Insight

Eve watched the sunset outside the window. She’d been sitting on her bed, with her door closed, since returning from the doctor’s office. Her mind felt heavy, literally heavy, under the knowledge that there were two pups in her stomach.

Anna had retrieved the sonogram photo Eve had dropped. The Luna saw her pick it up. That meant Flint would know. From the connection she shared with the pack, it seemed that her mate already knew. He was anxious, stressed, and frustrated. Anger was his cover for these emotions. But Eve recognized it as just that, a cover.

There was a short knock on the door a moment before it opened. Eve didn’t turn to face it. She knew who it was. The static that crawled over her along with his gaze announced his presence. It was Bastian. He slowly walked over to the Luna, before sitting beside her on the side of the bed.

“Are you okay, Evie?” He probed.

“I’m scared.” She whispered, still staring at the darkening sky.

Bastian didn’t respond. He just looked over her face. After a few moments, Eve turned to look at him.

“I’m going to die here. Even if I live, if by some miracle I have these pups... What do you want with them?” She spoke in a calm, quiet voice.

“I just want them, Evie. I’ll help you raise them. We can do it together.” Bastian replied.

“Raise them to do what, Bas? I know you have a plan. Tell me.” She touched his hand, urging him to answer him.

He hesitated. He leaned a bit closer to her, examining her. Eve wanted to pull away; she thought for a moment he was going to kiss her, but he didn’t. Bastian leaned back a moment later as if he’d found whatever he was looking for in the glowing, electric blue in her eyes.

“Your pup is the Alpha among Alphas. He can bring down StarLight. If there are two, we can bring down the mountain.” Bastian exhaled the words like he was relieved to tell her.

“I don’t want that.” Eve withdrew her hand.

“I know, Evie. You’re still connected to StarLight. To Flint." He hissed the name like it was venomous. “If you’d let me-”

“Stop talking about breaking my mark. I won’t let you.” She stated firmly.

“I don’t plan to force you, Evie. Calm down.” Bastian took her hand in his again.

“Promise?” Eve stared into his dark eyes.

“I promise. That’s not in my plan.” He nodded.

Bastian pulled her into a hug. Though Eve was reluctant, she tentatively leaned her head on his shoulder. The closer Bastian thought Eve was to him, the easier her escape would be. The Luna was gathering as much information as she could about Bastian and the Shadow pack. The only way to do that was to play along, to a certain extent.

“Come on, Evie.” Bastian eventually stood. “I’m leaving in a couple days, so there’s a party downstairs. You have to come.”

“I don’t really want to.” She sighed.

“I know, but I want you to. Come down for me?” He asked.

Eve contemplated it for a moment, before she tried to stand. If she did this for him, maybe she could use it to her advantage. Bastian helped her to her feet and out the door. She walked down the stairs and onto the front porch. Onyx approached from the side yard as soon as she saw the Luna.

“Evie, how’re you feeling?” The teenager came to sit beside her on the porch swing.

“Tired.” She sighed. “You?”

“Good. Felix nearly burnt his eyebrows off when he lit he grill, so that was exciting.” Onyx answered happily.

“Again?” Bastian smirked and looked around. “I’ll go find him. You two behave.”

He walked down the steps, leaving them alone. Eve peered around. She knew seven members of the pack but Bastian had told her once that there were fourteen members. Half of them were unaccounted for.

The Shadow members weren’t ranked like the wolves on the mountain. There was no Beta. No warriors. No specialists. No trackers. Instead they were divided into two groups. Supporters were half-breeds who could only turn under the full moon, if at all. Defenders were full blooded rogues with fully fledged wolves.

Eve had been introduced to five defenders and two supporters. Felix and Leigh were a couple and they were defenders. They were both in their early twenties and, though they weren’t mated, their relationship seemed very strong.

Tyler was the name of another defender. He didn’t like Eve. He thought she could mean the end of the Shadow pack. Bastian had been having a tryst with one of his other defenders, Callie. He’d broken it off before kidnapping Eve. This had caused the rogue female to harbor resentment toward the Luna.

Onyx was a full blooded wolf and, therefore, she was a defender. Though, this was in name alone because she had never fought and Bastian would never allow her to. Scott and Darren were the supporters of the group. They were quiet and seemed to be used in the same way that trackers were used on the mountain.

“Are you hungry?” The teenager probed.

“No. I ate a little while ago.” Eve smiled at her.

“Let me go make your tea. That way, it’ll be ready when you want to go bed.” Onyx stood.

“You don’t have to-”

“I know.” She interrupted her and entered the cabin.

Eve turned back to the party, absent-mindedly stroking her stomach. Her mind still felt very far away, even if her eyes were peering around the back yard.

“Hey, Evie. Want something to drink?” Leigh asked as she walked passed the porch.

“Hey. No, thanks. I’m okay.” She waved at the young woman.

Several more quiet minutes went by. Eve watched Bastian take over the grill until he was satisfied that Felix wouldn’t accidentally burn everything. Leigh and Scott were talking about some video game. Darren and Tyler were arguing about some competition from last year. Everything seemed peaceful, at least for a little while.