Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

Chapter 13

The cool morning air combined with the dew dampening my cheek rouses me from my sleep. I pull Kas closer to my chest so she won't catch a chill. She grumbles a little at being moved, but doesn't wake up. My little sleepyhead. She hates waking up early. I smile as I take a deep breath with my nose buried in her hair. Her fresh rain and lilac scent is mixed with something else. Mud and a little blood. Hold up. Mud and blood?

My eye snaps open and I see the sun is rising over the treeline. We are still out in the woods. I look around to find we are in the grass next to the Blood River. We are both naked and look like we have been rolling in mud puddles. There is a pile of rabbit remains nearby. I notice my face feels sticky. I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand. When I pull my hand away, I see it's covered with goopy, almost dried blood that smells just like the rabbit carcasses. Gross. 3

At some point during the night, Kas and I both shifted, but I can't remember a thing after Saint cut our link. I need to get some clothes for us from the nearby lockbox. I adjust my position slightly so I'm on my back, assessing how far away the container is from where we are. As I turn, I feel sores all over my body. I groan a little and try to find a spot that hurts, that isn't covered in mud. I find a couple spots on my arm that clearly have the remnants of bite marks, but Saint has already started healing them. They are just red and sore now.

"Saint?"

"Let me sleep. It was a late night," he grumbles.

"Not so fast, buddy. What exactly happened last night? How come Kas and I shifted and why are we in the woods? I told you to get her back to the packhouse by dawn."

"Listen, Bronx. I'm not gonna to taint your virgin ears by getting into the nitty-gritty details. Just know that Lex and I mated...a lot. It was a night to remember. I don't even know the last time Lex was such an animal. It was probably when she was affected by Cora," I can practically hear him purring, "We were too worn out to make it to the packhouse, so we shifted for you and letting you snuggle up by the river. Like camping. Isn't that what you guys call romantic?" 4

I'm not sure what to say to him. I can't really be mad. He has every right to spend time with Lex as I do with Kas. Who am I to judge if he wants to have a wild night out in the woods with his mate? I just wish he would have taken her back to the packhouse like he said he would instead of romping around until he was too tired to make it back.

"Okay, well I'm going to get us some clothes and go home. Wait. Who's Cora?"

"Leader of The Feral," he yawns, "Don't worry about it, you'll never meet her."

"Fine. Go back to sleep."

"Thank you and you're welcome," he adds, emphasizing 'welcome', like he did me some sort of favor before he curls up to fall back asleep.

I carefully slide my arm out from under Kas and gently lay her head on the ground. She sighs deeply, but looks content. She also has rabbit remnants around her mouth. The wolf side of me thinks it looks kinda sexy. The human side of me knows it will horrify her if she sees herself with blood all over her face. I make a mental note to get her into the shower before she has time to look in a mirror.

I make my way to the lockbox and pull out a pair of shorts for myself and an oversized shirt and a blanket to wrap Kas up in. While I'm doing that, I mind link our ranked pack members and James and Marco. "Hey everyone, I'm headed back to the packhouse with Kas. I want both James and Marco on duty. One of you inside the apartment, the other outside. Better yet, bring Tyree in as well. I want him on the stairs No one on the fifth floor except for ranked members."

They confirm and cut the link to get themselves organized.

"Ashley, let the PR team know I don't need a script. I know what I'm going to say."

"No problem, Alpha."

"Lenora? I need you and Musu to find anything you can about a group known as The Feral and a woman who leads them named Cora."

"That's it? You don't have any more info than that?"

"Based on a conversation I had with Saint just now, I think this Cora woman may have somehow magically affected Kas and Lex. I don't have anything else other than that." "Alright, we're on it."

"Milo, Reggie, you're shadowing me today as representatives of MasonCo. After we release the tape to the media, we are going to HQ. There are going to be reporters and you are going to be speaking to them."

"Got it, boss man. We will change into suits now," Milo confirms before cutting the link.

I kneel down in front of my sleepy little mate, prepping the shirt to put on her.

"Kas, wake up, Baby. We have to get back to the packhouse," I stroke the side of her face with my hand.

"Pack house?" she gives a cranky little growl, resisting waking up and barely opening her eyes, looking around at her surroundings.

"Yeah. It looks like Lex and Saint had a wild night last night. They let us roll around in mud puddles and sleep by the river. Come on, sit up. I have a shirt for you and a blanket, so you can go back to sleep. I'll carry you,"

She groggily sits up and lets me pull the shirt over her head. I wrap her up like a burrito in the blanket and pick her up.

"Hey Bronx," she whispers, trying not to fall back asleep in the warm blanket.

