Insight

Eve couldn’t breathe. She felt like everything around her was moving in slow motion. Pain; it rattled her mindlink. Power; it was suffocating her. Onyx was sobbing beside her, seated in the rain on the deck. Flint roared before grabbing the nearest Shadow wolf in his jaws, tearing it apart.

StarLight immediately circled the remaining wolves and Bastian. They were angry and grieving. Ready to fight to the death. Selena’s gray and white body lay six feet from Elijah. Rain was beating down on their fur coats.

Bastian stood slowly and turned to face Flint with an accomplished smirk. Flint howled and charged toward his enemy. Rage blinded him and his Alpha strength kept the others from attacking. StarLight knew Bastian was Flint’s to kill. They took to destroying the remaining Shadow members. Half-breed or full blooded Lycan; it didn’t matter.

Footsteps drew Eve’s sluggish gaze. Blair and Elkin stepped onto the deck. They approached her quickly. Onyx’s eyes snapped open, staring at them defensively.

“Elkin is a doctor. Blair is my assistant.” Eve explained quietly.

Elkin took her wrist, checking her pulse. Her temperature was low; lower than expected, even in the cold rain. Eve paid them no more attention. She was busy watching the fight in front of her. The muscular white wolf had come to stand in front of the large gray one. Eve hadn’t seen Bastian shift, but she recognized his wolf immediately.

Do you feel better? Flint’s wolf asked him silently.

We will when you join him. Bastian answered.

We will devour your life. Even if that kills us. Flint growled. Your pathetic pack is already dead.

We don’t care about this pack. They’re tools serving their purpose. He answered cheerfully. It doesn’t matter if we die here or not. Evie already loves us. We already won.

Flint snarled and snapped at him, but Bastian jumped back just before he was bitten.

Whoa there! What? Nothing to say? Bastian was trying to goad him.

We’re done talking. Flint snarled.

The white wolf ran at him, slamming into his chest. Bastian was knocked back several feet but he landed on all fours. He darted back toward Flint. The gray wolf seemed like he was going to collide with the Alpha. Flint braced himself. However, Bastian paused before they connected.

He dipped his head and grabbed Flint’s front left leg. He jerked it to the side as he darted away, pulling Flint to the ground. The white wolf stood and shook out his fur. Even the heavy rain couldn’t hide the pleasure in Bastian’s red tinted, black eyes. Flint ignored the pain shooting up his leg, raising his chin defiantly.

Bastian chuckled internally before circling him. Flint turned slowly, making sure to keep his gaze on Bastian. He lept forward, as if to leap over the Alpha. However, the white wolf grabbed his ribs with his teeth. He squeezed and bit down until he felt satisfying pops and cracks.

Bastian began kicking Flint in the face, struggling to get away. he was snarling when his back claws met Flint’s eye. The gray wolf was dropped to the ground. Flint shook out his head, clearing his vision. Bastian staggered to his feet and moved away from Flint, shifting into his human form with every step he took.

Flint ran at him as Bastian moved quickly toward the back deck. Donald stopped in front of him, trying to block the steps. Bastian didn’t hesitate to grab him, when he lunged toward him. He snapped Donald’s neck without effort. Blood covered Bastian’s bare torso, even the rain couldn’t wash it all away.

Elkin covered Eve with his body. Blair stood, raising a hand to stop Bastian from approaching. Eve saw the intent in Bastian’s eyes as he glared at the young woman. Eve punched Blair in the back of her knee, knocking her off her feet. Blair spun to face her in bewilderment.

“He’ll kill you.” Eve stated. “Both of you.”

Bastian crouched in front of Eve, smiling warmly.

“Go. Now.” The Luna ordered.

“Eve...” Blair breathed.

“Go!” She shouted.

The power coming off of her pushed Elkin away from her. They backed away, but only a few paces. They were waiting anxiously for the outcome of their decision.

“Smart, as always.” Bastian sat heavily in front of Eve.

The StarLight wolves all froze in place. They were watching the scene in front of them while awaiting orders to move, or waiting for the chance to attack without Bastian hurting Eve. Even Flint stopped a few feet from the porch. The enemy was in arm’s reach of his mate. He couldn’t move forward.

Eve looked at Flint as he shifted into his human form. His left arm was hanging awkwardly, as if the bones were broken. Blood was spurting from the puncture wounds on his bicep and forearm. The back of his neck was covered in crimson as well, the rain was washing it down his back.

“This is the hard part, Sunshine.” Bastian whispered, hugging his ribs with his arm.

“Everyone is dead, Bas. You should have run when you had the chance.” Eve replied.

“Bas...” Onyx drew his eyes.

She was soaking wet and her eyes were swollen from tears. He lifted his free hand and ruffled her dripping, blue hair gently. His breathing was becoming more labored, retracting from the sentiment of his reassuring gesture.

"I'm hurt and we're surrounded." He spoke in a cooing tone. "I need you to be strong for me, okay? Evie won't let them hurt you. You'll go back to Jim and Rose. Everything will be okay."

"What about you?" Onyx began crying as she clutched his hand.

"Everything will be okay. I love you, sis. Remember who you are. Always." He evaded the question.

"I love you too, Bas." She began sobbing.

"Go hide in the cabinet on the other side of the deck." Bastian ordered her gently.

"But-"

"Run along now, sis. I have to finish this." He interrupted her.

She walked slowly toward the small storage compartment beside Blair and Elkin. They watched her as she hesitantly climb inside and shut the door behind her. Eve watched her closely, but before she could turn back to Bastian; he moved.

He lunged toward her and pulled her into his lap. His arm was around her shoulders, holding her back against his chest. Eve gasped as her heart began pounding. She felt weak, but the panic in her chest made her pull away from him as strongly as she could.

"Let me go!" Eve squirmed.

"Look up, Evie." Bastian's voice was husky in her ear.

The Luna jerked her gaze upward and saw Flint. He was tense and his emerald eyes were sparking with fear and rage. His fists were balled and his jaw was twitching anxiously. He was clearly trying, and struggling, to stop his wolf from taking over.

"Flint..." She released a shaky breath.

"I told you, this is the hard part." Bastian stated.

"What p-part?" Eve stammered nervously as anxious tears welled in her eyes.

She couldn't take her sapphire gaze off her mate. He was so close. Twelve feet away. Yet, even he was helpless. No one could save her.

"Remember when I told you I wouldn't force you to do anything, unless I had to?" He murmured.

"Yes." Eve choked on the word.

"Well, now I have to." Bastian breathed.