The Return of the Chosen

Cursed

Cursed Vivian Green

Catori blinked a few times as if coming out of a daze. She saw Leilani still struggling to breathe, squirming around as Zion held her helpless as her life source began to drain. He didn't have to say it with his words, his eyes said everything he was begging her to save the woman that took him from her. All she wanted to do was watch her die slowly. Would it be enough? Will it ever be enough? Catori's strength had ruptured her windpipe. She could not have her boys carry guilt because she lost control. She reached over and placed the tip of her finger on her neck and let her healing powers run through her body.

"Thank you, Cat," Zion said, relief washing over his soft features.

"Don't thank me. I did this for my boys, not for you. Every day I am back on this earth. I wish I was still dead. You are a curse, Zion Black. You have given me nothing but pain. Remove the mark." She demanded of him.

"But-" Zion began,

"REMOVE THE MARK!" Catori yelled at him. Her hurt could be heard through her quivering voice. Her pain was so raw.

"NO YOU GAVE ME A WEEK AND THAT IS WHAT I AM TAKING! HAVE YOU EVEN THOUGHT THIS THROUGH? WITHOUT A MATE YOU WILL BE AT HALF POWERS. YOUR ENEMIES WILL COME FOR YOU!" Zion yelled,

"So be it! Besides, if you don't know, you're replaceable too." She abruptly stood and walked toward the nursery.

Catori walked into the building currently used as a nursery until the pack house was completed. The two women working bowed and so did the children. She walked over to her boys. Looking at Earth, "You bit Maden," Earth nodded his head up and down, "Why?" she asked the boy.

"He called me peepee boy," Earth said, looking up at Catori with huge brown eyes.

"Why were you teasing your brother Maden?" Maden was shaking. Tears rolled down his cheek. Zion walked in and was about to intervene when Elijah touched his mother's arm, "Mama, can you take it off when you talk to us, please? You're scary when you're mad." Elijah said, trying not to show fear and be brave for his brothers. Catori sits on the carpet next to them. She leaned toward Elijah and he removed the necklace. The hardness is her disposition immediately softened. And Zion felt her, he felt in a way that he had not since her return. It was so much hurt, he wanted to comfort her but he knew she would not allow him to.

"Why are you wetting the bed, Earth?" She asked him.

"I don't know mama I'm scared," Earth said, holding his head down. She grabbed his chin.

"You're still having bad dreams? Why didn't you call me?" Catori felt horrible that she was not there.

"We can't if you don't sleep and when you have the necklace on we can't reach you," Elijah explained, for Earth who stood beside him, nodding in agreement.

"I didn't know that. I'm sorry baby I would never block you out." Tears ran down her cheek.

"It's okay mama." Elijah grabbed her face and kissed her head.

"Mama, why do you not sleep?" Elijah asked.

"No sleep makes you cranky, that's what daddy says." Earth pointed out.

Catori pointed at her chest, "makes me cranky?"

"Everybody mama," Earth said, curling up in her lap.

"Okay, back to business, Maden, why were you teasing your brother?" Catori asked.

"I don't know, I guess it was not very nice," The boy said, rocking back and forth nervously.

"You're right. It is not nice to tease people, and Earth, why did you bite Maden?" She said with a stern voice.

"Mama," Earth looked up at her as if she should know the answer, "because I wanted him to shut up," Earth said.

"Look boys, one day you are going to be great leaders and it starts now. You are examples, so I expect you to be on your best behavior and it starts with treating each other kindly. No more teasing, biting, or kicking." Catori said sternly, which made Elijah sniggle.

"Elijah, I'm serious what you both did was completely wrong. You never hit adults. If there is an issue, you bring it to daddy or me. If I ever hear that you two, three," she looked at Maden, "have pulled a stunt like this again, I'm going to tell daddy to spank you and I have had one of daddy's spankings, not fun." The boys all looked at her oddly, "Mama?" Elijah gave her a confused look.

"I think you owe Mrs. Thang an apology," Catori said. Maden looked up at her suspiciously, catching that she did not much care for Leilani. Catori looked at him and down at her boys snuggling against her, "Maden, why are you there and not here?"

"You're mad at me. You don't like me anymore?" He said, shrugging,

"When did I say that?" She asked him.

"Come put your hand on my heart." Maden took two steps, placing his hand on her heart. He looked up at her and smiled. Then slid next to her too, "I spent as much time with you under the sea as I did Elijah. I love you too."

Zion felt a sting in his heart. He had to fix this. He could never let her go. As much hatred and animosity as she had for Emoni, she still embraced Maden. She was one of a kind in Zion's eyes.

