The Return of the Chosen

That Pain

Muni Long

Pain

Zion was more than annoyed as Leilani came closer and Catori pulled away from him. Just feeling her no longer in his arms felt like his body was going into shock. Czar had been running in circles, so excited to have her back, and then just like that she was not near him. He reached for her but she stepped back and he glared at her. Reaching out he grabbed Leilani just in time as she lunged at Catori, "Spunky little b***h isn't she?" Catori said in the most condescending tone.

"Leilani, what is wrong with you? We discussed this." Zion scolded his mate, "how are we to make this work if you are acting like a jealous child?"

"Make what work?" Catori asked, wrinkling her forehead at them both.

"Well, I thought or hoped you would be understanding of me having her. I mean you have been gone for five years Cat and-"

Before he could finish Catori burst into laughter, "Seriously," Catori asked, thinking he can't be serious, "Shall we move Chenoa and Kreis in too?"

Zion's eyes darkened at just the thought of Kreis touching her.

"Don't be disrespectful, Cat," he said in a menacing tone. This rubbed Catori all wrong, she stepped closer to him, "You are standing in front of me with your arm around another, advising me to not be disrespectful." She looked at Leilani as she struggled against Zion like a mad dog trying to get her and back at him, "f**k you Zion Black, and the b***h you ride at night! How is that for respect?" She said fuming, her hair turned red and steam began rising off her, Catori turned to go. Zion was angry that she spoke to him this way but the moment she began to walk away panic seized him, "No Cat don't go. Please let's talk about this, be reasonable."

She turned and looked at him and then back at Leilani, remembering what Selene had said, the thought of touching her repulsed her, and her scent was giving her the urge to go haywire. She walked over to her and said, "You have something that belongs to me."

Leilani's eyes changed colors and her wolf emerged, "He is mine!" Faye snarled at her. Everything within Catori wanted to rip her head off and kick it into outer space but instead, she kept her composure. "Your right he is, but this belongs to me," she sucked in her breath pulling the power from Leilani and draining her. Leilani weakly almost dropped and Zion without thought lifted her and she wrapped her arms around him burying her head in his chest. The intimacy of the scene made Catoris's heart feel like someone was taking a knife and stabbing her repeatedly. She turned to go, she could stomach it no more. "Cat, don't go!" Zion called out and she could hear the desperation in his voice, she never looked back, "You give me no choice." She was broken and bitter and she disappeared into thin air.

The land of time

Catori knew exactly where to find her father. Dorkis felt her presence immediately. He smiled as she approached even though he knew it was not going to be a pleasant conversation. "Father," she said, stopping short in front of him.

"Good to see you, kid," Dorkis said to her and she nodded.

"You know why I am here," she wore a blank expression and he knew there would be no use arguing with her but still he said.

"Catori-"

"Don't! Don't you dare defend him? You know what he took from me." The tears came streaming down her cheeks, "give me the knife! It belongs to me," she snapped.

"Catori-"

"GIVE ME THAT KNIFE! I HAVE HAD ENOUGH TAKEN FROM ME NOW I TAKE BACK AND YOU ARE EITHER FOR ME OR AGAINST ME!" Catori was starting to shake. She was becoming unglued. Dorkis walked back inside the small hut and returned, handing her the knife.

"I was not asking you not to punish him, just don't kill him! Cat, please he is your brother!" Dorkis pleaded and Catori snapped.

"Blaine Noble is no brother of mine. My brother is dead!" She hissed, "give me my other weapons."

Dorkis looked confused, "Cat what do you need that for?"

Catori looked at her father, the look sent chills down his spine, he did not recognize this version of her. He quickly went and retrieved the other weapons. "Your service as guardian of the blades is no longer needed. You can return to Earth." She turned away from him, disappearing into thin air.

Catoris's breathing was sporadic as the pain from her wound began to increase and the ache in her heart was barely tolerable. She would definitely need to take a swim, but first to Zerion.

