Part 5 Chenoa Heals Too

The heavens are against me

Zion POV

Leilani was running like a horse that did not wish to be broken. Quamir and I had to tackle her to stop her. Even after that, I was forced to knock her out cold to get her to be still. It never occurred to me that she would not be able to handle the powers that came with the mark. The fact was I did't mark her because I chose not to, "She is going to hurt herself, look at her feet." Quamir pointed out. They were bloody and swollen from running so hard. "I would need to contain her somewhere safe. Until she can manage, but where?" I was thinking out loud more so than speaking to Quamir. In truth, I didn't care much for him anymore. I don't know why he was only looking out for his sister.

It never occurred to me that the mark would have this effect. Not that I had done it by choice. I hated hitting her but she had been thrashing about like a fish out of water. She simply could not handle the power. I'd take Leilani inside and come back to catch part of Chenoa's speech. She was seriously asking Blaine for help! I felt like every other Alpha in attendance, it was ludicrous to ask the very man that put us in this situation to dig us out. I, for one, would not be waiting around for Blaine and, given the first opportunity I got, I was ripping his heart out.

I felt like, as always, s**t was piling up on my plate. For once, though, I was okay with it. In fact, I felt better now than I had in years. Knowing the world was ending, knowing my son was flirting with darkness, and that my mate had marked me without my permission and could possibly go mad, that Blaine would be assisting or have any part in this expedition. What could possibly be worse? I heard screaming coming from inside the lighthouse and all I could think of was my kids. I ran toward the lighthouse, pushing everyone out of the way. Holy Goddess of the moon Leilani stood holding the head of the Omega as blood dripped down her arm. "Leilani, what have you done?"

Janette was ushering the children away, but poor little Dora was traumatized since the Omega was her main caregiver. The child stood screaming, clutching her sketchpad in her hand. "She disrespected me!" Leilani hissed.

"She said nothing to you!" Breanna, Kevin's mate, spoke up.

"I heard her! And you too," Leilani growled.

"She is mad!" Breanna cried.

Lielani went for her but I grabbed her, pulling her outside and once again she took off running. Without saying a word, my men went in and recovered the body of the Omega for burial. I already knew Chenoa was going to be pissed. I watched as my mate went running at full speed once again. Dirt was kicking up so much so that before long you could not see her through all the dust.

"ZION!" Chenoa came walking up to me. Chastity was running behind her trying to keep up. "What the hell!" Chenoa was fuming. I could almost see the steam blowing out of her ears.

"I know I know it's the power that's driving her mad. And there is no place here strong enough to contain her."

I was really feeling the pressure. She glared at me, looking me up and down and finally she said,

"I know a place on earth," Chenoa gave me a wicked smile.

"Noah, you really think I would leave my mate on earth, a place subject to disintegrate at any moment?" I glared at her. Was she being sarcastic or serious? You could never tell with her.

"You left Catori." She said to me, sometimes Noah could be such a huge pain in my ass, she was serious.

I didn't miss the look that Chastity had on her face when Chenoa made the offer.

"Look, Zion, I don't know what you and Leilani have going on, but I know that Omega has been with Dora since we arrived. If your mate kills one more of my people, I will rip her f*****g head off before Cat ever has a chance to." She hissed.

"Was that a threat?" I asked.

"Zion Black, you know me too well to even ask that question. It most certainly was." We looked at each other and after a few seconds I just chuckled. Damn, women were going to drive me crazy. "So, Blaine, that's your choice?" I demanded to know as I watched my mate running in circles like a fool.

"I think the same thing every time I look at your mate. And don't change the subject!" She retorted.

"My mate did not kill your sister," I snapped.

"Oh but she murdered any possibility you had of getting my sister back." She looked at me and I knew she meant every word, it was not just spite. "Maybe I guess we'll just have to see about that."

"Zion, I know you hate Blaine, hell I do too, but know this. If you hurt him, she will hurt you." Chenoa looked at me and now I sucked in a breath before laughing in her face, "You're kidding me right."

"Zion, you never had siblings." She said to me,

"Bullshit! I was raised in a pack! Everyone is a f*****g brother!"

"It's not the same," she was shaking her head as she said, "Zion, Cat will probably rip his head off and s**t down his throat, but if you flush the toilet there will be hell to pay. I'm just trying to salvage what's left for you. Walk away," I leaned in close so she would not mistake my words, "Chenoa go f**k yourself, I don't give a damn if he is your brother, uncle, daddy, whatever. He took my mate and if there is a chance for me to end him, he's dead." She must be insane,

"Fine, don't say I didn't warn you." She said,

"You can warn the whole damn world, I don't give a damn I meant what I said!" I shrugged my shoulders at her, as she turned to go. She had only walked a few feet when I asked, "Noah, where on Earth were you thinking?"

