Insight

The breach point had been set the night before. It was far enough out of the patrol zone to not draw attention, but it was also close enough to see and hear into the backyard of the cabin. Flint had decided long ago that when he faced Bastian, he wouldn't be caught at a disadvantage again.

This time, the StarLight wolves climbed the trees. The higher altitude winds would carry their scents into the sky, hiding them from the Shadow pack below. The rain helped as well, muddling their smells and dampening the sounds of their movements.

They watched the cabin for a long time, examining the patrol routes taking place. They surveyed the ground, spotting traps and possible points of cover. Flint was soaked in rainwater, straight to his bones. Still, like the rest, he kept his eyes fixed on the cabin ahead.

A silver car eventually pulled up in the driveway. Selena climbed out of the car and approached the front door slowly. She glanced around before tossing something small into the side yard, near the house. A shadow member walked up to her and directed her back to the front door.

In just a few moments, Selena disappeared inside Bastian's home. Flint moved to another branch, getting closer to the cabin. After what felt like an incredible amount of time, a small light began to shine on the other side. The Alpha lifted his hand, gesturing in a swooping left to right motion.

Following Duncan, the group moved around from tree to tree. They were careful not to disturb the Shadow members below. After several quick leaps, the candle came into sight. Flint stared at the window, lifting a fist into the air. The StarLight wolves all froze in place.

That's where Eve is. Flint turned to look at Elkin. Stay here. Four minutes to action. Beans?

We have them, Alpha. The doctor's wolf sounded as old and stubborn as his human counterpart. He touched the leather pouch hanging around his neck, answering the question silently.

Flint nodded, lifting his hand to show four fingers. Duncan turned to different groups of troops. He waved them in different directions, giving them silent orders. Flint moved to go back to other side of the house, planning to lead to fight that was coming.

He could feel the power rising in Eve's chest. It was weighing on her like an anchor around her heart. He felt the rhythm of his own pulse steadily increasing. Eve needed the vine. It was apparent. He touched the leather pouch hanging around his neck. In his haste to step onto the next tree, his foot slipped.

The heel of his boot broke a small branch off the limb. Flint grabbed the truck and watched as the skinny piece of wood fell to the ground. He crouched, waiting for the repercussions of his misstep.

At first, it seemed that no one noticed what happened. Then, footsteps. Even with the raindrops spilling onto the ground, Flint could hear someone approaching. A female walked right under him. She had short, dark hair with blood red tips. She was clearly a full-bred Lycan. Flint could smell it in her blood.

He waited for her to look up. To simply glance in his direction. He reached toward her, preparing to jerk her off her feet. The woman lifted her chin slightly. Flint leaned closer to her just as the first explosion went off.

The woman ran immediately toward the sound, never once noticing the Alpha looming over her head. Flint turned and moved quickly toward the group waiting for him at the main point in the back yard. In moments, he stood on the same limb as Duncan.

The second explosion rocked the ground and sent even more shadow members scrambling for answers to the blasts. Static creeped under Flint's skin. It was nearly painful as it mixed with the electricity Eve's heartbeat produced. He touched his chest, trying to ease it.

Anger, frustration, anxiety, fear... These feelings seemed to haunt his every move and every thought since Eve was gone. This, however, was more acute. Pointed. He felt it like the head of an arrow, piercing his every cell.

Bastian. Flint suppressed a growl rising in his chest.

He's touching her. The white wolf snarled.

We know! Flint physically jerked his head to the side, trying to stave off the rage threatening to consume him.

Finally, Bastian stepped onto the back deck. His sandy blonde hair quickly became slick and wet. The smirk on his face was infuriating to Flint. He had to stop himself from leaping down from his place in the trees.

"Game on." Bastian grinned.

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Few of the shadow wolves remained at their posts. Most ran toward the blasts. However, some simply staggered their positions closer to the cabin. Johnny was in a tree above one of the half-breeds on patrol. He examined the young man closely for several moments, insuring he was alone.

There were six StarLight members behind him, awaiting direction to move. Johnny turned to the other's, meeting their eyes through the fog of the rain. He took the rope that was coiled around his shoulder and nodded to them.

Fan out. Find the stragglers. Check. Then wait for my mark. Johnny ordered.

The warriors moved away. After several minutes, only three wolves checked in with other shadow members below.

Check. Lynn entered his mind.

Check. Jethro echoed her.

Check. Donald answered.

The rest of you, move forward. Johnny commanded.

He adjusted the rope in his hands, steadying his feet on the limb below him.

Mark on three. Johnny touched the remaining wolves with his mind. One. Get in place.

He crouched low, lowering the rope carefully.

Two. Prepare for ground. Johnny ordered.

He took a deep breath, hoping he could move as quietly as he needed to. Hoping they all could.

Mark! He barked through the link.

He dropped a noose around the rogue's neck in the same motion as his step backwards. He dropped from the limb, holding the rope as it was pulled tight with the bodyweight of the now gurgling half-breed. His drop slowed slightly and he jerked the rope violently.

His boots finally hit the ground below. Johnny peered around. The sound of the storm drowned out the sounds of the deaths, making him feel a bit relieved. Lynn came into view six yards away. She was holding her own rope, hoisting a body in the air above her. Jethro was thirty yards to the left, with his own rope. Donald wasn't far from him.

Ready... Johnny waited for their nods. Drop and climb! Climb! Climb!

The bodies hit the ground as the warriors climbed into the trees with their ropes over their shoulders again. Johnny did the same. He waited for Shadow wolves to emerge, looking for the dead, but none came.

Move forward. Johnny ordered.