Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

Chapter 11

The doctors run every test they can think of but can't find anything wrong with Kas other than the fact that she's exhausted. They determine that she didn't ingest known poisons. Thank the Goddess for that. They attribute the exhaustion to using so much energy when she almost drowned in the pool.

Based on how much weight she lost since the last time she had a checkup, the doctor doesn't think she has had anything to eat in the four days she was missing. I try to convince her to eat or drink anything. She appeases me by drinking a few sips of water, but pushes away any food we try to give her. She won't even take a bite of a banana, which is her favorite. When I found Kas two years ago, she was severely underweight from not being allowed to eat regularly. It took weeks before she could adjust to a normal diet. Since then, she has become a ravenous eater. Never turning down a meal, always snacking on veggies ora piece of fruit.

"Come on, Kas. Just a few bites of toast, at least. A little something in your stomach might kick start your appetite. Please," I beg her.

"I'll eat when I'm hungry, Bronx," she insists, gently pushing the plate of toast away.

"Okay, how about a protein shake, just enough to get some calories in you?" I try to offer an alternative.

She just scrunches up her nose at the idea and shakes her head.

"Kas, we're worried about you. You've lost almost ten pounds in four days. I can't stand to see you lose more," I stroke her cheek while I confess my concern. "I'm fine, Bronx. If I wasn't, I would tell you. You know that," she says with a promise.

"Give her a rabbit," Saint huffs, also frustrated that his mate won't eat. I

"A rabbit?"

"Yeah, that's what Lex hunts for when she's hungry. I can go out and find one right now and bring it to her," he offers.

"Let's hold off on raw meat while she is in human form, buddy. But I appreciate the offer."

"Have it your way," he shrugs and goes to lie down in the back of my mind. I can sense that he is still paying close attention to make sure Kas is alright. 3

Kas places her hand on top of mine and leans into my palm. There is something more in her eyes, but I can't place it. Something more primal, like she has somehow tapped into a more wild part of her essence. I can sense her emotions have more depth to her already ancient soul. When I look at her, I feel like I could fall into the violet pools of her eyes and be content for the rest of my life.

She is shocked to hear she was missing for four days. Even weirder than that, Kas says she can't remember anything except for a woman with red eyes and a Lenora look-alike having her drink out of an old cup. Reggie and I try to press her for more details, but she doesn't have any. Only that she was in a dark room and a woman who looked like my sister asked her to drink out of an old metal goblet. She doesn't remember the woman with red eyes saying anything. It isn't much to go on but Reggie goes to do research on famous enchanted goblets to see if he can find any pictures Kas can recognize. I ask Milo to look into creatures who have red eyes.

To be on the safe side, the doctor and I convince Kas to stay in the hospital overnight for observation. She agrees under the condition that I'm allowed to stay with her. Of course I agree. How could I not? They would have to drag me out of that room.

After a couple hours of people coming in and out to check on Kas, things finally settle down and she can close her eyes. Seeing her finally be able to relax gives mea sense of relief.

The quiet is interrupted by a mind link from James, " Alpha. Sorry for the interruption. Is it true? Is the Luna back?" I

"Yeah, she's back, James. We're keeping her in the hospital wing for the night for observation."

"Thank the Goddess! Delilah wants to come see her. Can she come now or should I have her wait until the morning?"

"You know Delilah is always welcome. Have her come now. We are having trouble getting Kas to eat. Maybe she has something that can help?"

James chuckles, "I am sure she has something in that bag of tricks. We will be there shortly."

Delilah is James's mate and Kas's business partner at the bakery. James met her when he and Marco were guarding Kas during an extended stay at a witch's coven. She and Kas are also best friends. They care for each other so much; it is almost like they are siblings. There is nothing one wouldn't sacrifice for the other. Delilah also happens to be a powerful witch and talented potion master.

While Kas insists her abilities are not magic, we have found that magic has helped when things go haywire with her. It was the reason she went to the Coven for training in the first place. She and Delilah still go every six months to visit and get themselves refreshed. Having Delilah available when Kas is in need has been invaluable on more than one occasion. There is a light knock at the door. Kas is finally sleeping peacefully. I want to let her sleep, but I know it would upset her if I told her Delilah had come, but I didn't wake her. I brush her bangs out of her face and kiss her forehead before going to open the door. Delilah is on the other side with tears in her big blue eyes. James is standing behind her, looking a bit anxious, holding what looks like an old timey doctor's bag. Delilah keeps potions in there. While we have an agreement that she is not allowed to perform most magic on pack territory, we occasionally make exceptions if the need should arise.

