Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

 Kas's POV

I wake up to see it's nighttime. I'm pretty sure the bed I'm in is the softest bed in the world. The scent of coffee and dark chocolate fills my senses and for the first time in forever, I feel completely relaxed. Happy little sparks shoot around my body. I realize Iam cradled ina large man's arms, like a kid with a teddy bear. He's so tall that I feel like a little kid next to him. My face is against his t-shirt, breathing in his intoxicating scent.

I'm too short to look up to see his face from my position, but I already know it's Alpha Bronx Mason. I start to feel panic try to rise in my chest, but Lex gently pushes it back down.

"Enjoy this moment, Kas," she whispers when she feels me starting to struggle, " He is your mate. He isn't going to hurt you." ;

“We don't even know him, Lex. He could be dangerous.” °

“Oh, shush it. He's not dangerous while he's sleeping. He doesn't have a knife or anything. Just relax. Please, give this a chance.”

I take a deep breath letting his scent calm me. He's softly snoring, so I knowh e isn't going to catch me staring at him. He's so muscular that his t-shirt stretches tight against his broad chest.

Now that he's in a t-shirt, I see his arms are covered with tattoos just like his neck and the backs of his hands. I try to adjust my position so I can get a better look at his face. I want to see if he is wearing his eye patch. Okay, so I actually want to see what's under the eye patch. What can I say? I'm curious. A s I move, he rolls over on his side toward me. I'm pretty sure his heavy arms are going to crush me. |

I tap on his forearm softly to wake him u p or at least get him to roll back off of m e. It works but not the way I am hoping because his eye slowly opens, then he jolts up, and falls off the bed with a hard crash. I look over the side of the bed, wincing, and realize he landed ona chair, smashing it to bits.

"I-I'm so sorry. I fell asleep. I don't remember getting in bed. I-I...didn't...I... " he stammers as he speaks. He looks at me with eye as wide as a saucer.

of my own. My voice is dry

the floor. He's breathing hard and his hand is gripping his chest.

I am looking back at him finally hits him, "I'm so

on the floor beside the bed. He turns on the nightstand lamp

out of a dead sleep, is the best thing that's happened t o me

trying to decide how

pieces of the broken chair out of the way. He quickly goes around the corner and comes

down on the nightstand and clear

“Do you want more?”

as I try to avert his gaze. He is looking at me with anticipation. I'm not sure what else to say. I might as well figure out what is

I may ask,

a relieved smile, " You're in the Blood River packhouse. In the suite next to my apartment." "H-how long have I

"About four days."

voice is tiny, trying t o fight back tears. I look down letting m y hair cover my face so he can't see. Now that I'm awake, he's either sending me back or keeping me prisoner before

here with- Wait. You want to go back to Silver Moon?" He looks

Imean - I don't want to stay here to be a prisoner and I don't want to die, Alpha Bronx. I would rather be a slave," I almost can't hear my own voice. "Prisoner? DIE? Goddess no, Kas," he sounds shocked. I look up to see he has a n alarmed look

reaches to take m y hand but stops himself and pulls it back when he sees me flinch at