The Return of the Chosen

Too much power

HER -Focus

Catori had just teleported to Listeria when she heard Selene say, "It's time."

Catori took a deep breath. Never time to rest, she thought as she returned to earth. In search of River.

She found him in the midst of an argument with Shannara. "I hate to interrupt."

"Please do!" River said, his frustration clear to see. As Shannara was in tears, still yelling at River.

"I need you to jump with me and no time to talk." She grabbed his hand and they teleported 24 years into the future.

"Holy s**t!" River gasped,

"Where is she?" Catori asked flatly,

River sniffed the air, "close I can feel her."

"Which means she can feel you, so she knows we are here. Let's go." They started walking as River's eyes darted around, "we are not in Mystic Moon, where are we?" He asked as they had landed on a very busy street, it appeared. He spotted a woman walking into a bar. He grabbed Catori by the shoulder, pointing, "there she is." There were a few other businesses close by and it must have been a new development because Catori also noted the open field nearby.

They headed in the direction of the bar. They watched her as she slid into a booth.

"Is she waiting for us?" River asked,

Catori stood back a second, "she is up to something. She is waiting for someone."

"Holy smokes!" River said, "that's me." River laughed with amusement.

Catori grabbed his arm, pulling him away, "old River can't see young River," Catori whispered. River's mouth dropped open,

"Old!" He was appalled. His smile dropped as reality hit, "Oh my goddess I have streaks of gray hair." He said sadly.

He walked off, "River!" Catori whispered as he returned standing beside her. "I forgot you could do that," he had shifted to the guy they passed on the way in.

"Yeah, what about you? Got any new tricks?" Catori reached into her pocket and put the invisible cloak over her, "this will do for now."

"Amateur," River mumbled, earning an elbow from Catori,

"Ouch!" River yelled and everyone turned to look at him, including Akoshka. She turned and looked at River. They went to approach her when a girl walked over carrying a baby in a car seat. "Is that my kid?"

'Oh boy, that was not expected. I thought for sure she would have devoured it.' Catori said,

'f**k this, that b***h is giving me my kid.' River growled,

'River wait!' But it was too late. He walked right up to her table and sniffed the pup.

"Hey asshole, what's your problem?" The girl she was talking to barked at River,

"Only that this is my f*****g kid your holding!" River spat at the girl with Akoshka,

"Oh, this is the son of a b***h you told me about Tara?" The girl sat the carseat down and gave River a wicked smile. Catori watched as she threw a bolt of power, knocking River through a wall, who is this b***h. Catori thought. Akoshka smiled mischievous as the girl went running to finish River off. Akoshka reached for the baby but Catori grabbed her and she vanished.

"No no no no!" Akoshka screamed, but it was too late because Catori landed in Zion's office. He looked up and she dropped the car seat. "Do you have a ski mask?" Catori vanished, reappearing in a convent store. She snatched one off the shelf and headed back to the future. Zion sat in his chair looking confused for a few moments. He walked over staring at the chubby cheeked baby. He sniffed and leaned back. Oh thank Goddess he thought it was not mine, 'River come to my office.' After a few minutes and no reply, he started to wonder what was going on.

River was lying on his back. Staring at the sky as the Shewolf came charging at him. She had knocked the breath completely out of him. The shewolf dove into the air, she was met with a kick in the chest by Catori. She fell back sliding leaving skid marks in the grass."Ole b***h you have no idea who your f*****g with," the Shewolf hissed.

"Your funny now turn around and go home little girl before I spank your ass!" Catori laughed, which infuriated the Shewolf.

"Show yourself b***h!" The Shewolf growled,

"I didn't come here for you. She is who I want. Now back off before I break you." Catori hissed,

"I said show yourself!" The Shewolf stomped her foot and power began to surge through her. Catori could feel it building. She watched in amazement, wondering why this girl was not dead yet. She saw Akoshka come running out of the bar. She looked back at the girl as her eyes glowed. Catori bent down, healing River. 'You get Akoshka while I handle Bam Bam over here.'

Then she took a bolt and tossed it, hitting the car. It rolled, "Nooo!" The Shewolf screamed. "What did you do?"

River ran up to the car that Akoshka had managed to get herself put in. His sharp claws extended as he went to plunge her heart and Akoshka's eyes opened. She laughed and vanished.

'She jumped Cat!' River said to her.

