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.

Bronx," Saint chides, "You. Didn't. Exist. Let it

thought extinguish at his words and

the comfortable silence. Letting everything Kas has just told me marinate has given

who meant?"

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 our spirits are the most open to each other.

whisper in her ear, " So,

she bites her bottom lip, looking up

do you say we go see how bright we can make it?” I say

grin comes over her face and, without a word, Kas

early so we can give Saint and Lex a few hours to spend together in the woods, then head back to

tell them about our decision. I knock on James's door and hear some shuffling and whispering from inside. James cracks the door open with a little growl for whoever is

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

your mate get freshened up, meet me, Luna Iokaste, and Lady Camille in the front sitting room. We need to speak with the two of you," I

look. I nod and

Camille already sitting, having lemonade. Since James is one of my warriors, I choose to remain standing

lead

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 Goddess Hecate also must have agreed with this destiny. I went

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 River pack, that is,

mouth with both hands and starts to cry tears of joy. James

quickly composes himself, "Alpha, permission to take the papers back to