Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

I sit on the edge of the bed in the silent room. So this is what twenty-five feels like. I wonder if a hundred and twenty- five will feel just as good. What about two hundred and twenty-five? I laugh to myself at the thought as I head into the bathroom.

I look in the mirror and run a brush through my white hair. None of the sparkly gray came back when it grew in four and a half years ago. I examine the mirror closer. It looks like there are some more violet flecks in the light gray of my irises, but maybe that’s just me being hopeful. I still don’t have any abilities other than being able to shift and mind linking other pack members. 

I splash water on my face and brush my teeth. There will be time to shower later before the pack Summer Solstice party and pack run. I pick up some toys that made their way into the closet room and find a dark blue sundress to wear. Once I am changed, I look at myself in the full-length mirror and smile.

When I get into the living room, Marco comes up and gives me a giant hug, lifting me off the ground, “Happy Birthday, Kas.”

“Thank you, Marco,” I give him a peck on the cheek before he puts me down, “ What are you two up to?”

“Nothing for you to worry about, Luna. We will see you two for the pack run tonight,” he waves and shows himself out the door.

“Where are the kids?” I ask, heading to their rooms to collect them.

“Delilah has them. They are helping her with the surprise chocolate cake,”

Bronx stands and walks over to me with a big smile. He kisses me deeply, then looks into my eyes, “Another fleck of violet in there, I think.”

“Yeah, I thought the same thing,” I giggle at him.

He puts his hand over his heart and tilts his head at me, “Forever my favorite sound. Come on, I havea surprise for you.”

“Bronx, I asked you not to get anything for me. We're going to have hundreds of years together now. Material things are not worth it,” I insist, trying not to whine.

opens the door to his Range Rover. He picks me up and sets me in the seat before he buckles me in

we going?” I lean my

driving to me, Kas. Maybe when you are a hundred, you will be interested in learning how to do it

desire to learn

restaurant in the middle of nowhere called Jimmy’s BBQ. He has taken me here once before. I remember the

booth she keeps reserved for Bronx, she takes us outside and to the little

didn't understand why. He just

he leads

spoke to Shelly and figured it out. Kas, there is someone very special who we would like you to meet,” Bronx says to me once we are sitting in the

hallway from the bedroom, holding a little boy's hand. He has white blond

meet Andy. Andy

freeze as I look at her. She nods happily and gently

to find my voice, “H- hello,

very pretty, ma’am. Please don't cry,” he tilts his head and uses his sleeve to wipe my

Shelly's husband is a hybrid? Werebear and werewolf?” Bronx says sitting next to me, “and that his werewolf

sniffle as I admire the little boy who is

at Blood River and had some blood work done. Would you believe there is not a drop of werebear blood in his system? He’s a pure werewolf, Kas. In fact, we have never seen werewolf DNA so pure. It's almost like he is

smiling proudly at me, “ Mommy said that makes me special.” “Oh my Goddess, yes.

Andy become a member of Blood River was a good idea. Werebears are pretty solitary, but Dave knows wolves need to be part of a pack,” Bronx

smiling at me, then back Andy again, “Andy, i-is that what you want? To come to Blood River and be part

and Daddy could visit whenever and I would get to stay