'Damnit!' Catori hissed, 'lets go'

The Shewolf ran to the car and she screamed. So loud and piercing, Catori grabbed her ears. Catori looked at her, "she needs to die." Lifting her hand she went toward her. Hitting her, she went tumbling back, landing hard she slid in the dirt. Catori used her power and lifted the girl. She tossed her into the bar. 'Cat, I think we should go.'

'Why?' she asked as she stalked her prey.

"You don't feel that!" River yelled nervously.

Catori did feel it power, way too much. This was not a balance way too much. Catori snatched the girl, bringing her to her knees. "Who are you?" Catori asked.

"Let me go or you will regret it!" The girl growled at her with a smirk.

Catori began to deliver a number of harsh blows, "b***h, you bow to me or die. How f*****g dare you defy me?" Catori grabbed her around the neck, the girl screamed. "I bow to no one but my mother."

"Then let her bury her defiant little b***h," Catori hissed as she took her nails and plunged them into her chest. She pulled her bloody nails back and looked at the girl, "Awe sweetheart, today I will let you live because the next time we meet you can watch your mother lick the dirt off my shoe. Any friend of Akoshka is an enemy to me." She kicked the girl in the chest and she fell over. Catori grabbed River and they teleported back to Mystic Moon. Landing in Zion's office, Catori tasted the blood on her claws. "It's bitter, odd."

Zion stood holding the pup,"where the hell were you?" He said as she and River stared at each other. "I left her there with that-" River was so focused on leaving his pup that he didn't seem to notice her amused look, he did catch her nod toward Zion and as his eyes turned toward his alpha he noticed he was holding his pup. At that moment, he knew he and Shannara were over. He would always choose his children. River did not want a child until he looked at her and he realized he couldn't live without her. "Isn't she pretty?" he mumbled, gonna have to protect her, "girls." He sighed heavily. Catori studied him, "You better get to the gym,Pops." Zion patted his back.

"When did you grab her?" River asked.

"When she tossed you through the wall," Catori said nonchalantly.

"So you to went after Akoshka without me." Zion asked as Catori's scent hit his nose. His eyes narrowed, "You're in heat."

"Oh boy, time to go, I mean girl.Paton, no Bambi," River said as he made his way to the door. "Bridgette, Shameeka, Danielle, maybe Jessica." He said, looking lovingly into his baby's round chubby face.

"Thanks for the help, River." Catori called out, waving goodbye. She turned to look at Zion, "I'm going to go now before-" she had not even finished her sentence when Zion practically pounced on her. Pulling her into his arms, he sniffed her,

"How are Cat?" He sincerely asked.

"Coping," she whispered as she took a whiff of his minty breath with a touch of whiskey. Just being close to him made her body melt. She bit her lip as she contemplated. She looked into his eyes and could see his concern.

"I will be okay, Zion." She said as her body seemed to crave his touch. She involuntarily pressed her middle against his.

"You are so thin Cat, I can't remember you ever being this small," he said as one finger tugged at one of her wild curls.

"Stress and pain." She went to pull away but he tightened his grip, "Just let me hold you for a few more minutes."

"Zion," she whispered, looking at him. She sighed as nice as it felt in his arms. She knew it could only lead to one thing and she had not completely made her mind up. "I have to go to the Alpha conference alone."

"I'll go with you, Cat," Zion said as his hand dropped from the small of her back to cup her buttocks. He pressed her against his massive hard-on. "No I'm not showing up with you and Leilani, absolutely not." she hissed as the friction caused a slight moan to escape her lips.

"Catori, I will reject her," Zion said. He touched her forehead with his and she saw the image of him sitting with his parents. Alpha Lucas, demanding he reject her and Zion, saying "I will always choose Kaleigha." Tears rolled down her cheeks. "I was going to ask Talmage at the conference to take her,"

"And if he refuses," Catori asked.

Zion's eyes changed colors and she now knew Czar was in control. "he has no choice."

Catori looked at Czar,

'Azira, what do you think?' Azira came forward but she was silent.

"Well, let's see how things play out, " Catori said. In truth, she had also decided that night she would give Talmage the option of taking Leilani if he said no, she had every intention of killing her. Either way, she did not plan on leaving that conference without Zion.

"You will come home and we will start over." Zion pressed his lips against her mating spot."I don't know if things could ever go back to the way they were."

