Insight

Eve had been trying to decipher the reasons Bastian was leaving. He wouldn't say where he was going, but the Luna was sure he was planning something. Something that would surely have a disastrous effect on StarLight.

After the incident with Callie, Bastian knew better than to plan to leave, while the two of them in the same place. He decided to send Felix into the foothills nearby with Callie. She was to remain a wolf and hone her tracking skills, which was a skill Felix possessed.

Onyx would stay with Eve. She was in charge of the pack when Bastian was gone. If he had any instructions for the Shadow wolves, they would go through Onyx. According to the rogue Alpha, it was always like this when he left. However, this time, Eve would be at the cabin without her captor.

"Keep an eye on the pack, okay?" Bastian ruffled his sister's blue and purple hair.

"I know." She rolled her eyes at him.

He turned to Eve, who stood on the behind them on the back deck. Bastian approached her and put his hands on her shoulders. He smiled at her softly.

"Be a good girl, Evie. I'll be back soon." He stated quietly.

She nodded. The Luna wasn't sure how to respond. She was excited that he was leaving, while remaining completely unsettled by the idea of what he could be leaving to do. Bastian took another step toward her, causing a wave of static to creep under her skin, radiating from his touch.

"I know you're nervous about being here, but Onyx will take care of you." He whispered.

Eve met his dark eyes. She wasn't nervous, she was thrilled. Still, she was glad Bastian couldn't discern the difference. It was noted in her mind that Flint would have known what she was thinking. He always had.

"And don't think of running away. My defenders will be watching you and I only left Onyx with enough tea for few nights. Okay?" He squeezed her shoulders gently.

"Okay. When will you be back?" Eve made another effort to learn more of his plans.

Bastian smiled broadly, as if he'd thought of something exciting. It occurred to the Luna that her question may have made it seem like she was going to miss him during his absence. She opened her mouth to correct herself, but she didn't know how to do that properly. No words came out.

He hugged her. His scent wafted around her, enveloping her. Eve's heart began racing like she were a mouse sharing a cage with a cobra. She had to act a certain way to live easily and learn more about the Shadow pack. Still, letting Bastian think he was getting close to her was dangerous; Eve knew that.

"I'll be back in a couple days. I'll call Onyx every night at eight and talk to you. Maybe before then too." Bastian pulled away slowly with a content smirk.

Eve simply stood there, tense. He waved a finally goodbye at Onyx and Eve before getting into the truck. As he drove away, it felt like a weight was lifted off of the Luna's chest.

"Come on, Evie." Onyx gestured to the porch swing.

"Where is he going?" Eve probed as she sat beside the young woman.

"Like he'd tell me. All he said was that he wanted to meet a friend of a friend. Plus, he had me write something vague." She shrugged.

The teenager examined Eve closely for a moment, with a curious expression.

"What?" The Luna probed.

"What's going on between you and Bas?" Onyx asked openly.

"He kidnapped me. I'm his hostage." Eve answered calmly.

"No. That's how you got here. I'm asking what's going on now?" She shook her head.

She examined the young woman. Onyx was looking at her with a serious glint in her bright, hazel eyes. Eve sighed, deciding how she should respond.

"I have a mate, Onyx. Flint Dolan. I love him. I want to go home to him and our pack." She explained. "Bastian can help me now with the pups. I don't want anything bad to happen, I don't wish anyone any harm."

Eve took a deep breath and met the girl's gaze with conviction.

"But these pup, my pups, belongs to Flint. And So do I." Her words were filled with dedication.

Onyx nodded, slowly absorbing the answers she'd been given. She knew Eve wouldn't hurt her, or anyone else in the Shadow pack. Still, she knew Eve wanted to back to Green Tree. When Onyx had tried to talk Bastian out of abducting Eve, he'd ignored her. Now, she was left in the middle.

"I'm hungry. How about you?" Onyx eventually spoke as if nothing had transpired.

"Yeah. Let's head in." The Luna nodded.

The teenager helped her to stand and they went into the cabin. In the kitchen, Eve gathered some fresh beef into a bowl. Onyx made herself a sandwich, while giggling at the way Eve crinkled her nose when grinding the meat.

The sound of the door made both of them peek into the living room. There was a man standing there that Eve didn't recognize. From his scent, it was clear that he was a supporter. There was far too much human blood in him for him to be a defender.

His chocolate skin tone was complemented by his high cheekbones and amber eyes. His hair was shaved short and he had the stiff expression of someone that was used to being alone. If Eve had seen him on the mountain, and he'd been fully-bred, she would have assumed he was a tracker.

"Where's Alpha?" He asked Onyx calmly.

"Out. What's up?" She approached him curiously.

Eve pretended not to be listening to their conversation as she continued making her lunch.

"When will he be back?" He sighed.

Onyx crossed her arms over her chest and raised her chin. She narrowed her eyes at him. Eve knew this posture well. She'd even taken it herself, often. Onyx was displaying her power over him without saying a word.

"I asked you what you needed. I expect an answer." She stated in a calm, cold tone.

"Deliveries for Alpha. He ordered stuff from the furniture store, the butcher, and the post office. He's never gone to get them." He replied while obviously restraining the urge to roll his eyes.

"Sign for them and deliver them. You're the supporter in Kirkwood, right? That's your job." Onyx scoffed.

"I can't sign for them. They need his signature. And they're due to be thrown out at closing tomorrow." He answered sharply.

"Then he'll have to reorder it all." She pulled her cell phone out of her pocket. "Hang on."

Onyx dialed a phone number, there was no doubt who she was calling.

"Bas, you have a problem." She greeted the phone.

There was a brief pause.

"Deliveries. You forgot to get them and they're all going out today. Did you order everything at once and then get amnesia?" Onyx shook her head.

Another bout of silence passed.

"You'll have to reorder it." She sighed.

This pause was longer, as if Bastian had more to say.

"Fine. I'll figure it out." Onyx eventually stated.

Another brief moment of silence.

"I know. I love you too. Be careful." The teenager lowered her voice. "Bye."

Onyx turned back to the unnamed Shadow supporter. He was smiling at her with slight condescension.

"I'm on the accounts. I can sign for them. Be at the post office in the morning at nine." She, again, crossed her arms over chest.

"See you then." he turned and left the cabin.

Eve came into the living room, carrying a bowl of ground beef. She ate a spoonful and examined Onyx. The young woman seemed to be acting in the role of Beta, even if that wasn't her title. As she watched the teenager take a bite of her sandwich, Eve got an idea.

She tried to swallow her excitement, as she decided how to broach the subject. Her heart was pounding in her ears. If she managed to accomplish her current goal, the possibilities were endless.

"You know you can't leave me to run errands, don't you?" Eve spoke in a casual voice.

"What?" Onyx looked at her with wide eyes.

"You have to go sign for stuff, but you can't leave me alone. So, obviously, I'm going with you." The Luna shrugged.

"I don't know about that. I should check with Bas." She reached for her phone in her pocket.

"You already know he's going to say, 'figure it out'. I can already hear it." Eve shook her head, her mind was racing. "I'm not going to run away. I can't."

Onyx paused, examining the Luna closely. She was searching for signs of deceit or trickery. Eve struggled to keep her breathing under control. She kept her expression casual and aloof. This was a skill she'd acquired from Flint.

"Fine, Evie. You can come with me. I'm trusting you, okay?" She eventually stated.

"I know." Eve nodded, barely covering her excitement.