Part 3 Tears Under the Moon

second chances

Richard and Tabatha had still Chosen to wait before they went all in. Well, Tabatha had. She wanted to spend time with him first to see how he moved around others and they wanted to discuss things with Zion, well she did anyway. Richard was just ready to go all in. Tabatha felt like they needed Zion's blessing first which is why they stayed in separate houses but still spent most nights together. She was still staring at the ceiling when she heard her window open. "Seriously dude I think we are past you crawling in the window." She laughed.

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that comment," Blaine said causing Tabatha to sit straight up.

"Oh, my Goddess are you insane!" Tabatha said running over pulling the window down and locking it and closing the curtains.

"How are you?" He asked in a strained voice. She was looking at him all big-eyed.

"Blaine you can not be here! You're going to get yourself killed and me banished!"

"I had to see you."

"How did you get past the barrier?"

"Zion claimed territory that I happened to be in and I was not expelled. It opened up all of Mystic Moon."

"He will kill you "

"He already has. I have died a thousand times since we last met."

"Then how are you here."

"Because Leigh keeps giving me life so that I can be tortured more."

They stared at each other. Blaine sit on her bed looking up at her he reached for her. Laying his head against her stomach he cried. "I don't know what to do with myself. I don't know who I am anymore. Tabatha, I feel so lost." Tabatha was confused she ran her fingers through his hair and let him get all his emotions out.

"Blaine, listen to me," she finally said, bending before him. "You made a mistake. You can't change it. All you can do is move forward. You need to go and be great. Do you understand? You took life from her and you can't give it back, but you can try to redeem yourself. Pick up where she left off and try to make the world better."

"It will never be enough."

"You are right, but it's all we have now." He reached for her and she pulled away.

"Blaine I will always love you but I can't be the person you lean on anymore." She pulled her hair to the side exposing her mark.

"Who? Kevin?"

"Hell no!" Tabatha laughed, "Richard."

"RICHARD!"

"Shhhhs" Tabatha covered his mouth, "Goddess Blaine."

"So," she uncovered his mouth, "I have lost you too."

Tabatha's forehead wrinkled, "you did not lose me, Blaine, you threw me away. I made a mistake that was unforgivable. And so did you so here we are."

"Richard is a goofball though, him really."

"Yes, and he is everything that I love and good for the boys."

"So I can have you no more?"

"Only a fool continues doing the same thing the same way expecting a different result. I can't hurt Richard the way I hurt you, Blaine. He deserves more from me."

"And I did not." She looked at him and he looked away thinking of every woman that he treated like trash before her and in truth after her.

"You did." She said softly.

"I did not I know I did not." He looked at her and thought of how disrespectful he truly was. He was given a mate and he had crushed her just as Tabatha had crushed him. Now she was in the arms of Kreis. Why had not treated her better?

"I know how you are feeling, believe it or not. Rejected, I felt that way when you left, and then Kevin turned his back on me. I felt I would never feel whole, complete again. Then Richard came along and he was there Blaine. I need him, I needed someone and his love is so pure. I can not hurt him. I can't break someone else as I broke you."

Blaine understood, " I get it Tabatha you don't have to explain. I do have one question though."

"Yes, anything."

"Is that my baby?" Tabatha bit her lip then finally she said after contemplating her answer.

"I don't know."

"Does he know that?"

"Yes, he does." She said in practically a whisper. He nodded looking into her eyes.

"Blaine."

"Yes."

"You're naked."

"Yes, I know how convenient that could have been." He gave her that look and she looked away taking another step back.

"I will get you some clothes from my dad's closet then you Sir have to go." She went to walk away, "wait" he pulled her to him. Kissing her stomach. He spoke to her stomach in his native tongue. Then he kissed her stomach again.

Letting her go she walked out going to the laundry room she found a pair of her father's jeans and a tea shirt and she also grabbed a grey hoodie. She walked back into the room holding up the clothes. "These should fi-" her words got caught in her throat. Richard stood glaring at her. She knew how bad it looked. She had on a sports bra and shorts and Blaine was completely naked.