"Um, maybe we could build something here." Chastity said in a shaky voice. Stepping closer, almost as if she wanted to intervene to stop us from having the conversation. I felt Czar coming forward to listen in.

"No time for that," Chenoa said, "no worries, I have to meet Blaine, but Chastity knows where it is. She will be safe there until this is over or not." Chenoa turned and walked away as Chastity looked like a deer caught in the headlights, "spill it Chastity." I said to her.

She just spun around , tossing over her shoulder, "I'll let everyone know there will be a slight detour." she was practically running to get away from me.

Quamir insisted on going to watch over his sister. He was sure I was condemning her to death, "I will let Amber know. No way you're leaving my sister alone." He blamed me even though Leilani was the one that marked me without my permission.

'He barely knows the ways of a wolf, Zion, he has been caged for so long. He does not see as others do. Pay him no attention.' Czar advised me.

"Do as you wish, I don't give a damn." I said to him as I passed out orders. "Kade, you're in charge of the pack in my absence." I looked around at my men, "I need three strong hunters willing to sacrifice their own lives to get food for the pack." Three men came to stand before me, they were brothers. Their parents worked on patrol. Their father is an officer and their mother did record keeping. There were eight children, seven of them boys and one girl. "I will send one of you. I don't want your family to suffer if things do not go well," I explained to them.

"It's okay, Alpha, we are the best hunters and trackers the pack has." The eldest brother Bruce stated,

"And since we have lost so many men," he looked over at a few of the previous members of the Mystic Moon, warriors that had abandoned the pack, "have left us due to cowardness, I feel we should step up." The younger brother piped in, earning an elbow from the, brother the second to the eldest.

"I thank you for the commitment, but I can not allow all three of you to go. If you all were to perish it would be a great burden for your family to bear." I said to them as Chastity walked up. "That won't be necessary, Zion. I will provide the food. You boys can mosey along." She said, smiling at me. I looked at her oddly, "And how do you plan to do that?" I asked.

"Let's just say I ordered take out." She winked at me as a portal opened and a herd of cattle came running through. I looked at her in amazement as a woman on a broom came to stop in front of us. "Hey cuz long time no see." The woman slid off her broom.

Chastity gave her a huge hug, "Zion, this is my cousin Alora." Chastity was smiling so hard I had to smile too.

"You have a cousin?" I asked.

"I have a whole family. Alora's mom and my mom are sisters." She bumped the girl with her hip and they both giggled. Obviously pleased to be in each other's presence.

"You look familiar." I studied her. I never forgot a face,

'Witch!' Czar said 'Nightwalkers'

"Yes, unfortunately, we met before when the pack that I was with attacked you. It was when I first saw my cousin. Forgive me, Alpha, I was a prisoner of love." Teary-eyed, she looked away.

"Which of those men were you in love with?"

"The Beta."

"Did you know of any children he may have produced? Just curious, I took in three pups. They are my cousins and they were said to be either the alpha's or the beta's. I said to her. I saw her flinch. "I'm not aware of any children. May I meet them?"

"Of course, but unfortunately it is not a good time." I waved my hand and she nodded, "Well, actually I do need to speak with my son's before our departure come along. I can introduce you to the girls."

Alora followed me while Chastity went to speak with Janette. "How was it on the way in?" I asked Alora.

"Calm actually. The undoing is planning; she didn't suddenly tire of torturing the world. Not many living things are left and those that are have gone underground. Do you really think you can stop her?" She said, grabbing my arm.

"No I don't but I'm not trying to, I just need to stall, buy time."

"For what?" She asked me.

"For my mate to return." I heard the growl and knew Leilani did not like her hand on my arm. She was running at us like a wild bull. "Well, will you handle her or shall I?" Alora asked.

I sighed heavily "Leilani stop!" Damn, woman acted like I had not just used my alpha tone. "Very well then." Alora said curtly and whispered an incantation and Leilani crumpled.

"What did you do?" I asked her,

"I put her to sleep. She will have a hell of a headache when she rises but she will be fine." She stepped around her as I picked my mate up. I laid her on a cot inside and went to find my sons. I pointed at the girls and she went over to them while I pulled up a chair to address my boys, "Look boys, I have to go for a while. There are some things I must do that are important. Maden, while I am gone I need you and Elijah to look after Earth."

The boys looked at each other and shared a knowing look. Like always, they had a secret I did not know.

"Dad, you're going to the place with the snow to find something to help you get rid of the evil Goddess." Elijah asked as Summer came to sit beside the boy. "Yes I am."

