Insight

It started raining in Kirkwood as noon crept closer. The sky was dark and stormy, foretelling of the harder downpour coming. Bastian never left the room once Selena sat with Eve. He knew better than to let them talk alone.

Onyx entered with another bowl of fresh meat for Eve to eat. Bastian told her to stay put before going to discuss the status of the pack's battle preparations. He introduced Selena to her as a new Shadow member, before leaving the room.

"You're a friend of Evie's, yet you're joining us?" The teenager looked at her skeptically.

"She left StarLight months ago." Eve stated.

"Ah, well then... Welcome." Onyx shrugged.

"Who are you?" Selena asked.

"Bastian's my brother." She replied. "Onyx Lawler, at your service."

"Nice to meet you." She answered.

Eve ate some of the meat she'd been given and examined Selena. She was seemingly as calm and collected as ever. The Luna knew Flint would be coming for her today, and his mother's arrival couldn't be a coincidence. Eve began to tell her about the pregnancy. Selena was worried about the power weighing on her, as well as the black wolf's exhaustion.

"So, I'm off the tea and only Onyx makes my food." Eve explained.

"Okay. It's good you trust someone here." Selena sighed.

"Would you take this downstairs for me?" The Luna handed Onyx the empty bowl and spoon.

"I don't know... Bas told me to stay here." The teenager hesitantly took the dishes.

"I know. But you could get me another bottle of water while your down there." Eve shrugged.

"Fine, Evie. Don't move a muscle, okay?" Onyx eventually stated.

She left the room, leaving the door slightly ajar.

"What do we do now?" Eve whispered.

"We do nothing." Selena breathed.

She stood and pulled a long stemmed candle from her jacket pocket. She lit it with a match before placing it outside the window, on the ledge of the gutter. She then produced a small glass globe with an open front. Selena used it to cover the flame, protecting it from the rain.

"What was that?" Eve asked quietly.

"A five minute warning." Selena stated ominously.

Onyx entered the room and handed Eve a bottle of water. The Luna thanked her, internally wishing she'd asked more questions when she had the chance. Eve turned her eyes to the clock beside the door. With each tick of the minute arm, the sound seemed louder. When five minutes finally passed, she turned her gaze to Selena curiously.

The woman stood and pulled the window closed, as if she'd caught a chill. Thunder rang through the sky above, shaking the cabin. Selena pulled out her cell phone and began typing on the screen. Eve felt like the power in her chest was balanced precariously against her heartbeat. Dragging her down.

"Bas let you keep your phone?" Onyx raised an eyebrow.

"I have a foundation to run in the valley." Selena explained easily.

The sound of a loud explosion rattled the foundation of the cabin. Eve grabbed Onyx, pulling her into the bed. Selena dove onto the mattress as well, covering the girls with her body. Another explosion, this one closer to the room. The light in the room flickered as the walls trembled, before going out completely.

"Did we get struck by lightening?" Onyx asked loudly, trying to be heard above the downpour.

"No. I don't think so." Eve shook her head.

A familiar, domineering howl rang through the halls. Bastian. Something had happened and Eve had the feeling that it had nothing to do with the storm. Selena sat up and looked to the door, as if she were waiting for something.

"What's happening?" Onyx asked fearfully.

"I don't know..." Eve lied to herself and the girl.

The Luna slowly sat up and looked around the room. The lights were still off, as if the explosion had somehow knocked out the power. Fear, anticipation, excitement, anxiety... They swirled together in Eve's mind. She forced herself off the bed, standing on shaking legs.

Onyx, though afraid, sat up and grabbed Eve's hips, steadying her. They slowly stepped toward the window, peering outside. There was a plume of smoke rising from the steps which led to the kitchen. Debris from the house was getting drenched from the heavy rain. Shadow wolves ran through the yard, as if they were scrambling.

This is it... Eve thought to herself.

Love is here! He's coming closer! The wolf rolled around with lethargic excitement.

We know. We feel it. She unconsciously touched her sternum.

He's confident. Ready. The she-wolf answered.

He's coming anyway. Ready or not. Eve noted.

She turned around and began slow movements back to the bed. Onyx helped her to sit. The sight out the window had apparently shocked the teenager into silence, though it only lasted a few moments.

"We have to- I need to- Wait-" She shook her head back and forth in panicked, jerky motions. "Where is Bas?!"

"Come here." Eve gently pulled her by the wrist, guiding her to sit beside her on the bed. "I don't know what's happening. Maybe the storm, maybe something else. Either way, you need to stay calm. Okay?"

She could feel the power swelling inside her. Her wolf was right. Flint was coming closer. She could feel it, like a pull in her mind. He was determined and confident, as always. There was something else underneath. A well of anguish and anxiety.

Electricity began to creep through her veins, spreading from the heart beating alongside her own. Eve had placed a wall in the center of her link to Flint. It had been shaking and crumbling under the aggression of her wolf, when under the creeping sedum's influence.

Now, there was so much pressure laid across that already thinning wall that it took constant effort to maintain it. There could be no mistaking it now. Flint was coming for her. He was probably already very close. The door to the room was flung open, startling Eve and Onyx.

Selena, on the other hand, had been watching the threshold expectantly. A looming figure stepped into the dark room on heavy boots. Lightening flashed outside the window as thunder struck overhead, illuminating the smirking face of Bastian. His arms were folded over his chest decisively.

"I don't know if you had anything to do with that or not..." He stated in a calm tone. "But it doesn't matter now. I'll find out later."

"I don't even know what you're talking about." Selena shook her head.

"I don't care right now." He waved her off.

Bastian approached the side of the bed where Eve and Onyx were seated. He squatted in front of them, straightening his back so that he could be at their eye level.

"That fight I told you about. The one for Evie..." Bastian took his sister's hand protectively.

"The one she doesn't want." Onyx answered sarcastically, but her tone was soft and timid.

"Exactly." He smiled sweetly. "It's here. I can feel it."

"It's not too late to run." Selena interjected. "You could get out of this without losses."

"I'm not running." He answered sharply.

"Be safe, Bas. I mean it." Onyx's small voice drew his attention.

"I will. Stay with Evie. You two will be safe. I'll be back before you know it." His gaze softened as he touched her cheek lightly. "I promise."

Bastian kissed her on the forehead, before turning to Eve. His expression was calm and confident, as always. The Luna had no idea what to say.

"You could just go." She stated quietly. "Save yourself and everyone else. Drop all the hate you have for the Dolans and just go."

"Why?" He asked calmly.

"Because if you stay-" Eve cut herself off and glanced at Onyx's worried face. "You'll die."

"So you want me to run, because you want me to live?" Bastian's smile became gentle.

We don't want anyone to die today. The she-wolf murmured.

Not even him. Eve sighed internally.

She didn't answer him. The expression in her gaze was her only response. Bastian touched her chin and drew near her, his breath skimmed her cheek. Static creeped under her skin, it was nearly painful on top of the electricity already there.

"I'll be fine, Sunshine. I promise." He whispered in her ear.