"Richard, I can explain." She began.

"Don't bother! That's what you want a traitor, that took your child and left you broken. Have him! Have that punk ass b***h!"

"Say it again boy!" Blaine said standing up.

"I will," Richard said, stepping to him.

"No no this is not what we are doing. Blaine was just leaving Richard weren't you Blaine?" Tabatha gave him a pleading look.

Unfortunately, Blaine's ego had kicked in and his focus was not on her he was staring at Richard like he wanted blood. Tabatha had dropped the clothes and now had one arm on each of their chests. "Please don't don't this." She said in a shaky voice.

It was too late though Blaine threw the first punch and Richard dodged and went back at him with an uppercut.

"NO! PLEASE! NO!" Tabatha was screaming. When a sharp pain hit her and she buckled over. "Richard!" She called out. Something about the sound made them both look over at her. "Tabatha, are you okay?" Richard was by her side. Blaine grabbed the clothes and started to dress "Get her to the pack hospital. Tabatha, I'm here if you ever need me." With that, he slid from the window. Richard growled toward him as he disappeared from the window. He picked her up and carried her to the hospital.

"Something doesn't feel right, Richard," she started to panic, "I know how this is supposed to feel."

"No baby, don't think like that. Everything will be fine. Stay here, I'm going to find Dr. Arden."

"Wait Richard I need you to know nothing happened between him and me."

He paused looking at her, "Tabatha we are mates I know that already but why is he here? He should not be roaming around Mystic Moon. Zion just returned and not killing him sent him over the edge. You're putting me in a very … unfair position."

"I'm sorry and I don't know I did not get a chance to ask but I'm assuming it's for the book."

He nodded and walked away a few feet, his eyes glazed over and she knew he was contacting Dr. Arden.

A few minutes later she arrived and did a full examination. "The baby is fine, but have you been experiencing stress." Richard and Tabatha shared a look.

"I have a little."

She looked at her, "Um congratulations on the baby." There was an awkward silence then, Richard spoke up, "Dr. Arden am I having a son or daughter?"

Dr. Arden gave a sigh of relief, "Goddess it wasn't any of my business but I wanted to ask but I didn't. So you to have mated?"

"Yes, Dr. Arden," Richard said.

To their surprise, she punched Richard on the arm "why didn't you bring her in sooner? She should be under a doctor's care."

"Sorry, jeesh." Richard moaned,

"I don't want to know, I just want a healthy baby," Tabatha confessed.

"Bed rest young lady." Dr. Arden

"Awe wanted to go see Zion though." Tabatha nor Richard had seen Zion since his return.

He was still at the other pack making arrangements. "Dr. Arden I can come see Vanessa right. I have not had a real talk with her in forever and I don't want her to feel completely abandoned."

"I will tell her you asked about her but she is…unstable and I don't think it's a good idea to be around her."

"What about her mom?"

"She still has not seen her."

"Now that Zion is back, maybe we could bring her mom to Mystic to see her."

"Do me a favor honey. Take a minute and worry about you for a while." Dr. Arden said, patting her arm.

Tabatha knew that was not going to happen. In the time since they found Vanessa, she felt she had been a terrible friend. She was so caught up in her own s**t she had not seen her. Kade and Dr. Arden had been the only ones who provided access to her because they felt she was a loose cannon unable to control her beast.

"Tabatha."

"Yes?"

"Why was he naked?" Richard asked she looked over at him as Chastity and Zara entered the room. Richard stole one more glance before he excused himself.

"Are you okay?" Chastity asked her eyes going straight to her stomach. It was as if they both noticed the baby bump at the same time.

Zara said nothing and Chastity stood her eyes looking at her in the eyes and back at her stomach confused.

"Wheeen, uh how, b***h who are you pregnant by?" She finally blurted out.

Tabatha laughed nervously.

"Is it not obvious? Who is always around, always popping up? Are you blind Chastity?" Zara said rolling her eyes.

"Well, I guess I am." Chastity said.

"So since you know so much Zara, say it."

She rolled her eyes at Tabatha, "Richard." Zara said and she and Tabatha laughed as Chastity stood by looking clueless.

