Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

After making amends with Lenora by promising her two new pairs of shoes, we focus on work. In the last week, Lenora had brought in four large international contracts she had been working on for months. We need to get set up and staffed in the various countries and work with the local governments to ensure we have the correct permits to conduct our work. I know my team can do it without me, but I welcome the distraction.

In my free time, I'm in my library drowning in research. The more I research, the more I feel like a speciesist asshole. For years, I let myself believe in preconceived notions about other paranormal species that simply weren't true. I never questioned what I had been told by the people around me. It's eye opening and humbling to learn the facts. It makes me realize I need to change my ways and I need to do a better job at educating my pack. °

In addition, Milo and Reggie are calling Alphas and drafting a charter I could present to Lady Camille. On Thursday, they present the final draft to me. I make edits to it based on the research I have done. Once we are all in agreement with the updated details, I send it to Carly to have it printed on our pack letterhead.

By the end of the week, I'm exhausted. I take the weekend to be lazy and recharge. I watch Kas's favorite cooking show and record a couple new ones for her that I think she'll enjoy. Thankfully, I have meetings at three different packs the next week to keep my mind occupied. '

Thank the Goddess, the week flies by ina heartbeat. I finish the last of the pack meetings and get back to Blood River on Thursday late in the evening. I brief Milo on things that may come up while I'm gone and head out to the airport for a redeye flight to France. Henri, once again, has left mea car so I can drive myself directly. When I get to the gate of the coven's land, I find Lady Camille is waiting for me.

“Lady Camille, thank you again for having me as a guest," I bow slightly, something I read that witches see as a sign of respect, ''Can we go to your office first? I have some papers to review with you, regarding James and Delilah.” “Of course, Alpha Bronx. Would you like for them to join us?" she asks. Her tone seems more relaxed than it has in our past interactions. Amazing what a simple non- verbal gesture can do. |

“Not yet, if that's alright with you. I want to make sure we are in agreement and if possible, I would like Iokaste to be there. She is my Luna and she deserves to have input in these types of matters.”

"Very well," she smiles and holds out her hand, “I will send for her.”

I take her hand and we're instantly in her office. She presses a button on her desk.

“Yes, Lady Camille?" a voice on the other end answers.

“Please send for Luna Iokaste. We have some business matters to discuss.”

Yes m'am. She's in the meditation room, it will be a few more minutes before she comes out," the voice responds.

will be expecting her," she says and lets go of the

very powerful witches here, so we can work with her. She is an extremely fast learner. Now, I don't want to get

learns here will help her control her abilities but using them will take practice and discipline. I would like to have regular check-ins with her after she leaves, of course. We want to make sure we are here to mentor her as she matures

my heart skip, "Bring her home

the meantime, as I said, please don't mention this to her. If she loses focus, it

sound and the familiar giggle of my

herself into my arms, wrapping her legs around my waist. I easily scoop her up in

I say breathlessly. I put her down so I can get a better look at

she smiles brightly at me as she stands tall. “Have you grown more, Baby?" I cock head as I realize she is standing

you were here. After I shifted, Lex became stronger and my body had to accommodate that growth. Lady Camille thinks I could grow another inch. But don't use that as an excuse to buy me more clothes, Bronx. The ones I have at home will still be just fine. So, what are we doing here?" she asks. Her voice is bright and bubbly

her sit next to me across from Lady Camille. I am bursting at the seams at the news

Lady Camille to have you in attendance since this is a Blood River pack matter. You are our future Luna, you should be involved in these types of decisions. You requested a solution that will

part of who we are. I think we would all hate to see James and Sister

we have done a lot of research with packs that allow non- werewolves to live on their territories and I have done research in my historical library. We have taken the other packs' advice on what works well or not well, educated ourselves on how to alleviate prejudices and speciesism within the pack, and we have

copy of the document to Lady Camille

think there should be any adjustments. Anything that would make you more comfortable with the terms of the charter. I would like to keep this between the three of us until

you and I practiced. I think this

I have learned is that you can only use magic with the recipient's permission. Otherwise, slowly but surely dark magic consumes you. So, if it's okay with you, I'm going to pause time

do I want anyone using

to this also, it's not just up

won't let anything

to hear him agree to have magic