The Return of the Chosen

sucky new life

Alicia Keys - Goodbye

Mystic Moon

Shannara tried to focus as Janora sat with Janette and Chastity going on and on about a meet and greet that she had heard about. "There should be lots of eligible bachelors there. Shannara and I will be attending." Janora said,

"We will?" Shannara frowned,

"Of course, I signed you up. At this point, anything would be better than your first choice," Janora pointed out. This had rubbed Shannara wrong. She hated it when Janora took jabs at River.

Chastity knew very little about both of them and could care less. She was just waiting for Leilani to come so she could give her the daily reports on the progress they made so she could log them for Zion and to let her know which areas to keep them away from while they were working.

Janette was silent as well, she was simply tagging along with Chastity because she had never seen her since she seldom got a break from work and so she took every moment she could get.

"Janora, please don't do that. It's very rude and I have asked you to stop." Shannara said. Janora was truly hitting a nerve lately. She took every chance to belittle River,

"I'm sorry, but after everything I have told you, you seem to still be drawn to that scoundrel. Him already having children should be enough to deter you," Janora pointed out, earning an "Oh," from Janette, who was wondering where the woman's animosity was coming from.

"Oh and that is not the half of it, ladies, please help me talk sense into her," Janora said huffing.

"I think I'll stay out of this one." Janette chuckled, as Chastity shook her head in agreement.

"Well, you have been spending a lot of time together. Has he mentioned the other situation?" Janora asked.

"No, not really," Shannara admitted, "but I am sure it is a very painful topic."

Janora just rolled her eyes, "Sometimes you can be so naive. I only want what's best for you." Janora said,

"You should want me to be happy too." Shannara pointed out,

"Of course I do. This is all about your happiness. You can't tell me that that man makes you happy," Janora said,

"Wait." Janette held her hand up, although she said she would not intervene, but she had to speak about that. "I'm so sorry but Janora, are you serious?"

Janora looked at her confused, "What do you mean?"

"Well," Janette laughed, "I feel weird having to say this to you but, you kind of sound crazy. He is her mate, whoever he is, meaning he is her other half. The Goddess designed these two as a pair. So my thoughts are, of course, she is attracted to him. How could she not be? And everyone has a life before their mate. Sounds like he made a mistake, but I don't know if he should be punished for that. Have you ever tried to get to know him?"

"I mean Zion seems to think it's worth a shot, but I don't know." Janora lowered her voice a few notches, "I've heard he had another child in this pack."

"Ooh okay, so he has another child besides the one you first mentioned," Janette asked,

"Janora, why are you displaying all of my business?" Shannara snapped,

"It's not your business, it's his," Janora said back to her, annoyed. Refusing to even consider where she was wrong, "It's rumored he has a child by the pack witch and that child died. Had it not she would have three children to deal with." Janora huffed.

Chastity's mouth dropped open, it was only then that Shannara thought to herself that she knew neither of their names. "So what is this guy's name?" Chastity asked, "River!" Janora dramatically rolled her eyes.

Chastity and Janette shared a look, "River, I know River. Everyone knows River," Janette said, then she looked at Jacora sadly feeling a mix of emotions. She had often wondered herself how River's true mate would feel about his children and the child he almost shared with Chastity. Still, she did not care about the way Janora was blabbing about it to them. She had done it so comfortably that she most likely have done this to others. How else would she know about the situation? She said he heard about it, not that Shannara told her,

Chastity cleared her throat, "Wow um Janora, it is right?"

"Yes!" Janora said, not even realizing what she had just walked herself into her.

"I'm sorry that you look at my child that I carried in my womb as such a burden. You seem to be the only heartless person that I have run into that seems happy that my heart and soul were crumbled up and stomped on, but then again, I guess it's good that someone got something good out of that painful situation." She smiled at her sarcastically,

"Oh my... I-" Janora began, but Chastity cut her off,

"I find it odd that you're heartless and cold, but I'm the witch," Chastity, stood abruptly, "Oh yeah, and your stupid! Because I'm a white witch, read before you judge! Oh and lastly, the River certainly does not deserve you. He is sweet, kind, and loyal to those he loves. He doesn't deserve to be involved with you at all." Chastity stormed off,

"I think she is politely trying to say go f**k yourself," Janette said to Janora as Janora's mouth dropped open. Janette looked at Shannara, "Grow up honey before you lose what the Goddess has given you." Janette said, "Enjoy that meet and greet." Janette strolled out leaving an embarrassed Shannara and a shocked Janora behind.

