Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

Musu’s POV

My life was so different a year ago. I was the acting female Beta for the Lune D’or pack in . France, waiting for my brother to find his mate. Then I found Marco Sanchez. His Alpha and Luna were visiting our pack for a long weekend. Our Gamma Jenna and I wanted to bring fresh pastries from our local bakery to them as a welcome gift. Marco is one of the personal guards for the Luna from the Blood River pack, so he was on duty in the hall outside their suite when we came down the hall.

My initial impression of him was how impressively large of a Werewolf he is. He’s not quite as big as an Alpha wolf, but close. A broad and muscular man, with a serious expression that makes him look intimidating. Marco is exactly what you think of when you imagine a bodyguard. He is clean shaven, with his black hair cut into a Caesar style haircut. His bronzed skin makes his light brown eyes stand out like shining topaz jewels. I swear my heart skipped a beat when his plum and rhubarb scent hit my nose for the first time and my wolf, Mercy, howled in delight at the sight of him. 1

I knew in that moment, that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Marco. I didn’t know how that was going to work since his pack was in the state of Montana in the United States, but I didn’t care. My hopes to be with my mate were almost dashed when he nearly shot his Alpha trying to protect me. But fortune shone on us when both of our Alpha’s were merciful and allowed us to stay the weekend together. Let me tell you, it was a weekend that will live in my memory forever. When it was time for him to leave, my family and Alpha gave permission for me to go live with him and I haven’t regretted a moment since. 1

I truly can’t imagine a more perfect mate. Marco treats me like a queen, never missing an opportunity to kiss me deeply or cherish my body. Every time he sees me, he smiles like it is the first time he has ever laid eyes on me. Even though I have a job working for MasonCo, he works hard to make sure I have everything I could possibly want and more. While he would never say so, I think he would rather I stay home than work, but he knows how important my work is to me, so he suffers in silence.

We have even gone to look at engagement rings, so he knows my ring size and what style I like the best. We also recently moved from his old one-bedroom apartment to a two-bedroom house near the packhouse so we can start planning for a family once we get married.

Another glorious thing about my mate is that Marco loves cooking for me when he isn’t working, which is perfect because I could burn pasta. He and some of the other unmated warriors took cooking lessons from the Luna. She put together the cooking program when she found out he was interested in cooking, but didn’t know how to make much more than instant macaroni and cheese. She did a great job, because I don’t have to worry about a thing in the kitchen. And for safety’s sake, if we don’t have leftovers in the fridge the evenings Marco works, I join the pack members who eat dinner at the packhouse.

The Sanchez family is large and loving. Marco is the youngest of five boys. His brothers all have mates and pups. His parents love and care so much about all of us. The entire family spends every Sunday with them at their house. Marco’s mother has helped me learn Spanish and taught me how to make saffron rice. His father has shown me how to dance merengue style. I’m thrilled I know Spanish and how to dance merengue. Marco says it is a good thing he and Mama Sanchez know how to make saffron rice.

I walk in the door an hour later than usual, still preoccupied with Lenora’s reaction to the video I showed her. I’m pulled from my thoughts by the delicious smell of pork adobo and Latin music filling the house. A smile forms when I go to the kitchen to see Marco, barefoot, wearing boxers with an apron and no shirt. He tastes the sauce from the pot on the stove.

“Mi belleza de ébano (My ebony beauty)!” he flashes his dashing smile when he sees me and extends his hand, bidding me to him. I gladly put my hand in his, feeling our familiar sparks comfort me after a long day, and let him pull me into his loving embrace. He rocks us in rhythm to the music, kissing me like he hasn’t seen me in a week. When he pulls away, he lifts the spoon so I can take a taste of the sauce. I take a little sip from the spoon. I can’t help but moan and nod at how delicious it is. He kisses and nuzzles my cheek before he asks me to set the table while he finishes up.

“Please put a shirt and shorts on for dinner, Mon Loup (My Wolf],” I call over my shoulder as I take the dishes to the dining room, “We’re only animals outside the house and in the bedroom, not at the dinner table!”

