Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

“Welcome Luna Iokaste, welcome gentlemen. I'm Lady Camille, mother of this coven," an older woman standing in the middle of the entryway welcomes us, "Luna Iokaste, you are correct. You will not be able to feel your bond with your mate while you are in our realm unless he is here with you. Never fear, we have spells that will help you overcome this feeling so you can concentrate on your studies and training. We will show you to your rooms ina few minutes, but first we need to go over some rules.” :

Marco pats my hand, "Give it a chance, Luna. If it's too much of a problem, I'll call the Alpha.”

Lady Camille begins as if she didn't hear what Marco just said, "Now, the first thing to know is you will not be able to speak about the things we do here. Our land has an enchantment that will prevent you from being able to do so.

“The second thing is that your weapons and cell phones will not work here, gentlemen. You're welcome to escort Luna Iokaste anywhere you want, but I assure you, the

three of you have never been safer. If you need your cell phones, please ask and we will open up aconnection to the outside world.”

I look at James and Marco who are looking at each other with furrowed brows. James looks at Lady Camille and nods once in understanding.

“And finally, time works differently here. Alpha Regent Bronx Mason will return in two weeks for a visit, but it is going to seem more like two months for the three of you. I understand that it's a long time for a werewolf to be away from your pack, but I assure you, we will do our best to make you comfortable. Luna Iokaste, we will bring dinner to your room tonight. Please have your guards join you for this evening's meal so the three of you can get acclimated. We will introduce you all to the coven tomorrow morning. Speaking of which, starting tomorrow and for the next eight months, we will begin our days at six in the morning. Now, sisters, please show these three to their rooms. I'm sure they must all need some rest." 2

“Thank you, Lady Camille. Please, you and the rest of your coven can call me Kas.”

“Oh no, Luna Iokaste. You will find that there is power in a name. While you are here, we will address you by your Goddess- given name," she smiles warmly and turns away.

"It's gonna be a long eight months," Lex sighs.

Bronx's POV

They told us they were going to portal, but it was still jarring to see Kas there one second and gone the next. Just like Sister Penny said, the moment they disappear, I can't feel Kas's connection. My heart feels empty and Saint howls mournfully in my head. He doesn't understand why his mate needs to leave.

before I drop it and snuff it with my foot. It isn't making me feel any better about the situation. I sigh deeply and get back in the car. Henri tries to make small talk but I'm not

They deserve to know who they are. We owe it to them to be able to reach their full potential," I try to justify to him for the hundreth time. It's takes everything I have to push him back and stop him from shifting. ° "If they harm a hair on my mate's head, I'm disowning you," he snarls. I don't respond. I'm hurting just as much as he is. He doesn't say another word, he just crawls to a back corner of my mind and curls up. I can feel his pain, but there is nothing I can do about it. Between the distance from Kas and Saint's tantrum, I feel lost and exhausted. I close my eyes for a moment. Henri wakes me up when we get to his packhouse. I feel like I'm going through the motions as I get out of the car and into the castle. I don't leave my room for dinner, so Henri's wife brings a tray up to me. I push the food around the plate before I

listen to the voicemail reassuring me that Kas has settled in and things are going well. James would call again when he had the opportunity but cell reception is spotty, so it may not be as regular as I would like. It is such a generic message. No real details, no intel on the coven,

I have to. Their situation is

Reggie in

look like shit!" Reggie

putting down his sandwich.

I rub my hands on my

for a run? Get your mind off of things?" Milo offers. Normally I would say yes, but Saint is in such a bad mood that he just

don't think that's a good idea. Where's Cason? I need a distraction. I want some ink." "He's down in the weight room. Want me to get him

gonna shower then meet

mate with one of our warriors, so they came to Blood River when he was fourteen. He started tattooing when he was seventeen and

the road from the packhouse about an hour later. He is ready and waiting when I get there. Fortunately for me, he is an artistic genius.

so special. From her bubbly, caring personality, her love of cooking, I also touch on her past

Luna. You're a lucky guy Alpha Bronx," he says

a realistic pair of violet eyes that look just like the pictures I had shown him, with Iokaste written below it in his signature script

is a little larger than the rest of the letters.

dinner but I'm completely distracted. I don't have much to say and even after sitting with Cason for a couple hours, I'm still in a bad mood. Everyone can feel it, making dinner a subdued event. I push food around my plate until I've had

on the sofa and scream into a pillow. After a while, I hear the door open but I don't look