The Return of the Chosen

missing boy

Silver Crescent

Richard had made it a habit of coming home during his break to grab a bite to eat. He noticed Tabatha was in the bathroom so he grabbed her phone from the kitchen counter to quickly scroll. A few messages from Zara and River and nothing more:

"What are you doing?" Tabatha had entered the kitchen and he had not even heard her.

"Uh nothing, it was buzzing and-" He began, but she snatched the phone,

"You're going through my messages?" Tabatha asked him. He sighed and said, "Yes I was."

"Why are you doing that?"

"Because I know you gave your number to some guy and I wanted to see…how far things had gotten." He admitted, she stood staring back at him.

"I blocked him." She admitted,

"Why did you give him your number in the first place?" He asked her.

She shrugged and reached around him, opening the fridge.

"Seriously, that's your answer?" He snapped,

"What do you want me to say, Richard?" Tabatha asked as she paused to look at him. His eyes narrowed. "The biggest mistake I ever made." He stormed off, slamming the door so hard it almost came off the hinges. 'Richard you broke the freaking door!'

'SCREW THAT FREAKING DOOR AND SCREW YOU!' He said back to her, throwing his block up. Tabatha practically dove off the steps heading toward the building he was working on now. Richard brought something out of her that she could not explain but she was pissed. "Get out everyone now!" She screamed and his crew scattered as Richard continued to work like she wasn't there. Tabatha walked up to him and shoved him, "I'm your biggest mistake Richard, me!"

He just stood looking at her and then to her surprise big huge tears rolled down his cheeks, "If you didn't want this you could have just said it." He coughed back tears and Tabatha could feel his hurt wash over her.

"Are you serious? Richard, you saved me and pulled me out of my misery. I never wanted anyone more than you. I don't understand what's happening here." Tabatha stepped closer, wiping his tears, "You started this."

"Tabatha started what? I don't give a damn about any other Shewolf in this pack! Why the hell would I after being blessed with you. Yeah, you're a pain in my ass sometimes, Tabatha, but if you think I'd hurt you like that, your crazy," he snapped.

"Then why were you talking to her again? When I came after Kevin bailed me out?" She asked.

"Duh, I had to tell you I didn't appreciate her lying to you about me. I never stepped foot in that woman's house and truth be told she always smelled like garlic to me. But I did like her pies, not enough for this bullshit!" He said, kicking at a piece of wood.

"Richard, you want f*****g pie I will make you f*****g pie! Whatever you want!" Tabatha laughed, throwing her arms around him, "I'm sorry for being immature. I would never hurt you either."

"You did, though you gave that guy your number," Richard frowned.

"He grabbed my phone and put it in himself. I deleted it, Richard. Why would I want him?" She stood on her tippy toes, kissing him. He grabbed her, placing her on a wooden plank, "You are about to have splinters all in your ass." Richard howled, yanking at her shorts,

"Don't talk about it," Tabatha growled, yanking him closer.

The guys outside decided to have an early lunch when they heard Tabatha and Richards' moans of pleasure.

Kevin stood near the edge of their territory when he noticed a blue book bag on the ground. He kicked at it and after nothing happened he picked it up and noticed a few water bottles and supplies, but what bothered him were the clothes. He sniffed them, he found the scent, 'Hey Richard, where is BJ?'

Richard paused mid-stroke as Tabatha continued to work her hips, 'Why what's up?' Richard asked,

'Oh, it's probably nothing. I just found his backpack all the way out here by the edge of the territory.'

'Just a moment,' Richard allowed Tabatha to get her release before stepping back. She knew something was not right, "What's wrong?" She asked as he shoved a leg in his pants.

"Tab, when was the last time you saw BJ?" Richard asked,

"Um, I was looking for him earlier but I couldn't find him. Noah said she saw him with a group of kids earlier. Why?" Tabatha asked.

"Did you mind link him?" Richard asked,

"I tried but he's been a little s**t lately, Richard, ya know every since ya know." She explained,

"Babe, why didn't you tell me?" Richard asked, 'BJ, this is Dad. Where are you?'

