The Return of the Chosen

birthday shenanigans continued

Chenoa was taken completely by surprise by the party. Tabatha had gone all out and Chenoa was so grateful. She couldn't believe her entire pack had kept this a secret. Everything looked perfect and she could not thank Tabatha enough. Kreis came and gracing her with the biggest diamond ring. And they danced and drank a lot. So much so that she almost lost track of time. Until she spotted Chastity waving her over.

Tabatha asked permission to leave the territory saying she was going to hang out with Zara. And when Chastity spotted them below heading in the same direction, Chenoa was pretty sure they were going to the same place.

'Um Tabatha, where exactly are you heading?' Chenoa asked as she looked down and spotted Zara's SUV.

Tabatha thought it over,

'I'm going to confront Catori for not coming to your party or inviting us to hers. It was a rotten thing to do and she should know it hurts.' Tabatha blurted out.

Chenoa laughed, 'See you there.'

"Oh wow, Chenoa and Chastity are heading to the same place," Tabatha said to Zara,

"Hmmm, this might just get interesting," Zara smirked.

Catori could not believe how beautiful everything had looked. Amaralus had truly gone above and beyond just to make her happy.

All of the women had beautiful gowns on with their hair done all up. And Catori felt like an absolute princess. She could not quit smiling. And although the ladies showed up and showed out, Amaralus made her feel like she was a queen and the most beautiful girl in the building. She truly felt like Cinderella. As soon as they arrived, he led her to the stage and made an announcement. "My beautiful mate is in the building y'all looking fabulous. Look at my baby," Amaralus said to the crowd proudly as he grabbed her hand and held it up as Catori turned around in a circle so he could see all of her, "Yo Dj, Dj! Play that song. We are about to slow it down just for a minute because I wanna dance with my baby and every time I hear this song Cat, you jump into my mind. Y'all, she got my heart and I can't see life without her!"

Catori was beaming and when a song Catori had never heard by an artist named Toosii called favorite song started to play, she melted into him. As soon as Catori heard the words she started to cry and Vanessa did not help as she stood at the side crying along with her. Amaralus was telling her he had her back through the words of the song. Catori just held on to him while they slowly danced. She couldn't say a word. Amaralus wiped her tears. "You okay baby?" He whispered in her ear.

"Yes I'm just so happy," she whispered back to him. He kissed her forehead so sweetly. Catori danced for several songs until she was tired and thirsty. Amaralus had led her to the stage where he had a throne for her to sit on and watch the festivities. "Oh, I have one baby!" Catori yelled over the music, "My turn! This one is for us, baby!" Catori yelled. Vanessa was taking shots left and right, "You better slow down girl or Kade is going to be carrying you out of here." Catori whispered in her ear. Vanessa looked at her and grabbed two more shots off the tray floating around. Through a mind link, Catori told the Dj what song she wanted to hear. He looked up toward the stage and she winked at him. He nodded and Queen Naija and Big Sean, hate our love and started to play. "This is our song baby," she whispered in Amaralus' ear. Unfortunately, she was tipsy but she couldn't get drunk and the reason why washed over her as soon as she announced those words. She felt Zion's presence. She closed her eyes because she was hoping it wouldn't come to this. 'Please go home, Zion. Whatever you are planning, just go and let me have the only piece of happiness I have had since I have been here. I'm begging you.' Catori said. She didn't even look up, she just continued to dance.

Zion listened to the words of the song she picked for her and Amaralus and anger and jealousy coursed through his veins. "She will hate you if you kill him. Do you really want it this way?" Zion looked beside him and there stood a woman. Something was odd about her though. Suddenly, her eyes began to glow. "Lanunda?"

She laughed, "Lycan King, fate is on your side, be patient. Things will go your way, it is destined. I suppose patience is not a virtue of yours. Hmmm is that not how you got into this predicament?"