"Catori," Maden said to her and she kind of knew what was coming. She also smiled inside because she felt Leilani come to stand next to Zion without looking back.

"Yes, Maden," Catori said, patiently waiting for what she knew was coming.

"You said you would help me save my mommy," Maden said.

"Hmm did I?" Catori sighed, Maden placed a finger on her head, sharing her words.

"You said you were not my mommy, but you knew my mommy," Maden explained.

"All very true. Maden you know things were a little different than I was a bit ...." Catori searched for the words.

"Out of it. I know, but a promise is a promise, and you promised not to kill her." Maden was quick to add.

'Zion, she can't do that! Say something,' Leilani pulled at his arm.

Zion looked at her and back at Catori, 'She hates Emoni, she will never.' Zion said to her. Catori thought this over. Surely they knew she could hear their thoughts. 'Maden doesn't know her and she is dangerous. Remember what she did to you!' Leilani said, which rubbed Zion wrong.

'Leilani, please stop saying that. You act as if you didn't trick me into marking you.' Zion said sharply.

Did she? Did she force my mate to mark her? Had this bond between her and him been forced? "Zion," Catori said, rising, she walked over to face him, "Maybe we do need to talk," Catori said, Zion's eyes lit up. "Of course,"

'You said you would not talk to her alone. That we would only talk to her together to show a united front.' Leilani reminded him.

Catori waited to see how he would respond.

'This is the first time she has agreed to speak with me. Hell she suggested it. And every time you are around she shuts down. I am sorry I must do this without you.'

'Zion, if you talk to her alone you are telling her-' Leilani tried arguing but Zion shut her down saying,

'Damn it Leilani, my decision is made!'

'Fine, if you do not wish to handle this, I will!' Leilani snapped.

"Maden can not be near EMONI! I am his mother, Zion and I have already discussed this!" Leilani said, "and I would think after what she did to him you would feel the same." Leilani said, holding Zion's arm. Catori looked at Zion and back at Leilani, "boys" she called out, "can you meet me by the waterfall in a few minutes!" She felt her temper begin to boil.

"Yay!" The boys shouted in unison as they left, running toward the falls. She waited until she knew they were out of earshot.

Catori looked back at Leilani, "From the moment I returned, your feelings have been placed over mine, his true mate. Yet I am supposed to give a f**k about his experience. I value you myself as much as I do anyone. In fact, I am the Chosen. You should be grateful you are above ground. You ignored warnings and still took My Mate and you live!" Leilani stepped back, "Oh don't fear me honey you thought this was just about me. Both of you are fools. You offended my Mother the Goddess. Her fate for you will be way worse than anything I could do for both of you. Did you really force him to mate with you?"

Catori asked Leilani. She began to shake as she contemplated her words. Leilani looked at Zion, 'did I really offend the moon Goddess are we...cursed?'

"Whaaaat no why would you ask that?" Leilani looked appalled, "I did not have to force Zion to mark me. He wanted me to. He wanted me and I know that is hard for you to accept."

Catori reached out and touched both of them. Finding that moment in time. She laughed and stepped back, "Well, this is awkward," Catori laughed nervously, "Wow just wow,"

"Cat, I know she made a mistake, but don't hurt her." Zion began,

"Oh, I'm not because she is not lying," Catori said.

"What impossible!" Zion's eyes grew huge,

"Zion! What the hell?" Leilani was fuming, "You asked me to mark you!" She hissed.

"I did not!" Zion snapped, "I don't understand this." Zion looked like he was about to s**t a brick. Catori touched his head and Leilani's.

"You asked me to mark you and I am not so desperate to take something from someone that was not offered." Leilani's face reddened. This was all too much and she was tired of his behavior.

"But he did not offer," Catori said, and now they both looked confused as the image at that moment became clear.

"That does not make sense!" Leilani huffed at Catori's response and then the scene played out to her and Zion. While Zion experienced Leilani's experience, she experienced his.

"Honey, he was thinking about me while he was with you. It was my voice that he heard asking to be marked, not yours. He wasn't allowing you to mark him. He was allowing me." Catori watched as Leilani's eyes teared up. Looking at Zion she said with a smirk, "Quite an imagination you have, Mr. Black do you normally picture me when you're f*****g your mate." Catori's eyes began to glow as she combed Zion's mind. Once she released him she looked at Leilani, "Ouch, I guess that is what happens when you take something that does not belong to you." She gave her a look of pity, as Leilani, who looked completely floored, looked to Zion for an answer Catori asked, "Have you ever actually thought of her when you're having s*x?" Zion felt exposed, he said nothing. "Even when you tried letting me go you brought me into the most intimate moments you could share with your mate."

