The Return of the Chosen

darkness consumes

Tamia-Smile

The forest of light

Upon arrival in the forest of light, Chastity was swept away and there were no introductions made. Talmage and Catori stood looking around waiting to be acknowledged.

'No one has bowed to us!' Azira hissed.

'Calm down Azira,' Catori told her wolf. She was in quite the mood.

Finally, a woman walked up to her and she knelt and everyone else followed suit. "Persephone, we have awaited your arrival for so long."

A woman approached Catori saying, "Welcome to the forest of light."

"Thank you," Catori said, 'Happy now Azira?'

'hmph,' Azira huffed as always making a dramatic exit.

"Chosen before you enter I must insist," she held her hand out, and in it was a cloth. Catori was confused, "I don't understand."

"The necklace you wear possesses dark magic," she waved her hand and an image appeared, "this is your heart. Half of it has turned to stone? How is a Chosen with a heart of stone going to help the world? She will feel no compassion."

"Oh, I wear it as I was told most of the time," Catori said,

"May I be Frank?" The woman asked her,

"Yes please," Catori said, looking toward Chastity, thinking what am I getting into,

"Did you get this from the high priestess?" She asked,

"Yes," Catori admitted, knowing full well the beef between the witches of darkness and light.

"The thing about dark magic is it's dark. Even if you create a spell, to work for you, the spell can create a spell. It is meant to consume, and cause havoc. It is darkness, honey, and there is no such thing as good dark magic. There are other ways to protect your heart. Let me throw some things together for you dear, but that has to go!" She said firmly, "at least while you are here," she said.

Catori handed her the necklace and she said a spell. Suddenly she heard the voices of all those she blocked,

'Welcome back dear! Yes, yes, welcome back!' Vladimir was the first voice to escape, 'It is a new dawn, a new day! I can not wait to see you and catch up!' He sounded so excited, Catori felt terrible, she had not taken the time to reach out to him even once.

'Catori, she is different than any woman I ever met! I think I'm in love!' she heard River saying. She chuckled thinking about the time she caught him with Chastity, when, as the elders said, he had started smelling himself. She was curious to know who had caught her Buddy's attention enough that he had reached out to her to share.

'We had so much fun Cat, you're like a sister to me. Please forgive me,' Tabatha cried, "I have so many people around me and I feel completely alone. What you're doing hurts. I get it though, I hurt you first, but Cat, we make mistakes. I'm so sorry you must give me a chance to fix this." Tabatha sounded so ...hurt.

'Catori, are you out there? If so, I hope you're the first person I see when I cross over,' Vanessa said to Catori,' We are stuck but I'm not afraid of dying because I know you went first' Vanessa cried and Catori felt like a hand had grabbed her heart and squeezed it.

'Cat I can't live with knowing I bought her into this for my own selfish reasons. I love you, my heart is not with her. Please talk to me. I'm not asking you to share. I swear I will never touch her again.' Zion pleaded,

'Mama I'm scared. It's dark in here, Mommy,' She heard her son calling out to her,

'Damn it Cat, just talk to me!' Chenoa cried.

'I feel like my life has no purpose. I miss the loop. I miss being with your mother, you must think very little of your father,' Dorkis spoke to her,

'Cat, it hurts just kill me, please!' Blaine was begging her to take his life.

"This necklace has done you more harm than good. You can't heal, love, or forgive if you are blocking people out. You have to feel to learn from it and move on from it, you understand dear?" She said in the most loving tone, taking her in her arms. Catori cried on a complete stranger's shoulder. When she finally looked up, Chastity came and hugged her, "Aunt Opal has a way of making you see things her way." Chastity stepped back, looking at her, "Catori, we love you. We are all human. We make mistakes." Chastity said, "Even me."

Catori nodded, she followed the woman inside and explained her request, "It's just too much work for one person and I see you have already rebuilt your forest."

"Oh. it was never destroyed. Akoshka always came close but would turn around," Opal explained, "I think she still remembers visiting us as a child."

