Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

Lenora chases after me with Codi in her arms, "Kas, wait. Wait up."

"What is it, Lenora?" I stop and cross my arms over my chest with a sigh.

"What is up with you lately, Little Sister? You haven't been yourself for weeks. I'm worried about you," she looks at me with half a smile.

"Lub you, Au Ka," Codi says sweetly from Lenora's arms.

I smile at Codi and reach my fingers out for her to grab, "I love you too, Codi." "Milo has been teaching her that to surprise you," Lenora laughs with tears in the corner of her eyes, "But seriously, Kas. Obviously, things are not okay with you. I know a lot of times you want to deal with things on your own, but please, I am here for you. All of us are. Whatever it is, we can help you. It isn't just Codi. Bronx, Milo, Reggie, and Ashley, let's not forget Marco and Musu, James and Delilah, not to mention this entire damn pack. We all love you Kas. And we're worried about you."

"Lenora, it's just stress. I'm fine. Delilah and I are going to Paris a few days early to get away from things. Decompress, you know? Things are just crazy right now. That's all," I shake my head and put my hands up defensively.

"If there were anything I could do, you would tell me, right?"

I feel her words cut through all my protective layers. I almost breakdown, but I can't. Now's not the time for emotions.

"Of course, Lenora. I would tell you if there was anything you could do," I try not to let my smile turn down to a frown. "We have already moved Tessa to the fourth floor across from Milo and me. That way, we can help her if she's having a hard time adjusting. Plus, Milo meets with the trainers and heads of pack security three times a week. You know how Milo is. If she can provide any insights into security, he wants her there for some of those meetings."

We make our way to the fourth floor and knock on the door to Tessa's new, larger studio apartment style suite. She opens it slowly and peeks out at us before opening the door fully.

"Are you here to hit me with angry energy again?" her voice cracks as she speaks.

Her words catch me off guard. She sounds so fragile, so broken, "N-no, Tessa. I just wanted to see if you were happy with your new room and see how you are feeling. I'm not here to fight." She stands aside to let us in and guides us to the loveseat and chair in the living area of the suite. She takes my hands and pulls me onto the loveseat with her, "I'm doing okay. I guess. I feel like I have a lot to apologize for, but I'm not sure where to start."

"Well, it sounds like that's a good start. Don't feel as if you need to say anything now. I know you are setting up appointments with the therapists starting tomorrow. They can help you with all that, not sure where to start, stuff. Trust me, they have helped me through tons of problems."

"Me too," Lenora chimes in, "It may surprise you to hear that I can be a little high-strung. I go once a month."

Tessa looks at Lenora curiously, "Let me guess, your wolf is cryptically pushy until she pushes you over the edge." Lenora looks taken aback, "Ho-how did you know that?"

"Me too. Except after millennia of that bullshit, my wolf finally went over the edge herself," Tessa says glumly.

"Don't worry, darling. You're in the right place now. Everyone here wants to see you get better," I rub her arm while I reassure her. I try to smile and gauge her mood.

"Even though I am going to die soon?" A tear slips down her face at the question.

"It doesn't matter when you're going to die, Tessa. Don't think about that. You have so many more lifetimes ahead of you. Focus on getting better so you have a fresh start in your next life. If you and your wolf are both in a better state of mind, maybe you can help Alexandros work through his demons. Get him back on a better path in life. Help him be a better wolf. You can help him bring honor back to his name. I'm sure of it," I look down and realize my aura is mixing with hers, creating an indigo colored glow between us.

"Thank you, Kas," she holds a hand to her heart.

"No, thanks needed. You are family, Tessa. We are just doing what family should do for each other," I nod resolutely, "I want to hear an excellent report about you when I get back from my trip, okay?"

"You're going somewhere?" she looks startled to hear that I won't be here.

"I'm going to Paris for a few days with my witch friend, Delilah. I believe you met her. She's also my business partner

at the bakery. We're just going to get away from all the silliness around here for along weekend. I just need some time to meditate and experiment with new recipes, maybe even eat at a fancy restaurant without the attention Bronx and I together usually draw," I sigh at the thought of being able to go intoa store or restaurant without being bothered by photographers. The laws in France make it much easier to have privacy, "Bronx is going to join us later in the week, then we are going to Greece for Katherine's charity event. I'll be back in a week anda half, but Lenora and Milo aren't going anywhere. They will help you with anything you need. Just give the word."

"You're going to Greece?" Tessa's eyes widen with what I can only describe as fear. It looks very foreign and uncomfortable for her.

"Yes, to some sort of casino charity night," I explain. Surely she had to have heard about it before.

"Please be careful, Kas. I wish you would change your mind. If there's anything I can do to talk you out of it, tell me what it is. 1 won't speak against our sisters, but you need to protect yourself. Please," she begs as she grabs my hand tighter.

Her words are almost identical to Cora's, 'I won't speak against our sisters '.I wonder what they both know and what they are not telling me. Are they worried that the Mavri Magea is dangerous, even to me? Or are they trying to warn me about someone else in our family?

"Don't worry, Tessa. Bronx will be with me, so will my two guards anda powerful white witch," I explain, trying to calm her down, "And don't forget, I have some abilities of my own. I'm not a pushover."

"Okay. Just keep your guard up, please," she continues to urge. Her green eyes are turning watery again, "Lenora, can you change her mind? Can you make her stay?"

"Tessa, if I knew how to get Kas to change her mind about anything, Bronx would make me a queen," Lenora screws up her face and sticks her tongue out at me playfully. Codi giggles at her mother's funny face.

"I will be careful. I promise," I place my hand on the side of Tessa's cheek, "Thank you for your concern."

I watch Tessa's lip tremble again. She pulls me toward her and hugs me while she sobs.

I open a mind link to Lenora while I hold my sister, "Let the guys know we're gonna need extra security in Greece, please."

"Yeah, as soon as we leave this room," her confident tone has returned, making me already feel better about the upcoming trip.