Mag-log inShare
Book 1: Chapter 64
Huling Na-update:
2024-10-29 19:42:56
Kaugnay na kabanata
Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future Book 1: Chapter 65
I doze off at some point, because I hear a rustling sound that wakes me up. I jump up with a start to see Bronx trying to get out of bed. "Oh no, Buster," I scold, "back in bed." "I gotta pee, Kas." Bronx whines at me. "Okay, well hold it for just a second." I push the call button for the nurse. I hear a little voice come over the intercom on the wall and ask them to send a male nurse to help. Cause Hell if I’m letting a female nurse help him. The nurse comes in quickly and helps Bronx to the bathroom. When he is back in bed and we are alone again, he reaches his hand out to me. "You look so beautiful right now, Kas. Please come here, Baby, let me breathe you in." His eye looks a little glassy. I am sure the pain medicine is influencing his words, but smile at him anyway. I crawl up on the bed, but I don’t let him wrap his arms around me yet. "Before that, let me see if I can heal you more. Lean back." He obeys and I put my hands on him. It takes much less effort to heal him thi
Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future Book 1: Chapter 66
The next day, Bronx decides he wants to go downstairs for dinner. “Are you sure, Sweetheart? The doctor said you need to take it easy for another few days.” I ask as he is putting on a button-down shirt. “Yeah Baby. I have some apologizing to do. No. I have a lot of apologizing to do. To everyone. I’m not going to hide up here in my apartment. I have to face the music.” He says resolutely. He puts on a dark blue eye patch to match his clothes and looks himself over in the mirror. He looks handsome with his inky black hair slicked back and olive-toned face freshly shaven. As we walk into the dining room a hush falls over the crowd. I give Bronx’s hand a reassuring squeeze and he leads us to the front of the room. He stands in front of our table and faces the dining room. He looks out over our pack, takes a deep breath, and eats crow. He fully admits that he got carried away with trying to protect me and he was wrong. He assures everyone that things will be different moving forward
Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future Book 1: Chapter 67
On Thursday, James calls Marco. Marco puts it on speaker and listens while James tells him to bring me to his house for training. They want to teach me more about hand-to-hand combat in small spaces. Two against one. “James, have you cleared this with your mate? Three wolves performing hand-to-hand combat inside your home... your home where your pacifist mate also lives, I mean?” I ask, skeptical of this plan. “Yeah, Delilah’s totally fine with it. She understands now that you need to know more than just how to block and escape holds. Plus, she said if we break anything it gives her an excuse to use my bonus money to go shopping. Speaking of which, she said to bring your change of clothes. You can shower at our place and then go on this shopping trip with her when we are done.” I laugh out loud. “Okay, will do.” Marco and I make our way to James and Delilah’s little house. I go to knock on the door, but it’s already cracked open. I look at Marco who shrugs and unholsters his pistol
Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future Book 1: Chapter 68
My mouth drops. “I-is this the entire dress shop?” “Yes dear, your fiancé said you were a little nervous about other customers in the shop seeing some burn scars, so he paid for me to close the shop for the day and bring everything here. That way you’re in the privacy of your own home. Who am I to say no if Bronx Mason personally calls and says he is getting married? This is a beautiful mansion by the way, so many employees!” “Oh, thank you, ma’am. They're like family. I can't imagine what we would do without them.” I say still in awe as I look around my living room. She is clearly human, so we can’t let on that we’re werewolves. I'm not sure why she is so impressed by Bronx personally calling, but he is well aware that I don't care anymore if people see my scars. It's just a cover story. I am more comfortable with my body nowadays, but it is such a sweet gesture by him. Now I don’t have to have anxiety over the real reason I was worried about going to her shop. I don’t even want to
Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future Book 1: Chapter 69