Zerion

The earth began to quake, furniture began sliding across the floor and pictures fell from the walls.

Ophelia screamed as the foundation began to crack. She looked at Blaine and a chill ran down her spine at his calmness. Two weeks ago he had returned, different. Now she understood why. The Chosen had returned and the bastard had said nothing. Terrified cries could be heard coming from every direction yet Blaine sat quietly upon his throne waiting. And just like that she appeared. Covered completely in blood, her silver eyes glowed. Catori slowly approached the throne, she stood before the King as she held up the decapitated head of Aphena. "Mommy's home," Catori said as blood dripped down her arm. "Now I don't know why every time I am in Zerion I have to say this." Turning her head to the side she cracked her neck. Then with precision she took Aphena's head and threw it so hard at Blaine that it hit him in the face, knocking a tooth loose. "Get off my f*****g thrown!" Blaine rose, breathing heavily now somewhat in shock.

He felt stunned as he looked at his mother's ashen face and lifeless eyes. "Call your Daddy, I might as well start with him and work my way down." Catori stood before Blaine impatiently when she spotted Ophelia cowering in the corner, "Ooooh w***e I been waiting to get my hands on you b***h," she said with so much venom as she stalked over to Ophelia grabbing her by the hair.

"Please wait!" Ophelia begged she began to cry hysterically.

"Don't beg Ophelia, it's so unbecoming." Catori yanks at her hair. And Ophelia screamed again as her head began to throb from her grip. "Oh, she is having a baby Blaine. Did you know? Darn, now I can't decapitate her." Catori said sadly, "then again she did try to kill a kid so why should I care about hers!"

"You are mad Leigh." Blaine choked out. As he stared at his mother's head. Her lifeless eyes bulged and her mouth was wide open as if her face had captured the horrifying moment when she realized today was her last day.

"Mad! Mad! No mutherfucker, that is an understatement that which I feel can't be put in words!" She pulled Ophelia up by the hair. "You and your b***h stole five years from me. Now you will suffer too." She blew her breath in Ophelia's face turning her into stone. "She will be a great addition to Chenoa's garden, don't you think? When I am sad I can go watch the Birds s**t on her. That would bring me great joy."

"Leigh." Blaine began when his body was suddenly forced to the ground and a leather collar appeared around his neck with a chain attached to it. Catori flicked her finger drawing his Charisma from his body.

"My father will not allow me to kill you, but you will suffer as I have. Bow down and kiss the ground. You will be spending a lot of time there. My boys will love having a dog." She said as she spotted Grace. Her stomach was swollen, she had not dropped the donut she was chewing during all the commotion. Catori wagged her finger at her, waving her forward. Grace almost choked trying to swallow the donut in her mouth. "And what shall I do with you?"

Grace looked at Blaine and then Ophelia then back at Catori. She shrugged her shoulders. She refused to cry life Ophelia's whimpering pathetic ass. She would take her fate whatever it was, but she did feel for the baby, he had not even had a chance to live. Catori c****d her head to the side as she read the girl's thoughts, "You will be the Queen of Zerion. Until I decide otherwise your life is spared."

"Really?" Grace asked.

"Would you like me to change my mind?" Catori asked,

"Nope, but I do have to pee, you scared the s**t out of me." Grace said dragging her feet she scurried away toward the bathroom, and halfway down the hallway she yelled, "Oh s**t I'm not going to make it! Sorry, Ulaf!"

Catori giggled, "I kind of like her." She said smacking at Blaine's face, "Good dog,"

"Leigh-" Catori yanked the chain,

"Did I say you could speak Fiddo?" She bent down looking at him, "no I f*****g did not!" She grimaced as she stood the pain was becoming unbearable, "let's go I need to f*****g soak." She yanked at Blaine's chain and he made a gurgling sound as it tightened around his neck, choking him which gave Catori immense pleasure. "Ulaf!"