Zion's lips parted but no words escaped his mouth. Catori studied him for a moment. "You do not make love to her, you f**k her. And I have suffered so much pain. I don't know if this makes it better or worse." Catori turned to look at Leilani who already looked completely wrecked, "the truth is sometimes very painful. But you chose to walk in my shoes. I have no sympathy for you, EMONI will be released." She announced.

"Cat!" Zion finally said,

"Oh, I'm not unreasonable, Zion. If you wish to please your mate, I will keep her caged, and you will remove your mark from my neck. Right now, everyone is happy. Leilani gets Maden all to herself. And I will be free to replace you and you will only have one mate to be concerned with."

"Zion," Leilani looked at him desperately, "She does not even want you! Just let her go baby, it could be you and I."

"I'd listen to her, Zion, besides she needs you now. Part of her punishment for taking my mate, Infertile, Barren, fruitless, she will never have children." Catori spat out, Leilani screeched as she nearly dropped to the floor, but Zion caught her, "So what shall it be, Lycan King?" Catori asked.

"Release her," Zion said without hesitation.

"No!" Leilani broke down into tears.

"I will let Maddy know and, for his sake, she will come to no harm unless it's by my hands. I'm sure you all will be one big happy family; your mate and your baby mama. You wanted two women. This should work out perfectly." Catori laughed bitterly as she walked away.

"How could you?" Leilani cried.

He went to stroke her face but she slapped him, "You have been thinking of her when you made love to me. No wait, excuse me had s*x! You say we will be a team, then agree to speak with her alone and then you agree to release EMONI! You asked for this. You came to me and I picked you up when you were broke and gave you nothing but love. Do you even love me, Zion?" She cried "what are we doing? This is crazy, you promised me!"

Zion felt her anguish. Yet they had discussed their feelings and he did not wish to have the conversation again. Her life was on the line, he chose her so he would be honorable, but that was it. He didn't know what she wanted from him. "I'm sorry Cat," he stiffened as soon as he realized what he said, Leilani looked at him and shoved him away from her, and she ran from the room. Zion could feel Czar running circles in his mind.

'Mates are mad,' Czar howled.

"I know they are both hurting, so who shall we reach out to first," Zion said to his wolf.

'Leilani is always easier to soothe.' Czar pointed out.

'Czar, when have you ever known me to take the easy route?' Zion asked his wolf.

'Well, let's get it over with.' Czar whimpered, thinking his mates were going to drive him mad.

The only thing that seemed to still be as she remembered was the dungeons. Emoni looked like s**t and as soon as Catori saw her she was flooded with memories. Emoni did not cower in fear at the sight of her. For four years, Chenoa had beaten and tortured her in the most creative ways. She had already been broken, "Emoni. Give me one good reason I should let you live."

"I have none. I beg you to die." Emoni replied,

"Does your son mean anything to you?" Catori asked,

"Leilani will never let me see my boy and, in truth, I'm okay with it. My parents died all because of my vanity. My pack became rogues and I birthed a son that will never know me and he doesn't even have the Alpha gene." She laughed,

"Does that make him less worthy in your eyes?" Catori asked her,

"No, he is a handsome boy, perfect. It's just ironic that I was looking for a child that would be a ruler. I sacrificed everything for nothing. He is exactly what he was supposed to be. Please Chosen, I am sorry. I regret the day I ever crossed paths with you. I know I can't have your forgiveness, but please have mercy on me. Give me death." Emoni pleaded, Catori's eyes glowed and she began to read to her.

Emoni, you show genuine remorse for your wrongdoings, therefore I grant you mercy but not in the form of death. Because your son has a great desire to know you, you will remain here at Mystic as an Omega. Until I decide what to do with, until further notice, you will assist the Omegas with cooking, cleaning, and rebuilding and whatever Sarah finds fit for you to do.

Zion cleared his throat, "Sara is still healing from the fall, you will report to Destiny."

"Wait, you are not going to kill me, but I deserve to die," Emoni said with confusion.

"Maden does not want you to die, and unfortunately, I have bonded with the boy. I don't have the heart to break him as you did me. Besides, I can say from experience, living is a whole lot more painful than death," The two women stared at each other, and Emoni dropped her head in shame.

"Thank you Chosen," Emoni whispered.

"Thank your son. Guard get her clothes to put on," Catori ordered.

"I have no place to put her, Cat." Zion said. Catori nodded,

"I will take care of that."

Zion followed Catori where Chastity's old cabin used to be. With a few motions, the wood began flying from left and right. Zion stood in awe as he watched her work. 'She is amazing, isn't she?' Czar said.