"Alpha, is she alright? Can I please see her?" The thin woman asks. Her spindly fingers wipe tears away from her dark blue eyes. Her light brown hair is ina ponytail and it looks like there is some cake batter on the side of her face.

"Yeah, she seems to be okay. We just have her here to be on the safe side, Delilah. She's sleeping, but I know she will be happy to see you. Come on in," I whisper and smile gratefully at her.

Delilah's eyes turn from dark blue to bright ocean blue in the blink of her eye as her mood brightens. She takes the bag from James and quietly pads across the room. James comes in and stands at the back o the room with me.

"Sorry, Alpha. I couldn't keep her away. She was in the middle of making a wedding cake and everything," James apologizes quietly for the interruption.

"No, it's okay, James. I am glad she's here. Kas will be happy to see her," I reassure him. I tell him what the doctors say about her weight loss and her lack of appetite. He looks at Kas with concern. He remembers what it was like when she first came to Blood River as well.

I look over when I hear Kas squeal with happiness. She and Delilah are giving each other a big hug. They both have tears of joy in their eyes. Delilah sits on the bed with Kas, chatting excitedly while she opens her bag. Kas tells her the little she can remember about her ordeal. She listens intently before waving for James and me to come to Kas's bed side. +

"Alpha Bronx Mason, if it's alright with you, lam going to give Kas a solution of herbs," she uses my full name and title to help invoke her magic once I give her permission, "There isn't much to it really... some custard apple, gentian, and dandelion root. Just some basic things to help with her appetite."

"If you think it will help, then by all means, Delilah, please go ahead," I nod in approval. As I finish speaking, the energy in the air changes. Delilah smiles and gets to work.

James leans on the railing of the bed and chats with Kas while Delilah mixes her potion. I notice he has a smile on his face, clearly glad she is doing well, but there is a slight furrow on his browas he talks to her. Delilah murmurs under her breath as she adds concoction changes from green to bright orange to clear. She finally looks satisfied with the result and smiles before handing it to Kas.

James steps back for a moment while Delilah explains to Kas how the potion will make her feel.

"Alpha, something seems off," he murmurs next to me, "Did you notice it? It's something with her eyes."

"Yeah. I can't pinpoint what it is though," I nod, "We can figure it out once we get some food into her."

He nods in silent agreement. We stand back and watch as Kas takes the cup from Delilah and sniffs it. She suddenly looks reluctant to drink it.

"What's the matter, Baby?" I ask. I step forward and take her other hand in mine. The sparks from our mate bond are back to being comforting and not overwhelming.

"T-it's just," she struggles to find the words to explain, "What if I disappear again?"

"Kas, Delilah would never give you a potion that would hurt you. She loves you. She is trying to help. How about this, I'll hold your hand the entire time? But I'm sure you will not go anywhere, except maybe Mrs. Miller's pantry from drinking that potion," I smile at her, "The three of us will be right here just in case something goes wrong, okay?"

"Okay," she smiles back, looking a little better about drinking the potion.

She throws her head back and drinks the liquid down in one gulp like a shot of liquor, then hands the glass back to Delilah.

"How do you feel?" Delilah asks as she puts the herbs back into her bag.

Kas hiccups a little. There is a slight look of concern on her face, "Fine, I think?"

"You think?" Delilah questions. Now she has a look of concern on her face, too.

"Yeah. Um...Delilah, could you get off the bed fora minute, please?" Kas asks with a little urgency in her voice. She lets go of my hand and pulls the covers off of herself. She starts to look a little pale. 1 "What's wrong, Kas? Do you want me to get the doctor?" I look into her eyes to trying to gauge what is happening with her. I

James helps Delilah off of the bed but then suddenly pulls her back quickly, sensing something is wrong. I look back at Kas and see her eyes are pitch black. A look crosses her face that is a mix of anger and pain. Oh no...now what?