have asked me to be a part of the journey. I wish to accept but in doing so there are a few loose ends to tie up first."

"Is it something I can help with?" Zion asked the Vampire.

"Well, Lycan King there are a few things I wish to discuss with you. I have given you half-truths where your sister is concerned for fear you would see her in a bad light. Do you recall when I asked you to check out Demetri -?"

"Of course."

"I had Klaud do some investigating as well." Vladimir walked over to the nightstand to retrieve a file that he handed to Zion. Zion looked over the paperwork.

"What the hell is this?"

"Madeline was working on creating a gene that would allow humans the ability to transform into… other creatures."

"What!"

"She succeeded Zion, the problem is it appears they only were in the beginning trials testing this out on animals."

"The Vargis!" Zion was horrified, "my sister created these beasts! So many lives have been lost! Madeline would not do this, she would not!"

"She did and I think she died by her own creation. Lycan King the blood of the Chosen concentrated would last for years yet amazingly it was reduced to that tube. I think Madeline was using it in her experiments and if that is the case and Demetri enterprises have her blood stored away well I can only begin to imagine the repercussions if it is used unknowingly or falls into the wrong hands."

Zion ran his fingers through his hair. "So we must destroy Demetri Enterprises."

"I think he is keeping something there. There is very little activity in and out of the building however the humans have been attempting to find just cause for search warrants apparently they too suspect he is behind the Vargis."

"She called me."

"What?"

Zion flipped through the pages, "Vladamir if this is true the problem is bigger than we think. Only the blood of alphas can turn a human into a werewolf but this gene can turn anything, where is the alpha? Who would agree to this, he must be mad."

"Or a prisoner."

"We must get into the building."

"We must!" Vladamir agreed.

"I suppose my vendetta with the Nightwalker pack can wait. This affects us all." Zion took a heavy breath and a few short breaths.

"I think you need more rest, Lycan King. Shall we start our journey tomorrow?"

"This is urgent." Zion protested.

"True but what is a kingdom without a King? You must take care of yourself, young Lycan. Your people need you." Vladimir's wisdom and keen knowledge of what was to come made Zion give pause.

"You're right, one more day of rest to work out the kinks," Zion said, earning a pat on the back from Vladimir.

"I will leave you to rest Vladimir," Zion said, excusing himself.

"Zion we have not discussed the fate of the Wizard Godfrey."

"There is nothing to discuss, Vladimir, Godfrey betrayed his family. He was a snake and he caused great pain and suffering to my mate. Thank you for killing him." Zion said, "I suppose I owe you a great deal for that as well."

"Zion I did not kill Godfrey; he is a prisoner now of the council for eternity. He will be used when needed and then shoved back into the hole he came from. I prefer he is thought to be dead. In case his son has a moment of-"

"I'd prefer him dead! However, I owe you so I suppose this is one I will have to live with."

"Lycan King," Vladamir chuckled. You are welcome to come by and use him as a punching bag anytime you wish. Zion thought it over, "I may just take you up on that offer."

Feeling a bit nauseous Zion found his way back to the pack hospital. He entered his room and found his mother and Dr. Arden still bickering over his care. They both paused when he came in confused to see him. Even more so when he pulled the cover back and crawled back into bed. The women looked at each other. Dr. Arden shrugged and his mother walked over and tucked him in.

"Thank you, son." She whispered in his ear, kissing his forehead...Zion felt her worry and looked into her eyes. He reached out wiping a tear from her cheek. "I don't wish for you to worry mother." He said softly and Rochelle smiled. Kade entered the room and Zion held his hand up before he could begin. "I must gather my strength, Kade. You are my beta while I am out of commission you handle all pack duties and decisions." He dropped his hand. Lying back further he closed his eyes. He could hear his mother pull her chair closer to him and begin to hum. This was always comforting to him and he quickly fell into a deep sleep.

