Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future
Chapter 210

Chapter 78

'The bus just came through the security gate, Luna. Can you meet US out front?" Carly mind links me.

'Thanks Carly, I'll be right there," I let her know. I put a thick cardigan over my shirt to keep the early autumn chill away while I'm outside.

Tyree meets me in the hall and escorts me downstairs. I realize I don't know all that much about him. He tells me he has been working for Reggie since he got out of the military when he was twenty. He has two younger siblings. His sister goes to the human university in the state capital. His little brother is a senior in high school and really looking forward to being a pack guard.

By the time we get downstairs, Carly is standing with the rest of Blood River's ranked members, giving them last-minute instructions. Tyree gives me a nod and steps back, taking a place among the other guards who have been assigned to keep tabs on Bronx.

Ashley runs up and gives me a giant hug. She is practically jumping up and down as she speaks excitedly, "Oh Kas, I'm so happy to see you! Thank you again for what you did! I have been feeling so good the past few days."

Reggie steps forward and puts his arm around her waist, giving her a little kiss on the cheek, "Come on, Sweets. Give her some space. You'll have time to talk to her tonight at the party."

"Oh Luna, good, you're here," Carly looks up from her tablet and hands me several books, "Once everyone is in the Great Room, I will invite the children for story time with you. We set up bean bags and cushions on the floor on the far side of the room near the fireplace. These are the books I was telling you about, but we all know how good your mythology stories are. Whichever you want is fine. Keep it to fifteen, twenty minutes max. You have some pretty young kids in the group I can't imagine they can pay attention for very long." 2

I smile and nod, looking at the selection of books. I can't help but think about Codi and how distracted she can get when she has a lot of energy," Yes, ma'am."

Carly looks down at her tablet again, "Also, Diane Muller. I have several omegas ready to help her get the medical records to the hospital wing and set up appointments for everyone."

"That's perfect. Thank you so much for replaceing a role for her," I nod with approval.

"Kas?" Lenora touches my forearm, "The family of the little girl who was in the basement is coming as well. We have some time set aside so you can speak with them and explain that the person in the basement wasn't you. Also, at some point, she needs to speak with the Council about what happened. She witnessed a murder, after all."

I let my cheeks puff out as I breathe out heavily, "Alright. Yeah, I definitely want to speak to her before the Council gets their claws into her."

We watch as the coach bus pulls up the driveway, followed by two moving trucks.

When it pulls up and the door opens, Carly steps on the bus. I hear her making a couple of announcements. She steps on the bus followed by parents carrying babies and holding the hands of older children. 1

We form a line in rank order, with Ashley at the front and Bronx last so we can greet everyone and shake their hands. I bend down, so I am at eye level with younger children who are not being carried and introduce myself. The adults tentatively shake Bronx's hand, but the kids all seem too scared.

Last but not least, Diane comes off the bus. I run up and give her a hug as soon as her feet touch the ground.

"Kas, it's only been a week but I feel like it's been a month," she sighs, hugging me back.

"Diane, thank you so much for helping with the medical records and helping the families acclimate. We have a suite for you here in the packhouse. You won't have to share with anyone or anything," I look up and grin broadly at her. 'You have no idea-" she stops abruptly and looks around curiously, "Do you smell that?" 1

I sniff the air. I don't smell anything unusual, "What do you smell?"

"Caramel popcorn," she lifts her nose in the air and sniffs again. She looks past me and smiles. I see tears come to the corner of her eyes as she puts both hands up to her mouth. Her next words come out as a whisper, "My mate?" I turn around to see who she is looking at. One of the guards? Maybe one of the omegas? As I look around, I see one person standing with wide eyes staring at US with their mouth agape.

Her arm falls to her side and the tablet, usually glued to her hand, slips out of her fingers. Milo catches it before it hits the ground, but she doesn't notice as she slowly walks toward Diane and me. As she gets closer, I can see the tears in he eyes as well.

I step back so Carly can meet her mate for the first time and have a moment alone. 5

She hesitantly holds her hand out to Diane. I watch as Diane looks down and slowly puts her hand in Carly's. Diane's eyes close and a smile crosses her face as she feels the sparks of the mate bond for the first time. Carly looks more relieved than she has in a long time. I feel myself smile as they look at each other in disbelief and walk a few yards back toward Bronx and the other ranked members. 4

"Well, this is unexpected," he leans down and whispers to me.

"Shhh!" I elbow him playfully on the side. I hear a little sniffle next to me. Ashley wiping tears on her sleeve while she watches Carly and Diane. I turn my attention back to the sweet scene unfolding in front of US as well.

"1-1 waited so long," Diane tilts her head as the tears stream down her face, "I can't believe you're real. Wh-what's your name?"

"I'm Carly," I see a blush cross her face as her own tears fall. Carly reaches up and wipes Diane's tears, "I hope this means you're done waiting?"

Diane nods and laughs through her tears, 'Yeah, I'm done waiting."

They pull each other into an embrace and hold each other close. I can hear whispers coming from both of them, but they are words only meant for each other.

Bronx looks like he's about to say something, but I stop him.

"Bronx, let them have time together," I hiss. He stops and looks at the women. I watch as his face softens, trying to decide the best course of action.

"Ashley, can you please cover for Carly in the Great Room?" he asks quietly.

"Of course, Alpha," Ashley takes the tablet from Milo and waves everyone else to follow her inside.

Bronx clears his throat, just enough to get Carly and Diane's attention. They both turn toward US with wide eyes, like they have just realized we are still there. Diane's face turns bright red as she averts her eyes from Bronx and my gaze. Carly let's go of Diane but keeps a hold of her hand. I watch as the confident young woman looks to the ground in front of her Alpha, "Alpha, I'm sorry. I didn't-" 1

Bronx holds up his hand to stop her.

"Ladies, I know you want to spend time together, but we have some work that needs done first. Once all the medical records are sorted with the hospital staff and they have made all the appointments for our new pack members, please take the rest of the day to yourselves. We will see you tomorrow," Bronx says.

He doesn't wait for a response. He just turns around, takes my hand and we head inside the packhouse.