Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

I wake up feeling woozy, laying on my stomach in my bed. What the Hell? Was last night some sort of weird dream? I think the Alpha from Blood River attacked me. No. That doesn't seem right. As hard as I try, I can’t remember the details.

I hear unfamiliar voices in the hallway but I also hear the doctor and nurse Diane. There is a large man, wearing all black, standing in the doorway with his back facing me. I realize I'm not wearing a shirt. I'm only covered by a sheet and my back is covered in bandages.

"Lex, are you there?" I ask, suddenly feeling scared.

"I'm here, Kas," Her voice is soft and far away.

"Are you okay, Lex? I'm so sorry," I can feel her weakness and pain. Tears sting my eyes.

"You have nothing to apologize for, Kas. I'll be alright. You were strong. You held out as long as you could. I tried to slow down time to give you more time to get help but it made me weaker."

"Wait, that was you?"

"Well, yeah, but it didn't work the way it was supposed to. I can explain more later. I’ve been on guard while you were resting, listening to what is happening around us and I think you are safe. Now that you’re awake, I need to rest so I can finish healing you. Don’t worry, we will be back to our old selves in another couple days."

"Okay. Thank you, Lex. You're the best wolf a girl could ask for," I breathe a small sigh of relief knowing that Lex is okay and that she thinks we might be safe.

"Thanks, Kas. You're the strongest person a wolf could ask for," I feel her curl up in the back of my mind for a nap.

"It's been two days!" A man’s voice snarls in an angry, loud whisper, "How long do you expect me to leave her in this disgusting dungeon? I need to get her out of here as soon as possible."

Two days?! I have been knocked out for two days?!

"I understand Alpha, but trust me, the best thing for Kas is to wake up in her own bed," the doctor explains, "The last time this happened, waking up in the hospital wing was traumatizing for her. I know it may not be comfortable for you to be down here, but this is what she has known for thirteen years. It's what's best for her."

"The LAST time?! This is bullshit! How could you know a pup is being abused, being forced to live in a fucking dungeon for Goddess sake and not do something about it?" A woman says angrily. I think it's Beta Lenora.

The doctor pauses, then continues, "I understand your position, but rest assured, I didn't know how bad things were for her until the past few months, or I would have done something about it a long time ago."

voices. After the trouble I caused the other night, it's only a matter of time before Alpha Graham

hear Nurse Diane say. She quietly walks into the room and pulls a makeshift

head toward her, putting my finger to my mouth, and whisper,

doorway as she whispers back, "Let me

lip so I won't whimper out loud. When she’s done, she tells me I should be healed in the next day or two, then hands me a pill to

Council, who came and punished dozens of pack members for my mistreatment. When they found out Alpha Graham was the one responsible for my injuries, Alpha Bronx shifted into his wolf and almost murdered him. Members of the Council were barely able to stop him. They stripped the titles from everyone in the Silver Moon pack and banished Alpha Graham. In support of his father, Ryan chose to leave too. I remember that no one knows what he had done to

leadership until a suitable Alpha could be found. Pack members were given the option to stay or leave peacefully. They could either willingly become rogues or request asylum with other

hear all those changes are because of what happened to

there?" The guard growls from

notes. I'll be

going to

Blood River to be their Luna," she smiles hesitantly, “I think the better question would be, what happens to

knows I'm a weak wolf. He's going

the pill taking effect and close my eyes. I can worry about my future when I

at night. It feels so real. The cold air bites at my skin. There is snow on the ground leaving a powdery path under my feet as I scurry through

to the edge of a cliff. I

the cliff. He has a whip in his mouth. He drops it to

around us, chilling me to the bone, as the

scream as he lunges at me. I’m still screaming as I sit up in bed. I can't stop as I clutch the quilt to my chest. I can feel tears already streaming down my face.

places his large hands on my shoulders. Sparks of electricity overwhelm me where he touches my bare skin. He is

over me: he’s different from Alphas I've had run-ins with before. I can sense his worry, anger, sorrow

would he feel those things when

imagination. I'm just a slave, a weak wolf. Alpha Bronx kills wolves like me, everyone says so.

His voice is deep and gruff.  He looks

so real, like it was an actual memory, not just a dream. Thinking about the wolf that was chasing me, there is only one thought that comes to mind. Between sobs, I blurt out, “I want to live! Please!