"Akoshka came here as a child, but I thought Akoshka was trapped away before Earth was created," Catori said.

"Oh, you didn't know. You did not read the scriptures in their entirety, did you?" Opal asked,

"Scriptures? What are you talking about?" Catori asked, confused,

"Oh dear, it's nothing to worry about. She is dead now, but Akoshka has the ability to time walk." Opal explained,

"Time walk?" A chill went down Catori's spine, "What does that mean?"

"Well, when she was a child she jumped forward, backward, and so forth. I think the ability was taken away due to the catastrophic damage her interactions could cause, so the scriptures changed." Opal explained,

"Hmm, odd," was all Catori said.

"Yes, any who we would love to help you restore the world Chosen, when shall we start?" Opal asked as Catori tried focusing.

"Whenever you want, I would like to make an announcement first for your protection, of course, otherwise start when and where you wish" Catori smiled,

She reached over and shook Catori's hand.

"Oh, one other thing I was hoping you could help with." Catori looked at Talmage, "This is Talmage. He is searching for his sister. I was hoping you had some insight."

"Oh. You can not find what is not lost. Your sister is fine. She is with the four horsemen, that is what they call themselves." Opal explained,

"Why does that sound familiar?" Catori asked, thinking aloud,

"Oh, I know Alpha Lucas used them to do certain tasks," Chastity piped in,

"Certain tasks, like what?" Catori asked.

"Well, at one point he was in search of his brother."

"Brother, I thought Omar was his only brother," Catori said.

"He actually had a lot of secrets that no one knows about," Chastity said,

"Then how do you know?" Chandler asked,

Chastity shrugged, "people talk more freely around a dog."

"We need to go back to Mystic. Zion maybe has a contact number," Catori said,

"If he does, not so sure, he would want to help me," Talmage said, earning a chuckle from Chastity,

"What?" Catori said,

"Awe come on Cat, look at him," Chastity said, "he's all tall and big and stuff."

"Hey, eyes over here woman!" Chandler said, looking highly unpleased.

"Shall we?" Catori asked,

"Awe we just got here," Chastity whined, "WE WILL FLY BACK!"

"Oh well, here is your necklace dear. Remember my advice and Carla!" she called out. A small woman that looked like she was pretty close to being a dwarf came handing her a bag, "Try the crystal of transparency first. You can see them and they can see you. It helps problems get solved much quicker when you know how each other feels. Everything comes with instructions. Call if you have questions."

"Okay," Catori took Talmage's hand, "thank you, Opal."

"You are welcome, Chosen," Opal said.

"Catori, there is one thing you should know before we-" Talmage blinked to find himself in the office of Zion Black. The Lycans eyes seemed to bore into his soul.

"s**t!" Talmage said as they appeared in Zion's office. He was in the middle of a meeting and did not look pleased to see them, "Sorry to interrupt boys," she looked at Leilani "and b***h!"

"This better be good," Zion said, trying to keep his cool,

"Are you trying to make me jealous by showing up here with him?" Leilani laughed.

Catori frowned and looked at Zion in confusion. Talmage leaned in and whispered "Yeah, that's what I was trying to tell you. Leilani was my true mate. She uh rejected me." Talmage explained,

"The hell did he just say!" Zion roared,

Catori showed no expression at first and then, to everyone's surprise, she burst into laughter. Talmage looked embarrassed at first, but then he realized as she turned to Leilani that her laughter was not at him, Catori pointed at her, "Oh you thought I gave a damn about your feelings? Yours or his?" She pointed at Zion. Her laughter abruptly stopped and she glared at her, "Let's get a few things, clear honey. I give zero f***s about your feelings and you should be glad, because if I cared enough about him to hurt you," Catori said,

her eyes narrowing as Leilani began to feel pressure around her neck and then her heart. She began to make gasping noises. And it sounded like music to Catori's ears. Leilani began to squirm and turn blue in the face. "Catori release her!" Zion demanded, "Cat, please your going to kill her!"

"You just could not trust me, could you? Had you released her..." Catori's feeling of hurt turned to anger very quickly, "Enjoy her Zion, I swear at this moment any chains that held my heart captive by you just broke."