Zion looked at her. He was so aggravated a tear ran down his cheek, "Your telling me to walk away and let another man claim her," Zion growled,

"Yes, Lycan King, I do not agree with the path either of you has chosen, but I understand the choice she made. I might be biased because I am her keeper, but I will never understand how you choose a chosen mate over a fated one. It's like being given gold and trading it in for copper."

"I didn't want her to die because of me!" Zion sighed,

"But you're killing your true mate slowly every day. The pain you feel in this moment she felt for years. Still, she was willing to make it work, but you chose loyalty to another over love. Your priorities are skewed. I still root for you though, because as messed up as you both are, you're still her other half. Your mistakes have been hers too. If you let her walk away, fate will bring you back together. You just have to trust the process." Lanunda looked at him, reaching over, he wiped a tear away from his cheek. Zion didn't even know he was crying. He looked at how happy she looked, and it hurt like hell that it was not him she was dancing with. That it was not him that put the smile on her face. Yet he had played it fast and loose and he lost. 'I'm calling it off, guys go home.' He had found two shifters, new to his pack. He knew he had to go hard because it was the only way Catori would leave Amaralus' side. One of the shifters was to look like Akoshka and the other was to look like him. He was to appear as if he was chasing behind her, Akoshka. When Catori saw this she would have come, leaving Amaralus free in which he would take that moment to teleport before him and rip his heart out.

Zion pushed through the crowd, as Catori spotted him. Leaving, she thought, why is he leaving? As if he read her thoughts, he looked back. Their eyes met momentarily. 'Bye Catori, you won, I hope you're happy. I hope he makes you happy.' Zion turned and walked out. Catori heard clapping as the music began to play a more upbeat song. 'Azira he left.'

'Isn't that what you wanted?' Azira scoffed, fading away.

Yes, of course, that's what I wanted. Catori thought, wasn't it? After all this time, her heart still ached. She was not about to let Zion ruin this moment. She looked back to see Kade taking a bottle of Hennessy to the head. Females walked by trying to get his attention but he kept a steady eye on Vanessa. Catori suddenly felt sick like she couldn't breathe. Something felt…off.

Zara was rethinking her position as they pulled up. She saw Zion walking away so hurriedly that he didn't notice them. She wasn't sure she wanted to put a face to the man that she was low-key trying to destroy. The feds were investigating Amaralus now, so his assets have been frozen. Two more of his businesses had gone up in flames. She had to admire the fact that, even so, the man knew how to throw a party. "Oh wow, I feel underdressed. How are we going to get in?" Tabatha asked,

"Step to the side of the building." A voice said,

"Chenoa," Tabatha gasped, no one was there.

She and Zara walked to the side of the building. Suddenly, the invisible cloak was removed and there was Chastity and Chenoa.

"Well, hurry up, we don't have all day." Chastity snapped,

Tabatha rolled her eyes and stepped under the cloak along with Zara. They walked right past security and headed for the stage.

"Hey wait, we should search for Zion!" Chenoa said,

"Why?" Zara asked "he just le…." Zara froze, "Oh no!"

Chenoa looked at Zara, "Your timing sucks Zara!"

"Is it your heat?" Chastity asked, looking back at them. The wolf thing was still somewhat new to her.

Catori felt them as soon as they approached, "Ah hell here comes the drama." She whispered to Amaralus.

Amaralus leaned back to look at her, "What is it ba-" he froze as the most glorious scent hit his nose. His eyes darkened and his wolf came forward, 'Mate' he growled,

"Yes I am your mate and I can't wait for," Catori froze as his wolf shoved her to the side, sniffing the air.

"No no!" She cried,

Amaralus' Wolf dove from the stage and let out a ferocious growl. People began to scatter, clearing a path that led right up to, "Zara!" Catori growled,

Naudia did not back down, 'Mine,' she growled back at Catori, ready to fight for what was rightfully hers.

Catori went to shift but Azira refused, 'No not my mate!' Azira growled,

'But Azira!' Catori teared up as she looked at Chenoa, Chastity, and Tabatha, all of them standing there with a look of shock or pity.