"Fine, then we will pave a new way. Nobody will ever love you as I do Catori. You already know this." He grazed his lips over her mating spot and her knees weakened. She instinctually went to pull away. As her lately parts were now doing flip spots. And her n*****s hardened after brushing up against him. "Zion" she sucked in a breath as her body began to stir. She leaned in, unable to resist. She kissed his lips. She heard a low growl as he lifted her, placing her on the desk. He kissed her as she moaned in pleasure. She reached for his buckle. "I need you."

"You're gonna feel me baby you just wait." He said as his pants dropped around his ankles. He pulled her panties to the side, rubbing them against her wet slit. Catori grabbed hold of his p***s, guiding him into her sweet spot. Zion growled as he slid into her. Both hands on her eyes. He went deeper and deeper. The piercing scream rumbled through the packhouse. Zion stiffened as he realized he was deep inside Catori, her tight muscles stroking him as she began to thrust. He simply could not pull away from her as her soft moans danced in the air music to his heart, mind and soul. The screams were louder and more agonizing, but Catori was lost in pleasure. She was also in heat, so if he removed himself before he finished, things could get ugly. Azira would most likely come forward and at this point Leilani would die. Zion made a choice with incredible restraint. He stood there and allowed Catori to do the work until she climaxed. Then he pulled away, 'What are you doing?' Czar growled.

'Czar, we are killing Faye!' Zion growled, 'You f*****g think I want this?'

'I want her!' Czar growled.

'So do I but not like this!'

Catori opened her eyes and she could tell Zion was conversing with his wolf. She also could hear Leilani's cries and she realized what was happening.

"Reject her now and put her out of her misery." Catori said to Zion,

"Cat, she is in pain now. If I do it now, she will surely die."

"Fine, I will kill her myself." Catori said,

"No! Give me until the Alpha conference. Allow me to go to Talmage and-"

"No Zion! Surely you know how painful my heat will be."

"Cat I will go-"

She vanished just like that, "Damnit!"

'You will go to him now!' Czar demanded.

'You are as unreasonable as she is. The man is not here and will not be back until the f*****g conference.' Zion was annoyed as he felt Faye's pain, and pulled his pants up. Walking around his desk he tried to talk to Cat but, as he suspected, her blocks were up.River had a headache and finding Shannara at his door made things no better. "What is that?" Shannara asked as he approached.

"My child, she was rescued today by Catori. So that should certainly be the nail in the coffin. Go away Shannara." He said simply,

"Just like that?" She asked, looking at him with pain in her eyes. Just then Janine came walking down the hallway carrying Thomas's very active little one. "River who is this," she asked, looking at the car seat.

"Cat rescued my daughter today. I haven't named her yet." He said, tugging at the baby's foot she was carrying, "and this little guy seems bigger since I last saw him."

"Oh yes, Tyler has a great appetite. Oh wow, I just realized they are siblings. We have to sat up playdates so they can spend as much time together as possible. " Janine slyly eased in as she looked toward Shannara.

"I'm not busy now, wanna come in?" River asked,

"River, we are not done talking." Shannara snapped,

"Yes we are. You decided before you met me you did not want me. You decided you wanted no part of my children and now I have a new baby so I have decided to end this. Go find the Alpha that you deem worthy of Shannara and leave me alone." He pushed open his bedroom door, allowing Janine to enter. The last thing she heard was Janine say, "I think Lily is a pretty name, she looks like Lily."

Shannara stood staring at her and started to knock again, but apparently he was just not trying to hear her, so she did the only other thing she could do. She walked away.

He was so angry with her and just over her behavior. This was known to her because she always got her way with men, but River was not the same. She had pushed too hard and now he was simply done. She attended the meet and greet. She had met several alpha's that had interest in her but she had none in them. Janora was so excited about all her options, but Shannara just didn't feel like there was a fit. She knew what her mate's touch felt like. Did she want to be a mom? No! However, if this was the way she had to go about getting and keeping her mate, so be it. First thing first was confronting Janora. She found her at the hospital helping out with Dr. Arden. "We need to talk!"

"Oh honey it's late. Can't it wait until I get home?" Janore asked,

"No! I love River, and I don't care if I look like a fool. I want to be with my mate!" She said, stomping her foot.

"Shannara," Janora whispered, "are you sure about this?"

"Yes I am. You should support me." Shannara said, waiting for her rebuttal.

"I do. If this is what you want, so be it." Janora said,

"That's it?"