"Yes Ma'am," Ulaf said, smiling from ear to ear.

"You have been loyal to me. I heard your prayers, thank you, dear friend. Every decision the Queen makes must be approved by you." Catori thought it over again and she said "actually Grace I resend my offer."

Catori blew into Ulaf's face, "You now have Charisma strong enough for you to rule. You are now King. Grace will remain in the palace as acting Queen but you sir are the boss, make me proud Ulaf. Hit me up if you have any problems." She said walking off leaving Ulaf dumbfounded, "someone please get him a crown!" Catori tossed over her shoulder as she left everyone in the palace flabbergasted.

Silver Crescent

Chastity didn't seem to care or notice that Catori was covered in blood as she threw her arms around her squeezing her tight. Catori winced in pain, stiffening. "I bought you a gift." Catori strained out.

"Oh, you couldn't shower first?" Chastity said as she pulled back now seeing she was drenched in blood and also noticing the strained look in her eyes, "I can't stay much longer. The pain is-" before she could finish her words the heavens opened. The rain began to pour, Catori snapped her finger and the statue appeared, "For Noah's garden." Catori said.

"Is that Ophelia?" Chastity gasped, she looked at Catori, "Is he dead?" she asked referring to Blaine.

"We will discuss it later. I must go". She shoved the bag she was holding in Chastity's hand. Chastity opened the bad and closed it quickly looking at Catori. Tears sprang to her eyes and she gave Catori a knowing look. "I have to go to Chastity, but I kept my promise."

Chastity pulled back and looked at her, "Are you okay?" She asked with concern.

"I'm fine." Catori lied, "I will see you tomorrow at the ceremony for the dead."

Chastity nodded, stepping back and Catori was gone. She wasn't sure how long she stood there before she felt Chenoa's hand on her shoulder, "how is she?"

"Broken, her heart is broken." Chastity patted Chenoa's hand. Chenoa looked at the life-size statue, "What is this?"

"A gift for your garden." Chenoa looked at the statue. Running her fingers over the face, "So detailed I'll have it moved immediately. Is that blood on you?" She frowned looking Chastity up and down, "Did she say anything about me?" Chenoa asked.

"She didn't say much about anything, she gave me this." Chastity held up the bag.

"What is it?" Chenoa asked, peeking inside and she jumped back, "Is that a head?" She looked at Chastity and took a deep breath.

"Yes, it is. Walk with me. Need to put this on ice." Chastity made her way inside with Chenoa hot on her heels, opening the freezer

Chenoa barked, "You can't put that in there!"

"Why not? It will not be for long. I will ask her to turn it into stone so I can place it on my mantel." Chastity gleefully spoke.

"So she didn't even ask about me?" Chenoa asked again.

"No, but she will be at the ceremony for the dead tomorrow. You can see her then." Chastity hugged her; she knew it was eating Chenoa up inside, not seeing or talking with Catori, and worse, she had not spoken to Kreis either.

"Tomorrow is a new day," Chastity said.

"Tomorrow is a new day," Chenoa repeated sadly.

The dark forest

Catori appeared in front of the dark Forest, but before she could enter she felt her guts being twisted, the anguish was unbearable. She dropped to her knees. She knew the pain could only be caused by one thing. Intimacy, yes being the Chosen had its downfalls and one was that Zion was supposed to be hers alone so even though he marked Leilani she still felt the betrayal. And she felt like her heart was breaking into a thousand pieces. The pain was not as bad since he marked her but it still hurts all the same. Catori lay her head on her hands as she pulled at the grass between her fingers, fighting the pain. She felt the hand on her shoulder. "Chosen, how can I help?" A voice drew her eyes to look up. Catori stared into the most beautiful, warm, amber eyes. She stared into them for a moment without speaking as tears rolled down her cheeks. The pain had eased but now it hit her and she called out, "Please tell me what I can do to help!" He begged as she beat her fist into the ground, "water!"