"YOU JUST HAD TO COME AND TAKE THIS FROM ME! ONE DAMN NIGHT I ONLY WANTED ONE NIGHT AND HE WOULD HAVE BEEN MINE!" Catori turned crying into Kade's shoulder because he was the closest one to her. Vanessa came out of the bathroom looking around, "Awe look everyone, the gang's back together again!" Vanessa squealed,

"Oh shut up Vanessa!" Catori snapped as her eyes reddened,

"Ooooh Cat, don't do it please!" Tabatha begged. She could tell that Catori was about to make Zara feel her wrath as her eyes darkened with fury.

"I'm tired of people taking s**t from me," Catori hissed. Suddenly, she was standing in front of Zara, claws out, she slapped her across the face, digging her nails into her skin, leaving behind a permanent scar. Zara went sliding across the floor. She was going to snap her in too.

Chenoa wanted to intervene but Catori was too unpredictable since her return. Chastity, knowing this, grabbed her arm, shaking her head wildly, 'Not a good idea! She is blinded by rage. She might really hurt you,'

Catori wanted to hurt Zara, and see her bleed. She stalked up to Zara and stood there. She felt people coming toward her, she snapped her fingers, freezing them in place. Only Zara was able to move, "Kill me! Do it now! That's the only way you will walk out of this building with my mate."

"Oh my f*****g pleasure b***h but first," she grabbed Zara by the throat, lifting her to her feet, "he is not your mate, he is mine!" Catori's eyes began to glow, 'judgment' A voice came from her, Catori began to read her and started to laugh in all honesty she never expected to find anything useful to use against her. "You don't even deserve him. You're a w***e you have been sleeping with Quamir and inflicting pain on Amber knowing they were mates. Why should I not keep him and make you suffer as you did her? You think you are above everyone else because you are a special wolf?" Catori asked her,

Zara did not answer. Finally, Catori said, "How much does it mean to you?"

"Everything," Zara growled,

"Fine, then I will give you all the pain you have given Amber and, if you can take it he is yours. If you s**t yourself, throw up or shed one f*****g tear, I'm taking him." Catori touched Zara as the pain She put Amber through hit her ten times harder, she felt like her insides were being twisted inside out.

'Suffering much honey?' Catori taunted. Kneeling beside her, she stared at her coldly. She sadistically watched as Zara squirmed in agony. 'Do you hear her cries?' Catori asked as Zara struggled not to cry, but for once she felt ordinary. The pain was so intense that Zara began to seize and still Catori would not release her. Amaralus dropped to his knees and howled in pain. Catori was in her own world. She heard nothing around her. She was locked in on Zara foaming from the mouth, twitching as her life slowly drained from her body. Catori felt cold as stone, emotionless. It wasn't until she felt his arms around her, whispering in her ear, "Cat, release her. This isn't you, please let her go." It was only then that she turned away from her to look into Zion's eyes. Zion's heart broke when he looked at her, he felt her heart crumble and rushed back as quickly as he could. She slowly began to let the reality of the situation sink in and her shoulders shook as she cried, she felt weak, exposed. She had let Amaralus in and now, just like Zion, she would have to learn to live without him.

Catori felt too weak to move, she curled up in a ball and cried like a baby. Zion looked around, giving Catori a moment to release the pain. A moment later, he leaned over her and scooped her up. "Release them Cat," he whispered. Catori released them and Zion turned to walk away when Amaralus yelled, "Catori!" Zion went stiff, he wanted to keep walking but he instead turned toward the man's voice. It wasn't about his anger realizing this moment was about her, he turned so she could see him, "I'm sorry," he whispered, "I… love you," Amaralus said before his wolf took over again. Catori growled, blowing fire in his direction. Zion turned and walked away. Everyone fell forward as they were released. Tabatha ran her hands over Zara, trying to heal her. Chenoa walked over as well, lending a hand. She was in pretty bad shape.

Zion drove in silence as Catori sat in the passenger's seat crying her heart out. She was crying so hard that at one point he had to pull over so she could vomit. The rain came soon after. "Catori, you shouldn't be alone tonight," Zion said.