"Yes you love him, be with him." Janora said simply. Shannara looked confused but she stormed off. Now she stood outside the packhouse pacing, "Hey Shannara," Thomas approached her.

"Hey," she mumbled as she nervously paced,

"You okay?" He asked,

"No." Shannara burst into tears.

Thomas gathered her in his arms and allowed her to cry on his shoulder.

"Is this about the kid?" Thomas asked,

Shannara's shoulders shrunk.

I guess everyone knows.

"News spreads fast in a pack," Thomas confessed,

"I don't care about it, Thomas, I just don't know how to get him to see me anymore."

"Shannara, may I be Frank?" Thomas asked and she nodded in response.

"You're really pretty. Anyone that does not see you is blind," Thomas said,

Shannara smiled at him. She never got tired of hearing how pretty she was. "Go home and quit chasing him. If you love something sometimes you have to let it go."

Shannara let the tears roll down her cheek, "Thanks Thomas." She whispered and pulled herself together. She did go home but she didn't sleep. And the next morning she was called to Zion's office.

To her surprise, River was also there. "Yes alpha?" Shannara said,

"I received a call from Alpha McArthur of the Western Winds. He said he met you at the meet and greet. He would like to invite you as his plus one for this year's alpha conference." Zion looked at Shannara as she stared blankly back at him. Just then Janine came to the door, "Hi sorry interrupt, I came to get Claudia."

River walked over to her, handing her the baby, "I had a great time last night, River."

Shannara blinked a few times and then quickly said, " Alpha, none of the shops are open and I will need a dress."

"No, actually, the Alpha will be sending a car to take you shopping if you accept the offer," Zion said.

"Then please tell him I accept." She turned and brushed past Janine, rushing back to her room.

The burn was the worst part about being rejected. A constant ache from a broken heart. How did people survive this? What fool would choose another over someone that made them feel alive? She hung out in her room for hours. She kept hearing Janine say "I had a great time last night, River." The depression washed over her in waves. She just didn't want to be there anymore. See him with another. Shannara stood in the window as tears poured from her. The night was calling her. Did she really want to put on a pretty dress and prance around like everything was okay? She looked out at the moon. Stripping down to her panties and bra, she walked out of her room and through the packhouse and into the night air. She normally would have been too modest for this but she was stricken with grief. She shifted and headed toward the woods. She remembered River taking them to a spot when they toured the territory. A private place, where you could be alone. She ran, howling in despair along the way. Something in her felt broken and she refused to do this. For the first time, she had no concern about Vargas. She just ran and when she did hear a Vargas approaching she sped up, thinking she wanted to go her way. She would rather plunge to death than be torn apart. She didn't hesitate. She ran full speed toward the cliffs. Her heart was racing. She took a leep but felt herself being pulled back. She yelped as her fur was yanked and she tossed backwards, landing with a thud. She had one purpose: to jump. She shifted immediately, scuffled to get to her feet and went for the edge, but this time he grabbed her, "What the hell are you doing?"

"Just let me go!" She screamed, beating his chest. He shook her but she was still fighting.

"SHANNARA STOP IT!" River yelled at her and she froze. Looking up at him, she burst into tears.

He gathered her in his arms, trying to understand how they came to this. "Shannara, why?"

"I can't do this. It hurts." She looked away in shame.

"But-" he sighed.

"I will take all of you. Every part of you. I don't care if you have a thousand children or have no rank at all. I don't care, I just want you. I can't live without you. I can't breathe." She looked at him desperately.

"You mean that," he asked, a little surprised at her turn around.

She shook her head. Turning her head to the side, she offered her neck to him. River wasted no time sinking his teeth into her mating spot. Shannara shook with pleasure but wasted no time grabbing his hair; she sank her teeth into his neck.

River wiped her tears, "we are one now."

Shannara wrapped her arms around him. Smiling brightly, "you scared me." He whispered.

"I'm sorry."

"Come on, let's go home." They made their way back to the packhouse. Janine stood outside River's room holding Claudia. Shannara stood with one hand covering her breast and the other covering between her legs. "Um, shouldn't you be on your way home?"

"I am home Janine," Shannara tossed her hair to the side, displaying Rivers' mark proudly. "Now hand me my daughter and stay the f**k away from my mate. And I will not say it nicely again….bitch!" She took the child from

Janine, "come along Shania, it's past your bedtime." She said to the baby, rolling her eyes at Janine.

