Insight

Flint's eye's stuttered open as a few drops of rain to misted across his face. He was smiling, even before he was fully awake. Eve. He'd seen her. It wasn't a dream. Of this he was certain. A memory helped him drift to sleep, where his mate had reached out to him.

His smile broadened as he recalled to excited gleam in her eyes when she realized her efforts hadn't all been for nothing. She'd actually reached him. Flint sat up and ran his hand through his hair. He looked around at the camp. Some were already awake and making breakfast while others were taking inventory of their weapons.

"You slept late, boy." Elijah stated in a flat tone.

"You're right. What is it now, six?" Flint turned to see his father approaching with two mugs.

"Half past." Elijah handed him a cup of coffee.

"I dreamed of Eve." He stated.

"Oh?" His father sat on the ground, awkwardly straightening his right leg.

"She was there too; I know it. She knows we're coming." Flint smiled and sipped the warm beverage.

"How is she?" Elijah probed.

"Waiting for me." He replied.

Flint glanced back toward the troops. The tents were being taken down. They were nearly ready to move on. Flint stood and stretched. He reached a hand out to his father as an offer to help up from the ground. Elijah scoffed at the gesture and gripped his cane, stubbornly pushing himself to his feet.

"I'm not dead yet, boy." He grunted.

Duncan approached from the truck as Elijah's cell phone rang in his pocket. He glanced at the screen briefly

"Dolan." Elijah answered.

"Peter brought me the C-4. I have the other phone. I'll be leaving mine here." Selena replied.

"One inside, one outside." He stated.

"I know. I will. I just-" She hesitated.

"I'm glad you called." Elijah took a few steps away from the group and lowered his voice. "I wanted to talk to you before you went in."

Selena smiled, he could hear it in the way she sighed. He could nearly feel it, almost like he were in her presence. Elijah closed his eyes, picturing the stunning and familiar way her dark eyes smiled when she did.

"You look beautiful." He stated.

"You can't even see me." Selena laughed lightly.

"I don't need to." Elijah replied.

"I'll see you after everything happens." She stated.

"Yes. You will." He nodded.

"I love you, Elijah." Selena breathed.

"I love you too." Elijah answered. "More than you know, Selena."

A few moments of companionable silence followed. Neither one wanted to go.

"I-I really do love you." She repeated herself. "I love you, Elijah."

"I love you too, Selena. Everything will be okay. I'll protect you. I won't fail." He stated.

"I know, my love. I know. I believe in you." Selena answered without hesitation.

"I'll see you when the dust settles. I promise." Elijah eventually broke the silence between them.

"Be safe, Elijah. Don't run into a fight without thinking about the consequences." She took a deep breath.

"I won't." He sighed and glanced over his shoulder. "I have to go. I'll be watching you the entire time."

"Talk soon, then?" Selena forced a smile to her lips.

"Yes, my girl. We will." Elijah hung up the phone.

He turned back to the others as the last of the gear was being loaded into the truck bed.

"How is she?" Flint probed.

"On her way with the C-4. Peter dropped it off and is headed toward us. It'll take some time." Elijah responded calmly.

"Then he can meet us at the breach point. We're through here." Duncan gestured around. "Shadow wolves set to work early this morning. They've been roaming the area around the cabin, checking their traps."

"Then it's time to move out." Flint looked over the volunteers.

They were soaking wet as the rainfall increased to a steady overhead trickle. They had lined up in uneven rows, awaiting orders to go.

"You should address them." Elijah stated. "They came for you, boy."

"I know." Flint nodded.

He took a deep breath before stepping in front of the group. They watched him carefully, each and every one giving him their fullest attention.

"StarLight." Flint cleared his throat, gathering his thoughts on what he should say. "The simple fact that you're all here, says more about your character than any test I've ever given you. You came to the aid of your Alpha and Luna. Without hesitation. It means more than I can express."

He spotted Johnny and Lynn in the front row. They stood shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand. The young warrior nodded to him. Flint made eye contact with Anna as well. She restrained herself from smiling, allowing only a humble bow to be her response.

"Some of you are here to heal your reputations. To right some wrongs you feel you've done to StarLight. To me and my mate... Rest assured, that your willingness to be here has already mended whatever fences you feel you've crossed. Today, standing before me, are those I would trust with my life. Those I would give my life for."

As Flint spoke; he saw Roger, Alice, and Silas in the back. He made sure they saw him looking at them. They had come, even after he'd injured them. They came as soon as they were healed enough. Their loyalty was inspiring to him.

"Some of you came for reasons that have nothing to do with StarLight. Some of you came for Eve. Either as a friend, a confidant, a Luna." He took a deep, calming breath.

Ellie stood under Austin's arm in the last row. She smiled at him, knowing that he was talking to her. Blair offered him a smile as well. Elkin was beside her. He wore an unreadable, but determined, expression.

"A pack is a family. At least, that's how Eve looks at it. And if you're here as a member of this family, as a StarLight wolf, even just as a friend... All I can say is, how proud I am to be part of that; to be the Alpha of this pack. Thank you for allowing me to lead you. I won't let you down."

The emotions of the warriors swirled together in the mindlink. They were swelling with pride. They believed in him. They were ready, more than ready, to move forward.

"Do you all know your places?" Duncan asked loudly.

"Yes, sir." Came a barking chorus of voices.

"Move. Out!" Duncan commanded.