"Way to make new friends, Janora," Shannara sarcastically spoke,

"Why didn't you tell me that it was her, Shannara?" Janora's entire face was flushed.

"I know this pack no more than you and it's not like she's toting a broom or something! How was I to know she was a witch? And when did you become such a gossip?" Shannara asked, "Ooooh I hear he has a baby by the pack witch." Shannara mocked her,

"That was awful, she thinks I'm horrible now," Janora whined,

"You think? You almost had the girl in tears," Shannara pointed out.

"Okay stop rubbing it in!" Janora said, "I will apologize to her, I certainly don't want to be on her bad side."

"Yes and please quit publicly bad-mouthing my mate!" Shannara said sharply.

"Your mate" Janora repeated flatly,

"Yes!" Shannara enthusiastically voiced,

"Shannara, what are we doing here? For years, you were the one that adamantly stated that under no circumstances would that man be your mate. You were the one that called him a man-w***e. You are the one that said he was not worthy, or worth it. How embarrassing it would be to tell people he was yours. I don't wanna be a stepmom or have an already-made family, you said, and now any time I mention the man and simply state what you called him, now I feel like I am the bad guy. So what's up because I'm confused." Janora looked at her as she ran her fingers through her hair.

"I don't know Janora, it's complicated," Shanarra admitted,

"Is it really honey?" Janora asked, "I mean it seems pretty simple. You want him or you don't. So I have an idea. We will go to the meet-greet and try our options. If nothing or no one is more suitable, then you have him I guess," Janora said. Shannara thought it over and sighed, "Fine."

They both turned their heads when they heard someone clear their throat. Shannara felt dread wash over her as she saw River standing there, "there will be no need for that. I am not sure why either of you feels like you're so high and mighty and better than anyone. I am not an option. This dance is over."

"No!" Shannara spoke,

"I saw Chastity on the way here and she was in tears. Janette told me what you said. You're despicable! I hope you find what you are looking for because you are damn sure both are poor representations of what Mystic Moon is. Shannara Meza,"

"No please River! Wait!" Shannara begged, but the words fell from his lips, "I River," Shannara breathed in sharply as his words hit her. She covered her ears, "reject you…reject you" echoed in her mind. The pain gripped her so tightly as he walked away. The emptiness hit her so hard that she felt like she was dying.

River, ran through the forest as tears burned his eyes. He had to do it and it hurt so much, but he could not continue to do this dance. Shannara ran hot and cold. One moment she was all over him, the next she seemed embarrassed to be near him. He didn't even blame Janora although she was a snobby b***h in his opinion. He felt Shannara should speak up. He thought back to the day he had been marked by her. He had not even been angry. He had wanted her, so it was fine for him. It was the way she acted after that that pissed him off. She had pretended nothing had happened, as if they had never been together. She did that in front of Janora all the time. She seemed like she was ashamed of him. Now he knew his thoughts were true. So just to get back at her, after she marked him, he had marched his kids right over to her and said "Have a seat guys. Shannara will be looking out for you guys today while I work."

"The hell she is! She is not your babysitter!" Janora had hissed. Her opinion may have meant something to Shannara, but it didn't mean a damn thing to him.

"Janora," River had said to her,

"Yes!" River had turned to face her, "Mind your damn business. Shannara is a grown woman and my mate. So I'd appreciate it if you'd stay the hell out of our business."

Janora's mouth dropped open and so did Shannara's. River bent down and grabbed her chin, forcing her mouth closed. He kissed her full lips and said to the kids, "Dad will see you later, remember your manners." before walking off. He had really been on Janora's bad side since that day. Shannara had told him Janora had practically cried, she wasn't used to being talked to the way he talked to her. He didn't want to be nasty but he felt like she was part of the reason Shannara seemed so distant at times.

