The Return of the Chosen

No peace in death

Kane Brown, Her-blessed and free

Catori was so not in the mood for dealing with the council and she was completely in full blown heat. She was popping the pills to reduce her desire, but it was getting ridiculous and the fact that Zion knew this pissed her off. Of course, she understood that, their mating could kill Leilani. At this point she didn't care. On top of that, she had ignored 3 summons from the council. The last came with a threat. So she appeared at the council and was directed to a room that held one other occupant. She was walking in looking around and she saw him sitting with his legs crossed up on the table leaning back with a cowboy hat covering his face. The man was huge. He had to be Lycan. Without removing the hat, she heard him mumble, "You got to be f*****g kidding me." Removing the hat he opened one eye to peak at her. Letting out what sounded like a frustrated sigh, he nodded in respect. She looked at him and almost felt like her body pulled her in his direction. The heat was getting intense. Her mouth watered as she looked at his rocky-hard arms like boulders and, "Have a seat."

His baritone voice made her panties drip. He reached out a hand, "Severn Jackson."

Nice strong grip, she thought. He was handsome with a salt and pepper mustache, "what made them summon you?" He asked as his eyes fell on her hard n*****s. He licked his lips. Catori dropped his hand but her eyes stayed locked on his.

He chuckled, "Sweetheart, can you open a window? My wolf is doing backflips."

Catori nodded and walked over and opened the window, "sweet goddess," she heard him mumble.

"I have not Chosen a pack or joined one. I'm sure that is why I am here." Catori said, walking back over to him.

"Same. You couldn't postpone this due to, uh your condition?" He shifted, uncrossing his legs, likely because her scent had his c**k standing to attention and now crossing his legs was difficult.

"Apparently," she said, reaching in her pocket and popping another pill into her mouth.

"Those may help you, lady, but they don't do a damn thing for the gentlemen you encounter." The Alpha smirked. They could hear howling throughout the building. As the unmated wolves howled as her scent hit their noise.

"That is going to cause problems," Severn said as he could hear the men getting rowdier.

"The door opened and Catori lit up. "Vladimir!" She ran to him, throwing her arms around him.

"Hello Chosen, welcome back." He said in a delightful town, "I hear you too are causing problems again." He teased. Taking Catori's hand, he twirled her around to get a good look at her. "You look fantastic. May I?" He gave her a knowing look and she knew he was asking to see her wound. She nodded and lifted the back of her shirt. "Oh Catori," he turned to look at her and wrapped her in his arms. His embrace was so comforting she suddenly felt a sting in her heart. She was reminded of the bond with Dorkis she had shoved into a box and placed in the back of her mind. Valdamir looked at her, "You have changed."

She nodded and she knew this was true. She had changed. Before being stabbed in the back, losing her mates, she had a false sense of security. It is gone now. She didn't have the need for relationships and people as she once had. She just wanted one loyal mate by her side. As always it was if the vampire read her mind, "People are always changing like the tide. They adjust to their environment and their situation as you had to. Don't punish the ones you love for doing as you did just in a different way. They suffered too." Valadimir placed a finger to her forehead and the day Zion appeared on the doorsteps of the council played out. Her Lycan was so angry and hurt she could feel his agony. When it was over, she looked up at him but he was not done. He touched her head again, playing back his stay at Mystic and a conversation with Zion asking for help to get Elijah. She had left him with a lot on his plate. Her anger and jealousy refused to allow her to see his pain. She felt conflicted now. He sat and they spent nearly an hour combing through conversations he had with Chenoa over the years. It was not their words he wanted her to focus on, but their feelings. Finally, he patted her hand, "Second chances, redemption, just think about it." Now his eyes went back to the Lycan that sat lazily in the chair with his face covered once again with his cowboy boots. "Alpha Jackson, I hate to disturb your nap." Valdamir said to him. Severn feeling the attention on him, he placed his hat over the bulge in his pants, giving them both an unbothered expression. "I do not want anymore pack members. I am happy with the twelve I have"

"That is not a pack, Alpha, everyone must do their part," Valdamir insisted.

"Why?" The Alpha said, "I have no interest in a pack full of chatty females trying to take Elly's place. I am fine

And so is Valaun." Severn looked annoyed as he stretched out.

"How is sweet little Valaun?" Valdamir asked,

"She is well. She misses her mother, of course." The Alpha sounded strained as he said this.