Catori could hear her heart beating in her ears pounding, "Arista Arra Aconite." Talmage grabbed her hand and placed it on the necklace. And just like that, Catori snapped out of it. She blinked rapidly and, Leilani fell into Zion's arms. Burying her head on his chest. "Excuse me, I'm not sure what happened," Catori said as Talmage rubbed her arm, whispering something in her ear. Zion growled. He nor any of his pack had barely been able to brush against her, yet she allowed this stranger to touch her freely. Catori rubbed the necklace as she looked at Zion holding his new love. She felt his anger at her for hurting Leilani. "Tell your mate the next time she addresses me I will snap her blubbering neck." With that, she touched Talmage's hand and said "Come,"

"Wait! What the hell did you want?" Zion asked,

"Oh, the four horsemen. Do you know how to contact them?" Catoi asked, as she purposely moved her hand from Talmage's arm to his chest. Talmage knew what she was doing. She was trying to piss the alpha off. S wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her to him.

"I will get you the information, but let's get some things clear since we are putting everything on the table, Ms. Knight. The next time you bring a man into my territory, rather a friend or fo-"

"DON'T YOU THREATEN ME ZION BLACK AS YOUR b***h LIES IN YOUR ARMS," Catori growled,

"SHE IS MY MATE! HE IS NOTHING!" Zion growled back,

"TO YOU HE IS NOTHING, TO YOU! SINCE MY RETURN HE HAS BEEN EVERYTHING YOU HAVE NOT!" Catori knew what he would assume from her words. Zion moved so quickly, going for Talmage's heart.

"No!". Before Catori moved to protect him, to her surprise, Leilani dove in front of Talmage, "No please just let them go!" Leilani begged her mate.

Catori started to laugh, "Oh this s**t is hilarious," Catori looked at Zion and then his mate, "You let me go for her and she is still burning a torch for him." Catori reached out touching Leilani's head, she laughed wickedly, "I hope you enjoyed the show boo, you played yourself when you played with me." Catori tossed her hair over her shoulders and grabbed Talmage's hand disappearing.

She was transported with Talmage back to Listeria. Talmage, who had never traveled to another dimension, landed in a fighting stance. Catori looked at him as she watched how he looked around, observing his surroundings.

"That's one hell of a way to travel, lady." Talmage said, gathering his bearings, "What is this place?"

"Listeria is land between lands. No place, some would say." Catori explained,

"It's beautiful." Talmage looked at the water and at Blaine chained a few feet away.

"I agree. Why did your mate reject you, Talmage?"

"Well," he paused, "look, Chosen, I get the whole reason you wear that necklace keeps people away and feelings at bay, but um if you wanna get personal with me, it's got to go."

"I don't trust people." She said to him,

"You don't have to trust me, sweetheart, but I feel like you're a bit robotic with that necklace." He looked at her, "See you wanted to laugh but that necklace stops you from feeling everything, doesn't it?"

"Not everything, but it does keep my discontentment down. Certain things I still feel. Like when you rubbed my arm." She stepped closer, looking at him. He was pretty to her, like a beautiful boy, not handsome.

"You like that." He sniffed and stepped back, "Um, Chosen, I don't know if you are aware of this but your scent is, Goddess…" His eyes grew dark with lust.

"Would you like to mate with me?" Catori asked, "I'm in heat and…" Talmage did not let her finish the sentence. He grabbed her, and kissed her. Something felt off though.

"What is it?" Catori asked Talmage, looking at him confused. He was extremely attracted to her but he did not feel like this was right.

"I would love to make love to you. In fact, I have thought of it before but something is not right." He admitted,

"Yes, I feel it. Maybe this is bad timing." Catori said softly.

"Yes maybe or" he reached around her neck and took the necklace off. She immediately loosened up, "or maybe this was in the way."

He leaned in again and kissed her slowly and softly. "Yes, that was it."

Catori giggled as she looked at him, "not you said I sound like a robot."

