Insight

Elijah stepped onto the porch of the Dolan manor. His wolf had been trying to reach his son’s, to no avail. Again, Flint was ignoring him. He sighed and walked into the house. Something was wrong. The air in the house felt stale.

He walked into the kitchen and saw the half-eaten food container on the island. The microwave beeped once, drawing Elijah’s attention. He opened it and saw the meal inside. Shaking his head, Elijah threw away the containers. He stopped by the trashcan, stepping on something.

He bent over and picked it up, flipping the object over. It was a picture of Eve and Bastian. Elijah froze in sight of it. The details of her expression jumped out at him, creating a knot in his stomach.

This was what happened to make Flint run away. Someone sent him this, and the reason behind it was obvious. Bastian wanted Flint to lose control again... He’d miscalculated.

Elijah examined the envelope. There was no address or writing on it. This hadn’t come through the mail, it had been hand delivered by someone inside the pack. His stomach churned again. There was an enemy amongst StarLight. Elijah looked back down at the photo in his hand.

He remembered the first time Eve joined the mindlink. Just like all wolves in the pack, Elijah could feel down to her core who she was. Eve was strong willed, smart, caring, and warm. She’d never hurt anyone on purpose, and she was extremely protective of her loved ones. Her energy was pleasant, even if Elijah’s mood that night was sour.

The crumpled, uncomfortable expression on Eve’s face in the image made him upset. For her situation, for his son, for StarLight... Another memory came to mind. Selena had just left and he was drunk and tired. He somehow ended up at the country house. He didn’t want to see the Dolan manor without Selena, it seemed painful. Too painful...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“You can stay here tonight.” Eve offered, “I’ll set the guest room up for you.”

The men looked at her as if they were both puzzled by the offer. They had never really been close and the thought of a nightcap seemed foreign and unusual.

“I don’t think that’s necessary.” Elijah stood from his chair and gave her a polite nod.

“Nonsense.” Eve waved him off, to the men’s surprise. “Flint, take your father to the den for a drink. I’m going to straighten up the guest room.”

With that said, she turned and went up the stairs. Flint stood obediently and smirked at her attitude, before gesturing toward the hall. He led Elijah to the bar and poured him his usual whiskey, neat.

“Thank you.” Elijah said quietly after being slid the glass.

“Any time.” His son answered, sipping his beverage.

“That mate of yours...” He stated, “She’s got fire doesn’t she?”

“That she does.” Flint smiled at the thought, looking at his drink. “I don’t have any control over her.”

“I always wanted control over your mother. She rarely let me have it.” Elijah seemed lost in his memories for a moment.

The men quietly finished their drinks. Flint refilled their glasses, feeling the oddness of the situation; he was alone with his father in a calm room.

“I don’t want to put you two out. I can always head back. I just kind of, uh, ended up here.” Elijah stated with a flat tone.

“Eve put her foot down on this one.” Flint shook his head with a half smile, “You’re trapped for the night.”

“Not trapped.” Eve said as she entered the room. “Just welcome.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The sound of the front door closing brought Elijah out of the memory. He turned around to see Duncan walking into the room. The men were slightly surprised to see each other. Especially at Flint and Eve's home.

"Commander." Elijah greeted him curiously.

"Elder Elijah. I hoped when I saw the SUV that Alpha was back." Duncan replied.

"No such luck. Let's drop the formalities, shall we?" He sat on a stool by the island counter. "Look."

Duncan glanced at the photo he'd been given. He immediately slapped it onto the countertop, facing down. He and Eve may have had a difference of opinion or two... But she was the Luna of his pack. In the image, Eve looked helpless. Duncan hated seeing it.

"What the fuck?" He whispered in disbelief.

"Exactly." Elijah nodded.

"Flint won't come back without her now. He'll get himself killed first." Duncan rubbed his face.

"I know. That was never a question. Flint's dial has been on self destruct since Eve went missing." The elder sighed.

"Okay. I get what you're saying. What are we going to do?" He sat on a stool.

There was a rolling sound approaching a moment before Joshua entered into the room in his wheelchair.

"I came from the side door, with the ramp." He nodded behind him in explanation. "Now, I want the answer to the commander's question. What are we going to do?"

"We aren't going to let my son run to his death with no back-up. That's what we aren't going to do." Elijah stated firmly.

"Where did he go?" Joshua probed.

Duncan reluctantly handed the old man the photo. The elder's face paled at the sight of it.

"He's already there, isn't he? He's just waiting to rush in, until the vine gets there." Joshua tossed the picture onto the counter.

Elijah nodded stiffly.

"Okay... I'm going to the warriors." Duncan stood. "I'll gather everyone I can. Addressing them separately, not as a group, can only help."

"They listen to you." Joshua nodded.

The commander looked to Elijah.

"Go." He waved him away.

Duncan turned and walked out of the kitchen.

"We have to talk to our friends. See what we can do with the wolves that trust us." Joshua stated.

"Let's go." Elijah stood. "I'll drive."