Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

Daughters of the Moon Goddess by Neener Beener Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Bronx’s POV Four days.

As of this morning, it has been four fucking days since Kas disappeared into thin air. W e haven’t found a single trace of her anywhere. She’s not on pack territory or the bakery shop she owns in town, she hasn’t been seen at MasonCo headquarters. I even had an international MasonCo security team check our apartment in Paris. Her cell phone and all her belongings are still in our apartment. There have been no hits on her image on any surveillance videos MasonCo has access to around the world. She’s gone. It’s like she really disappeared into thin air. I feel like I’m going insane. For the past three days, I have been trying my hardest to focus on searching for my mate, but I kept getting overwhelmed by Saint’s raw emotions.

He swings wildly from wanting to be hyper focused on finding Kas to crushing regret and guilt that his last moments with her were full of anger, not fueled by the love and caring she deserves. That’s on to of trying to control my own emotions and impatience. I’m mad at myself for not doing a better job controlling him because now he and I are both paying the price. Maybe she would still be here if I would have kept him in check. And I’m frustrated because we have made no progress in finding Kas. I just can’t accept that she just popped out of existence. Milo and Reggie keep pulling me out of meetings and conference calls because I can’t make it through without losing my temper. As much as the pack members want to contribute to finding their Luna, most of them are too scared to be around me to continue.

I’m getting ready to go to the conference room for another day of calls, meetings, and organizing searches for Kas, but Milo mind links me and asks to speak in private first. A few minutes later, he and Lenora are at my door with their baby, Codi. Based on research by a witch named Lady Camille, we are pretty sure Kas isn’t able to have children unless she asks permission from the God Zeus himself. You know, because getting an audience with Zeus is as simple as sending him an invitation for dinner. At this point, we have a better chance of finding him than Kas. I’m glad for the distraction when Lenora hands my niece over to me. The little pup happily giggles and claps her hands at me while I give her raspberries on her chubby cheeks. She has the same green eyes as Lenora and me and her hair is getting darker every time I see her. Lenora is convinced it will be completely black like ours by Codi’s second birthday. “BOO!” she shrieks at me with her bubbly high pitched voice. I watch, amused as Codi scrunches u p her face and puts her hands up like she is making them into pretend claws. She makes a little rawr’ sound to add to the effect.

I smile and let my fangs extend, I playfully snarl and growl at the giggling pup. She grabs onto one of my fangs and pulls on it while she squeals with joy. What can I say? Codi loves her scary Uncle Bronx. 2 “Bronx,” Lenora says with a sympathetic look, “Milo and I think you need to be sidelined from meetings about Kas. We can update you at the end of the day, every day, until we find her.” “Leni, what are you talking about? I’m not giving up on finding my mate,” I use her childhood nickname while I scold her, watching the tone of my voice. I don’t want to actually scare Codi. “Come on, man. No one is talking about giving up.” Milo steps in defensively. “We all want what’s best for Kas. The interruptions during meetings are slowing things down. You can still help by searching the territory for her. You can contact Henri or Lady Camille, see if they have any information. I wouldn’t expect anything less from you. In fact, we were kind of thinking it may be time to take this to the media. The more people looking for her, the better. I can get the MasonCoP R team gathered and in the conference room in an hour.” I sigh, contemplating my next move. I don’t want to argue with my sister or Milo, but I also don’t want to waste time not looking for Kas. “Let’s go for a run, Bronx,” Saint grumbles, “I don’t have patience for stupid phone calls right now.” I give Codi a kiss on her forehead and give her back to Lenora. “I’m going to let Saint out for a run. I’ll let you know what I decide when I get back.” “That sounds like a good plan,” Lenora smiles. “We’ll be in the conference room.” She kisses my cheek, then pats it before they leave. in I try letting Saint out for a run. He isn’t in the mood to talk, so I give him as much control as I feel like I can trust h m with. We travel for hours to the far reaches of the territory but not to blow off steam. He is searching for Kas and Lex.

I let him do it if it’s going to keep him calm. I don’t have the heart to tell him what I have already accepted in my mind. He won’t find them. Wherever Kas i s, I just pray to the Moon Goddess that she is safe and not scared or hurt. We get back to the packhouse late in the afternoon. We quickly shift and I throw on shorts, not bothering with a shirt, before making my way to the conference room. I walk in quietly and stand t o the

side as Reggie is finishing a call with one of the MasonCo private detectives. Milo and Lenora are next to him, comparing something on their laptop screens. A few other pack members are further down the table, pointing to areas on the world map, whispering to each other. “Alpha,” Reggie says as he is hanging up, “No news to report here. How about you?” I sit across from him and put my elbows on the table, letting my hands support my head. Milo and Lenora look up from their laptops, giving me their full attention. I see Milo’s eyes turn white as he mind links someone. Most of the people who are reviewing maps stand up and leave silently. “Let’s bring in the PR team in the morning,” I sigh with defeat once they are out of the room. “You’re doing the right thing, Alpha,” my assistant, Carly, approaches me. “The pack is getting really worried about the Luna. They’re really worried about you too, if I’m being honest.” “Thanks Carly. I appreciate your support in this.” I give her a weak smile. “Can you please ask Mrs. Miller to bring my dinner to the gardens? I can’t go to the dining room tonight. I just – I can’t.” “Mine too, Carly. I appreciate it. I’m not leaving the Alpha alone right now,” Milo chimes in. “Yeah, me too, please,” Reggie adds in. “Of course. I will go speak with her right away,” she reassures us and steps out of the room, giving u. s privacy. “Don’t worry, Bronx. Ashley and I will address the pack tonight.

We will give them some sort of update,” Lenora says stoically. “Thank you, Lenora,” I murmur before rubbing my hands on my face. We sit in silence. There isn’t really much to say. I don’t have the energy to be angry anymore. I just want to do whatever it takes to get Kas back. After a few minutes, Reggie’s mate, Ashley, peeks her head into the room. “Hi guys,” she whispers softly. She comes in and closes the door behind her.

There is a stark difference from her usual cheery tone when she speaks, “Carly mind linked me. MasonCo PR team will be here at nine a.m. tomorrow. Bronx, you should wear a gray suit and a solid color tie. They will bring a camera crew and have a script ready so you can record a statement to send to media outlets. They will have it distributed by eleven a.m.” I’m lucky to have her as the head of Human Resources for my security company, MasonCo. I look u p at her and nod. She smiles sympathetically at me.

The lump that has been sitting in my throat for the past few days won’t be ignored any longer. Saint finally realizes what I just agreed to and I unintentionally slam my fist on the table in frustration. Everyone around the room jumps with surprise. I look down and see a crack where my fist has damaged the table. I feel myself blinking back tears, “Guys, you can say what you want about me. I don’t care how weak you think I am. Saint and I need her back. W-we can’t survive without her. I don’t know how much longer I can take this.” Ashley presses her hands to her heart, then rushes forward to give me a big hug. I feel Lenora pile onto the hug next, then Reggie and Milo.