Talmage chuckled, running his fingers through her wild curly hair. "She rejected me because she did not want to know me. She said I was too quiet and reserved. Her mate, she felt, should be tougher around the edges. I was terribly shy then."

"That's stupid. You are perfect," Catori said, looking up at him.

"Maybe I guess I come off soft?" He shrugged, "I'm certainly no Lycan King."

"Yet I have a feeling there is a beast inside you." Catori smiled at him,

"She will never know." He leaned in kissing her again.

"She lost, may I show you something?" Catori asked him.

"Yeah."

Catori touched his head and he saw flashes of the life he was supposed to have with his mate. When it was over, a tear ran down his pretty cheek, "Three sons but she is barren."

"Not at all, but you can't take what does not belong to you and think all is well. Zion was meant to be mine, so the Moon Goddess punished them although it seems like she is carrying the load."

He leaned in, kissing her again, "Catori," he whispered. She looked up into his eyes and sighed, "This is not what you want, is it?"

"It's not you, Chosen, it's-" she placed a finger on his lips,

"You don't have to explain."

"I want to, you don't want me. You don't want to want him. I know you love Zion Black. I'd have to be blind not to see the hurt behind your eyes. I will not jeopardize the friendship we have built."

"Fine, guess I will start taking these." Catori took the heat suppressant from the bag Opal had given her. "I will come to see you as soon as Zion gets that information for me." She went to grab Blaines' chain and transported them back to his brother's territory. Passing the chain to Talmage, "Will you keep him for me?" he nodded, taking the chain.

"See you soon Chosen."

Silver Crescent

Tabatha, using her fist, banged on the door, Keesha peeked out the window and immediately called Holly. She didn't open the door until she saw her backup arrive. "Ladies, is there a problem?" Holly asked,

"Your damn right there is a problem. I hear you girls have been sniffing around my mate." Tabatha said, her hand on her hips.

"Honey, if you're talking about that hunk that is doing the building of the rec center-" Holly began,

"I thought it was the conference hall," Keesha replied,

"Whatever, how are we supposed to know he has a mate you are never around," Holly said,

"Don't act like you didn't see the mark on his neck," Tabatha hissed,

"Mark what mark?" Keesha asked innocently. Breanna looked at Tabatha and Tabatha looked dumbfounded.

"Besides, Unique is the one you need to worry about. She is the one that has him over for dinner some nights, we are just being friendly, is all," Keesha lied as Holly cut her eyes at Keesha.

Richard was in this woman's house! "Where does she live?"

"We don't want any trouble. Let's go, Keesha." Holly said, going back inside.

'Why would you lie on Unique like that?' Holly asked Keesha,

"She still owes me money. Payback is a bitch.' Keesha cackled.

Tabatha had a thousand thoughts running through her mind as she went marching down the street, "Tabatha, I wouldn't trust anything Keesha says. Maybe we should talk to Richard first."

"Which house?" Tabatha asked seething. Breanna pointed at a small yellow cottage. Tabatha knocked on the door.

"You Unique?" Tabatha looked the girl up and down,

"Who's asking?" the girl asked.

"Tabatha that's n-" Breanna gulped as Tabatha grabbed the girl, wrapping her hand in her hair, she slung her to the ground and began delivering a thorough ass whipping. "Oh s**t, Tabatha that's no-" Before she could finish, Uninque came rushing out of the house tacking Breanna. The women rolled around in the grass until the police patrol came to separate them. Tabatha found herself behind bars for assault of a minor and disorderly conduct. Richard was so pissed he left her in jail for two days and then it was not him that came to her rescue but Kevin and Breanna.

"Where is Richard?" Tabatha asked, Kevin said nothing. He just looked at her like he was pissed.

"He refused to bail you out. He felt you needed to learn a lesson but Kevin agreed you had been here long enough." Tabatha nodded, "Where is he?" Tabatha asked,

"Work," Breanna answered, Tabatha, shifted to Chloe and headed to Richards's job,

"Ah hell," Kevin mumbled as she went past. He saw the look on her face.

