Insight

Flint couldn’t sleep. This had never been a problem before a conflict. In knowing there was a fight coming, Flint usually got all the rest he was able. Now, he struggled to even lay down. The stars twinkled overhead as he stared at the night sky.

Flint fell onto his back and placed his hands under his head. He was several meters from the others. He wanted to be closer to the cabin than the forest allowed. So, he settled beside the cliff. It felt like he could feel Eve staring at the sky beside him. Her gaze was on the stars, just like his. Flint simply knew it.

The sound of a radio by the tents drew his attention. He knew the song. More than that, it had been his favorite at one time. He closed his eyes, allowing the sound to wash over him. He’d listened to this song with Eve once. The memory was so fresh in his mind that he brought it forth without effort.

“Monsters” by Shinedown was playing over the speakers in the den. Eve was painting her toe nails with her feet propped delicately on the coffee table. The tune reminded him of all that he’d felt in his life. There was a monster inside him in the form of a great, white wolf. One that was deadly and explosive.

“Are you okay?” Eve’s voice brought him back to the moment.

“Yeah. I’m just thinking.” Flint replied.

“Think less. Everything’s okay.” She tapped the cushion beside her on the couch.

He sighed and sat in the indicated seat. His mate immediately leaned her head on his chest.

“It’s not okay. He’s been gone for weeks. Where is he?” The Alpha thought aloud.

“I would tell you, but you wouldn’t believe me.” Eve breathed.

“What?” Flint furrowed his brows.

“Nothing. Just hold me.” She nuzzled closer to him.

“No... What did you just say?” It suddenly felt like he wasn’t in a memory at all. It felt real, like the electricity flowing from her every touch.

“Wait.” Eve pulled away abruptly, examining his face with interest. “Did we do it? Are you really here?”

“I’m so confused.” The Alpha ran his hand through his hair tiredly.

“We’ve been trying to reach you without alerting the mindlink. I think we did it...” Eve grinned. “Flint, where are you right now?”

“I-” He cut himself off and closed his eyes. When he opened them, he no longer saw the starry night sky. He still saw Eve’s smiling face. “I’m on a cliff near Kirkwood.”

“Yes!” She threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly.

“How did you do this?” Flint asked as he held her close to his chest.

“I used the power. Bastian stopped making me drink the tea all the time, so my wolf can channel some of it.” Eve explained happily. “Then, I just had to wait for you to dream. I didn’t think I could actually do it though.”

“You-” He inhaled slowly and deeply. “You’re really here.”

“We both are.” She nodded eagerly.

Flint pulled away just enough to examine her. She looked exactly as she had in his memory in the beginning of the dream. Her honey blonde hair was pulled into a loose bun on top of her head. The bump from the pups was barely visible. Flint’s large t-shirt hung around her like a blanket. The shorts she wore were made from jeans cut off just above the knees.

Eve looked Flint over as well. His emerald eyes drew paths of electricity across her skin. His square jaw and broad smile was so familiar to her, and so dear to her heart. Her gaze got caught on his lips, pulling her toward him. Flint noticed her slight movement. He didn’t hesitate for a moment before his mouth came crashing down on hers.

“Eve...” He sighed her name as he pulled away to lean his forehead against hers. “I’m coming for you. Tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” Eve’s eyes widened dramatically.

“Hell yes. I’ve waited too long already. We finally got the binding agent for the power.” Flint replied.

“Binding...? I don’t like the sound of that.” She held her stomach protectively.

“There’s no other way. We have to bind his power. It won’t last forever. It won’t effect you because your a female. If the other pup is a girl, it won’t effect her either. If it’s a boy, it’ll bind him too. It’s the only way you’re going to be able to birth them.” He explained.

Eve exhaled heavily.

“How are you? Out in the real world, I mean.” Flint caressed her face, gently turning her to look at him.

“Not great...” She answered honestly. “I’m weak, Flint. I can’t even make it down the stairs anymore. The power weighs me down. Without the tea, my wolf’s aggressive energy is gone. She feels tired. Maybe more tired even than I am.”

“Tomorrow, I’m coming to get you. Will you be alright until then?” He hugged her tightly.

“Yes. I’m not going to give up when we’re this close. When you’re this close.” Eve ran her fingertips over his cheek.