"Omg, now everything makes sense. That's why you went after Amber. She was trying to take your man." Chastity said shaking her head.

"She can't take what is not hers," Tabatha said moving her hair back so her mark was on display.

The girls pulled up a chair. And the chattering began.

Blaine never considered himself the confrontational type and he was never one to question himself however after months of torture with Kreis and fully knowing Zion's capabilities he had whole new respect for the Alpha. So roaming his territory was done with a very weary heart. However, he did agree with his mother about one thing going back to Zerion without that book without even trying would make him a coward and he was not. Luckily Chastity cottage was in a very wooded area somewhat away from the rest of the pack. He debated all the way there. Was he willing to harm her to save Zerion? Could he do that if it came down to it? Was her life more important than his people's? He thought of Tabatha's words. "Be great." He thought about the vision that Ophelia had told him about. He was powerful and he ruled the world in Catori's absence. How could he be great after killing her if he were to slay her friend as well? He was no King decided. He was not ruthless like his father, heartless like his mother. He felt the consequences of every decision he made. He was not fit to rule Zerion. Catori made a mistake when she gave the kingdom to him. He should not be here. Looking around he made a decision at that moment his Sister was created to make the world a better place he had taken her away from the world. He would spend his life honoring her by continuing her work that was the least he could do. Where would he begin though there was so much work to be done?

'How does this feel Czar' Zion asked as he rode one of Brayden's prize black stallions into Mystic Moon.

'I prefer running.' Czar replied he snorted his disapproval and dismissed himself earning a laugh from Zion.

'Mystic Moon home sweet home.' Zion said to his people and the howls began. His members came outside on their front porches to wave as he rode by. He could not wait to see his son. As soon as he dismounted from the horse he took the steps two by two and went straight for the nursery

"Oh my goodness look how big you have grown." He said picking up his son. Lycan pups are bigger than others so Maden who was only three weeks old when he left now looked to be six months. He smiled at his dad and Zion strapped him to his front using a harness and promised to keep him with him at all times. This is what he came home for. He went to his office and was doing more playing than work when Kade came in.

"Ready to be briefed Alpha?"

"Yes. Go for it."

"Vanessa is in the dungeons and her beast is out of control so she is still dangerous to our people."

Zion looked over at Kade, "I'm sorry to hear that."

Kade plopped down in a chair, shoulders slumped, "how do you do this?"

"What?"

"Run a pack! Take on everyone's responsibility, lead people, and demand respect I just don't know everything. This has been the hardest five months of the life months of my life." Kade said in such a weary tone.

Zion looked him up and down.

"Kade, I want to thank you."

"For what I suck at this," Kade said in the most serious tone.

"Are you kidding man, I'm so proud of you. I'm so glad that it was you. You know the entire time I was out there I never worried about the pack."

Kade looked astonished.

"You stepped up Kade, of course, I knew you would you were always my first choice."

"What do you mean."

"My father asked me to choose Kevin as my Beta. I always thought you would be a great leader."

"Me!"

"Yeah Kevin was great too but a little…immature at times. I felt you were more natural like me and most times would handle situations as I would. Thank you Kade for holding things down."

Kade nodded "Your welcome brother."

Kade cleared his throat he was touched, "So uh the Luna from the Blood Moon will be arriving soon. Thought you would want to have a discussion with him. He is Lycan Zion."

Zion looked shocked, "how old is he"

"Close to our age, I guess."

"Locked away that's horrible but it explains why these beasts are so aggressive and strong. I would like to meet him and speak with her as well."

"There is more, Amber is mated to the Lycan."

"Amber!" Zion burst into laughter, "not my cousin Amber."

"Yes."

"Wow did not see that coming."

"Um yeah well this one is going to get you to then. Richard went and got himself a mate."

"Richard! No kidding, who is the lucky girl?"

"I think I will let them tell you that part."

"Leaving me in suspense, aye?" Zion chuckled.

"It must be done." Kade said reaching for Maden but he leaned into his dad shaking his head no.