Richard waited as Tabatha glared at him, "what's going on?"

'Noah,' Richard mind linked Chenoa, holding a finger up to Tabatha, prompting her to give him just a moment.

'What's up?' Chenoa asked,

'Have you seen BJ and can you send a message out to the entire pack-'

'THIS IS YOUR ALPHA. IF BLAINE JR. IS ANYWHERE YOU OR IN YOUR VICINITY PLEASE DIRECT HIM HOME!'

'Thanks, Alpha,' Richard said as he looked at his panicked mate now.

"Go home and let me know as soon as he comes to the door," Richard said,

"What's happening," Tabatha asked,

"Tab, Kevin found his backpack at the edge of the territory," Tabatha sucked a breath in,

"Don't panic, I'm sure he's fine."

The Void of Darkness

Akoshka had been locked away in a void of darkness, and forgotten for so long. She had embraced it, in the darkness where Lucifer dwelled, so he would often whisper in her ear. Now he was silent. She was not alone though and when she heard Catori's approach she looked up to display the most sinister smile.

Catori stopped in front of her and stared down at her. She was speechless as she took in what she was seeing, hoping her eyes were not playing tricks on her,

"Do you know which one is yours?" Askoshka asked as she began to laugh wickedly. Catori reached out, snatching the one she obviously held dear. She disappeared, landing in the realm of the heavens. Catori could still hear Akoshka's wretched cry in her ears.

"We have a problem, Mother," Catori said,

Before Selene could reply, the heavens began to move and shake.

"My father is summoning us, what is this in your arms?" She gasped as Catori held it up,

"No!" Selene gasped,

She reached out to take it as she led the way to her father's throne.

"What is this you have brought into the heavens?" Emanual asked,

Catori cleared her throat, "There were eight in total. This one I took because of the eyes."

He stared at the child, "The last child that was made in this manner destroyed earth. An abomination it was. Although it pains me to say. Leave the child here and the others should be of no threat."

"Akoshka can't keep them. She

is incapable of love," Selene quickly pointed out,

"Return them to Earth and give them to their fathers," Emanual instructed her.

"Very well," Catori thought it over and said, "may I suggest one thing?"

"Speak," Emanuel demanded,

"I think they should have a keeper. I feel like perhaps if Blaine had more guidance," she cut her eyes toward Salene. She meant no disrespect but she felt maybe they could avoid confusion this way. "Things could have been different, perhaps."

"All things considered, I suppose she has a point. Very well, each child shall be given a keeper." Emanual agreed.

Catori returned again to the darkness but when her eyes landed on Akoshka she let out a horrifying scream. Akoshka had begun consuming her own babies. Blood was everywhere.

"Catoriiiiii" she whispered, "I know something you don't know!" She said as she gnawed on the leg of one of her pups like it was a piece of chicken.

Catori had begun shaking, "What is wrong with you?" she hissed.

"Isn't it obvious, I am not you? My mother cares more for a made-up toy than her own flesh and blood," Akoshka threw the leg at Catori and she dodged it.

Catori looked at her covered in the blood of her pups, "Well, like mother, like daughter."

Akoshka looked at her and the cold smile she gave made chills run down her spine. Akoshka dove, grabbing another pup and Catori through a bolt of power at her, which she dodged with lightning speed, "Hey Chosen! Watch this," she disappeared. Catori went stiff as the babies cried around her. Catori screamed in frustration, "f**k f*****g f**k f**k!"

She gathered the pups and took them to Silver Crescent, landing in Chenoa's living room with the remaining pups, "What the hell Cat?" Chenoa said looking from one pup to the next and back at Catori confused, "Again!"

"Watch them for a moment." She said, disappearing.

"Mother, we have a problem!"

"What is it now, Catori?"

"She escaped!"

"How?"

" Well, apparently one of her children possesses the same ability as her," Catori explained,

"What do you mean this would not help her unless-" Selene gave Catori a horrified look, "She consumed them. How many did she devour?"