River headed toward the edge of the territory to wait for fairy mail. He was aggravated because Shannara had

Pushed him to this. He didn't want to reject her, but he had overheard everything Janora said about what Shannara felt. It made him feel like rejecting her was the only option. He wondered if this was how Catori felt when she rejected Zion. River had to admit the s**t hurt like nothing he ever felt. He wanted to curl up in a ball and cry like a baby, but instead, he wiped the tears and stood waiting for the fairy to appear. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard her voice, "They say it gets better after a while."

"Cat!" He reached for her and she shrieked, "What's wrong?"

She let out a strained breath, "I haven't soaked today, the pain is worse the longer I'm out of the water."

"The pain?" River said, confused. She turned around and with her back facing him she lifted her hair,

"CATORI!!" River gasped, "Blaine did this to you?" He asked as if he did not know the answer. The wound was gaping and looking at it he could not even begin to imagine her pain. She turned stiffly toward him and asked, "Now why the tears?" She asked, breathing heavily.

River looked at her teary-eyed. He said nothing though, because it seemed wrong to burden her with his problems when she clearly had her own suffering daily. On the other hand, she seemed so distant to him that he could not resist the opportunity to be in her presence. Being there made him realize how much he missed her.

"I um you know it's nothing I'm sure you have, you-" Before he could finish, she touched his head, rewinding back to time when she saw the conversation between Janora and Shannara. She released him and stepped back. Her jaw clenched and she rubbed the stone in her pocket. When she felt overwhelmed, the stone was supposed to absorb the negative energy. She let out a sigh of relief that it seemed to be working. She had always liked Janora, so she found her behavior confusing, but she did not have time to fight others' battles, even River. Not today. She had been working and this was what came from a day's work and no soaking. She could not sleep after her spicy encounter with Zion and had gone to work feeling a little guilty that she couldn't be around Amaralus. She watched as the fairy appeared in the sky, "Oh hello beautiful," Catori called out, realizing she was the first she had seen since her return.

"Hello, Chosen," the fairy said, bowing to her,

"How is Your Queen and King?" She asked her,

"Our King died, eaten by Vargas but our queen lives." She said sadly,

"I'm sorry to hear this. I will make a trip to America soon." Catori said,

"Ameria, has fallen. The Vargas found us to be a delicacy. We were forced out of our home." The fairy explained,

Catori looked at her beautiful sad face, "Tell your Queen I will visit her soon."

River handed her the package and she tucked it in her bag.

"I will give her the message Chosen." The fairy said and flew away,

"Shall we take a swim," she asked.

"Yeah, I'd love to," River said. He blinked and found that they were standing in front of the water, which looked very inviting except there were a bunch of kids nearby. River could sense her apprehension, "Cat, I have a sea beast to remember,"

She looked at him beaming, and quickly they stripped out of their clothes, "Let's go!" She said, grabbing his hand. They ran into the water laughing together, which is something she could not remember doing for so very long.

The two friends swam for hours, so deep they were nearly at the inner circle. River watched as Catori stared longingly in that direction, "You miss Lusca?"

"I do, I know that there are others, but he would never place them before me. That loyalty means so much to me. I know where I stand with him." Catori explained, and the pain, "when he licks my wound it eases the pain. It sounds gross but his saliva has healing properties,"

"Interesting," River said, "Does Zions have healing properties too?"

"I honestly don't know Zion is not my mate." She said, still staring ahead, "It still sounds funny when I say it out loud."

"Are you really going to mate with Amaralus, Cat?" River asked,

"I am. I was not meant to walk alone." She said, looking at him,

"Zion is going to kill him Cat, I shouldn't be saying this to you, but if there is a way to work it out with him, you should. Otherwise, you're going to have to make an awful choice." River looked at her.

"I know." She said flatly,

"If he tries to come for Amaralus.... I will kill Leilani and it will not be in a humane way. I will bath in the bitches blood." She said,

"I hate to say this, but this game you and Zion are playing is unfair to the other parties involved. They are guilty of nothing, but loving people who are impossible not to love. There has to be another way," River said.

"If you have another way, I am open to hearing it," Catori said,

"Really," River said, surprised,

"Spit it out before I change my mind," Catori said,

"Give me three weeks, Catori. Don't mate with Amaralus and give me three weeks," River said,

"I can't do that. I promised him I'd give him the answer on my birthday." Catori said to River,

"Just think about it, promise me you will think about it before you say yes." River pleaded,

"Yeah I guess," she said as she turned to head back to what she thought was her sucky new life.