Kade stood outside of Zion's hospital room, conflicted. As much as he would have loved to drop everything and go running after Vanessa he could not. He had obligations. He refused to be another Kevin. He still could not believe Kevin had been so selfish to drop the pack for his own selfish reasons. At any rate, he would not let Zion down. In truth, the Beta position could have been as easily his as it was Kevin's from the beginning. He had the same leadership skills as Kevin and Zion and they all ran together and had the same training, but Kevin had a desire to be Beta, Kade never wanted the responsibility. He liked hanging out with the warriors, he was often delegated to do the work that Kevin, Zion, and Michael were too busy for. So he was the one that trained border patrol. He was the one that made sure the pack police were up to par. He was the one in charge of pack relations meaning he spent a lot of time visiting other packs. Zion depended on him for the little things so when Kevin bowed out Zion had come to him and asked him to take Kevin's position. "I think it's only natural that you step into this role, Kade. I really need you, man." Zion had said.

"I'd be honored to be your Beta brother." Kade had responded and he meant every word. His wolf Rebel had been excited to lead but he was still morning the loss of their mate and now knowing she needed them. Kade cared for Vanessa it was a sore wound that had never completely healed. He did not know how to compartmentalize his feelings. He wasn't sure he still wanted her as a mate but he did need her to be safe.

DeMarcus Enterprises

Demetri, you are not thinking clearly! If they get search warrants how do we explain the girl in the cage, how do we explain your brother?"

"They signed a nondisclosure agreement." Demetri could not believe one of his former employees had decided to cooperate with authorities.

"Well, she decided to disclose!" Dr. Mars screamed at him.

"And I will sue her ass!"

"You sound like an i***t, I am not going to jail! Not to mention we have another problem!"

"What is it, Dr. Mars?" Demetri snapped it seemed every time the doctor came she was bearing bad news.

"Demetri the gene is still mutating! Look at these test results! If this is any inclination as to what the beast out there is going through we have a major problem. We can't control this thing Demetri it is out of control. We need to find it kill it and the girl must be put down!"

"Noooo!" Quamir roared using his alpha tone. Demetri's legs almost buckled and so did Dr. Mars.

"I am done with this. This was supposed to be a project to help people and all I have seen is blood."

Dr. Mars ran from the room. Demetri watched as Quamir eyes glazed over,

"Vanessa go they are going to kill you!"

"What about you!" Vanessa exclaimed

"Don't worry about me go!" Quamir demanded,

Vanessa had been waiting for this moment she roared and the beast emerged yanking the door to the cage she tossed it to the side. She ran through the wall of the lab that had held her prisoner for nearly a year. Dr. Mars was running up the corridor and Vanessa spotted her letting out a sound that you would most likely hear from an enraged elephant. She took a claw and knocked Dr. Mars through the wall. She didn't even feel the bullets; she just kept charging. She had one mission. The doors to the room exploded on impact as she came barging through. Demetri felt his bowel release as she roared at him knocking him into a wall she charged. Grabbing Quamir she burst through the brick structure separating her from the outside world. On the opposite side of the building where the first beast had made its escape. She ran off into the nearby woods with her creator in her arms.

Six months prior

"I'm hungry!"

Demetri stood on the other side of the cage separating the two. "You just fed a few hours ago." He said, giving her a look of disappointment.

"You fed me rabbits." She snapped glaring at him.

"Look sweetheart in case you haven't noticed we have little to no staff. Mainly because you keep f*****g eating them all, so if your hungry fine I will go buy you food but you will have to wait."

"I want fresh blood, Demetri!"

"You know the man you killed, his daughter graduated high school this year and he just found out his wife was expecting. He has been here since the first brick was laid. And all you talk about is fresh meat. You are more animal than human, you don't even care!"

She flinched and backed away because his words were not true. She cared tremendously but she could not control the hunger. "Fine, bring me more rabbits! Hurry please, I am starving."