"I won't," she said, sucking in a breath, "take me to the water."

Zion gave her a horrified look, "Catori, the last time you went under the sea you were gone for years. Please, I will stay with you. No strings attached."

"No Zion, don't you f*****g get it! I don't want you! You give me nothing but pain. I hate you," she hissed and suddenly she disappeared. He

Catori reappeared at the water's edge. "LUSCA! LUSCA!" she cried out. Catori let out a scream that shook the Earth as a whirlpool opened, sucking her in.

Zion was on edge as soon as he got back to the packhouse he was bombarded by people.

"Son, thank Goddess your here! Did you do it? Did you stop them from mating?" Luna Rochelle asked,

"No, I didn't have to intervene. Amaralus' found his true mate." Zion said wearily,

"Oh Zion, that's great!" Luna Rochelle said with excitement.

"Mom, it's not I thought it would be but you should have seen her. She was a wreck. This really hurt her and she wouldn't talk to me. She just left. She went back to the sea.

"Zion, she will be fine. Unfortunately, we have bigger fish to fry," Rochelle said sadly.

"What is it now?"

"Janora found Leilani passed out in her office today. Zion, she tried to kill herself."

"What!"

"No she wouldn't do that!"

"She did and when I went to her room I found these," Rochelle pushed the letters toward him.

Letters to Talmage saying if he could not have her she would kill herself.

"This is not like her. I have to see her."

"Zion, we have already confronted her and she is denying everything." Luna shook her head sadly as Zion headed for the hospital with Rochelle hot on his heels.

"Leilani!" Zion walked in and as soon as Leilani heard his voice she reached for him.

Zion gathered her in his arms, "they are trying to make me feel crazy Zion. I didn't try to kill myself. I'm not suicidal!"

"What the hell is going on? What happened?" Zion asked,

"I had a few drinks and I remember that part vaguely. Your mom confirmed that she left me there and later Maddy found me and," she started to cry, "I know it scared him because he couldn't wake me and he called for Earth and Elijah. Zion the boys saved me and then it was foggy but I woke up and they were shoving letters in my face saying I tried to kill myself!"

"I saw those." Zion looked at her concerned like he was trying to read her,

"I didn't write that crap, Zion." Leilani snapped,

"I believe you, it's just that I did see the sketch pad."

"Zion it's a freaking stress reliever. The Chosen showed me those images. I just drew them. It means nothing!"

"Okay, calm down." Zion stepped away from her. Dr. Arden showed him the reports. Leilani had a high concentration of wolfsbane in her system.

"Why are you assuming this is not murder instead of suicide?" He asked Dr. Arden.

"We hadn't drawn any conclusions." Dr. Arden explained,

"Then why was I told by my mother she had tried to kill herself?" Zion asked,

Ddr. Arden handed him the letters. Zion shoved them in his pocket. "Do not mention suicide to her again, she is not crazy or suicidal," Zion said firmly. He went marching back to his office. His head was throbbing. Rochelle came strolling in a few minutes later, "You okay Son, you look stressed."

Zion gave her the side eye, "Mom, have you lost your mind? Did you really think I wouldn't realize you tried to kill or notice the handwriting?" He said, rubbing his temples,

"Honestly, Zion, I didn't care. Leilani is getting in the way of your happiness and if you refuse to get rid of her I will one way or another," Rochelle's hands shook,

"Did you forget you're the one who pushed me into taking her in the first place?" Zion asked,

Rochelle shrugged, "I know the part I played in this. That is why I'm doing what you and Catori refuse to do."

"Mom no meddling, I mean it, Mom," Zion warned,

"Fine, but it was a perfectly good plan." Rochelle pouted,

"Mom, you tried to kill," Zion said in dismay,

"It would have worked too if it wasn't for that kiss-ass Sarah going to ask if the boys could have ice cream, just give it to them already. Who cares?" Rochelle huffed. Suddenly, Zion really missed his dad.