THE AWAKENING OF THE CHOSEN

Everyone leaves

Zion saw the jeep and his heart skipped a beat. No, please no was all he could think. When he snatched open the door and only saw Tabatha panic took over. He could no longer hold back his wolf. Czar howled his misery. Kevin came up behind him. "Where is Kali Kool Kat?" He asked as his eyes darted and reached inside to help Tabatha.

"Get her to the hospital." Zion growled in frustration especially when he noticed Kevin was looking down at her in his arms with a puzzled look. “Kevin go!”

Kevin nodded then using his wolfs speed he took off with her in his arms. Zion felt like he was going to lose it. He mind linked my Gamma to prepare the warriors when out of nowhere River came from the woods followed by his love.

"Zion what happened?" She looked him up and down to make sure he was okay. Sighing his mind linked Michael and told him things were good but him and two others could meet them halfway. He grabbed her his arms, kissing her fiercely.

River, who had morphed back into his human form, stood back watching.

"Oh," He stood back from her "before I get carried away, we should get back to make sure Tabatha is okay."

She looked at him and shook her head yes.

"Definitely." They were pretty far out. In their wolf forms it would not take long at all. He picked Kaleigha up and she gave me a dreamy kind of look. Hedon't know how else to explain it. That was different, with her it was always easy to read her moods. He felt it almost. The mate bond was incredible. You felt that person so much it was like they became an extension of you. He could not imagine life without her. Czar came forward.

'Something is not right.' He whimpered and started running in circles.

'I feel it too.'

'But what?' He sniffed her head and he pulled him back. Kissing the top of her head.

She looked up smiling at him. His heart melted. 'She's fine.' He said to Czar, and he growled in response. Then he faded away. What the f**k was his problem? She is our mate, safe. Right now, that was the most important thing. He felt Czar knew as well as he did that Kat had a hard burden to bear, and so far, her hand was pretty shitty. He could never add to that pain. She was his mate, and I would love and protect her forever, or die trying.

3 weeks later

Kaleigha woke up in a room she’d apparently been locked in for weeks. It felt like months though, her body felt weak. Her tongue felt like it was stuck to the roof of her mouth. She tried looking around but could barely move her head. The effort it took was tremendous. Where am I at? She heard a sound, and she knew someone was coming. She closed her eyes and pretended to still be asleep. She felt someone moving around. Then they were standing over her. "I am supposed to be giving you more of this potion. The King needs you to stay weak. Until he can figure out how to transfer your powers. It will take about three days before you will have your complete strength back. Once you do you can free yourself from this place. In the meantime, you must stay completely still. As if you are still sedated. Once you are free, I ask but one favor. I will give you the details later. I can't stay longer, or he will question me. Please stay still if he finds I have betrayed him he will kill us both." She felt her walking away and she lay there still. As if she had not heard a word she said. The King who the hell was she talking about. Is this a trick? Was she playing her? She wanted to stretch out so bad because her body felt stiff as hell. How long had she been here? Where was Zion? She would have thought he would have found her by now. She heard the door opening again. Just from the smell of rotting and decay she knew the rogue still had her. He walked over to her, and she felt his fingers running up and down her arm. Her stomach did flip flops at the thought of him touching her.

Then she felt her step closer. She said words in a language She did not know. The bed began to rock and shake. She felt it rise about six feet off the ground and then it fell back to the ground. She let out a cackle that echoed off the walls. "You fool, you have been duped. She possesses no power which is why you are unable to extract them."

"IMPOSSIBLE SHE IS THE CHOSEN! SHE BARES THE MARK!" The Rogue yelled at her.

"Then someone else has beaten you to your prize. She is nothing but a mere she-wolf, not even that, useless as a human. She doesn't even have a wolf." She spat out "this is a waste of time." She heard her turn to go and he snarled then huffed before following behind. As the door closed, she heard something scurry toward her across the floor. Then she heard a squeaky sound and she felt something land between her legs. A f*****g rat! She kicked her leg, but it crawled on her belly and sat there. She opened her eyes and froze as the eyes of the rodent lit up. Lanonda she let out a sigh of relief. "Hello Dear." It said in a small squeaky voice.

"Where am I?"

"You have been kidnapped by Maximus. King of the Rogues."