'She is and she is mine.' Zion watched in amazement as Catori turned to the surrounding forest and the trees began to rise into their natural state. He listened to the wood cracking as they were worked back into a standing position, sealing back together. "What the hell, that was amazing. Cat, I forgot you could do things like this." He turned to look up at the tall trees. This would explain the complaints the council was receiving because she had started restoring the human's habitat first. "Emoni can stay here in the cabin away from the rest of the pack."

"Yes, of course. Cat, why have you been ignoring the letters from the council? Vladimir has tried contacting you several times and I have received several notices."

"This is what you wanted to talk about? Not the fact that I released Emoni, not the fact that I almost murdered your mate, not-"

"I could think of a million things I would like to talk about, starting with how are we to parent if you are blocking me out. I would of told you about Earth wetting the bed." Zion pointed out.

"Your voice hurts my ears, Zion. What do you want from me? I have told you what I want. Once you remove your mark and we are no longer bound to each other, maybe we can co-parent. You only have 2 days left and it can't come soon enough for me."

Zion looked at her and laughed, "You really think I will let you go just like that?"

"You have no choice, Zion Black." With that, she left him standing there transporting back to the waterfall. She emerged into the relaxing water. A thousand thoughts were going through her mind. As she lay back reflecting on everything that had occurred today, she was saddened. Somehow, it seemed worse to her, knowing that Zion chose loyalty to love and the one time she gave him a chance to talk, he chose all the wrong things to discuss. Zion was the first man she ever loved, the first man she ever touched or allowed to touch her. And most of the time it was really good, but when it was bad it was really bad. She could not continue to live this way and she could not, would not bend. The sound of the children's laughter was so soothing. As she lay there floating she felt it creeping up on her, the pain of her reality. Zion Black was her weakness and she never wanted to feel the way she did about him with anyone else. She did not want another man to make her feel this vulnerable ever again. She was going to reject him, she had wanted it to be mutual but it would never be. 'Can we have him one more time, just to say goodbye?' Azira asked.

'No, we would most likely not be able to say goodbye.' Catori said to her wolf.

'Cat, I will be back here in the morning to go with you to my coven.' Chastity said to her.

'Thanks, Chastity.' Catori said, she would go get alpha Talmage and meet her here in the morning.

'I'm proud of you, Catori. I know how hard today must have been for you.'

'Thank you Chastity.' Catori watched her boys until it grew dark.

"Ah come on dad, do we have to go?" Earth said to Zion as he called them from the water.

One of the Omegas stood beside him and handed them towels.

"It's okay boys, we will see one another tomorrow during nap time." Catori said as Earth lit up, waving as he walked away, "love you mommy," Elijah yelled and Earth and Maden called out "we love you." Catori smiled, blowing kisses at them.

"Can we talk before you go," Zion asked.

"I think I will actually hang out here tonight. The water is soothing, maybe I can sleep tonight." She said, closing her eyes.

'Let him join us, please.' Azira begged.

'Azira, I know what you're up to.' Catori said sharply, 'It's true. But I will leave you be. I suppose our goodbyes were said long ago.' Her wolf responded

Catori thought this over, "Zion, my mind is made up and there is too much that has happened to make me change it, but Azira would like to say goodbye to you."

"No!" He turned and walked away, "this is not goodbye, there will never be a goodbye." Leaving her floating alone in the water staring up at the stars.

2 days prior

Tabatha was not adjusting well to things at Silver Crescent. She was hoping she and Chenoa would become friends, but although she was warm with Richard, she was sharp, cold, and unfeeling with her. Her words were always short. Even though everyone had lost people they loved, she felt extra alone. Richard seemed distant from her, she knew deep down inside that he regretted their union. She was depressed, her dad was gone and it hurt her heart. Because they had not been on the best of terms, she had snapped at him during their last conversation and when she went to make things right, the look of disappointment had stung and would most likely haunt her for life. It would stay with her forever. Not to mention Luna Rochelle and Alpha Lucas' death was like losing another set of parents she had f****d up royally and was feeling it. Her pack was different from any other. The way the Alpha and Luna stepped up when she lost her mom. They were like a second set of parents and they were also gone. On top of that, she had ruined her friendship with Catori, by sleeping with Blaine, again! Although she loved Catori, how could she regret that moment when she created Summer? She had reached out to Catori several times but she always had her blocks up, so Tabatha had accepted their friendship was over.