He looked me in the eye and was silent. I watched as Dora, still with puffy eyes, sniffing, trying to hold her tears, came and sat beside Summer. Without a second thought, Summer had gathered her into a hug, comforting her. It amazed me how quickly the pups bonded. I'm sure Summer missed her other half. She looked lost to me yet she still managed to have the heart to comfort Dora. Tabatha was that way. She could be going through it but still had time to give you comforting words or a hug, or just sit in your presence so you wouldn't feel alone. "Uncle Zion," Dora said to me.

"Yes beautiful," I said to her,

"I don't like your mate," Dora said simply. Now what was I to say to that?

"I understand." I did understand the kid loved the Omega. Leilani had killed her in a jealous rage. "Elijah, we need to talk."

"Yes." He looked at me with those huge brown eyes,

"Elijah, I know that you dream walk, like your mom. Are you able to control it?"

I asked him. He looked at me and was silent, "Yes, most of the time I can control where I go."

"But can you not go anywhere? Elijah, there are things out there that will be attracted to your light. Not always good things." I tried explaining. I found it difficult though, because I did not have a clear understanding of it myself.

"You mean the darkness, Dad?" He asked.

"The darkness, where the fire is?" He asked, s**t the darkness.

"Does he mean hell? I really hope he does not mean hell." I turned to see Chenoa standing over me. I was not myself. Why I did not feel her approach?

"I'm not afraid of that place," Elijah said without blinking.

"Be afraid, be very afraid!" Chenoa bent down to look him in the eye.

"Noah," I said, and she turned and looked at me as if to say what.

"But, Aunt Noah, I have protection," Elijah said.

"Elijah, your mom is not in a place to help you out of a difficult situation." She looked at Dora and turned to give me the stank eye, "come here honey." She said to her daughter and Dora came and snuggled in her arms.

"I didn't mean mom." Elijah whispered,

"Buddy, look, do you think for now, just for your dad, you could maybe not dream walk, until I am back and we can talk more." I felt like I was always pleading with him.

He nodded and said nothing more. I hugged them all. "I will be back soon."

"Will you dad?" Elijah asked. I was not one to make promises I could not keep. "I will try with all my might. I love you boys."

"Love you dad," Maden was quick to reply.

"Love you dad," Elijah said solemnly. "Dad!"

"Yes, Elijah" I said to him.

"If something happens, I'm coming to get you, okay?" He looked at me and my heart melted.

"Look Buddy, I want you to stay here where I know you are safe. Can you promise me that?" The boy looked me in the eye and said absolutely nothing, 'He is going to be a force Champ.' Czar chuckled. After a moment, I just kissed the top of his head, "be good son."

I turned to get up so that Chenoa could have a moment when I heard Earth say, "love you." I could not help myself. I reached for my pup. "When did you learn to say that?" I kissed the top of his head, "I love you son."

As I walked out, I glanced over to see Alora with the three pups surrounding her. She looked so happy and content. It was a very warm feeling. I could tell she had instantly fallen in love with each of them.

Outside by the portal, I held Leilani in my arms. Kade would stay behind this time. Quamir insisted on going, so Amber and I had a few words because, of course, she wanted to follow her mate.

"Zion, you are not my father, you're not even my Alpha, I'm going with my mate!" She yelled at me.

"Fine, so be it. If Quamir chooses to lead you into danger, who am I to stop you?" I concluded. Quamir shot daggers at me with his eyes and finally he said, "I agree with Zion, Amber, you need to stay here. No use-"

"No!" She screamed at him, crossing her arms. "Damnit Amber, does there always have to be an argument with you? Can you please just go find something to do to make yourself useful until I return?"

Amber just stared at him, then she slapped the s**t out of him before stomping away like a four-year-old child. Zarah walked over and asked, "Zion, have you heard anything from River?"

"Why are you asking about him?" Quamir snapped. Zarah and I both just stared at him.

'Where did that come from?' Czar asked.

'I think everyone is just on edge.' I said to Czar.

"None of your damn business," Zarah snapped. Okay, what is going on here?

"He is fine under the sea, he went to warn them about what was going on in the beginning. Most of the creatures with sea beasts have returned to the safety of the sea," I said to her. She looked at me relieved as she pulled her hoody on and walked away.

Quamir, Me, Chastity, Chandler and Carson were all making the trip to Earth. Kade wanted to go but I felt like if he really saw what was out there he would run off blindly searching for Vanessa. I simply could not lose another Beta or friend and where would he begin. "Where is this place, Chastity? I asked as we walked through the portal? "Just follow me." The winds were calm but we were all still on edge. We followed her a short distance when she stopped, "Here it is." I looked around, observing my surroundings, "This is not Silver Crescent Territory."

