Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

“Incoming,” I link my sisters in the apartment.

“We're hidden,” I hear Thea reply. Marco, Ellen, and I make our way into the apartment. Bronx is already standing in front of the sofa, where Estelle and Simone are sitting. Marco directs Ellen to sit as well and stands behind the sofa with his gun still raised behind them. I don’t see any of my other sisters who I know are hiding somewhere inside.

“You. Keep your mouth shut,” Bronx points to Estelle, then points to Ellen, “ How many of you are here?”

“Just the three of us,” Ellen says sullenly.

“Bullshit,” Tessa growls with her nose in the air, “I smell more of you.”

Bronx puts his nose in the air as well.

His eyes turn black as Saint comes to the surface. A deep growl comes from his chest. Saint’s gravelly voice comes out of Bronx’s mouth, “Lie to me again and I will end this lifetime for all of you.”

I watch my sisters shrink back as their Guardian threatens their lives. Ihave a powerful instinct to scold him for their mistreatment, but I can’t let him know I brought the Mavri Magea here, so! stay quiet.

“Stay here, Alpha. I'l] flush them out,” Marco says before he makes his way into the bedroom, gun still drawn.

Bronx stands with his arms crossed over his chest. His large stature makes him look extremely intimidating. I step forward and stand next to him as he stares down at the women on the sofa with a damning glare. The tension in the air is so thick you could practically chew on it.

Lenora and Tessa jump to attention when they hear growling and snarling sound coming from the closet in the bedroom. They sprint to help Marco while Bronx continues to stand as still as a statue in front of my sisters. The four women I sent into the apartment quietly step out from the bedroom with Marco, Lenora, and Tessa behind them. 

Marco has his gun at the ready with his eyes solid black. There are deep claw marks on the side of his face, bleeding freely while Clash works on healing him.

“Sit,” Bronx snaps, pointing to the floor in front of him. All four women sit ina line on the floor in front of the sofa, avoiding eye contact with everyone. I look around at the scene, not ready to panic. Two left. Where are Letica and Desiree? I can only hope they stuck to the plan.

“Bronx, can we-" I say as I see his expression turning darker. He is the Guardian for the Mavri Magea. It’s part of his job to keep them safe, just like he would for me. I need to find a way to remind him of that responsibility. I could use Desiree's manipulation ability, but I don't want to do that to my mate.

“Stay out of this, Kas,” Bronx snaps at me with a snarl.

growls

into a typhoon with no regard to my restraint. I t blows and howls, giving its fury a voice. Its manipulative whisper turns into a screeching command. The destructive thunder and lightning provide a source of power I have been holding back. Now, as it refuses to be denied anymore, it stirs the darkest parts of my soul to wake up and

the women in front of him. The power of my wrath

It’s my goddess voice coming forward, “I will not be dismissed, Alpha Regent Bronx Andreas Mason. These are MY

to yank his

and Kas?” Leticia’s bitter voice coos mockingly at us. She holds her hands up to her heart and tilts

athletic build is a stark contrast to Leticia’s petite

at the two women standing in front of us who weren't supposed to shift to human form. They were supposed to stay hidden in wolf form in case we needed protection. They didn't

no one else in there...” Lenora stammers with confusion, readying herself fora

invented combined with a scent blocker,” Leticia smiles with a giggle as she waves at me. I let go of Bronx's

sternly, “Kas barely knows

Desiree both look past Bronx at me and start laughing. High pitched, scratchy and maniacal laughter makes them double over, leaning against each other. My aura brightens

distraction gives Thea time to jump from the sofa to pounce onto Tessa’s back with a growl. She

holds me back. I watch as her back arches and an unnaturally high-pitched squeal emanates from her. She drops to her knees, then flat on her stomach before Thea finally lets

I feel the edges of my soul crumbling and turning to ash as Tessa’s lifeless body lays face down on the floor. There is nothing but anger and agony inside me. All the good in my soul gets snuffed out

look at Tessa and make an x over my heart with my hand and murmur, “ Adeio apo ton pono [Empty from the

time to figure out my next move. He, Lenora, and Marco all move forward, but they stop, realizing they could meet the same fate. Marco points his gun at Thea. He flicks his eyes at me in

bullet with my fingers, setting it off course toward the wall. I immediately recite the incantation to open a portal back to the Mavri Magea apartment. It shines brightly behind Bronx, in front of the silver-haired women

the portal to slow him down in case he tries to get any ideas about going through it. I

River pack members can react. Except for Leticia and Desiree, who are on the other side

she’s still alive. I can tell by the dull pain in my chest getting stronger that she’s not. I resist pulling my hands in to grab my chest and keep them out

quit fucking around and LEAVE!" I growl at my remaining sisters. Lenora steps

looks at her with a confident smirk, then over to Marco, “Marco is it? Yes, I believe it is. Marco, Leticia and I are going to go through that portal over there. I just need you to make sure that Bronx and Lenora here don’t follow us through. You want to help us with that, don't you? Maybe just a little click of your trigger finger. What do you say?” I let a surge of energy flow through me and use some of the telekinetic energy I share with Sophie to reach out and pull on Leticia and Desiree, "GET. OUT. NOW. A blank look crosses over Marco's face, and he points his gun at Bronx. He looks down at his hand and tries to pull it in a different direction, but he

him, shoving him into the wall to stop him from shooting Bronx and rolls off him as the gun fires into the ceiling instead of at her brother. She immediately scrambles back toward