Demetri went stalking away. His regrets were evident. Although she was beautiful to him and even more so when she was not in her human form losing Thomas hit hard. He was a good man and always had an encouraging word although they were brief. He kept to himself but if you mentioned his family he would pull his phone out to scroll through and show you pictures of his daughter and nephew which came with the most entertaining stories. This made him one day dream of settling down and having a family and he imagined he would dote on his family as Thomas did. Which is why he always kept the older man up front. He didn't want him in danger and he pictured his father would have been a similar man to him. However this particular day the alarms had gone off. It was a false alarm due to faulty equipment however Thomas' superior officer had instructed him to walk the building inside and out to make sure all was well. He and two other officers. The beast inside the girl devoured them all.

At this point, he was seriously considering destroying her. It would be easy if they had to use gas to put her to sleep when cleaning out her cage. All he had to do was switch it to something more toxic. The problem was he had grown fond of the girl in her human form. She was pretty enough but there was more to her. She was not some random girl in fact she wanted to be a heart surgeon. Beautiful and smart he found her intriguing. He also had come to find out that she had once lived among the werewolves that he searched for. Well, maybe not Quamir's father's pack but an actual pack. He found this out one day when he was debating their existence with one of his last remaining technicians. "I think they are hard to find because they are basically human and only turn during full moons."

The beast had laughed, "Ridiculous."

"Oh, and what makes you an expert?" Demetri had asked, "teen wolf."

He and the tech had laughed at her.

"I am not an expert but clearly I'm a step ahead of you. They turn when they choose to, just like snapping a finger."

"If that is true why does Quamir only turn on full moons?"

"Because he is playing you just like you play him, you idiot." She mumbled, "surely you know, why else keep him chained all the time."

"So you have communicated with him," Demetri asked.

"He is my master." The beast had said to Demetri.

"I am your creator but you call him master?" This angered Demetri.

"You are not my creator, I ate my creator." The beast snidely replied.

It had a way of getting under his skin. Now they glared at one another. "So Quamir has told you things he has not told me. He is able to shift when he wants!"

"Quamir, has told me nothing. I know because I was mated to a wolf. His name was Kade and leaving him has become my greatest regret. One day it will be yours too."

"And why do you say that, beast?"

"Because they are a loyal, and true species. When he finds you have chained me in a cage. Placed me in a box," she laughed, "he will come for me and he will not be alone. You will die Demetri on the bright side he is not one for diddly daddling I'm sure it will be quick."

"And how do you know I won't be prepared for your boy toy?"

She laughed harder, you can prepare for him all you want but you can't prepare for Catori. And when she finds out what you have done here, what you have done to me she is going to rip you apart."

Demetri had started this experiment with good intentions. Now though after everything he could understand this Chosen's anger although she seemed more of a myth than anything the way they glorified her. He just ignored the girl but he made it a point to try from then on to coax her into a conversation starting with revealing he knew her identity.

One day he had gassed her and when she woke he had left an article he had

Found in the newspaper

???? ??? ???? ???…

He found her later in tears, "you stole my life and turned me into a monster. Look how beautiful I once was."

"Vanessa, you are still beautiful. You can still be everything that article mentioned about you."

She closed him out though and quit eating; she was intentionally starving herself.

"You have to eat Vanessa."

"No!"

"You will eat or I will make you eat." Demetri had demanded.

She had looked at him defiantly. Then one of her nails extended and in one swift motion, she sliced her own throat.

Dropping to the floor. Demetri screamed for help, "Hurry open the cage!" Blood was everywhere, Demetri rushed in, taking his shirt off and holding it to her neck. Her legs were shaking as she gasped for air.

Then her body went stiff. She gave him a blank stare, whispering "what did you do to me." She began to cry. Demetri slid his shirt back. The wound had completely healed. He fell back in shock and then scurried to get out of the cage.

From that day forward she was very withdrawn and he was worried about her. He went to his brother to address his concerns.

"Let her go."

"You know I cannot do that. Her thirst is worse than yours. What if she kills someone?"

Quamir had laughed at Demetri, "Now you care about lives? I watch the news everyday brother and I see the lives your beast has stolen yet you worry about lives. I find this funny."

"Don't use that tone with me you asshole. I created that beast because I was trying to find a way for you."

"No this stopped being about me long ago. You let that thirst for knowledge drive you. This is about your need for fame, You just want to be the best."

