Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

Kas's POV

Tomorrow is the big day! I'm finally going home. Oh, my Goddess! Thinking about being able to sleep snuggle up to Bronx every night, being able to get into a routine with the pack, and continuing to hone my abilities, it all sounds perfect. For the first time in my life, | am truly looking forward to my future. | have hope in my heart. Lex is excited because she will have more opportunities to run on the Blood River pack territory. She is looking forward to the additional freedom. | can't blame her. As she has become stronger, she has more energy to burn. Some days | feel like | am vibrating from the inside out because she has trouble containing her energy.

I'm also really excited that Delilah and James get to stay together. They are so in love. Itis adorable to watch them together. Who knew such a ferocious warrior could turn into such a mushy little pup when he is around his mate? She is going to fit in perfectly with the pack.

Marco has been a trooper throughout this whole time. Sometimes | see him looking really glum when he doesn't realize anyone is looking. He and | become closer. | genuinely consider him my friend now, not just my guard. | do my best to joke around or bake for him, get his mind off of things, but | know what it feels like to be lonely. It's a bottomless pit that you just keep falling

down. There is no getting out of it unless someone throws you a rope and you catch it. I've decided I'm going to ask Bronx if we can give them both an extended vacation or a bonus or both. | don't know if it is appropriate or not, but | feel like they have sacrificed so much to be here to protect me, | can't just turn a blind eye. | want to show them my appreciation.

Lady Camille and the sisters of the coven have been so kind and generous. | know | have friends for life here. They have taught me so much about myself, how to let go of all the shitty things that have happened and hold on to the good. | don't know what! cando to show them my thanks, but | make a mental note to ask Delilah as soon as we get home and she's settled in.

They've taught me how to control my abilities, to not be ashamed of my own physical form, and to appreciate my spirit. My healer abilities still fascinate me. | still need to practice a lot to fully control it, but | find it beautiful to be able to cure someone or take away their pain. | can't wait to use them in real life. Also, | have a deeper connection to my mate. | can remember lifetimes of being with him and the closer our connection the more he will remember too. | have not had any premonitions while I've been here, but | promise Lady Camille if it happens, | will have Bronx bring me back right away.

One of the things the sisters have not taught me is fighting skills. They are pacifists and don’t believe in violence. James and Milo both agree | should at least know how to defend myself. We get permission from Lady Camille to at least practice blocking and escaping holds. She agreed, so in our free time, we practice basic moves. Just a few blocks and how to escape holds. We make sure we are still respectful of the sisters’ beliefs but still learning. :

| have a few last things to pack but | keep getting distracted by daydreams of being home and about the future.

Out of nowhere, a distinct tug pulls in my heart. Oww! :

"Lex, did you feel that?” | rub my chest from the sensation.

"Uh, yeah. Are you having a heart attack? You're only seventeen. You can't have a heart attack. Can you?" she asks, concerned about me.

“No, | feel like I'm fine, but something is wrong. | know that doesn't make sense," | feel my brows knit as the sharp pain turns

into a dull thud.

"Uh oh."

No uh ohs,

mate, and we are

"Uh oh."

| thought that only happens

are not regular werewolves,

room to find help. Marco is standing in the hall, on duty. | grab him by the hand and start pulling on him. | can feel tears starting to sting my eyes, " Come on, Marco! We need to find Lady Camille. Do you have your

should be arriving in any minute.” | come to a sliding stop in the front sitting room. Lady Camille is sitting

out, "Please give Marco access to use his phone to call

at me

through my connection with my mate. Something's wrong. | can't tell what, | can just feel it,” | feel the

Camille looks at me trying to search for something, I'm not

Marco. Your phone should work

phone from his pocket, dials, and puts it

must still be on the plane," Marco shakes his

Milo,” the panic that has burrowed itself in my chest was now coming through in my voice. | need to calm down and think rationally, but there's no

the

Is that you?" | hear Milo's deep voice on

cry into the phone, completely cutting Marco out. The panic has pushed the tears out of my eyes and | can't stop them from flowing

Carly. Give me just a second. It's going to be

it's going to be okay. Beta Milo has it under control," | try to smile at him,

us on hold forever. Marco must have mind-linked James because he and Delilah come into the sitting room. Delilah takes my other hand, to try to comfort me. Marco lets my hand go and pulls James to the side, speaking to him in a hushed tone. “Yeah, Carly says he took off at five thirty-five this morning. He should have landed, like, six hours ago. Maybe he doesn't have good reception on the way to the coven? Give it another hour, Kas. He

explain it except to say that Lex snapped. | feel my skin

mind. “Lex! Stop! We can't shift right now!" | fight against her. | pull on her as hard

voice booms into the phone, speaking directly to Milo's wolf