Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future
Chapter 185

Chapter 53

Bronx's POV

I have some pretty dumb ideas sometimes. I'm man enough to admit that. Sending Kas away for five days, that is probably the dumbest I've had in a long time. I know because when I roll over to pull her into my arms, but she's not there. It's my own stupid fault. I have to settle for her green and gray blanket to get her scent. I growl into the empty blanket, upset that it is not my mate. 1

Only one more night, Bronx. You can do this, I tell myself. I look at the ceiling, thinking about the conversation I had with Kas last night. I was so proud to hear her tell me about her conversation with Randall. And glad to hear they only have to finish assessing the packhouse while Lenora finishe registrations. They will leave first thing tomorrow.

I let out a heavy sigh before I pull myself out of bed and get a shower.

I grab a towel and dry myself off. I throw it over my head and rub it through my hair, drying it as much as possible. When I pull the towel off, I swear I see a glowing flash of purple in the mirror. I pause and look closer, but there is nothing. It must have been my imagination. I comb my hair back then start shaving. The flash catches my attention again in my peripheral vision. I can see it on the side of my face where I have no eye. I snap my head around and look, but there's nothing there. 1

Lady Camille had told me she believed I was developing an aura like Kas because of how close our connection is. I was absorbing Kas's extra energy, and it was having a physical effect on me. She and I decided to keep a close eye on it, since she would be in town for a few more weeks wit Delilah. I look down at my hands, but they aren't glowing. Whatever that light was, it's not coming from me.

I look in the mirror one more time and pause, trying to look around without moving my head, just shifting my eye back and forth. Whatever it was, it's gone now. I finish shaving and brush my teeth. When I get to the door, I feel a heat against my back. I quickly turn to see a purple light in the room suddenly fade. I can't tell where it originated from, just that I was in the bathroom and it was hot.

"James, I'm sorry to bother you, but I think I need Delilah to come to my apartment. Something weird is happening up here," I mind link Kas's guard.

"No problem, Alpha. We have an appointment with the specialist this morning. Do you need her before or can it wait until after?"

"After is fine. I have meetings all morning. If you two could meet me up here at lunch, that would be perfect."

'Yes, Alpha. See you then," James confirms.

I take another good look around the bathroom. Nothing seems suspicious or out-of-place now, so I go about my business and finish getting ready.

Milo and Reggie meet me at the landing of the third floor. Both looking chipper and ready to work.

"Morning Alpha! How did you sleep?" Reggie chirps.

"Fine. What are you so happy about?" I ask.

"After our meetings yesterday, Ashley had a doctor appointment, and we found out we're having a girl!"

"Oh man! That's awesome!" Milo gives Reggie a big hug, "She and Codi are gonna be best friends just like their moms. I know it."

I smile and shake his hand, "Congrats, Reggie. Very happy for you two."

"Thanks, guys. Come on, Bronx. When is it your turn? We need a little mini Bronx running around this place," Reggie laughs.

"Don't worry, Kas and I are working on it," I turn my head to the ground, not really wanting to make eye contact, and talk about my sex life in the

hallway, "It's not for a lack of trying." 1

"Well, if you need any pointers-"

"Milo, whatever you think you are about to say, think twice. My little sister is your mate," I warn.

"Oh, yeah. Reggie, give Bronx some pointers," Milo laughs, elbowing Reggie. 1

Reggie's face reddens a little, "Uh, yeah Bronx, if...you know...I mean...if you need any advice, uh...lemme know. Otherwise let's drop this conversation." Milo and I laugh at Reggie's modesty. As we get to the landing of the second floor, there is a distinct change in energy in the air. It feels like static building around US, ready to spark. All three of US stop in our tracks.

"You feel that?" Milo asks, his eyes growing black and fangs extending. Reggie and I follow suit, letting our wolves come forward in case we are being attacked.

I look over the railing of the landing down to the first floor to see if I can see the source of the disturbance.

"What the...? Kas? Leni?" I must be hallucinating. They are supposed to be at Silver Moon, not here while Santoro Enterprises is here. I sniff the air but don't smell either of their scents. What is happening?