Silver Crescent

Chastity was exhausted when she landed in Silver Crescent. She waved at Richard and he nodded in her direction. She waltzed into Chenoa's place, plopping down on her oversized sofa. "Hello to you too," Chenoa said as Chastity sniffed the air,

"Is that you?" Chastity asked,

"I'm pregnant," Chenoa said dryly,

Chenoa sniffed the air and looked at her, "And apparently you are too."

Chastity took a moment to digest her words, then burst into laughter, "No no," shaking her head, "I'm not pregnant."

"You are," Chenoa assured her,

"Look, a baby is not something we need right now. Chandler is not dealing with his brother's death, he just focuses on everything Zion throws at him to keep his mind off Carson. Every time I bring it up he gets annoyed. So, now that jerk ignores me by working, we don't have to talk about it. Poor Janette is a train wreck. She and Cameron are just torn to pieces, so I'm trying to be there for her and help Catori with this restoration project. I'm freaking exhausted mentally and physically." She threw her hands up in the air, "I don't need a baby."

"Chandler loves Dora, he will be a great Dad." Chenoa pointed out,

"I know that, but the timing is off. How does Kreis feel?" Chastity asked, swiping at tears.

"I haven't told him yet. I have mixed feelings," Chenoa admitted, "Now what are you not telling me?"

"Cat?" Chastity asked knowingly, "ignoring the question she asked."

"Yeah, I just know this will be another knife in her back and she has already changed tremendously. She did at least tell me she would be getting another mate. She was so tight-lipped about everything. I haven't been reaching out to her lately because, if I don't, we won't talk and that is unacceptable. We are sisters, it should not be one-sided and I haven't heard from Blaine,"

"I'm sorry Noah, I know you have been going through it," Chastity said as Chenoa stood and walked into her kitchen. Chastity followed her, pulling herself up to sit on the counter and Chenoa opened the oven and pulled out the freshly baked bread.

"Oh, my Goddess, that smells f*****g delicious! When did you become a baker?" Chastity asked, eying the bread as Chenoa added butter.

"I'm bored out of my freaking mind, worried about Blaine. Cat, is so withdrawn and I hate to say it, but I'm over it. I'm not about to keep begging her for the time of day. She blows me off every time. If she mates and still acts like a b***h,"

"I would not expect any improvements there," Chastity could resist no more. She grabbed a piece of bread, shoving it in her mouth, "There is no way in hell Zion will let that happen." She said with her eyes closed, savoring the taste, "Chandler is his little errand boy and believe me Catori mating with Amaralus ain't happening."

"Zion is planning on sabotaging Catori's relationship, that f*****g asshole!" Chenoa snapped, Chastity went stiff and her eyes sprung open. She dove from the counter, "No Noah you can't tell her!" She said, grabbing her and shaking her.

"Are you serious, she is my sister?" Chenoa said,

"I am too! And I was first! If you tell her and Zion finds out, Chandler will lose his position! This is top-secret s**t!" Chastity said, reaching over and grabbing another roll.

"Then how do you know?" Chenoa asked.

"Chandler talks in his sleep, especially now since losing his brother. I'm serious, Noah, I'm supposed to be able to confide in you." Chastity said practically in tears.

"Oh my Goddess you are so pregnant," Chenoa said, shaking her head.

"Oh my goddess I'm knocked up." Chastity burst into tears, Chenoa made a shaking motion disgusted by all the affection, "I hate this part goddess," she rolled her eyes, "come on," she patted her shoulder and Chastity went to her, placing her head on her shoulder.

"Me too," Chenoa said sadly,

"What are we going to do?" Chastity whined. Chenoa grabbed her arms, "We have to come up with our own plan." Chenoa said,

"Plan to what?" Chastity asked,

"Duh help Cat! We can not allow Zion to ruin things for Cat and if we can't tell her we need to intervene." Chenoa said, as Chastity walked over, grabbing another roll, she looked at it before digging in, then snatching three more, shoving them in her pocket. Chenoa watched her with a smirk but said nothing. There was a knock on the door and Chenoa went to answer it. "Hey Tabatha, hey Breanna," Chenoa said as she stood in the doorway watching the women smoke their cigarettes.