"Water, yes yes water. I'll find you something to drink." He said in somewhat of a panic.

"Noooo," she groaned, "I need to be emerged in water, and I'm too weak to move. She whimpered in despair, as he reached for her, "I uh I'm going to touch you now. Okay?"

He waited for her to nod her head. He had enough problems and pissing off the most powerful being in the universe was not one he wished to add to his list of problems. Easing an arm underneath her, he instructed her to roll over into his arms then he gently lifted her. "It's a bit of a walk from here." He advised as she settled into his arms, "I apologize but-" he froze as he had taken a few steps and blinked and they were no longer in the dark forest but now in front of the lake.

"Oh uh wow," his dismay was amusing to Catori, and she lifted her head to stare into his dreamy eyes.

"The water please." She said softly. He walked her into the water and noticed how her stiff muscles began to relax. Even after her body was submerged and she floated on the surface he held on to her, "what brings you to the Dark Forest?" She needed something to distract her mind. She noticed the change in him immediately, he clammed up. Sighing he practically whispered, "Marady, my sister." He was silent, giving nothing more so Catori decided to pry.

"Why would she be in the dark forest?" She asked as the water soothed her, "Why are you covered in blood?" He asked her, her eyes darted open.

"You first, you can't answer a question with a question." She said matter of factly.

"My sister never got her wolf and she has mental health issues. She started hearing voices and she kept saying the darkness was calling her so…"

"So you thought she may have been lured here?" Catori said, studying his tormented eyes.

"Better than the alternative. The dark forest is the only place that seems unaffected by her, Akoshka. I thought if she came here she might still be alive." He watched as a wilted dead butterfly went floating by. Catori followed his eyes and she reached a finger out to touch the butterfly, the vibrant colors of its wings began to illuminate.

It flew landing on Catori's nose, "Your welcome beautiful go and be great." The butterfly flew a few feet, "there is always hope." Suddenly a bird flew down clamping the butterfly in its beak and flew away. There was an awkward silence between the two as they watched the bird fly away.

"And sometimes life is just a bitch." He said and they both burst into laughter.

"Oh, goddess don't make me laugh it hurts," Catori moaned but she could not stop herself as she listened to the man beside her chuckling, she found it contagious, "That really just happened!" She laughed,

"It did, s**t was that a sign for me," he said wearily?

"I hope not." She laughed,

"I'm gonna be looking over my head now everywhere. I'm going to be just waiting for something awful to happen. Story of my life." He groaned, "I have issues with anxiety. I tend to overanalyze everything."

"Mine too. I mean the story of my life part, sucks!" Catori smiled at him.

"Hey, your turn, the blood?" He asked as he lay beside her floating now looking into the sky.

"It's the blood of Aphena, a sorceress, and the warriors that stood against me. It's the blood of my brother who I beat within an inch of his life." She said, staring at the clouds, "that one looks like a rabbit." She pointed out.

"I did not know you had a brother, Chosen." The man said to her.

"Well I don't claim him and if you repeat my words I will kill you." She said simply.

"My lips are sealed." He looked over at her, "you sound better"

"The water has healing properties for me. It helps, some of the pain." She looked away from him and he stared at the side of her face, "The pain from the wound the Demigod gave you?"

She nodded, "Does nothing compare to the pain of my broken heart though." She burst into tears and he had no idea how to comfort her. So he reached out and held her hand until she calmed. "Then the one place I found I had peace in I just tainted with his blood, I need to find somewhere to take him. He can't stay there." She said thinking more to herself.

"I had a mate that betrayed me too. Not like yours I suppose or I'm sorry I should not have assumed-"

"It's okay he did betray me. He did not cherish his gift from mother and took another." She said, still crying softly.

"People suck really bad when you want them to be at their best; they always fail you." He said solemnly.

"Have you been there?" She said, "You sound like you are speaking from experience."

