Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

"T think the one thing I still don't understand is when you talk about our lives that haven't happened yet. You're a goddess, so you are going to keep being reincarnated. I just have a regular old human spirit," I try to justify when she is done talking.

“Actually...you're not just a regular human spirit. Just like my spirit is tied to Lex, yours is tied to Saint. I've just been attached to her longer. Your spirit had to come into existence before it could be linked to Saint's. Can you believe we've been together before? In our previous lives. Which means, so have Saint and Lex," she talks excitedly as she piles the food in layers in a ceramic dish.

She looks up to see me looking at her in disbelief. I am trying to connect the dots of what she's saying. I swear I'm not usually this dense.

"Pick your jaw up off the floor, Sweetheart. I'm not the only one who's been reincarnated here, Bronx. You have been too. Lots of times. It's easier for Saint and Lex to remember for some reason. Ask Saint, he'll tell you.” ° “Saint, is that true? Do you remember being connected to me for eight hundred years?” “Yeah, of course," his tone is so matter of fact that you would think he has told me all this before.

“Do you remember being with Lex before?” “Why do you think I miss her when we don't get to see her? I was made for her and I have loved every minute of it. She's amazing," he swoons over his mate, "You have Kas, I have Lex. We were mates for the first time eight hundred years ago. We have never had another mate. You and Kas's names change, but it's always your essences, your spirits. You've been mates with Kas at least fifteen times, I think. I don't know for sure. I've lost track.”

My eyes widened at the realization, "So we were actually made for Kas and Lex?”

"That's a good way to put it. The Goddess made us extra strong since Kas is a goddess. It's the only way we can be with her and not get hurt. That's why you're an Alpha. Anything less and she could accidentally destroy us and if she did, poof, our spirits' journey would be over.”

"Why are you just now telling me this, Saint?" "T tell you all the time that she is our mate. It's not my fault you're a dummy and don't understand. Imagine if I was going on and on about past lives. You would never have believed me." =

Kas watches me patiently while I have my internal conversation with Saint. When I'm finished, I pull her closer to me possessively, " So we've been together basically forever? Since the beginning of my human spirit?” “Yeah, Sweetheart. Forever in the past and forever in the future," Kas cocks her head to the side slightly and smiles softly as she searches my eye for any doubt.

It's difficult to wrap my mind around, but I love the idea of it. As her words linger in my mind, I hold her close. I was made for her. In that moment, that bit of knowledge made me feel even more protective of her. Someone would have to get through me first and no one gets through me. No one.

As I'm holding her, the thought that she and Lex have been connected over three thousand years longer than I have existed sinks in. I bristle at the thought of who she was connected to before that time.

Saint

his words and let myself breathe in Kas's scent deeply to calm

that must be what she meant," I break the comfortable silence. Letting everything Kas has just told me marinate has given mea minute

meant?" Kas asks

I know. That's our connection strengthening," Kas says with a little smirk. “The last time I was here, Lady Camille told me I should embrace it when that happens. I think her exact words were 'lean into it'." “Haha, that sounds like a very Lady Camille thing to say, but she is right. That is the time

and whisper in

lip, looking

bright we can make

comes over her face and, without a word, Kas grabs my hand

up early so we can give Saint and Lex a few hours to spend together

we can tell them about our decision. I knock on James's door and hear some shuffling and whispering from inside. James cracks the door open

opens the door wider and stands at attention, with a towel

ease, James. You and your mate get freshened up, meet me, Luna Iokaste, and Lady Camille in the front sitting room. We need

gulps hard with a worried look. I nod and turn away

the sitting room to see Kas and Lady Camille already sitting, having lemonade. Since James is one of my warriors, I choose to remain standing to address him. James and Delilah finally come to the room holding hands, looking very nervous. Delilah looks like she could

Bronx, why don't you lead this conversation?" Lady Camille

James, Sister Delilah, we all know how important the mate bond is for werewolves and occasionally, their non-werewolf mates," I motion to Delilah, " When Lady Camille told me that one of my top warriors found his mate in her coven, I was surprised, to say the least. But when I saw the way you two looked at each other, I knew it was not my place to go against the Moon Goddess's wishes. I also recognize the

charter outlining laws and provisions for situations like yours. I need both of you to read and agree to the terms of this charter. If you do, then Sister Delilah, Lady Camille has already given her consent for you to come live with us and become a member of the Blood

Delilah squeals as she covers her mouth with both hands and starts to cry tears of joy. James

permission to take the papers back to my room so we