"Chenoa have you seen BJ? He wandered off earlier and I couldn't find him." Tabatha said.

"Oh nope, I did see some kids heading toward the playground earlier," Chenoa said as Chastity shoved past her.

"When did you start smoking cigarettes? Those are bad for your lungs, Tabatha!" Chastity said-"and secondhand smoke kills!"

"Not really, we're outside." Breanna pointed out and Chastity snatched the cigarette from Tabatha, dropped it and stomped on it.

"I don't remember asking you! Why are you even here?" Chastity snapped at Breanna, and Tabatha's eyes grew huge.

"Chastity, that was not nice. Breanna is cool." Tabatha said,

"Since when," Chastity said, crossing her arms.

"Since when?" Tabatha placed her hands on her hips. Chenoa smirked because she knew it was about to go down.

"Well, maybe since I got here, but you wouldn't know that because your head is always so far up Catori's and Chenoa's ass for you to notice what's going on around you," Tabatha snapped,

"Keep me out of this!" Chenoa said,

"Oh screw you, Tabatha! Nothing is ever enough for you!" Chastity yelled back. "I was the one whose shoulder you cried on when Kevin forgot you existed because he was screwing her and now you wanna treat me like shit." She stepped back, "Every time you get a new friend you treat me like s**t, first Zara and now her!" Chastity pointed at Breanna,

"Oh my goddess, are you that blind? The reason I even started hanging with Zara and Breanna is that as soon as Alpha Knight or the Chosen has an issue, I DON'T f*****g EXIST!" Tabatha yelled,

"That is not true!" Chastity yelled,

"It is Chastity and I am okay with that. I accept my friendship means less to you. But don't come around here like you're worried about me. Because I have been going through hell and, as always, you have been MIA!"

"I'm sorry I have a life, Tabatha, and some parts don't include you! You're not the only one with problems!" Chastity tapped her chest, "I have s**t too!"

"Yeah I'm sure and if we were friends I'd know, congratulations on the pup." Tabatha spun around on her heels and walked off. Breanna went running behind her.

"Can you believe her?" Chastity huffed,

"Yup, I can. She has kind of been having a rough go lately. Her dad and then Richard and her are having problems, and I'm sure she is getting s**t from the pack because she keeps to herself," Chenoa said,

"Are you taking her side," Chastity huffed again,

"There are no sides, Chastity, just opinions." Chenoa pointed out, "Maybe you have just outgrown each other." Chenoa said, Chastity thought back, then it dawned on her.

"Why is she even here?" She asked,

Chenoa looked at her and Chastity could see her expression change to shock.

"When was the last time you had a conversation?" Chenoa asked.

"Uh," Chastity thought it over and realized she hadn't had an actual conversation since before the fall.

"She was banished, Chastity. Blaine found her in the human world and took them to Zerion and I offered them a home here." Chenoa said, "Did you not notice-"

Chastity put her hand up. "I just can't right now."

Dora came running outside to give Chastity a hug. "Hey, beautiful,"

"Hi, I missed you," Dora said,

"Awe, I missed you too," Chastity cuddled with her.

"Your baby is going to have red hair," Dora said. Chastity looked at Chenoa in surprise.

"Was someone listening in on the grownups' conversation?" Chastity asked.

"Nope. I saw him. He is so cute. I drew a picture for you." Dora flipped open her sketch pad and showed her a picture of a red-haired baby being held by her.

"You are getting better at drawing, he is so handsome," Chastity said, "he is beautiful."

"What's this picture of?" Chastity asked,

"Oh, that's Aunt Cat on her birthday!" Dora said,

"Oh, she looks like a princess," Chastity said as she flipped to the next page. Chastity paused, "Dora, what is wrong with her face in this one?"

"Oh her heart is broken. Something sad happened. Mama, can I have a brownie?" Dora asked,

"Sure baby," Chenoa said as she leaned over Chastity's shoulder, looking at the sketch pad. Dora went back inside as Chastity said, "Well, we know what night Zion is making his move."

"Now what do we do to stop him?" Chenoa asked as the plan began to form.