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.

he says as he leads me to the garage and opens the door to his Range Rover. He picks me up and sets me in the

I lean

me, Kas. Maybe when you are a hundred, you will be interested in learning

learn how to drive.

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

for Bronx, she takes us outside and to the little cabin next to the restaurant where she lives with her

kept bringing me back here, and I didn't understand why. He just

say, confused, as he leads

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

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

like you to meet Andy. Andy Latmus

happily and

to find my voice, “H- hello, Andy. It’s a p-p. Sorry, it’s a pleasure

his head and uses his sleeve to wipe my tears away. He puts his little hand in mine

werewolf?” Bronx says sitting next to me, “and

remember that,” I sniffle as I admire the little boy who is the reincarnation

here went to the doctor last week 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 the first

at me, “ Mommy said that makes me special.” “Oh my Goddess, yes. Your mommy is right, it makes you very special, Andy,” I smile and nod

and asked if I would have him tested. When we got the results, they asked me if they thought having Andy become a member of Blood River was a good idea. Werebears are pretty solitary, but Dave knows

back Andy again, “Andy, i-is that what you

to stay with these people called Gammas. They came to visit. They’re really nice,” Andy beams