Marco's POV I'm so proud of my Luna. We've been training her for almost three months and she could, like, seriously be an assassin if she wanted to. She doesn't have a cold heart for that kinda shit though. And no way Alpha Bronx would let her do that kind of work anyway. Anyway, she’s doing so well now that James and I both get Sundays off as long as she doesn't have to leave the packhouse. Honestly, even if she did, she can defend herself, but ain't no way either of us would let her be put in that position. She does her best to try to stay in on Sundays unless it’s real important. She cares about us like that. James tags in for his shift around eleven-thirty on Friday night and I head out. My buddies convinced me to go to a strip club that caters to werewolves. I'm not all into that kind of club, but there's only so much COD a guy can take. The club is loud and smokey. Tyree hooked us up with a VIP booth. Everyone here knows we're Blood River, so they give us a bit of extra space
Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future Book 1: Chapter 70
We run through a maze of hallways and stairwells until we reach a random door. She pulls a key out of her pocket, unlocks it, and pulls me inside. We're in a small, modern studio suite. She locks the door behind her and pulls me over to the loveseat. “Please, sit. Umm, they told me your name is Marco?” Her voice warms me from the inside out, but she doesn’t have a French accent. She is from somewhere else. Sitting down, I reach my hand out and take hers, I gently tug on it to get her to sit down too. She sits facing me. Her dark, wide set eyes are hypnotyzing. I could drown in those pools of chocolate and be perfectly happy doing so. She is so damn beautiful. ”Uh, yeah, Marco Sanchez. I heard them call you Musu?” “Yes, I’m Musu Goba.” Her full lips smile shyly. I notice she is wearing lip gloss, making them that much more enticing. I want to feel her lips on mine so badly, but I control myself. My heart is pounding in my chest and Clash is racing around in my head like a maniac. “
Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future Book 1: Chapter 71
Marco's shoulders drops at Bronx's words, but if he had been looking straight ahead, instead of at the floor, he would have seen Bronx’s body language betraying his stern voice. I clear my throat and try to sound serious. "Marco, first and foremost. You drew a weapon on your Alpha and my mate. Regardless of the circumstances, we expect better of you. When we get back to Blood River, you and Alpha Bronx will have a private conversation about the consequences of that action." Marco's eyes flick toward me and back to the ground with a quick nod. "Yes, Luna." “Aside from that, we’re so happy you've found your mate. Alpha Bronx and I have discussed the matter with Alpha Martin and have decided on the best way to handle this.” I pause when he looks at me expectantly. His brow is furrowed with worry. “Marco, Musu's parents and her twin brother Beta Everl are waiting for you downstairs in the front sitting room. You are to go ask their permission for their daughter to accompany us back to
Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future Book 1: Chapter 72
Once we settle in on the flight, we all get to get to know Musu better. She is originally from Sierra Leone. Her mother is Beta Pierre’s second chance mate. So Musu moved to Lune D’or when she was thirteen. Her accent is so elegant, it’s almost hypnotizing. She tells us how much she has traveled internationally and how much she has enjoyed it. “I have a question. How many languages do you speak exactly?” Delilah asks out of curiosity. “I speak seven languages. Krio, English, French, Cantonese, Farsi, Dutch, and Greek. I love linguistics. I find that I’m able to catch on to new languages quickly.” Musu proudly marks off the count with her fingers. I notice Marco admiring his mate, but he has a concerned look on his face. If I had not spent so much time with him, I probably would not have noticed the subtlety. Hearing about Musu’s diverse background and love for languages sparks an idea in my mind. I tuck the thought away for later. She is a charming woman who is a wonderful storytel
Pinakabagong kabanata
Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future Book 2: Chapter 130