Valdamir looked back at Catori and saw the sparkle in her eyes. He knew everyone had an order and there was no use interfering.

"And you, dear, you still have not Chosen a home pack?" He asked her.

She reached in her pocket and took another pill, seeing that the Lycan rolled his eyes frowning in discontent.

"I was supposed to mate with Amaralus Grey on my birthday but his true mate showed up."

"Amaralus found his true mate?" Valdamir asked,

"Do tell." The Lycan leaned forward for details.

"Zara-" Catori began,

"Zara!" Both men said in unison,

"You know of her?"

The Lycan chuckled as if it was a silly question, saying, "She is a special wolf."

"She has done work for the council," Valdamir said.

"Oh, I guess I missed a few things."

"Did you really?" The vampire asked. She knew what he meant but was not sure how to describe her experience. She was here but she was there. The other side seemed clearer, the events here seemed distant, although if she focused they would become clear. She found it draining though and maybe because she was in a state of recovery. Or perhaps grief. She could not contain her bitterness. Maybe because she was there and she saw a lot and tried to intervene a lot, but it had done no good. She still lost her mates, still lost time with her kids, she didn't feel like she had much of an impact. Maybe she should have just healed. "What do you plan to do now, Catori?"

She was silent as she thought it over. He looked at the Lycan, "You sir, will you consider taking on a few more members?"

Gruffly the Lycan howled, "how many?"

"Fifty," Valdamir said firmly,

"No." The Lycan said flatly.

"45." Valdamir glared at Severn.

He laughed in return, "five!" Severn retorted,

"35!" Valdamir strained out through clenched teeth.

"Hell no ten tops!"

"25 and and they will be mated couples and children, no single shewolves." The men glared at each other.

"20 and you have a deal." Severn grumples. Valdamir smirked, then the men shook hands.

"May I go now?" the Lycan asked, annoyed.

"Your dismissed,"

"Good I'm starving." He stood stretching. Catori took him all in. Lycan men were definitely built differently. 'No use wondering about big d**k energy' she said to Azira 'his d**k is as big as my arm.'

'I am very uncomfortable. Will we take him here on the table?' Azira asked.

Catori could not help but blush 'I was going to buy him a drink first.'

"I'm starving too," she said, licking her lips. The Lycan paused, clueless to the fact that she was talking about something entirely different than food.

"Care to join me for lunch?" He asked only because he didn't want to be rude. She knew he did not desire her company.

"Yes I'd like that." She said, "Valdamir, it's been a pleasure. Until next time my friend."

They shared a warm embrace and then she followed Severyn outside. She had every intention of teleporting to Al's until she saw Severn climbing on the back of a Harley-Davidson-low rider. "Are you coming or not?" He asked Catori. Without a word, she slid on the back of his motorcycle and wrapped her arms around him. Catori loved the feeling as the engine came to life and even more so as the wind blew through her hair. "I love this, oh my goddess I feel so free." Catori squealed as Severn chuckled. Somehow, although he was driving, she was leading. They pulled into Als parking lot and Catori got off the bike still feeling the tingle between her legs from the motor. "What is this place?"

"Al's barbeque and the food is delish." Catori said, leading the way inside. As soon as they entered, every male turned to look at her. Her scent seemed to have an affect on the human males too. "Maybe we should order our food to go?" Severn said as Al came out to greet them.

"Oh Al, good to see you!" Catori smiled. Al gave her a hug, "Hey Al, what's special today?"

"Now Chosen, anything on the menu is the special for you dear. Who's your friend?"

"This is alpha Severn Jackson and I can't wait for him to see what you do to those ribs." Catori beamed,

"Yes, of course, follow me this way." As he led them through the restaurant, the men started getting a little rowdy, making catcalls.

"For goddess sake," she reached into her pocket and pulled out the entire body and went to chug, but Severn grabbed her hands.

"Does that have side effects? Maybe you should start with two or three," he suggested. All looked around puzzled as he noticed the men's behavior, it was so peculiar to him.

"I'm in heat Al and-"

"Oh!" he held up a hand, "say no more. I have a spot a little more discreet, but the ambiance is not as nice."

"We'll take it!" Catori said,

"Yeah, we just wanna eat." Severn agreed.

Al led them toward the kitchen and to a little room not much bigger than a broom closet, but there was a booth inside. "Will this work?" He asked.

"Perfect." Catori said, settling into a booth.