I hear him groan as he goes for a shirt and shorts. He has to wear a suit for work, so he says when he is at home, the fewer clothes he has to wear, the better. Not that I mind seeing him walk around in nothing but underwear, but wearing clothes at the dinner table seems reasonable to me.

I see Marco looking at me from the corner of his eyes as I set the table. He fills our dishes with the large servings of the pork dish before sitting down himself.

“Tell me about your day, Marco. I could use the distraction,” I smile as I take a proper bite of the delicious pork food.

He tells me about the Luna’s progression in her warrior training but his words fade into the background as the images from the video overtake my mind again. The ruthlessness and lack o f remorse over such a violent act still trouble me. The look of fear, clear in the victim’s eyes, even through the graininess of the video.

A year ago, when the Alpha and Luna approached me about an opportunity to work on a special project, I was ecstatic. The opportunity to search for the mythological daughters of the Moon Goddess known as the Menae. We thought it would mean I would get to travel and meet new people while helping Luna Kas find her long-lost family. I wish I still had the same optimism as I did back then. It has brought nothing but stress for everyone and heartbreak for my Luna.

“Musu, a-are you okay?” The concern in Marco’s voice brings me back to reality.

“Hmm? What? Yes, it sounds like she’s going to do great.” I look up at him and realize he has his his hand over mine.

“Where’s vour mind, mi Corazón (my Heart)? Cause it sure ain’t here with me,” He reaches up

and caresses my chin.

“I’m so sorry, Marco. I-I was just,” I’m not sure what to say to him, “It was just a tough day a t work, but I’m fine. I promise. You have my attention now. Please, continue.”

“Is it something you can talk about?” He asks, trying to sound casual, but I can sense his worry. My handsome mate, he cares for me so much. He hates to see this job taking a toll on m e, but he also understands how important it is to me and to the Luna.

“No, unfortunately, isn’t something I can talk about right now,” I frown. I hate keeping secrets from him, but I have orders.

“Tell you what, lemme draw you a bath instead of boring you with specs about my new handgun,” his features soften and he chuckles when he realizes I haven’t heard a thing he has said to me, “I’ll let you have time with your thoughts. Just lemme know when you’re ready and I’ll come to bed, alright?”.

I smile as I take his hand from the side of my face and kiss his palm. “Thank you so much, Marco. A hot bath is exactly what I need right now. I’ll take the dishes to the kitchen.” 1

He stands and kisses my forehead before going to start the bath for me.

I’m just finishing the dishes when I feel his muscular arms wrap around my waist and his soft lips on my neck. I turn around and hug him back, letting myself melt into his chest.

“I’m worried about you, Musu. You ain’t your usual self lately.” He rubs the back of my neck and buries his nose into my hair as I breathe in his sweet scent, letting it lull me into a calm state.

“I’ll be okay, Mon Loup. Lenora is going to speak to Alpha Bronx and Luna Kas soon. So you will find out soon as well,” I confide as much as I can.

“Okay, well, I’ll keep the Xbox company. But, you know, if you need any help in the bath, just give the word. I’ll be right there,” he whispers in my ear. I can practically hear the smile in his tone. His voice is rich with double meaning.

I give him another kiss and slip out of his arms, “I think I’ll be okay for now, but I will let you know if I change my mind.”

I settle into the hot bath, letting the water soak away my worries. My mate is in the living room growling and swearing at his game while I relax. I feel my eyes getting heavy and let them close for a moment.

Luna Kas is embracing the woman in the floppy hat and sunglasses. The woman is holding the

dagger behind Kas’s back. Marco and I try to warn her, but the woman takes off the glasses and hat to show it is Kas, embracing a twin version of herself.

“Musu. Musu, wake up,” Marco’s gentle voice coaxes me from my dream. I sit up in the bathtub and shiver in the cold water. Marco is kneeling next to the tub with a fluffy towel.

“Oh Marco. I had a weird dream about Luna Kas.”’I yawn as I stretch my arms and stand up.

“Well, I’m sure she’ll love to hear about it tomorrow. For now, it’s time for bed. Falling asleep i n the bathtub is dangerous,” he gently scolds as he wraps the towel around me and carries met o bed.