"Thats why you got a big head." Kade teased him. The pup froze and looked at Kade.

Kade laughed "he knows what I said."

"Of course he does and when he is big and strong he will kick you and run." Zion warned.

Standing up he walked outside and stood taking in his land.

"How are you feeling Zion?"

"Angry. Angry at her for leaving, angry because I have no answers, angry because I have a son I can not reach, angry because I'm angry and it's the only thing I feel right now, angry I can't function, angry I can't sleep."

He sighed, "but I am also grateful for this pack and my son because otherwise I don't know what would become of me."

Kade nodded I understand, they stood for awhile and then Kade began to hum. Zion laughed because he knew the tune, it was one of his favorites and it did seem fitting. It was a song Catori used to sing by a group called Kansas. One day Richard had asked her why she always song that song and she looked at him like he was crazy "Duh Dean and Sam!"

They all looked at her in confusion. She did a complete circle, "You are shitting me nobody knows who Dean and Sam are? Oh come on!" Afterwards she made darn near the whole pack watch supernatural.

"Carry on, my wayward son

There'll be peace when you are done

Lay your weary head to rest

Don't you cry no more." Kade sung Zion smiled as Kade sung the verse again he knew he was trying to cheer him up in his own way.

The second time Zion could not help but join in and the sung the song as they walked toward the dungeons together.

As soon as the guard heard them singing he joined in. Demetri sat up as he heard the familiar tune and began to tap his legs like he was playing the drums. The most movement he'd made in weeks.

"Don't get to close Alpha she can spit acid."

Vanessa rolled her eyes as Kade spoke. As soon as she saw Zion though something within her changed.

Her eyes changed colors and she glared at him nostrils flaring.'This b***h wants a piece of me. She challenged me.' Czar growled

"Vanessa it appears your beast wants to fight." Zion said sharply.

Vanessa shook her head wildly she was fully aware who Zion was and what he was capable of.

"No Zion I don't want to fight you… " she pleaded but just like that her beast began to emerge letting out the thunderous rage it went charging into the bars.

Zion stepped back as Maden began to cry. Zion walked over to the guard. "Give me the key."

The guard looked disturbed but handed him the key. Zion watched as the ceiling began to crack from the force she was applying on the bars. He heard a growl and only then did she calm down.

"Vanessa, you woke me with all of that noise. Calm your boogie monster down." Quamir demanded. Zion walked over to his cage, "does the beast respond to you."

"Sometimes." Quamir said looking Zion up and down as he lay lazily on his cot.

"I don't sense any great strength from you." Zion said.

"She is stronger but she looks at me as her maker." Quamir still with his eyes still closed.

"The beast." Zion asked.

"Yeah." Yeah Quamir repied.

"Interesting." Vanessa now lay naked on the floor and she covered herself in shame. "Your beast seems to think she is king of the jungle so to speak." Zion unlocked the cage.

"Alpha what are you doing?" Kade asked.

"Showing her who is in charge."

Zion opened the door and Vanessa stood up, "come on Vanessa this is the only way."

"Wait can I come?" Quamir asked now jumping up and rushing to the bars to look out.

"Let him out." Zion ordered.

In front of the pack house. Zion handed Maden to Kade. "I will not kill her unless she forces me too."

Kade nodded in understanding.

"Holy s**t. My brother just linked me! Zion is back and he has challenged Vanessa's beast to a fight." Zara jumped up and ran out of the hospital. Chastity looked at Tabatha, "I'm not missing this."

"Me either!" Tabatha said hopping up they both made their way to the front yard of the pack house where a crowd had formed.

Zion took his shirt off and Zara nearly swooned. Chastity grabbed Tabatha's arm nervously.