"3 she ate 3 children and escaped with another.." Catori said her stomach was sickening because of the horrible thoughts going through her mind." Why had it not been Zion's now she had to return to Mystic and give that b***h the only thing she and Zion could not have to complete their family.

"He never has to know Catori," Selene said to her.

"They all do," Catori said, "now back to business," she said, wiping the tears away, "I do not have the ability to time jump and she can be anywhere."

"She is after you Catori, so that is where your search begins. Now I suggest you take Zion with you-"

"What!" Catori gave her a bewildered look,

"Catori, he has been touched by her; he can track her now," Selene explained,

"Yes, well, she was a hoe and there are plenty of other men to choose from. I will not work with him." She snapped.

"Very well, it's your choice, it was simply a suggestion," Selene stated,

"I have my ways as well. I will let you know where to go and when to just be prepared."

Catori nodded

"Now be still," she blew her breath into Catori and her eyes began to glow, "now you can time jump as well, Catori, be careful. Time travel is very tricky. Do not interfere with your past or future self. Do you understand?"

"I do," Catori disappeared, reappearing at Silver Crescent. She found Chenoa leaning over the bathtub bathing the babies, "Why are they so big?"

"Time moves differently there," Catori said flatly,

"Do you wanna talk about it?" Chenoa asked,

"No," she said flatly,

"Okay, well they were filthy, look at this water. Where did they come from? What's your next move?" Chenoa asked her.

Catori just gave her a blank look, then disappeared and so did the babies.

"Oh, f**k you Cat! That's just rude!" Chenoa yelled.

Catori walked into Zion's office and he sat up quickly, excited to see her, but immediately felt her pain, like an ache.

"Cat what's wrong?" Zion asked with concern.

She held up her hand, "Do you recognize these scents?" He could see she was barely holding it together. She gasped a few times as she tried holding in her emotions. Cameron looked at Zion as he made his way around his desk reaching for her. She stepped away, shoving the cloth at him,

"Yeah," Zion said, looking into her eyes like he was examining her soul.

"Can you call these men to your office," she asked,

"What's this about?"

"Just do it, Zion." She snapped.

Zion didn't like the way she dismissed him, but he said, "I had a meeting. They were already on the way. River came strolling in and he could immediately tell something was wrong with Catori, "Hey Cat, I thought that was you. What's up?" River said, smiling as Shannara peeked in and spotted him. She walked in and whispered, "Can I please speak to you for a second?" River looked at her but said nothing as he debated about speaking to her at all.

She wiped her tears as Chandler and Thomas came inside, "Okay let's get this over with. 3 of you are now fathers. Being that Akoshka is their mother,"

"What?" Chandler choked out,

"Your children are demigods. When they turn 21, they will have their awakening. At that time, they will all be issued a keeper." Catori explained,

"Is she serious?" Thomas' eyes bulged as he looked around. River's complexion had turned white, as Chandler's face turned green,

"In the meantime, you have to keep them safe and your mouth shut unless you want every power hunger being looking to eat them. Including their mother."

"Their mother," Cameron seemed to be more confused than anyone as he looked around the room at the faces of the men,

"Yes, unfortunately, three of them did not make it," Catori explained,

"Sheesh, what the hell, why did she have so many?" Chandler blurted out,

"It's a whole f*****g litter," River agreed.

Catori disappeared and Thomas asked, "Alpha, if this is a joke, it's not funny."

Catori returned shoving a screaming baby into Thomas's arms, "Congratulations, he's hungry," Catori said flatly, disappearing again returned shoving a baby into Chandler's arms.

"Oh hell no! I'm not taking that. Chastity will kill me!" Chandler backed away from her like she was diseased,

"Great, tell her to let me know when the funeral is." Catori grabbed his arm and forced the baby into him, disappearing.

Shannara grimaced, "If she leaves and comes back with another baby and hands it to you, I swear to the Goddess I'm kicking your ass!"