Chastity was always catering to Chenoa or busy with her new mate. Rose was falling apart and she spent her days caring for her stepmother, who had completely given up on life. BJ seemed angry at the world. Brock was the only one that seemed thrilled because now he had two dads and when one was busy he ran to the other. Even her twins had drama because Summer seemed to enjoy spending time with Dora more than Spring, which seemed to be breaking Springs's heart because Dora did not care much for Spring. Almost as if she felt Spring would take Summer away from her and at times her attitude was as nasty as her mom's and Chastity dared not say anything to her because she was the alpha's daughter. Richard was oblivious to what was going on in the house because he was in such a hurry to get out of it. He did not see how miserable BJ was or that he was being a little turd in her opinion around the other kids or that she had told Summer she had to stay home and give Chenoa a break today. So the girls could work on their bond but Richard never knew how to say no, so off they went. And he had done this 2 days in a row. So Tabatha was super pissed. And they were ignoring each other. Janette had stayed awhile after the fall. She was a friend to lean on and they spent hours crying together. Especially now that she had lost a mate and understood the excruciating pain and torment. She was suffering from the loss of her mate, Alpha Carson, and now they were at risk of losing their territory. Her other mate, Cameron was not an Alpha, and nor was Chandler. There was a shortage of alphas. Sadly, a lot of them died during the beginning of Akoshka reign protecting their packs. Everyone waited for word from the Chosen. They wanted Catori to stop the immediate threat of territory wars at least for a year so their people could come up with a plan or alternatives. Catori seemed to be MIA. Then word got out that Catori was helping humans before her own kind. A lot of wolves felt we were doomed, forsaken. Tabatha just felt like she needed time to reacclimate herself. There was a soft knock on the door. Tabatha walked over to the door, looking at it like it was a foreign object because no one had knocked since they built the small wooden cabin. Tabatha was surprised to see Breanna among all people looking at her.

"Hi," she said nervously, "I know this is weird but I was wondering if you wanted to get out of the house with me and take a walk. I know we had a rough start and I'm sorry, but if we are going to be living in the same pack, I thought maybe we could try to get along. I know Kevin would like that," Breanna said, "and Richard too, maybe."

Tabatha just stared at her a moment and then finally she said, "Uh yeah, not today. I'm busy maybe some other time."

"Sure, of course," Breanna said, waving as Tabatha closed the door. Tabatha looked over at Spring that lay on her belly, coloring. She looked so…alone. And the girls were pretty close in age. She opened the door, "Breanna!" She said, thinking she had to be at an all-time low to be reaching out to Breanna of all people.

"Yeah," Breanna turned to see her walking toward her.

"Yeah, so… it is weird, but if you are willing to try, so am I," Tabatha said to her.

"Oh yay!" Breanna said, hugging her, as Tabatha stood awkwardly.

"You're a hugger?" Tabatha said.

"Yes, I just discovered this though. My pack was not big on affection." She admitted.

"Oh okay, I'll get Spring and BJ," Tabatha said. Brock had followed Richard out the door this morning along with Summer.

A few minutes later, Spring stood staring at Angel as she sucked on her fingers. "So hi Spring, I'm Breanna and this is Angel."

"My mommy used to have an angel too," Spring said.

"Oh, that gave me an idea. Follow me." Breanna said with excitement.

"Oh okay." Tabatha laughed as she followed her.

"You will really love it here. Silver Crescent is really pretty good, well it used to be before the fall. But luckily they are healers and look at what they have already done." She pointed at the many flourishing gardens. The men had already set the playground up. "There, that is what I wanted to show you." She pointed at an area that was simply beautiful. It was surrounded by a white picket fence and there were little white crosses. "What is this place?" Tabatha asked, looking around.

"Um, well, it's called Angels Haven in honor of your Angel. The big one in the center is hers. I created it for Kevin. After, he was having trouble sneaking into Mystic at night to visit her gravesite, so I created this space for him." Breanna said as Angel gathered flowers and walked over and placed them on the grave. "She likes bringing fresh flowers before she goes and plays. I can't believe how many others are here now. It used to be only her and one other."

Tabatha looked at the fresh white flowers. Now she remembered waking up to them when she would visit her Angel. Had it been Kevin the entire time? It was beautiful. The small cemetery fence was lined with an array of white flowers, tulips, lilies, wisteria, and gerbera daisies. Tabatha didn't wanna cry but she was so touched, "You did this?"

"Yes, I know it's not the same as her resting place in Mystic Moon, but I thought maybe it could bring you a little peace." Tabatha hugged Breanna this time. "Thank you, Breanna."

"Oh, you're welcome. Anything I can do to make you feel at home."

"Oh, can you make Chenoa like me," Tabatha said jokingly.