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.

to me. Please. Whatever it is,

next, silent sobs start racking through him. My eyes

He shakes his head back and forth as he sobs. His whole chest heaves 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

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 face. It's the first time I've seen him with no eyepatch. At first glance, it was a bit jarring to see a long vertical scar where

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

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 to protect my pack from is witchcraft. After what I went through when

and nail to keep witches and other creatures off of my territory. That bitch didn't just take my eye. She took part of my liver and almost killed me. It's my job to

that can help my mate, the one fucking thing, is exactly what I have fought so hard against 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,

We're both going to need showers after this. "T bet that smells like nothing but mud," I joke, trying to

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," I giggle.

so I can look him in the eye, "Bronx, next time, just

a team. I'm here to support you in all things and if I'm going to be Luna someday, it's also my responsibility to keep 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

hurt you, Kas. I didn't want to say something in anger that would push you

healing to do, but I'm working on it. Who knows, maybe I'll never be fully over all the crap I've endured,

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