Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

Chapter 81

Kas’s POV

It’s my birthday. It’s the summer solstice. It’s also my freaking wedding day. I can’t believe it.

“One year together with you, Kas! It’s been an exciting one!” Lex sings in my head.

“Tell me about it. I’m so glad you’re you, Lex,” I smile at her.

“I’m glad you’re you too, Kas,” she purrs.

“What do you think today will be like, Lex? I’ve never celebrated my birthday before. I’ve never gotten married before either,” I wonder.

“Well, I imagine people will be wishing you a happy birthday all day. You will probably get gifts too. It will be rude to decline them, so just smile and say thank you,” she advises, “but now that you’re eighteen, your scent is going to be stronger. To Bronx and to other wolves. Bronx may be a little more protective, but he is also going to fall so much more in love with you too.” 2

“Oh yeah, I remember them teaching us about that in health class,” I recall.

I look out the living room window and see the hustle and bustle of the lawn being transformed for the ceremonies tonight. Delilah lets Mrs. Miller and a couple of omegas in who have brought us a huge breakfast. Mrs. Miller has been telling me for the past week how important i tis to eat a big breakfast on your wedding day. She says once your makeup is on, you can’t eat until the reception. Sandy and Henri’s mate, Sophia, come to the apartment and relax with Lenora, Ashley, Delila and I while we eat. 1

The breakfast is amazing. Mrs. Miller and her staff have stepped up their game for the weekend. I give her a thumbs-up as she finishes up wiping down the kitchen counter. She winks back with a smile. How did I end up so lucky in my life to have so many people who care about me the way they do?

It’s still early, so I excuse myself to my bedroom for an hour so I can meditate. Yeah, even today. I think more than ever, I need a sense of calm to get today started. Lex does too. She is s o excited it is difficult to keep her from overtaking my thoughts when I need to focus on everything I need to do. Not that my bridesmaids would let me forget anything, but you get the idea.

I close my eyes and let my mind relax. I reach out into the universe and search, not for anything particular, just looking around to see what or who I can find. I can sense Bronx. He is down at the training grounds. I remember that he, Milo, and Reggie are giving a class to trainers from other packs this morning. I gently reach out and touch him for a moment. I imagine a little whisper a few words just for him in his ear, then pull back and continue to search some more. It’s pleasant and peaceful, but I need to get back to reality. When my eyes open, I feel like a million bucks. Any nerves I woke up with this morning are gone and now all I feel is happy and calm. Lex too, thank the Goddess.

I take my time in the shower and come back out into the living room. I’m shocked to see it has been converted into a salon complete with hair and nail stations. The stylist is ready to blow dry my hair, but before she does, Carly comes to the apartment, right on time. I hand her the little box for Bronx. She lifts it open and peeks inside with a smile.

“It’s going to look great on him, Luna,” she nods.

“I hope so,” I smile and give her arm a squeeze before she leaves to see Bronx. 2

Everyone is getting their hair and nails done when Lenora quiets the room to make an announcement. We all turn to look at her.

“Ladies, we all know what a big day this is, but it is also Kas’s birthday. She asked us all to not get her any gifts, which was a difficult promise to keep, but this gift is not from me, it is from my brother, Bronx. My only part of this gift is keeping it a surprise,” she gives me a devilish

grin.

she turns on the TV and syncs her tablet so it displays on the big screen. I open the box to find a key inside. A key? What did

relationship. And we know that you two are even going there on your honeymoon. Well, after the honeymoon you will be able t o go anytime you

mouth drop open but I can’t close it,

slide show of a beautiful two-level apartment. It has

Four bedrooms, air-conditioned, recently renovated with new

it’s the most wonderous thing in the

paperwork last week. Happy Birthday, Kas!” Lenora

so glad my makeup isn’t done yet because it would be

no no, stop crying! Because there’s

wail. Sandy comes over and

gift. So, if you look in that box, you will also find a piece of paper with a code

pinch me. The archive library was the only part of the packhouse that survived the fire because of all the safety

installed to protect the ancient books

her head asking permission to help me with magic before I have a

key code in my fingers, “The code is one thing, but an apartment in

my son. All for the better. He has always been driven by duty to the military and this pack, never by someone he calls his own. Not to a person who loves him unconditionally,

me a box of tissues and we look more at the beautiful pictures of my new apartment while I get my hair finished. Lenora tells me I will be able to see the apartment on my honeymoon, but it’s not

me into the bathroom to help me clean the tears away from

she asks with a questioning look as she wipes

own money which is why I’m opening the bakery and we have started to talk a little bit about pack finances and the budget but he wants to wait until I am finished

confused, “That’s interesting. So

like it’s not my business,” I shrug, “We’ve never talked

and sits me on the vanity seat, “Kas, I’m not telling you this to prove a point or to try to intimidate you or anything. I feel like you need to know in case you ever find yourself targeted or blackmailed by malicious people. There are a lot of people out in the human

completely understand why she sounds

want to blackmail our mate?” Lex

to business and finances, my son is pretty savvy. He doesn’t really show off, we both know that’s not his style. He lives a comfortable life, but with all things considered, h e

questioning look, “Kas, you know MasonCo is

and everyone works hard to keep

at me as if I just told her

she continues, “Kas, Bronx is worth a

look at her with knit brows, still