Vanessa stood back suddenly like centipede legs began to emerge with sharp metal-like claws attached. Quamir gave Zion a smirk, "she full of surprises man" Vanessa came charging at Zion. Zion jumped in the air and did a round-off kick to her chest tossing her back several feet. When her beast realized it was on its back it roared. It bounced back up and started throwing its sharp curved spikes at Zion. Zion was dodging them the best he could but she was getting better and closer until Kade tossed Zion a metal trash can lid that Zion used as a shield transporting, he slammed the lid in Vanessa's face. She then let out a painful cry and shifted into a huge wolf-like ox-shaped being Zion in turn shifted into Czar and the fight was on. It was a vicious fight. Vanessa's beast was powerful but Czar would not back down. And when her beast took a bite out of Czar's shoulder and he whimpered in pain. Everyone got quiet as Vanessa circled Zion. His warriors started to move in to protect their Alpha but Czar waved them pack. Vanessa pounced and Zion used his two feet to kick her and then he was on top of her his teeth sinking into her neck. He clamped down. Her beast struggled it could not move. Then Zion yelled the beast grew sharp quills.

Zion jumped up kicking her underbelly, Vanessa's beast stomped it's foot like a bull and charged Zion stared her down and then his eyes began to glow everyone gasped. No one had seen that happen since Catori walked the earth. Vanessa stopped mid-charge. She huffed then out of nowhere wings like that of a bat emerged. She tried taking off but Zion grabbed her legs slinging her to the ground she landed on her back. He put his foot on her chest. "You do not run s**t beast I am the Alpha in these parts. Do you understand?" The beast fell back and everyone began to cheer. Quamir observed Zion with wonderment. The way his people responded to his presence alone, the way he displayed his power. He felt a hand on his shoulder, "you can be that great too." He looked over to see Amber staring at him. She was gorgeous, he had to admit. His wolf always became excited when she was near. He wanted to do very dirty things to her and Quamir low-key hoped she'd be down. Kade tossed Zion his shirt and Zion reached a hand out to Vanessa. She was embarrassed, ashamed at what she had become, and was fighting to hold back tears. "Your beast is f*****g awesome, Vanessa, but very defiant. It thinks it controls you instead of you controlling it. This is going to be a hard journey for you. You're going to have to tame it."

"I don't know how! When it is hungry, it takes over."

"Vanessa you can learn. You could have killed me but you fought it how did you do it then?" Tabatha said hugging her.

"I don't know. I just want Catori to make it go away."

Tabatha went stiff. Had no one told her, Tabatha looked at Kade.

'I didn't have the heart to tell her. She looked so broken.' Kade linked her.

'Kade she has to know!'

"Vanessa," Zion looked at her, and then he looked away. Gathering himself he looked at her, "Catori is no longer with us. When you were caged, there was a war and she fought with honor but we lost her-"

"NO!" Vanessa screamed and grabbed a handful of her hair, "NO!" She fell to her knees and Kade caught her as she cried. Tabatha and Chastity held each other. It was like feeling their loss all over again because her grief was so raw. Vanessa started to gag and she pushed Zion away running a few feet she vomited.

I'll call you Vanessa

Don't

She had pushed her away. The only person that loved her past her flaws Kaleigha was her family and Vanessa felt completely defeated.

"What can I do to help," Zion asked as he fought his own tears.

"I want my mom. Can you please get my mom?" Vanessa cried feeling like her mom would be the only one that would understand

"Of course."

Zion walked past them toward the waterfall. They all knew he needed time. He sat on the huge rock looking out at the water. Tabatha started walking toward him when she felt herself being picked up. Richard held her close silently. They sat on the ground next to Zion

Kade and Vanessa came to stand close by and before long the entire pack had gathered. It had been a year since Catori had gone now and everyone was learning to cope in their own way. Everyone learning to deal with their own grief.

Vanessa was remembering the first time she saw her in her big bunny slippers and that massive ponytail holding on to her teddy bear. She looked so vulnerable in that moment and to think she would one day be the most powerful being in the world.

Hi I'm Nessa

I'm Kali

Wanna play

She had smiled so big and they were a pair at that moment.

So this was really happening. She thought she was a monster and her girl was gone. They shared so many memories she just did not get it. How was it possible? Vanessa knew at times she was not the best friend to Kali. She knew at times she had been jealous of her, but Kali alway knew her and accepted her. She always gave her a second chance, now she was gone. No more second chances. She just didn't believe it...