"Great one of my girls will be back shortly to bring you the menu." Al said as he dismissed himself.

Severyn was so tall he had to duck to get inside. Now his huge frame struggled to get comfortable. "Are you okay?"

"Oh I'm fine." He said, tapping on the table as if he was playing the drums. She smiled at the Lycan. A girl walked into the room and, although she was older now, Catori immediately recognized the teenager. Her mouth dropped open, "Sara"

The girl froze a second as she took Catori in, then screamed with pleasure. Catori rose from the booth and they embraced. Amanda and Al came rushing in to see what the commotion was, "Kaleigha!" Her sister ran to her, throwing her arms around her too.

Al and Severn just stood back observing as the girls and Catori were in tears.

"Look at you two all grown up. What are you doing here?" Catori asked.

"Al is our grandfather. He and grandma fought for custody of us and they won!" Amanda explained.

"Not long after you left the center," Sara explained.

Catori looked at the girls with their blond hair and blue eyes and at all who was African American. "My daughter is biracial and their dad was white so…" Al chuckled.

"Oh" Catori nodded, because Al had the skin the color of night. The girls, however, did not have the appearance of an African American.

"We tell all our friends about you. No one believes us though," Amanda said.

"I can't believe it's really you. We missed you after you left." Sarah gave her another squeeze. Al gave the girls a break and they had lunch with Severn and Catori. They took a few trips down memory lane and Severn just watched at how Catori glowed as she listened to the girls talk. Her laugh was contagious to him. He took the time to check her out as she carried on with the girls. In every Alpha meeting he had ever seen her she had come off reserved. Even when she was with Zion Black now, though she was different, more confident than then, but also sad. She had a sadness behind her eyes. She reminded him of his mate. She had a sadness that made his heart break. He was constantly trying to find ways to make her smile. He was determined not to let this woman get under his skin. He did like her stature though. She was tall, stout yet still feminine like his mate was. He preferred a sturdy woman. His wolf was not much on gentleness when he was aroused, so he liked a woman built to handle the ride. She was definitely that, voluptuous. She had huge knockers, thick thighs and enough ass to share with two other women. He was sure Alpha Black had to know the Chosen and her sister together were a lot of men's fantasies. He wouldn't mind being double stuffed between those too, he thought. Realizing he was thinking of her in this way bothered him. His love had only been gone a few months. Luckily, he still had his daughter to help him carry on. Al served them with full plates of beef ribs, chicken and pork chops, with mashed potatoes, baked beans, potato salad, green beans and mac and cheese on the side. Catori was not shy about eating and after the girls said their goodbyes so they could help Al during the rush hour, her attention was on him. "So you have a daughter, Valaun it is, right?"

"Yes I do."

"Is it hard raising her alone?" Catori asked.

"Well, Chosen I have people around me that help. My maid survived the fall and she has been a dear. Also, the few pack members I have are much like extended family." Severn explained,

"That's nice, I love kids. I would love to meet her one day," Catori said as she sucked the meat off of a chicken leg. "Well, how about today? I have no plans." Severyn said,

"Oh but I do. I'm going to visit the fairies. It's long overdue." Catori said, laughing as she saw a sparkle in his eyes.

"Pies!" Severn said, earning a laugh from Catori,

"My goodness you remind me of Richard. He was a traveling companion I loved having around before my…sleep. He loved pies." Catori laughed.

"What is it like dying and coming back Chosen?" Severyn asked,

"Ah please call me Catori." Catori sighed, "which part?"

"Well, I get that you had complications with your mate. I mean he took a Chosen, right?" Severyn said,

Severyn watched as a look of disgust crept across her face.

"He did." She said flatly.

"I'm sure that was difficult for him," Severn said.

"For him," Catori said sharply. Severyn looked at her without flinching, "that's what I said."

"How do you think it was difficult for him?" She laughed in an obnoxious way.

"Well, tell me Catori, when you were sleeping what did it feel like?" He asked her.

"It was different. I spent a lot of time wandering through time and dimensions. I spent a lot of time in the past reliving moments with my mom and dad and the woman that raised me as well. I went back to the day Blaine stabbed me in the back!" She let out a soft growl, "I just rested until I heard or felt them calling out to me and then I'd try to help as much as possible." She explained.

"So it is as I thought."

"What do you mean?"