"For powers, I don't have." Kaleigha snapped at her as if it was her fault. Her hands were burning now. Lanonda went toward the bindings on her legs first. "It's wolfsbane. The pain will get worse the longer you are awake."

"Lanonda, where is Zion? Why has he not come for me? How long have I been here?" She did not answer right away as she was chewing away to release her.

"It is time you make a choice. Either you are in this, or you are not. You can walk away from this life and choose to live your life as a human. Or you can restore order."

"Restore order?"

"War has broken out among the vampires and the werewolves. The rogue is using the opportunity to kill the pack Alpha's and turning entire packs into rogues. Complete chaos has broken out since you have been sleeping."

"I thought Vampires and Werewolves were always enemies."

"This is what humans have taught you, but it is not true. They came to an understanding centuries ago. They are not friends but allies.

Humans are small-minded, and they destroy what they don't understand. So, for the greater good of both species, they have decided to work together. Until you came along the Vampires are unconvinced you are behind the destruction."

"Me? Why me? I don’t understand why the focus is on me if my mate is the Chosen!"

"Your story has been written. You are no secret. The powers that were taken from you could be seen across the world. Everyone is waiting for you to rise." Her legs were free now. And she was working on her hands.

"They are waiting for a savior that does not exist. I feel as weak as they say I am. And my mate has still not heard from his keeper, and he has still not received his powers. " She untied her right hand and Kaleigha began working on her left and trying to move around she winced at the pain.

"You need to embrace it, Dear. You will be living with pain for a while."

Kaleigha felt like there were more to her words. Like they had an underlying meaning. She slid from the bed and nearly fell to the floor. Her legs were weak, almost numb. "Come child pull yourself together there is no time to play. We have work to do."

"Work?"

"The witch that helped you has been held here against her will. Maximus holds her heart captive."

"She is in love with that?" Disgusting!

"No, her heart is being held for payment. A debt that was not hers. She, like you, was dealt a bad hand. Now we must find that before you escape these walls."

"How? What if someone finds me? I can't defend myself in this state." Kaleigha whined and she hissed.

"I have dealt with everyone before you and you are the most difficult yet. Pay attention child. Follow me and I will lead the way. Use your instincts, this will not be easy."

"I can barely walk!" Kaleigha snapped but she pushed herself to move forward, stopping by the door Lanonda waited for her to catch up.

She was annoyed, stumbling to the door she opened. She couldn't believe the damn thing was unlocked. s**t the place was completely freaking dark. This wasn't a house but a cave. Lanonda could not be seen. It was so dark and typically her night vision was good but due to the potion she had running through her veins her vision was blurry. She was following the sound of her feet because my eyes were having trouble adjusting. Lanonda stopped and she went still as well. She didn't say a word, she just listened. She heard her move again and she followed. There was light ahead. Lanonda ran up her leg and perched herself on her shoulder. "This is where we need to be. It won't be long before they discover you are gone. I have created a diversion. When you hear it wait let them pass first? Once they do enter there." Where she wanted to say to her. I can't see s**t!

"Now!" She ducked down as she heard a loud noise and rocks began to fall along with dirt. My Goddess it was going to cave in. Rogues came running past her in herds. She remained still. "Now move quickly!" She ran in the direction she told her to go. She entered the room and saw it was an office of sorts. "Where is it?"

"I don't know! Use your power child. It has an energy of its own. You should feel it." Is this b***h retarded? I have told her I have no wolf! I have no powers! Why the hell does she keep-

Kaleigha felt it, something. Like the presence of someone else. She moved quickly to the picture that hung oddly on the wall. Removing it there was a safe and as she ran my fingers over it, she knew the combination. She wasn't sure how, but she did. Opening it she saw several items. A box, a pendant, and a knife.

"This way now child, hurry!" She could hear the urgency in her voice, so she grabbed everything and followed behind her.

"This doesn't seem like the way out." It felt like we were going deeper inside.

"There through that door." She pushed it open and there inside was the witch that had helped her. She wasn’t sure how she knew that because her eyes were closed the entire time, she reached the box to her.

"She can't just take it. There is a spell guarding it. You must open the box and hand it to her." Okay okay, she opened the box, and holy f**k there's a beating f*****g heart in it.

She took it out and the witch opened her cloak exposing the dark hole. Kaleigha placed her heart in her chest and light sprung from her.

