Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future novel Chapter 13

We come out of the bathroom to find Bronx watching TV in the sitting area. H e stands up when he hears the bathroom door open. When he turns around, he freezes.

 

"Oh my Goddess," he says under his breath. He gulps as he stares at me.

 

"She cleans up nice, huh?" Lenora smiles.

 

"Uh, yeah, I- uh, stun- that - I," he's not able to make a full sentence as he stares at me.

 

You know what, I'm just gonna go," Lenora says over my shoulder as she points to the door. She gives mea thumbs up and a wink as she leaves.

 

I stand where she left me, not sure what to do with my hands.

 

"Waannnaaa... watch TV with me?" Bronx points behind him at the television.

 

"Sure," I tentatively walk over to the sofa. He takes my hand causing little sparks where he touches me and gently pulls me down onto the seat next to him. “Is this okay? Sitting next to me like this? I should've asked first.”

 

“Yeah, it's fine," I feel myself blushing. "What do you like to watch?”

 

"T don't know. I've never had time to watch television."

 

"Oh, right. Okay, um, what are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?"

 

"Hmmm, homework and mental breakdowns." :

 

"Oh crap, I'm sorry, Ididn-"' :

 

"It's okay, Bronx. I'm teasing you. I mean honestly though, all I know about i s cooking, baking, and stocking pantries...and homework," I look at him from the side of my eye with a smirk on my face.

 

"Okay, smart aleck. Cooking and baking. I can work with that. We have like three cooking channels," he flips the station t o a cooking competition show called Chopped.

 

The chefs are given boxes of ingredients. They don't know what's inside until the timer starts and they have to make up a meal using all the ingredients. Bronx gets up to make popcorn as I describe what I would make with the ingredients for each course. By the time we're on the third episode, I think I'm addicted. The dessert rounds are my favorite.

 

"Kas, were you the one who made dinner for the formal party at Silver Moon? The first night I was there," he asks with an air of sudden realization.

"Yeah, I made breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day at Silver Moon. Did you like the beef Wellington at the party?" "Like it? It was the best dinner I ever had. That means you made the killer key lime pie too, right? Before I found you going into my room, I was going to ask the Alpha who the chef was so we could use them for some of our formal events." Well, I'm at your service, parties big and small, I cook 'em all!"

 

He smiles and puts his arm over my shoulders, pulling me closer. I gladly snuggle up next to him.

 

Seriously, how is this my life right now? There's no way it's real.

 

I'm not sure when I fell asleep, but I wake up in the morning tucked in bed. Bronx isn't next to me or sleeping on the couch. It makes me feel a bit empty inside. I slide out of bed and see a note o n the nightstand.

 

Kas, A couple of pack things came up. Lenora will take you to the mall. «

 

Have a good time!

 

Bronx oe

 

“Watch out world, she's a wild one!" Lex teases while I make myself some toast with butter.

 

"Knock it off. I don't want to get sick again," I sulk at her.

 

"I know, I know," I sense her rolling her eyes, "Kas, do you think we can talk to our mate about shifting soon? Please?" ‘Yeah. When I see him after the mall. I will make time to speak to him." "Thank you. So, what do you think the mall is like?”

 

"I don't know. It sounds like there are stores with a ton of clothes and shoes and stuff," I shrug a bit, not able to picture it in my mind.

 

She's just about to ask another question when Lenora walks in with a blonde- haired, blue-eyed woman.

 

"Hi, Kas! Ready for a big day?" Lenora says with a big smile, "This is Ashley, she is Reggie's mate."

 

“Nice to meet you, Ashley," I smile awkwardly as she stares at me.

 

Oh, my Goddess. Rude!

 

But I'm not really at the mall. I'm in the stockroom. Ryan is on top of me, his hot breath in my ear. Not again. Please don't let this be happening. Goddess no, I can't go through this again. I can feel his weight on top of me, his hands roughly grabbing at me. I squeeze my eyes shut. I can't believe escaping Silver Moon was just a stupid daydream. Actually, I can. I just can't believe I let myself believe it was real...but it felt so, so real.

 

I’m not really in the stockroom. I'm sitting in the food court. Why the Hell would I have that flashback like that in the middle of the food court? And why the Hell did it feel so real? Actually, how did I get to the food court? I don't remember leaving Victoria's Secret. Is this another daydream? Ryan's scent is still strong in my nose, Lenora and Ashley are sitting in front of me completely oblivious of the danger, laughing at a joke Lenora is trying to tell. Why do I feel like none of us are safe? Panic is starting to build in my chest now.

 

Someone is patting my face. I shake my head and look up to find I’m still in the lingerie store. Lenora is kneeling on the ground in front of me holding my hands and Ashley is looking at me wide eyed, gently patting my face with her hand. “You okay, Kas," Lenora looks at me, concerned.

 

“T-I just remembered something, that's all,'" my voice is shaky. I realize I had dropped all the items they put in my arms and tears are rolling down my cheeks. I'm not sure how to explain what just happened.

 

“I-Is there a bathroom?" I clear my throat, "I just need to freshen up.”

“veah, I'll take you," Ashley takes her sleeve and wipes my tears, "Lenora, can you pay? Meet us at the food court.”

 

“Of course. You're sure you're okay, Kas? We can go home right now if you prefer," Lenora asks, still looking concerned.

 

"T'm fine," I reassure her. Ashley takes me by the elbow and leads me out of the store to the bathroom. She waits outside the door while I freshen up. When I come out, she hugs me and tells me I can always talk to her. I return the hug and thank her. I don’t feel like I know her well enough to trust her yet, but maybe one day. -

 

We go to the food court where there are a n infinite number of smells and restaurants. It seems like there is every type of fast food you can think of.

 

“What do you want to eat?”

 

“Well, I'm only allowed to have bland food for now, so somewhere with breadsticks, maybe?”

 

“Sbarro, it is!" She texts Lenora to let her know where we're headed.

 

She gets slices of pizza for her and Lenora and breadsticks for me. Lenora meets up with us and sits next to Ashley. They are laughing at a joke Lenora is telling. I get an odd feeling of deja vu. The distinctive scent hits me. Ryan is here and he's close. My heart starts pounding. Lenora and Ashley are still laughing, completely oblivious. I start to panic.

 

Lex is on full alert in my head, "Run, Kas! We need to run! NOW!”

 

“Lenora... - something’s wrong...I," I stammer as I start to stand up. I can feel my eyes wide with panic. Lenora stops laughing and looks at me. Her eyes widen and turn pitch black as she looks past my shoulder.

 

A hand claps the back of my neck hard and squeezes with sharp claws extended, painfully breaking my skin, as I get pushed back down in the seat. A little yelp escapes me. Oh shit.