Insight

Onyx had been watching Bastian make Eve's dinner for three nights. She'd caught him trying to add that suspicious plant powder to the Luna's food once. She'd swapped the raw meat for some that wasn't dosed. On this night, she'd found the glass jar of crushed plant leaves. The teenager approached Bastian with it.

"What is this?" Onyx sat the jar on the counter.

Bastian eyed it for a moment before a smirk appeared on his lips. He touched the glass container, examining it thoughtfully.

"You've been watching me." He sighed casually. "Who taught you to be so sneaky?"

"The same wolf trying to drug my friend." Onyx replied. "It's not creeping sedum. This stuff is purplish. What is it?"

"You knew I was giving it to Evie, and you didn't stop her from eating it. For that, I'll explain a little." Bastian smiled.

Onyx was relieved that he didn't know what she'd done. She didn't know what he would do and she didn't want him to feel betrayed. The young woman honestly just wanted everyone to be alright. Bastian, Evie, herself, the pack...

"Evie hates the tea. Her wolf was making her nuts, with the growling and everything. I had to make a change. A slight one." Bastian stated.

"The growling..." Onyx furrowed her brows.

"Apparently it's a side effect. Who knew all wolves weren't like that?" He shrugged. "Anyway, I had to do something to temper down the power. Barring that, since I don't have anything like that, I found something that helps block her off from her wolf."

"What is it?" The teenager probed curiously.

"It doesn't matter." Bastian shook his head at her.

"Bas..." Onyx rubbed her eyes tiredly. "What are we going to when Evie goes into labor? We can't take her to the doctor in town. She won't have the strength to give birth in a few days, if she even has it now. Which I doubt."

"She'll be okay. I'll take care of her. Besides, Leigh knows how to deliver pups. She's done it before." He nonchalantly stood.

"I'm worried, Bas. I think you may be losing perspective..." Onyx replied. "Evie's case is different. It'll be dangerous for her."

"Don't think so hard, sis. I'll take care of Evie. She'll be fine. Better than fine. After all, she's here." Bastian grinned.

"She hasn't come downstairs all day. She's already too weak..." She protested quietly.

"Hush, now. Have I ever let you down?" Bastian touched the top of her head.

"You did almost die a few times." Onyx rolled her eyes.

"Almost only counts in horseshoes, not in real life." He smiled at her sweetly.

The sound of a loud thud came from further into the cabin. Without hesitation, the pair ran to Eve's room. She was laying on the floor beside the bed, groaning and trying to hoist herself to her feet.

"Evie!" Onyx ran to her.

"Help me." The Luna panted.

Bastian wrapped her in his arms and sat her back on the bed. Eve had dark circles around her electric blue eyes. She was frustrated but also very, very sad. Bastian could sense it. He sat beside her and looked her over worriedly.

"What happened, Evie?" He probed.

"I wanted to look out the window. I fell." She answered quietly.

"You know better than to get up without help." Bastian brushed her honey blonde hair out of her face.

"I knew better than to go home at the Calling. I still did it." Eve's voice was thin and tired.

"You'll be glad you did, Evie. I promise." He replied.

"Can you get me some water, Bas?" She asked quietly.

"Of course, Sunshine." Bastian stood and looked at his sister. "Stay with her."

Onyx nodded as he left the room. She immediately looked back at Eve, examining her.

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Bastian was on his way back to Eve's room when his cell phone vibrated. He answered it, pausing his steps.

"Hello?" He greeted the caller.

"Alpha, I missed you earlier. Do we have new orders?" A familiar voice replied.

"Yes. Return to pack territory. There's a fight coming. I need all the help I can get." Bastian stated.

"I'll bring them in. It'll take a day." The shadow wolf answered.

"See you soon." He hung up the phone, feeling a sense of accomplishment wash over him.

The entire ordeal was nearly over, and Bastian was excited to see the ending.

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"Are you okay? Like really? Does it hurt anywhere?" The young woman rambled.

"I'm okay for now, I promise." Eve took a deep breath. "But I won't be for much longer."

"Bastian says he has everything under control." Onyx tried to comfort her.

"Tell that to someone that hasn't been kidnapped by him. He's never in control. Not even of himself." She looked at her seriously. "You already knew that much years ago."

"I can't do anything more than I'm doing, Evie. I don't know what else to do." She sat at the foot of the bed.

"You can do me a favor. A big favor." She stated.

"What?" Onyx asked curiously.

"When all this blows up in my face, which it will..." Eve held the girl's gaze. "Save my pups from Bastian. Please don't let him steal them."

Onyx saw tears gathering in Eve's eyes.

"Promise me." The Luna spoke in a quiet, flat tone.

"I promise." She hesitantly answered.

Bastian returned and handed Eve a bottle of water. He sat beside her, leaning on the headboard.

"Feel better?" He asked as she took a sip of the cold liquid.

"Much." Eve nodded, glancing at Onyx. "Very much."

"Good." Bastian smiled. "No more getting up without help. Okay, Evie?"

"Okay." She reluctantly nodded.

Eve turned her eyes back to the window. The morning sky was bright, hopeful. Originally, she'd wanted to glimpse the white wolf on the cliff. Now, she didn't need to. She knew he was close by. Eve could feel him, and so could her wolf.