"It used to be. We have not claimed it back since the pack was reunited," Chastity explained.

"Oh, I have been to their dungeons and-" Chastity cut me off,

"Zion, this is not a dungeon, but we can go there if you would rather. It would be a bit off course but-"

"Then what is it?" I asked flatly interrupting her, it was painfully obvious she was hiding something.

"It's a torture chamber. Chenoa requested it for…prisoners that she felt were deserving of a little more than just bars." Chastity explained, earning a giddy laugh from Chandler,

"I f*****g love that crazy b***h!" he said with boyish glee.

"She is full of surprises," Carson chimed in.

I bit my lip, "So open it."

"I think I should go in first to see what she has been up to," Chastity warned. As soon as she said a spell and the warding was removed, she pulled out a key. I snatched it, shoving Leilani into her brother's arms. I lifted the latch and walked inside. Chastity was close behind me. "Man, this place reeks!" Carson said, as he ducked so his head would not hit the ceiling.

"Smells like s**t, rats, ass, mildew, mold-" Chandler was going on and on.

"Okay Dear we got the picture!" Chastity snapped at Chandler, as I wandered around in, darkness. The lights came on and, of course, we could all see more clearly. Being wolves, our night vision was great anyway. "This place is odd," I noticed that there seemed to be only one cell and that was way in the back. Up front was a fridge, television and a cot for sleeping and a futon. I opened the fridge, "My goddess beer!" Carson and I both reached for a bottle. And quickly downed it, "So who builds a torture chamber for one person?"

My curiosity kicked in and I headed for the back when Chastity stepped in front of me, "Nothing back there for you to see Zion. Your mate is fine here, it will be warded. And there are actually two cells back there for your information."

I gently pushed her to the side and made my way to the back. She was right, a cell to the right and one to the left, but in the center was a locked door. "What's behind the door, Chastity?"

"None of your business. Chenoa offered a safe place for your mate. Here it is, now you're trying to invade her privacy." Chastity stood firm. I thought about it and she was right. I didn't need to know what was behind the door. "The hell with that, if we are stuck here I want to know who with, or what! You should too!" Quamir pointed at me accusingly.

"If he could get out he would have by now!" I snapped back, he was testing my nerves. I was trying to deal with this as best I could and I didn't need him constantly critiquing my every move, or questioning my honor.

"Of course you will say that when it comes to my sister!" He growled at me. The son of a b***h growled at me. I was not a hot-headed man, but the nerve of him. I taught him the ropes, mated his damn sister, gave him my best wishes when he mated my cousin and he had the damn nerve to growl at me. "Quamir, I don't know what your deal is but I'm not the one to play games with." I warned him.

"You claimed my sister and now she is like this because of you!" He growled again and I grabbed him by the front of his shirt and slammed him into the door. "You piece of s**t your sister forced me to claim her. I did not want to mark her. So if your pissed, be pissed at her!" I growled.

"Zion!" We both turned to see Leilani standing there, "That is not what happened you told me to mark you!"

"Liar," I snapped, "I will not allow you to dishonor my name!"

"Zion, I said I wanted you and you said take me!" Tears welled up in her eyes. I shook my head wildly,

"Leilani, that never happened!" I yelled at her.

"But it did!" She insisted and for a moment I thought back, I had told her I loved her but I never told her he could mark me. Quamir was even more pissed. I called his sister a liar, he swung. I ducked and stepped back and I kicked him in his chest and, well, Chastity's concerns went out the window at that point because Quamir went crashing through the door. I was on him, taking my fist and punching him several times. He grabbed my shirt and head butted me, the little s**t! He got a few punches off which did nothing but infuriate me. "Will you guys stop it!" Chastity screamed. I paused only to see that we were in another room. Quamir took that moment to kick me in the nuts. "You b***h!" I growled.

Carson grabbed his balls as if he had been kicked, "that was a really bitchy move." Carson said, looking at Quamir.

He paid neither of us any mind as he was looking into the torture chamber in front of him, "who the f**k are you," he growled." I'd fallen to my knees and was still trying to catch my breath. When I turned to look inside the cave, I felt I'd been kicked in the nuts again.

"EMONI!" SON OF A b***h,"I THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD!" I stood up to get a closer look. Her head rolled around toward mine, because she was too weak to lift it. Chained to the wall and wrapped in wolfsbane, she hung in her own filth.

My eyes turned to Chastity, as I stormed out, a new mate, a f*****g baby mama! The heavens are against me! I'd never get Catori back at this rate. "Give her some f*****g water!" I roared.