"Yes, which is why I don't belong to a pack and conform to those traditional rules. Not anymore anyway. I will love who I want, go where I want to go, and rule no one."

"You're a rogue?" Catori asked him,

"Do you think less of me Chosen?" He asked her,

"Not at all I was raised by a lone wolf." Catori thought of the rules she had to follow and suddenly wished they did not exist.

"Is that so?" He said, looking at her.

"It is. On a small little ranch and it seems like it was so long ago." She thought back to the days she spent with her mother.

'Cat, can you talk to me, baby?' Catori stiffened, as Zion's voice teased all her senses.

'Zion don't call me baby. It disgusts me.' She responded by putting her block up.

"You okay Chosen?" He asked her,

"You're an Alpha, why did you choose not to have a pack?" She asked.

He sighed heavily. "It is rare that two alpha pups are born to one family. My mother had three and then there was Marady. She was the baby."

"Wow, poor girl, three older brothers, and Alpha!" Catori laughed,

"Yeah, we were a little protective." He admitted.

"Anyways I was the oldest so naturally my brother was….upset. My brother Alex the youngest just went and established his own but my brother Victor stuck around waiting for me to show a moment of weakness. I never did until Marady got sick, she is my weakness. My sister meant more to me than my pack and he used it against me. Well, I guess I should not say I blame him much I bowed out gracefully. Signed the pack over to him and have been searching for her ever since." He said, "I fear she is lost to me. When I lost my mate Marady was my comfort. She refused to let me drown in my grief."

Catori again felt his pain, "Would you like me to help you find her?"

His head rolled around the excitement glowed on his face, then it faded quickly, "No I can't allow you to do that. You are the freaking Chosen you have way better things to do with your time."

"And I have a lifetime to do them. Let me help you." She said to him,

"It is a kind offer. I have a few rocks I have yet to unturn. Perhaps if I do not turn up anything I will take you up on that offer if it still stands." He said to her,

"Fair enough," she said, "I suppose I should get going," Catori said.

"The dark forest?" He asked

"The dark forest," she confirmed.

"I know what business I have there but what business do you have or am I overstepping by asking that question?" He asked in an apologetic tone,

"Your sister is your weakness, my mate or mates are mine. My family, my friends, they have all burned me. I need to block them out if I don't. I may blow this world to pieces." Her bitterness was reflected in her voice.

"I know the pain of rejection, it is…. hard." He stood up, "I can't imagine anyone ever needing more than you." He said in almost a whisper. She looked at him and blushed and when he saw her reaction he blushed as well, Catori thought it was adorable as he attempted to apologize, "I was not flirting with you Chosen. I hope I didn't make you feel uncomfortable. I just meant-" he was rambling, she reached out and placed a finger on his lips as they faced each other. "It's okay," she said, now wading in the water toward land.

"Will you be at the ceremony for the dead tomorrow?" Catori asked.

"Yes, I will." As they reached land Catori looked down at his shoes.

"You didn't take those off?" She laughed.

"You seemed to really need assistance," he said to her.

She nodded, "I did," she said leaning forward she said in a husky tone, "may I read you?"

"Read me?"

"It is invasive but I can not allow anyone in my circle to… hurt me. I would rather read your heart now." She said, looking at how intensely she stared at him, "Chosen I feel like you are piercing into my soul when you look at me." He said feeling vulnerable.

"It gets way deeper," She said to him, and her tone although not intended was rather seductive.

"What exactly will you be looking for?" He asked her,

"Everything," she admitted, "Or we can go in our separate directions and be friendly acquaintances."

"Yeah but then you will think I have some dark secret." He said weighing his options, "times up!" Catori said placing a hand on his shoulders she brought him to his knees and read him. Once she was satisfied she released him as he fell over on the ground, "Freak! I thought I had a choice." He groaned,

"You did till you didn't. Sorry," she apologized.

He closed his eyes as his head spun. When he opened them again he was back in front of the dark forest and she was gone. "HEY DID I PASS?" He looked around but no one was there but him.

