Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

Chapter 91

"fastest dinner ever..."

I hear Bronx say, but he sounds like he’s underwater.

The high pitch buzzing sound is trying to push its way forward, but I fight against it with all my concentration.

Lex is trying to speak to me, but she sounds like she’s miles away.I stand up so I can join Bronx in front of the table, but Milo and Lenora take my hands and pull me into my seat.

Codi is in my lap, hugging me tightly.I can feel the warmth of our special connection and hug her back.

Pack members cheer and howl silently as Bronx gives his speech.He paces slowly and confidently while his hands add emotion to his words.

Our pack looks so happy.

That’s how it should be.

Happy.

A plate of chicken cordon bleu is in front of me.I look at it curiously.

My mind can’t seem to remember how eating works.I dip my finger in the sauce and give Codi a taste.

She claps her hands, but there is no noise.

Lenora gives Bronx a worried look and shakes her head as she pulls her pup from my lap.

Red, gold, and white decorations glitter in the background, slightly out of focus.

People look up from their dinner.I can sense their worry.It hits me in crashing waves.

Milo and Reggie are on either side of me, helping me to my feet.We are walking down a hallway.

Marco is ahead of us, holding his phone to his ear.I feel a hand on the small of my back.I look up to see who it is and trip over my feet.

Bronx catches me and picks me up, carrying me the rest of the way.I don’t even know where we’ re going.I close my eyes and let the scent of coffee and dark chocolate lull me into a relaxed sleep.

"Leticia? Are you here?"иσνєℓєвσσк.¢σмI call out as I walk into the apartment.

"To..uhh...Kas?"

Leticia pops her head out from what appears to be an office.There are small symbols painted on her face that look like runes.She has her hair pulled back into a black bandana.She wipes her hand over her face and the markings magically disappear, "I wasn’t expecting you.What’s going on?"

"I have some questions.Do you have time?"

arms in frustration, trying to remember I’m not upset with her.I also don’t want to set

I need

back out at me, "O-of course, I always have time for you.Give me just a second.I’ll meet you

door,

inside, I hear a

back away slowly

like she is fresh out of the shower even though she closed the door to the room two

long enough

her face.My resolve softens as I look at her.I can’t imagine there are many people showing her affection

in my shoulder.I rub her back slightly

throat and pulls away from

a ton of stuff about myself.I want to know more from your perspective, please," I sigh, letting my hands fall heavily to my sides, then plop onto the

seems like a conversation that needs snacks," she

as she waves her hand over our laps, exposing a bowl of popcorn,

perfect.You seem to always know exactly what I need," I give her cheek a little

things I have learned over the past day about the Manae and about myself.She nods

give you the box

"Box of notecards?"

it to you unless things are at ‘ critical mass’.I think we’re

dragging a foot locker sized chest with her.She sets it down in front of me

there you go," she puts her hands on her hips, looking at the

at the chest, not sure what to

where it would hinge open.I run my finger across the edge, trying to figure

it?" I look up

"Blood magic," she mumbles.

That doesn’t help

your finger, and let it bleed onto the chest until your wolf heals

"Hey, Kas.I won't lie to you.I mess with a lot of dark shit.Blood magic is not one of them.This was your idea.I just

not trying to

"I’m sorry I yelled at you earlier, but you have to understand my position.I have orders from our Mother.There is so much I

I find out about

a bed of roses.But on this one, you can

heavily, trying to decide what to do, "I’m not opening the trunk today, Leticia.Lex says it's going to

cards to add to the trunk that I will bring with me next

onto the sofa,

remember all of their

yeah.That is a

memories of your previous lives.The rest of us do not.We remember

carefully, "Thousands of years ago, Mother insisted it helps keep balance and prevents you two from being corrupted by dark forces.The kicker is, you guys are the most powerful of all the Manae and Guardians, but because you don’t have any previous memories, you just don’t know it.We're only allowed to call on you if there is a problem with our family

pulls her hand away from me into

Leticia? What’s wrong?" I brush her sparkly hair away from her face