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."

and squeeze my eyes shut, trying to ignore the voices. After the trouble I caused the other

 She quietly walks into

toward her, putting my finger to

the doorway as she whispers back, "Let me change

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

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

their leadership until a suitable Alpha could be found. Pack members were given the option to stay or

those changes

long in there?" The guard growls from

notes. I'll

going to happen

you're going to go to Blood River to be

Alpha Bronx be my mate? He saw me pass out, he knows I'm a weak wolf. He's going to take me back to his pack

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

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

heels but it's not able to catch me. I run until I get to the edge of a cliff. I look down and see the river below, full of blood and overflowing with the melting

find the wolf cornering me on the cliff. He has a whip in his mouth. He drops it to the

mercy. The wind swirls around us, chilling me

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. I'm shaking all over. The sounds of my screams are blood-curdling as they reverberate on the walls of my room but I still can't

electricity overwhelm me where he touches my bare skin. He

into the solid black eye of his wolf, an unfamiliar sensation washes over me: he’s different from Alphas I've had run-ins with before. I can sense his worry, anger, sorrow and even fear as he looks

feel those things when he

a weak wolf. Alpha Bronx kills wolves like me, everyone says

What happened?” His voice is deep and gruff.  He looks at me

mind. It felt so real, like it was an actual memory, not just a dream. Thinking about the wolf that was chasing me, there