The dark forest

The dark forest always had an eerie feeling when you entered it. Catori listened as the witches began to sing a song of praise upon her arrival. She looked around as they knelt as she passed heading for the dwelling the high priestess stayed in. She did not knock, she just walked in. "Persephone have you come to kill me?" Nelly asked.

"I should kill you after you took the memory of my pup away," she said sharply to her, "but I did not, I need a favor."

"And you ask me instead of Jewlisa," Nelly turned to look at her. Catori looked at her oddly.

"Odd, I still feel drawn to you," Catori admitted.

"It is odd I was not a fated mate, simply a Chosen which Azira never accepted." Nelly noticed her wince but said nothing although she did wonder where her old friend was.

"I am not sure myself," Catori admitted aloud, "Can you help me?" She asked to get back to the point.

"What do you need?" Nelly asked,

"I need something that will allow me to block out my feelings, a spell of sorts."

"Of course, that is simple enough but I must admit to you all spells have a back door " She explained,

"Yeah yeah let me guess true love or something." Catori waved her hand.

"You know the rules." Nelly said, 'As long as you wear the necklace you will have minimal discomfort around your mate or any human form that matters."

"Well my boys I don't want to block them out, and Chastity."

"Chastity the white witch? May I ask why you did not ask her for this?" Nelly asked,

"She is friends with those I wish to dismiss. I don't want to put her in a compromising situation." Catori said to her. She worked her spell and then handed her the silver amulet that complimented her eyes. "Remember you must have it off as much as you have it on, or your heart will turn to stone. overwearing it will cause the ones you have programmed in to be blocked too. It's a very delicate balance," she warned.

"The spell will wear off the longer you are in their presence, simply say Arista alahris la freeze and the spell will be reactivated but you can only do this three times after that it will take 24 hours to reactivate." She explained, "and you must take it off during that time. I am not responsible for what happens if you do not."

"I do not plan to be around anyone that long." She nodded her head, "thank you oh one more thing," Catori paused as she had not caught the friendly stranger's name that had helped her earlier, "A man will come here seeking his sister nothing off his person shall be used against him understood."

Nelly nodded and Catori walked out transporting back to Listeria. She immediately stripped down and walked into the water, closing her eyes. "You could have at least bought me something to eat," Blaine said, mumbling which was barely audible due to his swollen lips.

"Starve!" She hissed at him.

"Can you bathe with clothes on," he groaned, Catori turned to glare at him.

"A dungeon would be more suitable for you. You are disturbing my peace." She growled, coming out of the water naked and dripping wet she started kicking him. "Why won't you f*****g die!" She kicked him with all her might. "Do you know the pain I felt today because of you!" She punctuated each word with a kick until he lay there nearly dead. "You don't speak to me unless spoken to." She walked back into the water seething.

After nearly an hour had passed she heard, 'Catori,' her eyes opened at the sound of her voice.

'Azira!' Catori let out a sigh of relief.

'Yes, it's me. Welcome back.'

'Have you been here the entire time?' Catori asked she whimpered and Catori knew the answer. Catori was silent; she missed her wolf but she wondered if having her around would be a problem. Azira was crazy over Zion.

'He replaced us,' She began howling and crying and Catori's heart broke. She understood Azira was an extension of her. And she took the brunt of her pain so if Zion was hurting her, he was killing her wolf. She would never beg him to choose her and only her she never chased Zion, Azira did. And now that he had taken another she would be damned if she shared her mate or begged him to choose her. She was the f*****g Chosen how dare he. But here in the privacy of her own home, she cried along with her wolf at her loss. She could not stop crying, she felt broken.

'And the nerve of him to sleep with her and then call me sweetheart,' Catori wept. She cried so hard that her eyes became raw and even in her sleep she cried. Blaine sat and listened to her tears. He felt terrible that he was the reason she suffered. What could he do though it was done now?