River gulped, walking over to Zion. They both stared at each other hoping neither of them drew the short straw. Cameron walked over and took the baby. He chuckled. "I'll be damn, he looks like Carson."

"Your twins!" Chandler huffed as Chastity came peeking into the room as Catori reappeared. Leilani came up behind Chastity. Seeing Catori, she quickly went to walk away but Catori willed her back. She held the last baby out to Zion, "Congratulations now your family is complete." Tears rolled down her cheeks,

Zion did not reach for the baby, so she handed him to Leilani, "Well, now, isn't that lovely? I guess you got what you wanted after all."

"Cat," Zion said softly, but she turned away from him and her eyes landed on Chastity. Chastity was still taking in the situation as Chandler began to frantically explain, "Chastity, you were there. You know what happened. I didn't sleep with her." Chandler quickly started to blubber. Chastity looked around the room, taking in the situation,

"What is this?" She finally asked,

"Akoshka became pregnant while she was here on earth during her encounter with Zion, Chandler, River, and him," she said at Thomas, almost like a knee-jerk reaction. Chastity looked at Chandler and slapped him. She covered her mouth because she was shocked she had done it,

"Chandler, I'm sorry, I'm disappointed I just found out I was pregnant. I wanted us to share this experience together and now…it feels cheapened. I get it, I know you and Zion had no choice in this." She wiped her tears, looking at Catori, "Cat are you okay?"

"Just peachy," Catori gave a fake grin, "I've been here before and besides, I am not Zion's mate, she is." She pointed at Leilani, who had zoned them completely out. She was smelling the baby, and it was obvious she could care less where it came from, who Zion had slept with to get this baby.

"Akoshka escaped," Catori listened to their reactions and once the shock wore off and they calmed down she said, "I have to track her and, apparently, now that you have all had time with her, your marked so one of you will need to help me find her."

Zion immediately went to volunteer but Catori held her hand up. "Anyone but you." She said flatly, looking at Leilani made her feel sick to the stomach. "When Mother tells me to be ready I will contact you." She said in a very strained tone,

"Catori, you can't blame me for this. I didn't want her, she…" He paused, looking for the right words,

"Spare me the details, Zion. It still hurts either way." She looked at him and just looking at his face pained her, "I wish… I wish you were someone different because you bring nothing but pain, as if I'm not suffering enough." She looked at Leilani and turned up her nose and she disappeared.

Amaralus was in the process of barking orders when she appeared.

"What is it baby," he asked. She said nothing, just lay her head on his chest and cried. Being in his arms made things a little better.

Silver Crescent

Kreis leaned against the counter listening to Chenoa vent, "You need to talk to her because she is being a b***h!"

"And you want me to talk to her?" He pointed at his chest as he sniffed the air, "What is that putrid smell?"

Chenoa blushed sniffing her arms. Thank Goddess, she thought at least it wasn't her this time. He sniffed the air again and then it hit him. The color drained from his cheeks as he realized she was pregnant with his brother's child. Chenoa saw the disappointment wash over him.

"Wow," she said, stepping back. She swiped at the tears.

"Noah," he reached for her and she pushed him away.

"This is like a never-ending madness. You are disappointed with me, you're disappointed I have your child."

"No it's not that, it just took me by surprise and I wasn't expecting…" His brother's scent was so strong. He reached out to her again and she looked at him clearly annoyed. "I love you, Noah, we will have a fine son or daughter together. I'm excited for us."

She took in a deep breath, "Well it's here now."

He chuckled, "Are you ready for my rambunctious little one?"

"Rambunctious already, you know this?" She laughed,

"My mother kept an invisible link between us until I was 11." Kreais admitted with a chuckle,

"A what? What is that?" Chenoa asked,

"Basically a chain. I know it sounds bad, but I tended to wander off and once ended up in the most peculiar situation, so I have no ill will towards her. I know she was simply trying to protect me." Kreis explained as the knock came on the door.

Chenoa walked over and opened it to find Tabatha. "Catori won't answer me and BJ has left."

"No one has seen him?" Chenoa asked,

"No," Tabatha burst into tears.