“Don’t take any more creeping sedum. It almost had you. I dreamed about it.” Flint untied her hair, watching it fall messily around her shoulders. “No more monkshood either. I hate when you take that.”

“I haven’t taken any monkshood.” She smoothed her hair into place.

“Yes, baby. You did. I felt it. A blanket of fog shrouded you from me. Just like before.” He informed her.

“No. Monkshood felt like a cage, not a blanket.” Eve reasoned.

“You were given a high dose intravenously, the first time. This was a lesser amount with spread out effects, but it was monkshood. I felt it.” Flint stated.

“Bastian-” Eve hissed under her breath in annoyance. “Won’t force me to do anything, my ass.”

“He dosed your food or something. Don’t eat anything prepared by him anymore. It won’t be long before you’re home.” He reassured her.

“Home.” She said the word like it were holy to her.

“Yes, baby. Home.” Flint kissed her forehead.

Eve smiled peacefully for a moment. When her sapphire blue eyes met his emerald ones, the pair froze. It seemed like even the air between them crackled with tension and anticipation. Flint slowly closed the distance between them. The sweet caress of his lips quickly became a fervent kiss.

She moaned breathlessly into his mouth as his tongue circled hers. Eve’s hands found their way to his shoulders, sliding down his hard chest. It was pointless to pretend that she didn’t ache for him. Her every thought, every move, every decision had been based on him during his absence.

Flint took in a sharp breath when Eve pulled his tongue into her mouth, sucking on it. His hands gripped her waist, instinctively pulling her to sit astride his lap. His every cell was vibrating for her, begging for her warmth. Flint pulled the shirt off of her and dropped it behind him.

Eve’s fingers tugged at his opened collar, pulling the buttons off the shirt. She was much stronger in this dream than she was in real life, making her smile. However, the feeling of Flint’s lips on her chest immediately made her bite her lip. His open mouth grazed her mark, making her body arch. Lightning struck down Eve’s spine. She gasped, trembling in Flint’s grasp.

The feeling coursed through her and crashed over Flint. He pulled Eve’s clothes off, standing to shed his own. Eve smiled with flushed cheeks as Flint lifted her and swiftly laid her back onto the sofa. It didn’t mater that they were apart. It didn’t matter that this was just a dream. The chance to feel their hearts beating with nothing between them... It was overwhelming.

“I miss you.” Eve whispered as she savored the heat and weight of his body on top of her.

“I miss you too.” Flint replied as he pressed a long, lingering kiss to her lips.

She sighed audibly as he pressed his erection against her. In one slow, smooth motion; he entered her. Eve arched her back, pushing herself against him. Flint’s mouth captured hers again as he rocked his hips against hers. Electricity. It flooded their senses.

Her finger tips dimpled his skin as she clutched his back; her moans grew louder. Flint groaned when she kissed his throat. Her teeth grazed the mark she’d placed on his trapezius muscle. Eve felt his pleasure wash through her veins as he shuddered a growl from his chest.

They moved as one. Eve’s nails, Flint’s teeth. Her arching back, his thrusting hips. Her breathy moans, his deep groans. It was like a symphony of ecstasy. All Eve could feel was his skin, his touch.

"Flint!" Eve cried out.

Tingles filled her body. It shot through her, from her fingertips to her toes. An exalted growl met her scream. Flint felt her walls clamp down around his hard length. He shuddered, pulling Eve against him. Flint took several panting breaths and kissed his mate.

He moved to lay beside her, but he pulled her against him. He was unwilling to let her go. Even if the dream collapsed around them, he felt like as long as he was holding her; she couldn't slip away.

"There are traps in the south woods. All around. They've been setting them up for two days." She whispered into his chest.

"I know. I've been watching." Flint replied.

"No running ahead without thinking, okay? Bastian will try to make you angry... You can't let him. You have to be careful." Eve stated.

"I know, baby. I will be." He nodded.

"Promise?" She looked up at him.

"I promise." Flint answered obediently.

"It seems like there are a hundred things I should be telling you." Eve kissed his chin.

"Me too. However-" He captured her lips for a long kiss. "No matter what; I'm coming to get you tomorrow. That's all I can think about."

"Morning will be here before you know it. Dreams are always too short." She sighed.

"Especially the ones I share with you." He breathed.

"I love you, Flint. You're the stars and the moon to me." Eve whispered.

"I love you too, Eve. More than anything." Flint kissed the top of her head, inhaling her scent.