Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

Kas's POV

Bronx looks like a swamp monster as he walks towards me with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. I stand up when I see him, putting my hands over my mouth with a little gasp.

We make eye contact. With all the mud, I can't read his expression, but I can feel his pain. Not physical pain, emotional pain.

"IT need you," he growls as he walks past Milo and Lenora. He leans over, wraps his muddy arms around my waist, and picks me up. He doesn't even break his stride. He just keeps walking. There's a squishing sound where his skin contacts my clothes. Welp, I guess this outfit is done for.

After listening to everything Milo and Lenora just told me, I had no idea what reaction to expect when Bronx got back, but it certainly wasn't being thrown over the shoulder of a swamp monster.

"Uh, bye guys. Thanks for the talk," I wave at Milo and Lenora. They wave back with confused looks on their faces.

"Want to tell me what's going on, Bronx?" I ask as he climbs the stairs.

He just grunts as he carries me, wrapping his arms around my legs in a tight bear hug up the stairs to the fifth floor. Instead of going to my suite, he opens the door to his apartment and kicks it closed behind him. He carries me all the way to his bedroom and sits me on the edge of the bed. Instead of sitting up and looking at me, he lays his muddy head next to my hip, his heavy, muddy chest is in my lap, and his arms still tightly around my waist.

I smooth his muddy hair as he silently holds on to me as if his life is depending on it. Ican feel his emotions, he feels tormented. Maybe his life does depend on it? I feel helpless seeing him like this.

talk to me. Please. Whatever it is, I'll listen," I

most unexpected thing happens next, silent sobs start racking through him. My eyes grow wide. Uhh, what?

as he whimpers and tries to catch his breath. We sit like this for some time until he starts to calm down. It's clear this reaction isn't just because of witches. This is built up stress that he's been holding on to for a long time.

his face to the ceiling, stopping me from seeing his tears but it's my turn to wipe tears away. Well, tears and mud, but you get the idea. I press on his chin gently, pushing his face down so he is looking at me square in the

a gentle tone as I caress his cheek, "Please don't hide from me. I can take care of you just as much as you d o

you, Kas. You've been through enough. This is my burden and mine alone. I just-I don't know what to do with it. The biggest threat I've ever sworn

territory. That bitch didn't just take my eye. She took part of my liver and almost killed me. It's my job

for years," his voice is shaky as his lip trembles, "I don't know what to do Kas. I need to do what's best for you but I also need to do what's best for the pack, and right now those things are conflicting. I'm not just an Alpha, I'm an Alpha Regent. The word of my decision will get out and everyone will judge me. Maybe even question my authority, regardless of

that until his breathing settles. We're both going to need showers after this. "T

you always smell like fresh rain and lilacs. Oh, what do I smell like to you?" The sounds of crying fading from his voice. "Coffee and dark chocolate, it's almost like a mochaccino,"

next time, just talk to me. Especially if

the pack safe. We can talk through these sorts of things if you just speak to me instead of walking away. Besides, I would never want you to make a decision that would be bad for the pack. More importantly, it's not up to you to make decisions like this on my behalf. We can talk through the pros and

in anger that would push you away or make you think

a bomb that's going to go off at any second. Yes, I still have a lot of healing to do, but I'm working on it. Who knows, maybe I'll never be fully over all the crap I've

getting into his head. I need to take action. Here goes nothing. I grip both sides of his face and look him straight in the eye as I slowly pull him toward me until our lips touch. Lex is going bonkers in my mind as I pepper his lips with little kisses, each kiss a little longer than the last. I finally close my eyes as I feel butterflies in my chest. The little kisses morph into one