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.

getting to know each other better. The atmosphere is upbeat and friendly, but Cora still

mind links me, "Kas, you okay with Persephone hanging that close or you want me to ask

She seems like she wants to protect me, but

Tyree know. Just give the word if you want US to step in," he confirms. Out of the corner of my

US know there are refreshments set up further in the atrium. Cora takes my hand and gives it a gentle squeeze before

my sisters, with 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

alright?" I ask,

looks at our joined hands, then up at me. Tears fall from her already watery eyes,

help you. Let me take some of this pain away. You don't have to suffer

the path, away from us. She is crying so hard that she can't hide her sobs. Two of

difference between her and Lenora. Lenora

of her mate is still too fresh. She's having a really tough

hear that, but I am also glad she didn’t have to see what happened to him," I

nod

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

Our emotions hide to protect US.

is, her group is called Agrios. In English, it translates to the Feral," Katherine steps in, 'They live most of their lives as wolves in the wild. They

it sure does," I look at Cora and smile slightly. This is an ability that I get from her. It has saved me so many

US. So, when things don't go according to plan, Tessa kind of...well..." Kathrine gestures down the path Tessa ran down, "But I assure you, the only other person I would trust with my life is my