Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

“She’s pregnant?” I ask out loud, no one in particular.

“Twins,” Reggie says dully.

“Based on how big she is and comparing her to when Musu was pregnant, we think she’s due any day. Since she hasn't eaten, her babies are basically using her body for nutrition. For lack of a better term, they’re eating her alive,” Milo says, as he brushes his hand against her cheek. He sits back on his heels and looks at her with tears in his eyes, “We don't know what happened to Lex. She hasn't been able to heal her for over three weeks now.”

“What did the doctor say?” I gulp hard. I plant my feet to the ground, afraid to move.

“You said no fucking doctors,” Reggie hisses at me through gritted teeth, “or have you forgotten?” 7

“LOOK WHAT YOU DID TO HER YOU SON OF A BITCH!” Saint's first words in weeks are pure rage against me. He tries to claw his way forward to take control and get to Kas, still protective of her. I take a step forward. A small piece of me, a deep down part that has been hidden away until this moment, still wants her. Still wants to keep her safe and protect her.

I look at Reggie, then Milo, then to Kas. I broke our mate bond, so why do! feel this way? How could I have let this happen? Why didn’t! listen to the people around me? What have I done? As I take in the scene in front of me, the lights flicker and Kas seems to have a convulsion, what little muscle she has left contracts, and she pulls her limbs closer to her stomach before it stops and the lights brighten.

“What was that?” I look around the room.

into labor. She doesn't have any magic left,

to give birth,” Milo wipes a tear

I hear myself say, pushing Reggie aside, “Give me privacy with my mate

still our Luna,” Milo stands up and blocks my way,

him out of the way, “Get out

Kas. Saint is pacing impatiently in my mind, “Fix her. Fix her now, asshole. Save our pups and fix our

She doesn't look real. It is like a gruesome caricature of who she used to be. I

come through in my voice but! still hear it waver, “Kas, I don’t expect you to forgive me. Hell, I don’t even expect you to want to be in the same room with me, but for

and faster as I speak, recognizing the voice of their father. I raise my shaking hands

I thought you didn’t trust me. But I know now. I fucked up, Kas. Please.

she gives one small nod. I take that as her permission and carefully lift her

hold her as tight as I can without feeling like I’m going to break her fragile bones and concentrate all my energy. I imagine everything she has ever told me about what it feels like for her to meditate and what it feels like to heal someone. My mind thinks about my essence leaving my

tried to convince myself I hate surrounds us and brings a sense of calm to the room. AsI hold her, I can hear her heart. Each