"Chastity you are released from the chains that bind you. Do you bow to protect and honor Catori of the Silver Crescent Moon?"

She fell to her knees "As long as I have life in my bones I will." She then used her long nail and cut herself letting the blood flow she offered her wrist to Kaleigha. She just stared at her dumbfounded in return.

“She is asking for acceptance, offering service, tying herself to you.”

"No." Kaleigha shook her head. "Thank you but you are free to stay or leave."

Lanonda hissed her displeasure. "The spell Chastity." She snapped.

"Secrets of the night, I demand you to take, let me walk unseen where they lay." The wind began to circle us as she continued chanting words. "Now let's go." Lanonda snapped again.

She followed behind the witch with Lanonda on her shoulder and they walked right past her captors. The dirt was still falling over their heads. As soon as they were in the clear. She started running. I had but one thing on my mind, Zion.

"Stop running, child." Lanonda squeaked there are things you should know.

"What? What could be more important than returning to my mate."

"Child stop!"

"What!" Kaleligha yelled "what is it now?"

"Your mate is with another. You have been replaced." She inhaled sharply, no that could not be right. Zion was mine, she thought. He would never choose another over her.

"You're lying, he would not do that."

"Wait for it. You will feel the pain of his betrayal soon enough." Lanonda squeaked.

"No that is not true Lanonda! He would not do that. He loves me." Chastity stood silently watching them. Looking around nervously "I have never been this far from the caves." She laughed nervously.

"I have to see it." Kaleigha said, looking at her.

"There is a great sorcerer that lives among your people. He will sense you immediately. My spell can't withstand his dark magic. This will get you in no one will see you but stay clear of him."

Kaleigha nodded, then waited as Chastity did the spell she had just done again. She ran toward the pack house. She saw River sitting alone. He looked so sad. She ruffled his hair and he looked around with excitement but then his face grew sad again. So, she kissed his cheek. "I will be back. Stay here and wait for me." She whispered in his ear.

"Kali but how."

"I will explain later." She hurried inside and went straight to her room. Her scent hit Kaleigha hard like an old memory. Her sister Chenoa was here. She opened her bedroom door and slid in. Neither of them noticed her. She was not alone. Zion wrapped his arms around her. She stepped back, her eyes burning with tears. "My love, did you enjoy your lunch?"

"I did Zion thank you. She leaned in for a kiss and a pain shot through Kaleigha’s abdomen. She fell to her knees. As he carried her to the bed. He said he would love her forever. How could he trade her in for her... sister?

"Oh, Kaleigha you are so beautiful." He kissed her neck.

"Make love to me." She whispered, "Claim me as your own." Kaleigha pulled herself up and headed for the door. She had seen enough. Her sister... there was only one thing left to do.

"I Kaleigha Pinkney of the Silver Moon Pack rej-" She fell again to her knees. There was a burning inside that she could not explain. It felt like it was ripping her apart. The door burst open, and River stood in the doorway looking around.

"Hey what the hell River!" Zion yelled at him. She had to leave. She crawled past him into the hallway.

"Where is she?"

"Who?" Zion asked.

He glared at Chenoa. Then turned to leave.

"Wait River you don't get to just burst in Kaleigha's room like that and not say anything." He was angry.

River looked past her and back at Zion. "The day we first met Kaleigha you took me to eat. Where did we go?"

"It was a long time ago, I can't remember. Besides, my human life is in the past. I'd rather just forget it."

"Like you've forgotten Tabatha?"

Tabatha oh my God Tabatha!

"I have not forgotten her River, it's just too hard to see her that way." She wrapped her arms around Zion burying her head in his chest.

"That's enough you are upsetting her." Her hand on his chest was driving Kaleigha insane. Her body was starting to shake uncontrollably. She leaned against the wall and started to walk away. Once she was out of the pack house. She headed toward the pack hospital. Then she spotted River's dad. She tried hiding behind a Bush, but he was coming right for her. Then River intervened.

"Dad!"

"Not now River."

"I sense there is someone here."

Kaleigha was already on the move again with no time to play. She walked right into the pack hospital and to Tabatha's room. Oh no Tab. She looked pale although her bruises were healed. She immediately began to try to find the source of her ailment.

"It's a spell she is not sick she is just in a deep sleep."