"What did you tell her this time?" He yelled at Breanna,

"The truth," Breanna said. Tabatha spotted Richard talking to none other than Unique and everything went dark as she went charging snarling, she saw blood.

Eclipse Moon Territory

Amaralus Grey, alpha of the Eclipse Moon pack, was the first alpha Catori visited when she decided to pick a new pack. She had only been on the pack grounds about an hour and he had already hit on her three times. Catori was extremely attracted to him. After finally cutting ties with Zion, she decided she did not want to be in love again, so hanging out with Amaralus may not be a bad thing. He seemed to be looking for some fun and she needed a distraction. This also meant she would not commit to his pack if she was sleeping with him. In case things get messy or complicated. Amaralus had such a smooth demeanor. She imagined he had a lot of women under his belt because he was so damn smooth. "Amaralus," Catori definitely let her flirtatious side show when she was around him. She loved just saying his name. Because when he would turn and say, "Catori," his voice always dropped a notch. He was very forward too, he would tell her exactly what he wanted to do to her and was absolutely shameless about it. "I was thinking about how beautiful your pack is," Catori mentioned to the dashingly handsome Alpha,

"I was thinking about how beautiful you are." His voice practically purred,

"But your water hole is so far away," Catori pointed out.

"You are so far away, why don't you come closer and sit on-"

"Don't you think it would be nice to have one here just in case you want a taste? I mean drink, that is." She said slyly.

"Oh, I wanna taste you baby drown me in your ocean." He said, licking his lips. The man was a horn dog. And she hated to admit it, but she wanted to be someone's slut. She hated that she was in it alone though, but Azira was completely withdrawn. Although she agreed with Catori rejecting Zion, she was having a horrible time adjusting without him. She didn't even give Amaralus the time of day. The one time she did push forward to peek at him she turned her nose up saying, 'He is not ours.' Catori found this annoying, 'he is not anyone's Azira. His mate is most likely dead,' Catori pointed out.

'Have fun with him.' Azira said as she faded away. Catori was a little disappointed, to say the least. She missed the connection she had with Zion and she couldn't help but wonder how he was doing now that she had removed her mark. The man had left a gaping hole in her heart. She had to find ways to fill it so she worked. She did notice the changes his new Luna made to Mystic Moon. Every time she was there, something was different and she was there a lot. She went by almost daily and if she didn't go she lay down and rested so she would be there when Earth slept. Zion never tried to interact with her, this probably hurt her more than anything. He never tried, he just gave up. So she was forced to move on even though her heart would always be in Mystic Moon.

Catori enjoyed being in Talmage's company too. Partly because he was so laid back and partly because she knew it annoyed the hell out of Leilani. She simply did not get the woman. She clearly still had a thing for Talmage. She followed him around the room with her eyes when they were at any conference. Everyone thought she and Talmage were dating or sleeping together, but they were really just good friends. She was slowly developing feelings for Amarulus. Partly because he was such a dog. She noticed how he smoothly talked to every female he was around and they all melted in his hand like putty. This was the main reason she held back but he gradually started to change. The man was so fine he never had to chase anyone and it drove him crazy that Catori did not give in easily, which made him try harder. Catori loved being chased, she teased him mercilessly, only giving enough to keep him hanging on. Talmage, on the other hand, was like the brother she wished Blaine would have been, playful with her yet protective. He talked her into stuff no one else could. One day as she worked he said, "Chosen look!" He pointed out a huge big screen with her working. She shrugged, the humans loved watching her, they even had a movie that was called …she wasn't sure what it was called but it was based on her life. She wondered where they got their facts. They found her newsworthy. They did report daily about the work she did. "Put on a show for them," Talmage said,

"Whaaaat no!" Catori shook her head, waving him off.

