Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

The next day we meet with the Betas

and Gammas in Bronx's office first thing in the morning. They all agree on something right away. I don't get to leave the packhouse unless I have two security guards at all times. We don't know where Ryan or his dad are. Bronx is not willing to take any chances.

Ashley picks up her phone and laptop and goes to the back of the office where there is a small conference table. She comes back a few minutes later with a smile on her face. :

“All set. They'll be here in fifteen minutes," she says cheerfully.

“Good work, Ashley. Alright team, next order of business. We have to do research and figure out why Kas has powers and if there is anything we need to do to make accommodations for her," Bronx says, ''Kas, tell us what you have experienced so far. Please.”

His demeanor when we are around other people is a stark difference from when we are alone together. This version of Bronx is kinda sexy, I must admit.

“Well, the first thing that happened was my eyes changed color to violet. The left one first, then the right one. They started to change when I was in the pack hospital after...well, I was healing from an injury," I try to avoid getting into gory details, "Within a few days they were both the color they are now. But before that they were just plain old gray.” Bronx is taking notes on his laptop. The others are just paying attention to what I am saying.

“T noticed my hair changing color next. It used to be light brown. The color change started just after my eyes changed. It was a little darker at first and it happened in sections on my hair, but it happened quickly. Even though it’s long, locks of it would go from brown to silver overnight, until it was all silver. I think it was a total of two weeks from brown to silver. Once it was all silver, it lightened up and got more sparkly.” »

“Have you tried to cut it?" Lenora asks. 

“No. The last time I had to cut my hair was because someone threw gum at me. That was before it was silver," I say matter of factly. Bronx lets out a low growl.

“Knock it off, Bronx,"' Milo says, '"We're trying to move forward here.”

It's the first time I have heard Milo speak to Bronx this way, but it works. Milo clears his throat and motions for m e to continue.

“The burning people with my hands, well, the first time was a day or two before Lex woke up fully. The second time, she took over and I couldn't stop her.”

say burning people? " Reggie looks at me with wide eyes. “Old news, Reggie. Keep up,

able to move. I don't know. The second time, it didn't work right and just slowed down time, Lex wasn't able to tell me why. Just that we don't have our

being able to heal Lenora. About half an hour before that, I think I had a premonition? I

told you about last night, Bronx," Bronx nods and squeezes my hand, "but then the bad memory stopped and I swear I saw us sitting in the food court and I could smell his scent. But we weren't actually in the food court, we were still in the store. When he actually showed up in the food court, it

when you dropped all those clothes in

growls, "Excuse

needed underwear and bras," Lenora says defensively, but her

I saw the glow around

She's Alpha Bronx's mate.” They look at each other, then look at me and bow slightly, ''Welcome to Blood River, Luna," the one named James says. Bronx stands up, "Gentlemen, you're to know where Kas is at all times. If she leaves the packhouse, you escort her. Even if it's just out to the gardens, eveni f she is with me. Twelve hour shifts while she's in the packhouse. When she goes out, both of you have eyes on her at all times. Are

younger one tried to attack her yesterday. Lenora was able to stop

Alpha," they

you," James nods behind him. I bow my head slightly at

You two work out who's on guard first. Wait outside the office," Bronx says. Power seems to be rolling off him as he speaks. “Yes, Alpha," they repeat. They both bow to me again and leave the office. “That was intense," Lex says in awe. Bronx stands up and we follow him toa door near the back of the office.

lounge chairs all over the huge room. There are large, old books in glass cases and on pedestals placed strategically

pulls out a laptop and pulls up a list of books in the library. He gives us each ten books to look at. We split up around the room finding our assigned books and finding spots to go through

paper and a pen and start making notes. Three hours later, I'm through eight of the books I had pulled from the shelves without

yawn makes everyone jump out of their

You scared the crap out of everyone!"

innocence, "I'm going to the kitchen to get us all

some pizzas. Oh, breadsticks and applesauce for Kas. Do you want anything

be great. I'm

smiles, "Get the lady a

beautiful hand-painted illustration. It is a depiction of the Moon Goddess. There's a man standing next to her that looks like a king. They are surrounded by children. She is holding a baby in her arms with gray hair and violet eyes. The title on the next page says 'Manae - Children of Selene’. No freaking