"Lenora? Sugar, what are you doing?!" Milo rushes down the stairs.

I look again and realize Kas and Lenora aren't just standing on the main level. They are having an argument. I watch, horrified, as Lenora lifts Kas off the ground, holding her up with both hands by the throat. The smell of blood wafts in the air as Lenora's claws pierce the scarred skin on the sides of Kas's throat. There is a look of pure hate and rage in the black eyes of Lenora's wolf, Justice, as she strangles a thrashing Kas.

"Lenora! stop!" I yell, skipping steps as I run down the stairs. Lenora finally looks up at me and her face turns pale. Her eyes turn back to their regular green and she lets go of Kas, letting her fall to the ground with a hard thud. Before we can stop her, Lenora takes off, running full speed out the door of the packhouse. Milo and Reggie take off after her. 1

"Kas? Are you okay, Baby?" I get to the bottom of the stairs and kneel next to Kas. I can immediately tell something isn't right when I touch her. There are no sparks of our mate bond. Her scent is off. So is her body posture and her energy. Is she falling into a vision? Goddess, please no. Not o the main floor of the packhouse where everyone can see her. She will be so embarrassed.

I keep my hand on her back, bending forward to see her face. Kas coughs as she catches her air, but she is doing something with her hands at the same time. I can't tell

'That's so cute, you call her Baby," Kas giggles softly between her coughs.

What is she talking about? Something is wrong with her voice.

"Kas?" The energy coming off of her makes me feel slightly nauseous.

She finally looks up at me, and I see it isn't Kas at all. I feel myself freeze on the spot. What the fuck? She looks exactly like Kas, but it isn't her. This woman doesn't have Kas's scars. Her smile is cruel and cold and her violet eyes are calculating and careless at the same time.

"Oops, looks like Bronx just found out his mate has a look alike," her laugh is like a cackle as she looks at me.

"Who - who are you?" I whisper trying to process what I'm seeing. All the videos we had seen of Kas's sisters showed women that looked similar to her, but never this close.

"Name's Leticia, Bronx. I would stay for tea, but I think that's my cue to leave," she looks behind me. I turn my eyes away from her and see James and Delilah standing near the front door, watching US with horrified looks. Delilah is starting a spell under her breath.

"NO! You have to protect her," Saint growls in my mind.

"What the Hell are you talking about you crazy ass wolf?" I ask him, trying to wrap my head around everything happening in the moment.

"You're her guardian, dummy. It's your fucking job to protect her. So do it!

Don't let the witch hurt her!" Saint roars louder. 1

"This isn't Kas, Saint!"

"I KNOW! JUST DO IT!" He gives a frustrated snarl and takes over my movements, pulling me back from being in control of my body.

He positions me between this mystery woman and Delilah, blocking any spell Delilah is going to try to use against her.

Leticia sits up straight and throws her hands out away from her body. As she does, a focused point of light purple light shoots out from her chest into the middle of the room. It quickly grows and glows so brightly, I have to look away from it.

"Don't worry, Bronx, I'll be back," she pats the side of my face as she giggles. Before I can stop her, she jumps up and sprints for the purple light.

I try to scramble to my feet to chase her, but Delilah releases her spell, trying to knock the woman off her feet. Saint forces me to throw my body to block the pulse of Delilah's spell instead of chasing after Leticia. I watch as Kas's look alike dives into the purple light and it disappears. At the same time, Delilah's spell hits me and knocks me backward into a side table, smashing it to pieces. Saint conveniently gives back control just as I hit the ground.

"Saint, you have some explaining to do," I growl.

"I just did! You're Leticia's guardian. You can't let Delilah or anyone else hurt her. You really are dense sometimes," he scolds like this is all some sort of commonplace occurrence.

I sit for a moment with everyone looking at me. I can feel anger bubbling up inside me and I let it. Losing control inside your own packhouse?

Unacceptable.

"What the fuck just happened in my packhouse?!" I roar, "James, Delilah, my office now! Reggie, replace Milo. Get Musu from upstairs, You're all meeting me up there too."