"Chosen when you lose a mate and you are left behind, there is

no traveling to another dimension. You are left behind to deal with the pain day in and out. There is no turning it off. I fear for my daughter because I am afraid I will get lost in the grief. Every day it's a struggle to get out of bed. She keeps me going though. So, yes, getting a mate is a difficult choice for one to make. You know you are cheating on the other person."

"Cheating them?"

"Oh yes, I will never ever love another as I did my Ellie. I could love someone, but never like I did her. I'm sure Alpha Black knew when he took his Chosen he would never be able to give her all the parts of himself that he gave you. Still, for his sanity and his pack his children, he had to put it aside and do what had to be done to survive." Severyn sighed, "I bet he struggles with that still. Knowing the pain you would suffer if you returned to him."

"If?"

"Well, a lot of people did not think you would return. We knew we would get a Chosen but not necessarily the one that was stabbed in the back with the blade."

"I wonder if Zion doubted my return," Catori mumbled.

"My goodness I am stuffed." Severn rubbed his belly, "do you think Al will let us take the rest to go?"

"Of course, Al is a sweetheart," Catori said, and as if Al had read their minds, the chef came in with containers empty and full. "These are a few things new to my menu. I wanted you to try dessert for you guys as well."

Catori hugged him and thanked him for his hospitality.."Al, you take care of my little angels."

"You have my word," Al said sincerely.

Severyn gave him a firm handshake and the two were off. Standing outside staring at the bike and the bags, they laughed as they tried figuring out how it would work. Finally, Catori stomped and let out a "shoot."

Severyn jumped when he realized they were standing outside his packhouse, "s**t! How the f-"

"Daddy!" They both turned as a little girl came running out of the house toward him.

"Well, I guess I have a little extra time after all." Catori shrugged.

"This is our Chosen Valaun. Say hello." Severyn said to his daughter.

Catori watched as her eyes glazed over. As they cleared, the little girl looked at Catori and gave a weak smile. She wiggled from her father's grasp and took off running.

"She has the gift of sight," Catori said. My sister Chenoa has it and her eyes used to do that when we were younger.

"Oh, I noticed it but she never talks about what she sees." Severyn invited her inside.

"No, I should go, but um do you mind if I come by later?"

"Of course not!" Severyn said. Catori nodded and disappeared.

Blaine looked up to find Catori standing in front of him. "Blaine."

"Leigh."

"Let's go,"

"Where."

"You ask a lot of questions." Catori shot him an annoyed look. Blinking, they teleported back to Listeria. "Go shower, there are clothes in the bathroom and a toothbrush. Be ready in an hour."

"Ready for what?" Blaine asked, but she was gone. Blaine looked around the inside of the house, then found the bathroom. Showering was such an amazing thing. Blaine forgot how much he loved water. He took a long hot shower and after he was done washing he just stood under the water letting it run over him.

He shaved and brushed his teeth and slid into the clothes Catori left for him, which were two sizes too big. Then he headed for the fridge. It would be worth the beating to have real food. Unfortunately, she did not have much but then he spotted the barbeque from Als. 'Leigh um there are some bags on the counter with an amazing aroma coming from them."

"Touch my food and die." Catori appeared in front of Blaine. She sucked in a sharp breath. He was skin and bones. She grabbed one of the containers and slid it to him, "you can have the rest of my ribs."

Blaine practically inhaled the food. Catori watched as he damn near bit off his own damn finger. Minutes later, he was bent over crying out in pain.

"i***t, your stomach has not had solid food in a while. Wait, why are you not eating?" She stared at him, "You are trying to starve yourself to death." Catori looked at him,

"Oh don't look so confused, Catori. Why the f**k do you think Id want to be in this life? I am a pet…a f*****g dog." Blaine spat out right before barfing all over her white marble floor.

"And am I supposed to feel sorry for you?" She asked him as he sat on his knees dry heaving.

"I don't care, Leigh, at this point. If you never forgive me, I'm fine with it. It is what it is. I just want to die." Blaine said. Catori looked down at him,

"Whatever, clean this s**t up." She said, teleporting to Zerion. Grace held her baby close to her singing when Catori appeared in front of her. "Let's go." Catori said dryly.

"Where?" Grace said, gathering things for the baby and shoving them into a bag.

"No man's land." Catori said, and once she had everything, Catori reappeared in Listeria. Blaine had just finished cleaning when he looked up and saw Grace. "Blaine," Grace whispered. She wanted to go to him but was afraid to move. Catori vanished again, reappearing in Silver Crescent 'BJ and Summer let's go! I have s**t to do.'