"Quamir can you control the beast?"

"How should I know?" Quamir huffed.

"Vanessa calls you her Master. Your blood has been used to create the beast."

Quamir looked as though he gave it some thought, "No I feel that going by the rule of nature big fish eats little fish. They would not bow to me."

"Why not?" Demetri said frustrated

"I am no greater than them."

After the conversation with his brother, Demetri realized he would need to take a different approach. He decided to befriend Vanessa although it was hard after Madeline's death and Thomas's.

"What am I to do with you, Vanessa? Maybe I could take you somewhere somewhat uncivilized and leave you there. If I set you free all you will do is kill."

Vanessa did not disagree with him. This was part of her now the need to kill. The need to dominate, to be the mightiest. The need for everyone else to bow down. Her Beast was fierce and it consumed her when it took over although unlike the wolf she derived from her beast was not a separate entity.

She laughed to herself because little did he know the bars that separated them could not contain her. She stayed this way for one reason. Quamir her Master. He for some reason cared for this pompous bastard. He was definitely suffering from a severe case of Stockholm syndrome. His devotion toward his brother was amazing. He was convinced he had good intentions.

Vanessa chose to ignore him most days. She found his chatter annoying too. "Why are you talking to me, Demetri?" She snapped at him one day.

"Jeesh is getting to know you a crime?"

Vanessa gave an obnoxious snort, "Are you f*****g kidding me?" She snapped, "You have locked me in a f*****g cage! My mother is somewhere dying inside and you…you sleep just fine at night don't you?" Vanessa stood glaring at him.

"We are in this together Vanessa whether you like it or not. Have you considered what will happen to you if this place shut down? Can you hunt for your own food? Surely you don't expect to live among humans again, you will be hunted and killed! Right now I am the best thing for you."

"I don't believe that."

"Ooh, you have a better option?"

"I do, Catori has healing powers. She will not leave me to suffer. She will kill you, drink your blood and heal me." Vanessa said it simply then turned her back on him.

"That's okay you can turn your back on me. The view is not so bad from this angle." Demetri chuckled.

Vanessa gasped as her head turned to face him. "You disgust me! Never in a million years would I allow you to touch me."

"Hmm never say never," Demetri said leaving the room.

They carried on this way for months back and forth, and it was not until Demetri found her in pain curled up into a ball that things changed. "What's wrong with you?"

"I don't know but it hurts." She made a cry this time it sounded like an owl doing a mating call.

"What the f**k was that?" Demetri demanded.

"Kill me!" Vanessa begged the pain was excruciating.

"I will get Dr. Mars." Demetri rushed out leaving her alone. When he returned with Dr. Mars she was no longer moving.

"f**k what's wrong with her?"

"I don't know and I'm not going in there to find out without her being heavily medicated. What if she is faking?"

"What if she is not?"

"Gas her and then we can get a sample of her blood for a test."

"We can't wait that long Dr. Mars."

"If you want to be a hero then you go in there. I will be outside. I don't want to see her rip you apart! It's been nice working with you."

Demetri unlocked the door to the cage and crept in. "Look uh don't kill me. I'm trying to help."

There was no response from Vanessa; she lay curled up in a knot of sweat dripping from her body. Demetri inserted the needle and began to withdraw the blood. He felt her forehead "you're burning up" he hurried out closing the cage behind him. He gave the sample of blood to Dr. Mars. "I need ice she is burning up."

"You're still alive?" Dr. Mars looked shocked. Demetri hurried to the storage room with a large basin. Dr. Mars came a few minutes later with bags of ice. "I'll get more." She said as Demetri lifted Vanessa, placing her in the tub. She made a whimpering noise but still no movement. Demetri was pacing as Dr. Mars ran her test. Finally, the results were in, "well what is it."

"She has an infection."

"An infection where would she get that from?"

"I don't know but it's killing her. We can load her up with antibiotics but at this point, it's fifty-fifty."

"Get it done," Demetri demanded as he went to inform Quamir.