"How do you know this?"

"It is my spell." Kaleigha looked at Chastity confused. "Maximus sent Chenoa here with the same potion that I gave to you."

"How is it he does not know the difference?"

"Her scent is masked."

"I don't understand any of this. But it hurts like hell." She choked out over sobs.

"Maximus brought her to the Caves when she was child, and she has been there ever since."

It hit her like a ton of bricks "he was the one who killed my parents."

"Yes, Maximus was responsible for their deaths. The invisibility spell will not hold much longer. If you want to save your friend, go to her room and find the potion. And destroy it."

"I can't go back; the sorcerer is on to me."

She heard the sound from the loudspeaker urging all pack members to return to their homes because an intruder was in their midst.

"I will get it. You go out the back and into the woods." She pointed toward the window. She went and pulled it up just as Kevin came in. He walked over to the bed and kissed Tabatha's forehead. Chastity eased out the open door. Kaleigha eased out the window. She was just about to run when she remembered the promise she made to River. She hated leaving knowing he would question the encounter, but she had to go. She could already hear Zion shouting Goddess. So, she ran as fast and far as her legs would carry her. She ran until they burned, and she finally had to stop for rest. She howled in misery at the life she had been given. Tabatha told her rejection hurt like death. No, she disagreed, living with the whole in your heart was excruciating.

She leaned against a tree to rest. We have to reject him; it's the only way to sever the bond. Just the thought made her ache. She slid down the tree "Azira you are lucky you don't have to suffer through this! It hurts so bad." She let out a scream not carrying who heard. She wanted to just die.

“Ah I found it!” Kaleigha Chastity froze as Kaleigha was engulfed by a blinding ball of light.

I don't want this honor. "I don't want it. DO YOU HEAR ME MOON GODDESS? I AM NOT YOUR CHOSEN’S MATE f**k HIM!!!!"

"You are right. You are not" She turned to see a beautiful woman standing before me. No beautiful seemed like a false description for her beauty, for it could not be put in words.

"I just want to be normal. I want to go home and pretend this never happened."

"Then go."

"What about the packs? Who will bring back order?"

"That is no concern of yours. You have chosen your fate. Say goodbye to Lanonda. And say goodbye to your wolf."

"No wait, wait. Azira will go."

"You wanted to be normal. This is what I grant you."

"You Kaleigha Pinkney of the Silver Crescent Moon-"

"No! No, I want my wolf even if she never speaks to me again."

The Goddess studied her and finally she said "Why do you wish for a wolf that has abandoned you? So many times, she could have come to your aid, but she did not, yet you still wish to keep her."

"She can remain silent if she chooses. I hurt her and I understand that now. I will never shut her out again. Please let me keep my wolf."

"She has locked herself away from you leaving you weak like a mere human, yet you wish to keep her."

"I do, Moon Goddess. I feel her sometimes and I don't feel alone. My mate has replaced me, my parents are dead, my sister has betrayed me. I have but one friend and I am okay with that, but I need her, I love her, she is a part of me."

"Enough, Lanonda, what do you think?"

"She simply is not ready and is likely to never be. She is weak and whines a lot. She does not listen, and she does not see even after you allowed her to, she still blocks out the truth."

"Oh, really Lanonda thanks for having my back!" Kaleigha snapped.

"You are not Catori, so my loyalty is no longer with you." Why did that piss Kaleigha off? Thoughts began to roam through her mind.

"Awe little one you are broken. The life you were given is hard indeed. Still, you can't see. You are the light child you will never be loved by one but by all. Stop thinking so small. Now my decision is made, and my decision is final. Since you seek to be free your wolf shall be returned, I am sorry if this hurts you. It will be nothing compared to the removal of the mark. Brace yourself!" She raised her hand and I fell back. "AZIRA PLEASE STAY WITH ME!" She screamed as tears sprung to her eyes. "I WILL FIGHT FOR YOU! I WILL BE WHATEVER YOU WISH FOR ME TO BECOME! PLEASE!" She felt something being pulled from her. It felt like it was at her core, her inner being. "Kaleigha Pinkney, you have been stripped of your powers permanently. You are no longer the chosen of the Silver Crescent Moon. Do you accept your fate?" As the Goddess said the words it felt like something in her broke.

And she was gone and Kaleigha felt herself falling.