"Yeah, Baby?" I look down at her and smile. Her eyes are closed, but she is smiling too.

"I just wanted to let you know I love you and I'm so glad to be home," she tells me as she snuggles further into my chest.

My heart sings at her words, "I love you too, Kas. More than anything."

"But I'm still mad that you left me alone on Sundays."

Well, I guess she's feeling better.

"You'll be glad to know, I've learned my lesson. You will never be alone on Sundays again. We can talk more about it later. I have some business to attend to after I get you in bed." 3

She gives a little hum before her snoring begins again.

When I get Kas back to our apartment, I settle her in the bed and turn on the shower. I coax her out of the blanket and join her in the shower, helping her get all the mud and blood off of her. She practically purrs when I wash her hair.

"Kas. I have a question," I say while I'm massaging shampoo through her scalp.

"Yeah, what's up, Sweetheart?" she asks with her eyes closed, a content smile on her face.

"Do you know anyone named Cora? Or people who are part of a group called The Feral?"

She opens her eyes and looks up at me with concern," No? I don't think so? Why?"

"It was just something Saint said to me this morning," I say nonchalantly, "Nothing to worry about."

When I'm sure we are both completely freshened up, I wrap a towel around Kas's body, another around her wet hair, and lead her back to bed.

"Kas, I don't want you to worry about the bakery or anything today. Delilah has it under control. Please, just get some rest and get your energy back, okay? I'm going to have Mrs. Miller bring food for you. Food that isn't raw rabbits."

"Raw rabbits? Gross, Bronx."

"Yeah, I know," I shake my head thinking about our wolves' carnal habits, "I will be back to check on you this afternoon, but James is going to be outside the bedroom door, and Marco is going to be in the hall. I even have Tyree by the stairs to be on the safe side. If you need anything, anything at all, let them know."

"Okay. Can you hand me my blanket, please?" her voice getting sleepy again.

I grab her old green and gray blanket. It is the only thing left from when she was a slave with her old pack. We brought her to Blood River wrapped in it two years ago. She can't explain why but, she finds it comforting. If it makes her happy, it makes me happy.

I lay next to her on the bed whispering words meant just for her until she falls asleep with a smile on her face. When I'm sure she's completely out, I kiss her forehead and get myself prepared to go to the conference room and record a message for the media.

Katherine's POV

"Katherine! Turn on the television! Bronx Mason is on the news!" Amari comes running into my office.

"On the news? Why?"

"T-Tessa messed up," she whimpers, her face turns pale.

I knit my brows and turn on the television to the news station. Even through the screen, I can feel the anger rolling off of him. Sure enough, a prerecorded message from Bronx plays out. He looks like he's barely containing his rage as he eloquently threatens the people who kidnapped his wife and tortured her for four days before trying to drown her. He offers a hundred thousand dollars for information that leads to the arrest of the perpetrator. The reporter then provides a phone number and website for MasonCo for anyone who has information.

My words of warning ring in my mind, "Tessa, wherever you are, be safe, darling. He's tearing the Earth in half to find you."

I lean back in my chair and stare off in the distance, trying to determine my next move. I usually thrive in situations like this. Typically, these situations don't involve the complicated web of my family. Wherever Tessa is, even Alexandros cannot find her. He and the rest of the Frouros left two days ago to search the far corners of the world for her, but she has been two steps ahead of them at every turn. The gears on my head churn as I try to come up with a plan.

"Katherine, you're rolling your lip, darling," Amari's voice pulls me from my thoughts.

I look up at her, then down at my hand. Sure enough, I coated my thumb and forefinger in red lipstick. I pull a tissue and wipe my hand. I lean forward and clasp my hands together on the desk. 1 "Amari, please do what you can to prepare Cora. Let me know if you need my help to convince her. I have some calls to make, but she'll be coming with us to the United States," I smile.

"Do you think that's wise?" she looks at me like I have a second nose on my face.

"Getting closer to Bronx or involving Cora?"

"Well, both actually, but I was referring to Bronx. It's a dangerous game, Katherine."

"Yes. I'm sure of what I'm doing. It's time to make our move. We need to lure Tessa out of hiding and keep the remaining guardians safe from Leticia."

"Alright. As always, I place my faith in you, Luna," Amari sighs before she bows slightly and leaves the room.

I push the button on my desk phone.

"Yes, Luna?" my assistant Sarah responds through the speaker.

"Contact our Dallas, Texas office, please. We need to start plans for a new facility in Montana."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Also, contact MasonCo. I want to discuss a security contract for the new facility with the potential to broaden to international locations."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Sarah, ask for a meeting directly with Bronx Mason. Drop my name if necessary. Don't take no for an answer." "Yes, ma'am."