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."

squeeze my eyes shut, trying to ignore the voices. After the trouble I caused the other night, it's only

 She quietly walks into the room and

toward her, putting my finger to

so glad you're awake," she looks at the doorway as she whispers back, "Let me change the dressings

done, she tells me I should be healed in the next day or two, then hands me a pill to take for

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

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 packs. About half the Silver

all those changes are because of what happened

The guard growls from the other

I'll be

to happen to

Alpha Bronx Mason is your mate, I assume you're going to go to Blood River to be their Luna," she smiles hesitantly,

make sense. How can 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

eyes. I can worry about my future

bites at my skin. There is snow on the ground leaving a powdery

able to catch me. I run until I get to the edge of a cliff. I

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

cry for mercy. The wind swirls around us, chilling me to the bone, as the wolf lowers his head in

the quilt to my chest. I can feel tears already streaming down my face. I'm shaking all over. The sounds of

my shoulders. Sparks of electricity overwhelm me where he touches my bare skin. He is breathing heavily and I

washes over me: he’s different from Alphas I've had run-ins with before.

when he looks at

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

and gruff.  He looks at me

not just a dream. Thinking about the wolf that was chasing me, there is only one thought that comes to