"Yes, have some fun!" Talmage yelled at her, and Catori shrugged again as she searched the surrounding car radios. She had been sipping and as soon as she heard the music she let it take over her body,

Beyonce Cuff it began to play and Catori amplified it. She walked up slowly and began dancing on Talmage. She looked as if she was seducing him but she was really just having fun. When she started twerking her ass on Talmage, he started to slap her backside, they danced, and before long people were dancing in the street. He grabbed her hand and led her toward the crowd and in the center they danced and she laughed. She hadn't had this much fun since her return. She even walked over to Blaine and threw her hands up like she was challenging him. He waved her off, annoyed. Seconds later, he even danced around for a moment like he did not have a chain around his neck. She danced and danced until she was exhausted.

When she returned to the eclipse territory she took Blaine to the dungeons, locking him away and then she shifted, going to the lake to soak. Tonight Amaralus was there waiting for her, "I have a surprise for you."

"Oh," Catori was tired and in pain, a downfall to separating from Zion. Now her pain was her own. Zion and Czar had taken some of the edges off, even his b***h took some of her pain. Now it was all hers and by nightfall, she was always cranky. "I'm tired, Amaralus."

To her surprise, he picked her up bridal style, "I love that you come home to me. You are a challenge that I love. I find myself thinking about you all day,"

Catori smiled at him, "Where are we going?"

"Chosen if I tell you, it will not be a surprise." He pointed out.

Catori lay her head on his chest as he carried her. He walked all the way back to the packhouse and around to the pack

"Oh my Goddess, Amaralus, when did you do this?" Catori was bubbling over with excitement. He had created a waterhole on the pack grounds. It was so kind. "You did this for me?"

"Yes and for me. You bathe naked or damn near. Now I can watch you from my room and pleasure myself in privacy."

"Really," Catori looked at the man shaking her head. He was truly something.

He placed her down and she walked

Into the water. She was still not ready to have s*x with another man, well she was, but she just couldn't. "Amaralus come here." She said as she relaxed in the water, he looked at her frowning.

"Take it off." She ordered. She had never seen a man undress so fast.

She giggled as he came to her. "Lay back and look at the stars with me, Amaralus, and for once don't talk about s*x!"

"Uh okay, what do you wanna talk about?" Amaralus asked.

"What would you do if you were immortal?" She asked.

"Cool," he quickly replied,

"But is it? When everyone you know has died, when the world has changed, the people you love will have come and gone. But you will still be here," Catori said,

"Yes, but this is a matter of perspective," he was silent a moment. For instance, I gain great comfort in knowing I have you as a friend. When people die, their greatest fear is leaving their loved one behind that may be mistreated, this world is cruel. I do not have that fear because of you, and I know I will not be forgotten." Amaralus said,

"I'm not immortal."

"Close enough," Amaralus said.

"I think my mate died in the fall. I always said when I found her I would be her everything, but now I know she is likely lost to me. So I was wondering if you would be my mate?" Amaralus asked. Catori was speechless.

"I…uh,"

"I don't need an answer now, Chosen. Just think about it." He said "It's late. I'm going inside now and pleasure myself as I visualize your big melons."

Catori laughed at his honesty, "Amaralus, I think you have an addiction," she laughed and reached her hand out. She took his manhood and began to stroke him.

She had never touched a man like this other than her mate. He felt foreign in her hand, but still, she stroked him until he found release.

"A surprise for a surprise, good night Amaralus." She said to him as he still breathed heavily.

Amaralus seemed fully invested in his proposal. He genuinely tried to get to know her. He once asked her favorite colors and that night when she returned, he lit the waterhole with teacup candles and there were orange and white roses everywhere. And though he had asked her to be his, he never pushed the issue nor did he ask her for s****l favors. He did not even mind that Talmage liked her time as well and the three of them could be seen together a lot. They all liked to party and the humans loved celebrating her. They had the return of the Chosen parties every other night. Free drinks, drugs, blood, s*x, and food, whatever you are into. They would dance all night, return to the pack smashed then do it all over again the next night. Catori was having a blast. She tried to keep busy and things on the outside seemed great. For the most part, she had even convinced herself she was fine. She smiled like everything was okay. She wanted to give herself to Amaralus but she felt she would be cheating him because, on the inside, her heart still longed for Zion.