'Cat!' Chenoa tried mind link Catori but she was ignored. "Fine, she is being a b***h. Let's form search parties and we will find Tabatha." Chenoa assured her.

They sent several groups out to search for BJ. Tabatha and Richard were leading the group leading toward Mystic Moon. Tabatha tried not to focus on the fact that Vargis still roamed the woods and BJ was all alone. Her anxiety was at an all-time high as they ran through the grass trying to catch his scent. 'He didn't come this way,' Chloe said to her.

Richard paused, linking to the other search teams, 'We got nothing.' Richard said to Kevin who was leading up another team, 'Yeah I know I just got word from the other guys. It's like he disappeared.' Kevin said as Tabatha anxiously awaited an update.

"They haven't found him. We are going to go back-"

"No! Catori will listen to Zion and someone has to tell him my pup is missing." Richard said,

"You know we can't step foot in Mystic territory, Tabatha. Without Chenoa's protection, we would be killed." Richard said,

"But Richard, it's BJ," Tabatha cried. Richard looked torn. "Let's get Alpha to reach out to Mystic Moon."

"HEY, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING ON OUR TERRITORY!" Some wolves that neither of them recognized came from the woods.

"This is not your territory. At the north end of the territory, Mystic ends where that cluster of rocks is." Richard pointed toward the rocks.

"You're trying to tell me, a warrior of Mystic Moon, where our territory ends." The guy said in a very cocky tone, "And what makes you think you know more than me?" One of the wolves poked Richard in the chest.

'Richard let it ride. We don't have time for this.'

"Hey friend, you think you could get a message to your Zara for me? Or screw it, your Alpha?" Tabatha asked as Richard tried to keep his cool.

"Friend," the other guy laughed, "hey sweetheart, anyone tell you ya got great t**s. All perky and shit."

Tabatha kneed the guy in the crouch and before the other guy could move, Richard punched him and twisted his arm behind his back. "So, just friend, just so you know, he used to be a member and Zion hates bullies."

"You're freaking dead!" The guy yelled.

Another group of warriors appeared, and Tabatha spotted them. She knew hell was about to break loose, "Get them, they are on our territory and they assaulted us!"

"Richard," Richard looked up when he heard his voice,

"Javoni," Richard whispered,

"YEAH!" Javoni held out his arms,

"Javoni," Richard whispered, clearly shocked as Javoni and he embraced, "How, when?"

"Catori found us in a cave and completely healed us," Javoni said with excitement.

"You look great!" Richard said as Tabatha walked over smiling at him. She hugged him too, "Dude, what the f**k are you doing? He's the enemy!"

The warrior that Tabatha had kneed yelled, "Enemy," Javoni frowned, "this is my brother and Zion running man," Javoni pointed out.

"Not anymore you missed out on a lot but I'll fill you in soon, but right now BJ is missing. We were hoping maybe River or Zion

were around."

"Maybe not Zion," Tabatha pointed out, Javoni frowned as the warrior that they had pissed off stomped away with his buddy.

"What's going on?" Javoni asked,

"We were banished, Javoni." Tabatha said, "Because of me."

Javoni looked completely shocked. Looking between the two of them, he asked, "What did you do?"

Tabatha bit her bottom lip but she had to be the one to say it, "I saw Blaine after Cat…left and I became pregnant. One of my twins is Richards and the other is Blaine's." Tabatha admitted she felt so ashamed after saying it. Javoni just gave her a blank look as he took her words in. "Oh," he finally said,

"Oh, really that's it?" Tabatha asked, still holding her breath in,

"Yup," he punched Richards's arm, "Old man," he teased,

They both chuckled and Tabatha let out a sigh of relief.

"You guys head back. Zion has a lot of new members and there are more assholes where they come from. We will search this way and, uh, I guess I can call your pack." Javoni said,

"Yeah Silver Crescent, do that man, you have to come to visit so we can catch up." Richard was so excited, he and Javoni had always been really tight. They said goodbye, promising to get together soon. Zion gladly had his pack join the search and he tried reaching out to Catori but her block was up and so was it when Chenoa did as well.

