Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

Chapter 186- 94

Kas’s POV

"Kas, you’re sure about this, right?"

Lex asks while I get changed into fresh clothes, "I mean, I agree with your decision, but I just want to make sure this is what you really want to do.We don’t know if it’s going to work."

"I'm sure, Lex.We have to try.I only have to live long enough to give birth to Cora.After that, worst case, you and I meet again in our next lifetime," I say resolutely, "You have my back, right?"

"Yes, I have your back.Jeez, Kas, you’re such a badass, you know that? You're making this lifetime one of my favorites," she coos at me, "A true warrior child of the Moon Goddess."

I roll my eyes at her, "Speaking of lifetimes, hundreds of them.I understand why you couldn’t tell me but you told me we have had like fifteen or twenty lifetimes with Bronx, with all things relative, that isn’t very many."

"Well, there are a couple reasons for that," she says sheepishly, "Sometimes you die before you meet him.Sometimes you die before I even wake up."

"Who was my mate before Bronx? I mean, Saint isn’t even a thousand years old but you and I, our spirits, are ancient."

"I don’t really want to get into those morbid details, Kas.It’s the past.It doesn’t matter.You have Bronx now and I have Saint.We love them very much until the end of our spirits’ journeys."

Morbid? I lean against the dresser and think for a moment.

What an odd way to describe past mates.

From the bathroom, I hear the shower turn off and Bronx gives a big snarling yawn.I can’t imagine living a lifetime that I don't get to know this guy.He is perfect for me.

"I know technically I can’t command you to do anything, but I am going to command you right now, okay?"

"Ummm...okay?"

"I command you to never ever, no matter what, never tell me how I have died in the past.This is the last time in this life anyway that we have this conversation.I need to keep as many positive thoughts in my heart as I can."

"Command accepted, ma’am."

"Thank you.Now let's go find Cora and Amari."

Bronx comes into the closet room, with a towel wrapped low around his waist, and gives me a kiss before he chooses what to wear for the day.I admire his hard chest and abs and smile at the tattoos that blanket his skin like a work of art.

"Yeah, the sooner the better.I want to get back so we can spend time with Saint," she purrs, sending dirty images of things she wants to do with him.

"Earth to Kas.What are you thinking about?"

Bronx is waving his hand in front of my face, "I’ve been talking to you for like five minutes."

"I-oh-I was th-thinking about- I-hmm," I clear my throat while Lex laughs.

Bronx smirks as I stumble over my words, too flustered to tell him what Lex is up to.

"BUSTED!" she howls at my expense.

I compose myself, then give Bronx a kiss, and let him know I am going to see my sisters and leave before I can embarrass myself further.

"LEX! Knock it off!" иσνєℓєвσσк.¢σмI laugh at her as we walk down the hall with Tyree.

"You alright, Luna?" Tyree asks, looking at me with concern.

"Oh, just my wolf being vulgar," I smirk at him.

"TMI, Luna," he averts his eyes as we walk to the second floor.

I see a flush come through his dark complexion.

"Hey, you asked!"

Now I laugh at him.He scrunches his face, regretting asking his question.I didn’t figure him as a modest guy.He just shakes his head, "You’re my Luna.

Do you know what my mom would do if I told her you were talking to me like this? Just casually walking down the hall, talking about your horny Luna wolf? She would drag me to the Northern border and bury me six feet under with her own four paws." Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"Sorry, Tyree.I will do my best to not upset your mom," I smirk at him.

When we finally get to Cora’s suite, I knock and wait patiently.I can hear her moving around in the room, but she doesn’t come to the door.

"Cora? It’s Kas.You wanted to see me?" I call out.

I hear furniture moving, "Mia stigma! [One moment)"

I look at Tyree, who shrugs at me, but he listens closer to the door as well.

Finally, Cora cracks the door open enough to peek one scarlet eye out at us.

"Please come in now, Kas.Antras nkarnt episis? [The male guard too?)" she looks at Tyree.

"No, he will wait in the hall.I can mind link him if there are any concerns,"

I smile at her.She nods and pulls me into the room without fully opening the door, closing it quickly behind her.

I look around to see she has completely rearranged the room.

She has moved even the heavy furniture to make a nest of bedding, with the furniture forming a protective barrier around it in the center of the room.

The room smells musky, like she has been shifting and spending time in wolf form in the room.

"C-Cora, don’t you feel safe here?" I look at her with worry.

"Blood River is a good pack," she says plainly, "I will never speak against my sisters, Kas."

She doesn’t need to say more.She doesn’t trust the other Manae leaders, but she won’t speak ill of them either.

She takes my hand and makes our way to the middle of her bedding nest before she sits down cross- legged in the center, then pulls me down into her lap just like Bronx does.

I let her put her arms around me and rock me slowly.She hums a lullaby that makes me feel sleepy.I recognize the interaction as something Lenora does to soothe Codi.

"Cora, why does the song sound familiar?" I ask, letting myself lean heavily against her chest.

"Greek lullaby.Ancient song I keep alive for you," she says.

"Thank you,"

I smile at the sweet sentiment, "Cora, why can I understand Greek when you speak it to me? I never learned Greek."

"Iokaste, your language is Greek for hundred years and hundred years more.You always have known it.You come from me and I come from you.That is why you know it when I speak."

"Oh.Is that how you can mind link me as well?"

"Not mind link.Only a link between us.Special for sister, who is my daughter and my mother," she replies, patiently answering my questions.

We fall into a comfortable silence while she rocks me.I have only ever felt this safe and relaxed in Bronx’s arms before.I feel like I am supposed to be here.

In Cora's arms and her in mine.

Our energies flow between each other as if it is the most natural thing in the world.I take a deep calming breath and feel wet tears on my cheeks without realizing I have been crying.

"lokaste, don’t cry. You are strong, but I am here for you.Always," she pulls me away from her just far enough to look me in the eye.

"This life has been so...violent...cCora.You and Bronx make me feel safe.I’m crying because I’m happy,"

I try to speak as plainly as possible to match her cadence.

"Okay.Only happy crying is allowed, then,"

She says with a smile.She kisses my forehead gently and pulls me back to her chest.

"Cora, when I was in the waiting room and I touched your hand.I had a memory of us fighting side by side.Was it real? You sacrificed yourself for me.The pain was so bad.I remember I screamed, and it killed everything around me."

"This is a real memory.Giant War maybe?" she confirms, "I always sacrifice for you.You always sacrifice for me and are a good mother to me Kas.You will be a good mother again, soon."

"You could stay here, you know.We could let you stay in the western part of the pack territory, it is very remote.No one would bother you," I smile, trying to convince her to stay.

"I must go, Kas.Care for my Agrios.Make peace with our Mother to bless me again in my next life," she explains, "Do not worry.Soon, you have me for seventeen years or more until Dante comes."

I sigh heavily, "I understand.I'm looking forward to being your mother, Cora."

She continues to hold me until the tears stop streaming down my face.We finally get up and leave the room.

When we get to the hall, I take her by both hands.

"Can we get you transportation back to your Agrios group? It’s the very least I can do."

"No, I will make my way.They will know when my time has come.You will know also.I am sorry now for the pain of my future death." I frown slightly.

It sounds like I will feel her death similar to a mate bond breaking.I am glad she told me.

"This goodbye is only for now.We have many goodbyes together in the future, my beautiful Iokaste."

"Goodbye for now, Persephone," I say and watch her walk down the hall to the main entrance of the pack house.

"Stay strong, Kas," Lex soothes me, "You're doing the right thing."