"Sorry," River mouthed as he followed behind his mate.

Earlier that same morning, Chastity woke with a growl. The baby was screaming at the top of his lungs.

"Chandler, if you don't shut him up!" Chastity hissed.

"I've tried babe but nothing works." Chandler huffed as he walked the crying baby.

Annoyed, Chastity pulled the pillow over her head. "I came in here to get away from the screaming. I have to work, Chandler. She snapped, letting out another low growl, "And I do not!" Chandler snapped back. He was exhausted and Chastity, although she claimed to understand the fact that he had no choice in the matter, she had been absolutely no help at all. Chandler found it odd that she had no dealings with the baby at all. "I was hoping maybe you could watch him so I could at least get an hour of sleep."

Chastity snatched the covers back and glared at him, "Absolutely not!"

"Why not?" Chandler asked,

"Because he is not-" she stopped herself before she went too far. Rolling her eyes, she pulled the covers up over her head.

A few minutes later, she lay curled up on the couch as a soft tap came to the door. Seconds later, she heard her sister Janette's voice. "Thank you Janette, I swear I was about to go crazy." Janette laughed, taking the screaming baby. "No need for that. When was the last time he fed?"

"I fed about an hour ago," Chandler said,

"Did he give you a good burp?" She asked Chandler, looking confused.

"In the beginning, it's a little difficult for them, so after you feed him you have to give him a little pat. It's uncomfortable for them and the only way they can tell you something is wrong is by crying. You will learn his cries; it's kind of a way of communicating." The baby let out a huge burp then gave a sigh of relief.

"Awe there it is, I bet that is much better." Janette said softly to the baby.

"Jeesh I feel bad now my guy just had to burp." Chandler ran his fingers through his hair.

"It's okay. Be patient with yourself. Your little one has had a hard beginning. Imagine being brought into this world and your protector is nowhere to be found. Not having a mom has to be hard. He had an unfair start but he is lucky because he was you. The Goddess has a way of righting past wrongs." Janette gathered the baby's things as Chastity lay on the sofa taking in her words. Righting past wrongs, oh my goddess, I'm such a fool. She thought to herself this baby had the same start she had and the Goddess blessed them. She had thought that Chastity would see past what happened and embrace this child. How many times has she wished things had been different? Things could be for this child. Janette's words had resonated. Chastity sat up, "Oh did I wake you?" Janette asked. Chastity walked over and hugged her sister. "Thank you."

"For what," Chastity gave her a knowing look as she took the baby and finally really saw him. "Cyson is what we will call you. Hello baby I'm your mama. I will protect you, I promise." As if the baby understood, he reached out, brushing his fingers against her face. Janette had turned into a big crying baby since having her own pup and Carson died. She gave a teary smile as Chandler gave a sigh of relief. He had been praying she would come around. "Janette, thank you for coming over, Sis but Cyson is going with mommy to work and I need another hour of sleep. I got this,"

"Are you sure?" Janette asked.

"Yes." Already the baby had laid his head on her chest, giving a sleepy yawn. Chastity walked over and lay back down this time with the baby in her arms and soon they were both asleep. Chandler saw Janette out and went to lie on the bed but he felt alone. So back he came scooping up them both and carrying them into the bedroom. They snuggled against each other with Cyson still in Chastity's arms.

The following days came with ease as Chastity settled into her new role as mother. Even her relationship with Chandler seemed to improve. He started voicing his fears about the possibility of Akoshka coming for them. "That dome of protection would be wonderful right about now," Chandler said.

"You're right it would be. For everyone, with all the pups belonging to Mystic. We need to find that book." Chastity called out to Catori, but no answer. She had been unresponsive since the night of the horror show. Vanessa, Chenoa and she tried reaching out to her but she never responded. Did she blame them? Chastity wondered constantly. She also, oddly enough, found herself chatting with Shannara a lot. Now that she and River were officially mated she had found that they both had something in common which neither knew what the hell they were doing and were completely winging it. Janora had met an older Alpha from another pack and had packed up her boys and left. Leaving Shannara all alone, she and Chastity began to lean on each other more and more. When they were completely stumped and their mates as well, they went running to Zion. Their Alpha simply had a way with pups. Zion was awesome and always loaded with work, but still would offer advice when needed. He seemed sad to them though and everyone was hoping he and Catori found their way back to one another.