Meanwhile, BJ had gotten completely turned around and was now lost in territory that was overrun by roughs and Vargas. So he had stayed hidden within the brush waiting for nightfall. He only wanted to find his dad. To help him escape, but his plan had not gone as easily as he had hoped. Getting out of Silver Crescent was the easy part. He had simply crawled into the back seat of one of the trucks as they left that morning to gather supplies. He had paid a friend to lie in the road and when the guys got out to check on his friend, he crawled into the backseat. His plan went wrong when he realized the guys were going to the human world. He had to backtrack toward the Silver Crescent; the only problem was his sense of direction was not as good as he thought it was and he had gotten turned around. He didn't realize how far out they were. Vargas was everywhere and so were rogues. He had run into them first and they had taken his bag of supplies. He had left with two, but one was too heavy so he left it there, and the other the rogues had taken from him. He had packed sandwiches and water and also a pocket knife that Richard had given him. He was more upset about the pocket knife although his stomach was growling. He sniffed the air around him as he started to walk and then he heard the growling and had taken off running. From there he ended up climbing a tree but this did not stop the beasts. They took turns charging the tree trying to knock BJ out. He screamed as he felt his hands begin to slip. The gunshots startled him and his hand slipped and he went tumbling down, hitting the ground with a thud that knocked the breath out of him. The beast, in the process of trying to get away, began to trample over him. "You okay little fella?" BJ heard someone mumble,

"Looks like he is in pretty bad shape,"

He heard another guy say,

"Why the hell is he out here all alone?" BJ heard another voice say,

"Hey kid, are you okay? Guys, he is in pretty bad shape." The one guy went to lift him and BJ screamed and cried in pain.

Amaralus and Catori were snuggled on the couch when Catori felt pain go through her. "What is it?"

"I don't know, it's weird, let me check on my boys," Catori said.

'Elijah, Earth, Maddy are you okay?' She asked,

'Mama, we have another baby brother,' Earth said with excitement.

'He stinks and cries a lot,' Maddy chimed in.

"We can't play with him yet, Leilani says he is too small.' Elijah was the last to respond,

'What are you boys up to?' Catori asked,

'Being pirates arrrr who goes there?' Maddy said,

'Earth stop it you're going break my sword!' Elijah yelled,

'I just wanna see it!' Earth yelled,

'Earth, you can't take something just because you want it. It doesn't belong to you.' Maddy said to Earth,

'but your guys are better than mine.' Earth said sadly, there was silence and finally Maddy said, 'Here. Have mine I will make me a better one.'

'Thank you brother,' Earth said, Catori's heart melted. She remembered all the times she and Chenoa went at it at kids and how sweet and gentle Khrisna was there to intervene, much like Maddy. 'You boys settle down, I love you.'

She heard a chorus of I love you before cutting them off.

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah they are fine but something feels off," Catori said,

"Maybe it's cold feet." He said, looking at her,

"Why would you say that? Are you rethinking your proposal?" She asked,

"Not all love, in fact, I can't wait to claim you," Amaralus said to her as she lay back with her feet in his lap.

She looks him in the eyes. Amaralus was so sexy to her, yet she felt a little sadness as she realized he would never be able to make her feel like Zion did inside. They spent the night watching movies and the next day she passed on work to go shopping for a dress. It was all at the last minute but she was running out of time. She got her feet and nails done and debated about what she would do with her hair. She had her hair washed and conditioned and was struggling not to fall asleep when she saw a news report,

A young boy was discovered yesterday wandering in the woods alone by Vargas hunters.

Her mind immediately remembered how Lanunda had stayed with her the night she thought she had lost her parents. She remembered how afraid she was.

Police are searching for the parents of the child but at this time no one has come to claim the child.

In other news, statues of our Chosen have been appearing all over the world. We are going to Michael Druesberry in New York City as the newest statue was revealed early this morning, Michael.