Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

Chapter 15

Musu tries to hide her disappointment at Bronx's reaction, even though we were both expecting it.

"You did a good job, Musu. We knew he would not say yes that easily,” I place my hand on her forearm to comfort her, "It actually wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.”

She smiles weakly at my compliment, "Thank you, Lenora. I suppose you're right. At least he didn't break anything."

“Listen, we have half an hour before the Bronx's message goes live. How about we take a break from work? I'll ask Mrs. Miller to bring a snack and we will watch the broadcast together. We can get back to research after."

Her smile widens to genuine gratitude as we make our way to the love seat on the other side of the room. I mind link the kitchen staff and ask for some snacks and drinks so Musu and I can relax for a bit.

Ever studious, Musu keeps doing research while we wait for our food and the announcement to be released, but came up with nothing. It isn't long before one of the omegas brings us food and drinks so we can sit back and relax. I turn on the TV.

The talking head announces a rare statement directly from the CEO of MasonCo, Bronx Mason, in regard to his wife, Kas Mason. A head shot that the PR team took of Kas shortly before she and Bronx got married flashes on the screen. An involuntary smile crosses my face just by seeing her.

"Our Luna is so beautiful,” Musu muses with a smile of her own.

"Yeah, Bronx is a lucky guy, huh?" I giggle. Musu follows suit, with a little elbow in my side.

The video of Bronx slides onto the screen. He is wearing a gray suit like Ashley recommended, but he is wearing a black shirt and black tie. His eye patch is light green to match his eye. I recognize it immediately. Kas gave it to him for Winter Solstice.

I watch as my brother lets go of all pretence and speaks the way he did when he was in the military. A glint in his eye and tone in his voice that I have not seen or heard since before he met kas. The deliberate, succinct, calm cadence in contrast to the unrelenting intensity of his glare and caustic severity of his words makes my jaw go slack. I look over at Musu, who is wide eyed with a tortilla chip sticking out of her mouth, mid-bite. She has never known this side of him.

"Is this the Bronx Mason who Elder Henri warned me about?" she asks in a quiet voice, never taking her eyes off the screen. Elder Henri served in the military with Bronx. He knows exactly how dangerous my brother can be.

“Yeah...that's him. He's been gone for a while, but looks like he's back," I clear my throat, “This explains his reaction to the video we showed him.”

My cell phone dings with a text message.

Dad: Lenora. What the Hell is going on?

Lenora: Everything is okay now, Dad. I didn't know that was what he recorded though

Dad: Tell your brother to call as soon as he can. Mom is ready to strangle him. Love you, sweetie

Lenora: Okay, Dad. Love you too.

Mom and Dad have been in Norway for the last five weeks. We had called them when Kas went missing. They offered to come home, but there was nothing we could think of that they could actually do to help, so we told them not to come. They were relieved when I let them know Kas was back. Just like everyone else, they love Kas with all of their hearts.

Bronx's little media message apparently has gone viral in a matter of ten minutes.

“You know what, let's get back to work,” Musu says as she collects herself and finishes her chip.

“Good idea. Back to work.”

Bronx's POV

instead of driving ourselves to MasonCo headquarters. It's easier that way. We

get lost in my thoughts while Reggie has the PR team on speaker phone as he and Milo discuss what they should and shouldn't say to reporters. It's

Make sure she is alright. I know she

out my phone

you?" she answers, ready to

Roses. Purple

Alpha. Is

there in fifteen minutes. How's

a little tense, but calm

good. What's on my agenda

but they are willing to come here

Katherine Santoro,”

can look at schedules when I get into the office and figure something out

emails when I realize the car is absolutely silent. I look up at Milo and Reggie. They are both staring at me

I ask, confused

“Santoro Enterprises?” Milo says.

Santoro really is before the meeting. Loop in Lenora and Musu if necessary. Something is clearly fishy here," I say, crossing my arms in

it, boss. Want me to

you need

I doing?”

still on reporter

how come you get to do all

I guess," Reggie smiles and elbows

finally get to the office, reporters swarm the car, but the security guards hold them back until we get into the

stick me with the sucky jobs,” Milo complains, looking at the

was like this?"

out they took Kas hostage in the jewelry

out of the SUV and I look at Milo one last time before I feed him to a completely different

your tie?” I

the shape of a Solstice tree. As fun as that would be, I didn't feel like having you strangle me today. Maybe you will have

my tie off and hand it to him. He rolls his eyes and takes it from me and puts it around his neck. He pulls the end over his head like it's a noose, crosses his eyes, and sticks out his tongue. Reggie snickers. I walk away before

in the atrium of my office with some stacks of papers. She follows me to my desk so I can review them. While I'm signing my name to paper after paper, she updates

Santoro's assistant to nail down a date and time for the meeting, Alpha," she informs me, “I also have our analysts already looking into the financials for the company to make sure it

you, Carly. Who was it that called from the Elder Council? I will call them back

Randall,” she says quietly, avoiding

lot of packs believe I will be elected to the Elder Council when I retire. I hope Randall retires before

Keep me posted on Santoro Industries. Offer

and backs out of the room, closing the