Insight

Flint had been carefully surveying the area around the cabin for days. He’d only seen Eve once, on the day he’d arrived. However, she had been inside for the following five days. He was anxious to fight.

Flint watched as yesterday, seven more Shadow wolves arrived. Bastian knew he was coming. Even lacking the element of surprise, Flint’s determination never wavered. He didn’t care that his enemy was waiting for him. It could make what he had to do harder, but Flint knew nothing would stop him. He had to free her and deliver her the vine.

The white wolf could feel his mate much more clearly. The wall Eve placed between them had been getting weaker. It had been crumbling in places. It seemed like Eve’s wolf had been staying in the thin places, getting as near to him as she could. There was even a night where Flint thought he heard her, but it was gone before he could focus on it.

Anna had felt when the Alpha arrived near Kirkwood. She brought him a pair of shorts and a t-shirt as he called her to him. When Flint told Anna about the decisions of the warriors, she was more than surprised. She was shocked and disappointed. Flint explained that he would be going to battle alone, and the specialist corrected him. She would be going as well.

The day before Johnny was set to arrive, Flint called him for an update. The warrior never answered. It was frustrating, but so was the entire situation. Flint hated waiting. He always had. Anna left the evening to return to her camp. She claimed she would be back by midmorning the next day.

Flint sat on the edge of the cliff with his legs folded in front of him. He stared at the backyard of the cabin. People were gathering for dinner. For the last two days, there had been no partying, drinking, or ruckus. They had been training instead. Another sign that Bastian knew Flint was on the way, or soon would be.

The feeling of StarLight wolves approaching drew his immediate attention. Flint stood and turned to face the visitors. He searched the mindlink for Johnny and his heart leaped into his throat. He was close. Much closer than expected. He took a few steps toward the trees. Three wolves emerged from the shadows. Flint furrowed his brow, Johnny had been sent with a team of four and he’d taken his mate.

The brown wolf with the auburn streaks through his fur was leading the others. Johnny transformed into his human self in just a few steps. His mate remained in her wolf form. A warrior Flint recognized as Andy, nodded respectfully. Allowing his dark fur to warm under the sun’s rays.

Flint’s gaze fell on the leather pouch around Johnny’s tan neck. The warrior offered him a tired, goofy smile. He’d done it. He’d accomplished his mission.

“Alpha.” Johnny spoke hoarsely. He’d clearly not used his human voice in days.

“Hey, kid. Where are the others?” Flint replied.

“Jerry was wounded by hunters in the leg. He’s alive. It needed time to heal before he could keep up. Henry and Olivia are seeing him back to GreenTree.” He explained.

“And the hunters?” The Alpha asked.

“Four men. Three dead. One left unconscious. He could’ve bled out. We didn’t stick around to find out.” Johnny answered.

“You protected your own. Your actions were correct.” Flint nodded.

“Thank you, Alpha. Here.” He took the bag from around his neck and held it out.

Johnny’s cell phone was still taped to the back. Flint took it and poured its contents into his palm. Several very bright, turquoise beans rolled out. They look like small blueberries, but their color was nearly glowing. Flint smiled and replaced them into the bag. He took Johnny's phone off of it and handed him the device.

"You did good, kid." Flint maintained his grip on the phone for a moment, making eye contact. "You came through for me. I'll never forget that."

Johnny beamed. Even his tired eyes lit up proudly.

"We have a lot to discuss. But first, you guys need to eat and rest and change. I'll call Anna to bring provisions." Flint nodded over to his modest camping area.

Thirty minutes later, the specialist arrived with clothes and meals. They were all sitting in the bed of the truck Anna had rented. Flint was looking at the pouches in his hand, staring off toward the cliff. Anna was listening intently as Andy described the events of the hunter attack. Johnny noticed his Alpha's distance, and decided to approach him.

"You okay, man?" He probed.

"Yeah." Flint turned to face him. "You?"

"I'm fine. But, uh..." Johnny rubbed the back of his neck. "Where are the others?"

"Others?" He raised an eyebrow.

"The pack...?" He replied confusedly.

"They aren't coming. They don't trust me to lead them. They look to Graham Monroe for their orders. So be it." Flint stated in a flat tone.

"Those fucking traitors..." Johnny hissed through his teeth.

"There's no active threat to StarLight, kid. That's why I didn't order them. This is for Eve, not the pack." The Alpha sighed.

"No. Bastian came for us over and over again. He killed us at will; just because he could!" He answered immediately. "No! He took the fucking Luna of our pack?! And we do nothing!"

"Johnny..." Lynn stepped forward.

"No, Lynn." He shook his head. "It's weakness. They aren't here because they're weak and disloyal. We are not."

Johnny looked at Flint with steadfast determination.

"We are your pack, Alpha. We aren't abandoning you now." He stated.

Lynn took her mate's hand and nodded to Flint. The Andy nodded as well with Anna by his side. Flint was grateful for them, and proud of them. They weren't going to let him rescue Eve alone. They wanted to fight of her, for him, and for StarLight.

The sound of car tires stopping nearby drew everyone's attention. They were coming from the steep, curvy mountain road a mile through the trees. No one parked there, seeing as to how dangerous the road was at night. Still, they'd all stopped and parked, shutting off the engines.

Flint motioned for everyone to stay behind him as he waited anxiously to hear who was approaching. The mindlink quickly told him not to worry. It was his father. Elijah had an unmistakable presence in Flint's mind, even from such a distance. And from the sounds of the doors closing, it seemed that he hadn't come alone.

Twenty minutes later, Elijah limped into sight. Duncan was just behind him, leading a group of wolves. Flint approached them and smiled broadly. His father nodded to him, restraining the urge to smile in return. The commander grinned and shook his head at Flint.

"You should have waited for back-up." Duncan stated.

"I wasn't aware I had anyone to wait on." Flint replied.

"Shows what you know, then. Huh, boy?" Elijah spoke calmly.

"I suppose it does." The Alpha agreed.

"Let's make camp, then we'll fill you in on the game-plan." Duncan waved the troops to the rental car.

"The game-plan...?" Flint furrowed his brows.

"That's right, boy. Take off alone, and you miss out on the planning." Elijah scoffed.