She stood outside of the packhouse and seconds later, BJ arrived with a screaming Summer behind him. Tabatha and Richard were following behind.

"So where are you taking them?" Tabatha asked softly but Catori's eyes fell to Spring, who stood sadly next to her sister.

"Hi." She bent down to be eye level with the little girl touching her head.

She looked at Summer, that seemed unbothered.

"Summer." She said to Blaine's daughter, "Can you not feel how sad your sister is?"

"Yes, but I don't care. I want Dora to be my sister." Summer said to her. Catori looked at Tabatha and frowned.

"It's a problem we have been working on. She seems to be very close to Dora," Tabatha said in a pained voice.

"Spring seems closer to Angel, Kevin's daughter with his mate," Tabatha explained.

Catori just looked at her, "they are twins though."

"Yes, well tell them that." Tabatha said a little defensively, "I tried separating them but they only fight when forced to be around each other."

"Summer, do you not want to go visit your dad?" Catori asked.

"Richard is my dad," Summer said.

"Okay." Catori shrugged, "Spring would you like to go on a day trip with your aunt Catori?"

Tabatha looked confused but only looked at Richard.

"Yes, that would be fun." Spring smiled at her,

"Would you like to bring your sister Angel?" Catori asked.

"Angel is not her sister! I am!" Summer said.

"Um, Summer, did you not say you wish that Dora was your sister?" Catori asked.

"Yeah."

"I'm sure you will have lots of fun together," Catori pointed out.

"We do."

"Good, well, I'm sure Spring has the same fun with Angel and, since you passed on a day trip with me and your dad, then Spring can come instead and she can bring Angel if she likes." Spring took off running to get Angel.

"I don't want them to go. I want Dora and I to go." Summer whined.

"Maybe next time. I have already extended the offer to Spring. Now you can go play." Summer crossed her arms and pouted. She didn't budge though. Catori just ignored her.

Tabatha looked at Catori and she wanted to hug her, 'Please don't.' Catori said flatly, reading her mind.

"I wasn't," Tabatha said sadly. Tabatha debated bringing up the Amaralus situation but decided against it.

Catori let out a groan as Kreis and Chenoa came out of the packhouse hand and hand.

"Hey Cat," Chenoa came to stand next to her, "I thought I felt you."

Catori just nodded and she was so ready to go.

Kreis stood behind Chenoa wrapping an arm protectively around her waist. Catori ignored the pain in her heart and back at the small intimate act. She noticed her pain always seemed greater when her ex mates were around their Chosen mates. She would surely need to soak tonight.

'I hate this for her.' Tabatha whispered to Richard.

'She must feel really alone.' Richard said back to Tabatha.

'Well, she's the one that shut everyone out.' Tabatha said to her mate.

'Maybe we could plan something that would force her to have to spend time with us. Then she would remember how good it was to have us in her corner and maybe-'

'Remember what it's like to have friends. No, I'm tired of kissing everyone's ass and begging for people to love me. Am I that terrible a person?' Tabatha asked Richard.

"OH MY GOD WOULD YOU TWO SHUT UP I CAN HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS!" CATORI GROWLED.

Tabatha's mouth dropped open and Richard just stood looking stupid.

Kreis and Chenoa looked stunned as well. When Catori looked at the embarrassed looks on their faces she immediately knew they were sexing each other up, "Gross." She said, frowning at them. She walked off and stood by herself until the kids came running back. Then, taking their hands they all landed in Listeria. Of course, Blaine and Grace were missing as the baby lay sleeping on the couch.

Oh, they better not be in my damn bed! Catori thought as she went charging down the hallway, kicking open the door. No one was there. She shrugged as she heard BJ calling out “Dad.”

She was on her way back up the hallway when she heard a whimpering sound. Sadness hit her and she followed the feeling by pushing open the doorway. She found Grace holding Blaine crying. She walked over and stood stunned a second before springing into action, “What happened?”

“Grace moaned as she struggled to speak while she cried, “He hung himself. He said he was going to the bathroom and I found him dangling from the ceiling. HE WON’T WAKE UP!” She cried. Catori’s face looked pinched as she blew life back into Blaine's body. He jolted up right, taking in a deep breath. His eyes were bulging as he looked at her oddly.

“There will never be peace for me again, not even in death.” a single tear rolled down his cheek as Catori wondered what he meant.