Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

Chapter 81

As I calm down, I feel the women back away, still staying close by.

I turn slightly in Cora's arms to see what is happening. The beautiful blonde hair woman is standing the closest, beaming at me. On the surface, the gesture seems genuine but everything else about her screams of false presences.

'Hello lokaste, I'm Katherine, your oldest sister, and Luna of the Manae. It's a pleasure to meet you again," she says to me. All I can think of is how odd of a way to introduce yourself to someone. I look at her carefully. She smiles slightly and reaches out to brush my bangs out of my face. It is meant to be a caring movement, but instinctively I feel myself flinch.

She seems to ignore my tiny movement, but I can see a minute change in her eyes as she notices. I don't know what to make of it. It almost feels like she was pleased to see me react that way, but she doesn't want to let it show.

’Please, call me Kas and it's nice to meet you too," I pull myself from Cora’s arms and collect myself before shaking Katherine’s hand, trying to be cordial. There is an uncomfortable energy coming from her as our hands connect.

"Katherine fears you, Kas. Can't you feel it? Don't let her intimate you. Be confident. Pretend you're me. Maybe we can earn her trust," Lex says quickly. Her words come out so fast, I almost can't catch them. 2

"Yeah, something is definitely off about her, but she wouldn't try to hurt me here in front of all these people, would she? We’re in the human world.

Even if we weren't, we have 2 guards and a witch with US."

"No, I don't think she would try anything here. Let's get to know everyone else. That will help US figure out who we can or can't trust," there is the slightest of snarls in Lex's voice as she becomes more protective of me.

I feel myself pushing her back, trying my best not to let her influence my feelings toward my newly found siblings. Katherine steps back and the rest of the women start to introduce themselves. They are all so warm and inviting and happy to meet me. I notice Cora stands close to me the whole time. It's almost as if she is just as protective of me as Lex is.

chit chatting and getting to know each other better. The atmosphere is upbeat

Persephone hanging that close or you

Marco. She seems like she wants to protect me, but please monitor Katherine. Something's not quite

want US to step in,"

and gives it a gentle squeeze before she leads me down the path where the staff has set up

the leaders sitting closer to me and the younger women sitting further away. Now that we are sitting, I notice how miserable Tessa looks. I look around at everyone else who doesn’t seem to notice. I internally wrestle

ask, leaning forward and

joined hands, then up at me. Tears fall from her already

some of this pain away. You don't have to suffer like this," I glance at Amari, who could have easily

one way for you to fix this," Tessa growls at me. She quickly stands and rushes down the path, away from us. She is crying so hard that she can't hide her sobs. Two of the women

and Lenora. Lenora would never cry or run

a really tough time dealing with it this time," Amari shakes her head

I am also glad she didn’t have

Katherine nod and sigh in

I look at her curiously. She seems much more stoic than Tessa when she has

to protect US. You are the

in, 'They live most of their lives as wolves in the wild. They have

look at Cora and smile slightly. This is an ability that

US. So, when things don't go according