Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

73

Bronx’s POV

It’s Sunday. I call it our “lazy” day. In other words, Kas and I don’t leave the apartment so James and Marco can have a day off. Most of the time, we are anything but lazy. Kas catches up on homework, tests recipes that I get to taste for quality control, and does chores she doesn’t want to have omegas take care of, like laundry and cleaning the kitchen. I always tell her that i s what they are there for but she says she is happy to do it so I let her be. 2

For me personally, it is a good time to catch up on pack matters and relax in front of the television. Kas likes to write any essays she has due on Sundays, so she gives them to me to read over when she is done. 1

It is late afternoon when she is finished with her homework and other busy work, so she comes over to hang out with me on the sofa. She drapes her legs over my lap and looks hesitantly at the reality show about fishing boats I am watching.

“Sweetheart, can we talk about a couple of things?” she asks, trying to sound casual but I see right through it. It’s rare for Kas to say she wants to talk about whatever’s on her mind, so when she does, I give her my full attention. I have been able to sense something has been bothering her for a couple days now. I knew she would come around at some point, but I need t o let her do it in her own time.

“Of course, Baby. What’s up?” I shut off the television, “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, I was just thinking. Now that Codi is born, maybe you should try to quit smoking. Do you want her to remember your scent as cigarette smoke?”

“Excuse me?” The tone of my voice betrays my body language. This is about my bad habit? I start to feel a bit defensive.

time with, I think maybe

came back in December. After I died in Blood River and was able to be resuscitated I thought it would be

mate. Don’t be an ass,” I

to bargain. He’s got a point,

believe for a second it is simply about me, Codi, or about me quitting smoking,” I look her in

sighs, her mood immediately changes to be more serious, “you know how earlier you asked if I wanted to

hits a hard

and avoids

oh. Something’s

situation is,” she says with a little frown. My sweet little mate sounds like she is going to cry and I’m not sure how to stop i t before it starts. She looks at her hands while she explains the circumstances and potential solutions she and Lady Camille discussed. When she finishes, she looks up at me and there they are, all the tears. My heart starts breaking at the sight, so I reach over and wipe

something. It doesn’t matter to me as long as I have you. Little shack in the back of the territory, remember? You don’t need to cry. Please don’t cry,” I reassure her while I hold her close to my chest. As I say it, I realize I am not just reassuring her, I’m

wipe my own

her so many more questions, but I can feel how bad this

did you have on your mind? Hopefully,

with a smile. She then tells me

is that not heavy? Darkness? Not accepting their fate?” I ask, “That’s not heavy? Seems