I sit on the edge of the bed in the silent room. So this is what twenty-five feels like. I wonder if a hundred and twenty-five will feel just as good. What about two hundred and twenty-five? I laugh to myself at the thought as I head into the bathroom. I look in the mirror and run a brush through my white hair. None of the sparkly gray came back when it grew in four and a half years ago. I examine the mirror closer. It looks like there are some more violet flecks in the light gray of my irises, but maybe that’s just me being hopeful. I still don’t have any abilities other than being able to shift and mind linking other pack members. I splash water on my face and brush my teeth. There will be time to shower later before the pack Summer Solstice party and pack run. I pick up some toys that made their way into the closet room and find a dark blue sundress to wear. Once I am changed, I look at myself in the full-length mirror and smile. When I get into the living room, Marco comes up an
Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future Book 2: Chapter 129
The smell of pine needles and lavender fills the room. I keep my eyes closed and hide my smile as the giggles get closer. “Mommy? Are you awake?” Maya’s little voice whispers loudly. I can feel her weight climbing onto the bed. “Shhh, Maya, Mommy gets to sleep, because it’s her birfday,” Andreas giggles at her while he climbs onto the bed as well. I roll over and pretend to yawn with a big growl and stretch my arms out wide, grabbing them both and bringing them toward me. Their happy squeals fill my heart with joy. “Hello, darlings,” I squeeze them tightly in my arms. “Mommy, happy birfday!” Andreas says happily and gives me a wet kiss on the cheek. “Mommy, Auntie Delilah said she’s made a cake for you,” Maya says with big gray eyes. She lays in my arms and plays with my white hair. She gives a sly little smile, “I think she made chocolate.” “Oh, she did, did she?” I smile back. The twins talk excitedly at the same time, telling me about all the things they want to do with me to
Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future Book 2: Chapter 128
Kas’s POV I sit in front of him, even though he doesn’t know I’m there. I’m afraid if I look away, I may never see him again. Elexis’s black snout pushes under my elbow so I will put my arm around her while she sits next to me. I let myself lean heavily against her while we watch our mate realize that my spirit has left my body. “He broke the mate bond, Kas. Our spirits’ journeys are finished,” Lex says quietly, “There are no more lifetimes for us.” “I understand,” I nod slowly as I run my fingers through her silky onyx fur, “Lex, through everything, I forgive him. I’m sure it seems foolish, but I don’t have the desire to hold on to hate or malice when I move on. So, I forgive him.” “Of course you do. You have a good heart, Kas. I know how much you loved him over the centuries.” “I’ve made my peace, and I died knowing I did everything I could do to save my sisters and keep my pups alive. There is nothing else I need to fulfill me.” “It has been a pleasure being your wolf, Kas. I
Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future Book 2: Chapter 127
“She’s pregnant?” I ask out loud, no one in particular. “Twins,” Reggie says dully. “Based on how big she is and comparing her to when Musu was pregnant, we think she’s due any day. Since she hasn’t eaten, her babies are basically using her body for nutrition. For lack of a better term, they’re eating her alive,” Milo says, as he brushes his hand against her cheek. He sits back on his heels and looks at her with tears in his eyes, “We don’t know what happened to Lex. She hasn’t been able to heal her for over three weeks now.” “What did the doctor say?” I gulp hard. I plant my feet to the ground, afraid to move. “You said no fucking doctors,” Reggie hisses at me through gritted teeth, “or have you forgotten?” “LOOK WHAT YOU DID TO HER YOU SON OF A BITCH!” Saint’s first words in weeks are pure rage against me. He tries to claw his way forward to take control and get to Kas, still protective of her. I take a step forward. A small piece of me, a deep down part that has been hidden awa
Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future Book 2: Chapter 126
Bronx’s POV “Come on, man. It’s been a month. We’re sick of this shit. If this is your order, if this is truly what you want, then man the fuck up and come to the dungeon so you can see your damn handy work,” Milo’s steel-gray eyes bore into me, “Like you said, you don’t give a fuck anymore, so prove it. Come see what you’re doing.” “Watch your tone, Milo,” I stand up, growling at him. “Look, Bronx, you can come with us right now or you can find Blood River another Beta. I have plenty of packs who have already said they would give me asylum. Fuck being a Beta. I’ll take a job as a front gate guard and call it a fucking day. I’ll pack my shit, take Codi, and leave today if that’s how you really want this to go down. Your choice,” he crosses his arms and stares me down. Behind him, Reggie has his hands on his hips, looking at the floor. “What about you, Reggie? You're awfully quiet. Are you part of this ultimatum, too?” I lean forward against the desk, giving him a chance to speak u
Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future Book 2: Chapter 125
Milo’s POV Marco had told us to find her binder before Bronx ordered us to lock him in solitary confinement. He said Kas kept note cards and binders for everything. We just had to find the correct binder to figure out what she was up to. He couldn’t tell us anymore because of some sort of potion he had swallowed. He was right. We rifled through dozens of binders in her office until we found one in her desk drawer that had a sticker labeled ‘Manae Notes’. It detailed everything, complete with cute pictures of rooms and furniture she wanted to use magic to create so her sisters would be comfortable in the home she was building for them. Some of the note cards were actually thin sheets of parchment that looked like they were hundreds of years old. Others were thick handmade papers that were crumbling on the edges. There were at least six different languages among the cards. Musu helped us translate most of them, but a few she said were in dead languages she wasn’t familiar with. Regardl
Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future Book 2: Chapter 124
Kas’s POV I wake up in the morning feeling stiff and sore. I slide out of bed with a groan and look in the mirror. Even more than yesterday, I don’t recognize the reflection I see. Pale skin with dark bags below my eyes. All the violet from my irises is gone, replaced by a gray so light, it could be mistaken for white. I gently run a brush through my brittle, thinning hair. It is no longer gray and glittery. It’s turned into a dull shade of white that matches my eyes. I put on a loose dress and a heavy long cardigan to hide the joints protruding from all my angles before I go out to address my sisters for one last time before escorting them to Kardiá tou Manae. When I first met Lenora, bruises from my nose being broken upset her. What she would think now at my self-imposed deterioration. I turn to the side and admire my growing belly. I let myself smile when I feel the impatient little kicks coming from inside. I spend time with each team of sisters and make sure they are still on
Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future Book 2: Chapter 123
Bronx’s POV Halloween comes and goes. Thanksgiving comes and goes. Winter Solstice is only a couple of weeks away. The frigid Montana winter trudges on. The world keeps turning as if Kas never existed. Last week, I heard Katherine Santoro’s abandoned estate in Greece burned down to the ground. No fatalities and no signs of the other residents and staff who lived there several days prior. A few days later, hunters found Katherine’s naked body, along with an unidentified woman, both mauled by wild animals in a wooded area of Mongolia. The artist's sketch of the other woman is clearly Cora. As soon as they confirmed Katherine was dead, I had my people get to work on acquiring Santoro Enterprises. Within several months, I will be the CEO, absorb the company into MasonCo and create a logistics division. If there are any Manae hiding among Santoro Enterprises staff, I will flush them out and throw them into the dungeon to rot. It’s what they deserve. If Kas ever dares show her face aga
Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future Book 2: Chapter 122
Katherine’s POV The estate is unusually quiet when I get home from work. I don’t notice the usual hustle and bustle, but I chalk it up to coming home later than I normally do. I push open the door to my darkened office, pour myself a glass of scotch, and make my way over to the desk. I turn on the desk lamp and sit down, taking a deep sip of my drink. “Hello, Iokaste,” I lean back in my chair, addressing the woman in the tall wingback seat across the desk, “You look like shit.” “Hello, Katherine. Thank you for the compliment,” she snarks at me and leans forward from the shadow, letting me see her pale skin and sunken eyes be more clearly. Her spindly hand supports her chin. The longer I look at her, the more I realize she is way too thin. “K-Kas. Are-are you alright?” I stammer when I see her true condition. “Don’t worry about me, darling. You never have before. I’m here because I need you to do something for me. I’m going to give you a choice on how you do it,” she says, steepl
