Insight

Eve was thrilled by the idea of going to Kirkwood. Anna was there. Somehow, she hoped she could see the specialist. The mere thought of talking with someone from StarLight made Eve feel lighter. Her chest was full with hope. She'd slept that night, for the first night in months, without Bastian's eyes on her. It was peaceful and restful to her.

Onyx decided to put some precautions in place before leaving the cabin. She needed someone to drive since she didn't have her license and Eve couldn't drive, for obvious and multiple reasons. Onyx decided to ask a defender, Tyler, to drive the small box truck.

He wasn't simply a chauffeur. Eve recognized that the full-bred Shadow wolf was asked by Onyx as a security measure. Eve wouldn't be able to disappear if there were more Lycan eyes on her. Still, Eve was excited. She had no plans to leave yet; she simply wanted the opportunity to speak to Anna.

"Okay Evie, the plan is to get the mail first. Then the furniture store. Tyler will load us up and then we'll go to the butcher." Onyx explained as they drove toward the small, farming community.

"How does every order expire today?" Tyler grumbled.

"Bas set it up like that so he could collect everything at once." The teenager explained. "He didn't count on having to leave. Then he forgot to check in about when everything came."

"Maybe he's been too distracted." He cast Eve a sidelong glance.

"Holding someone hostage is so time consuming. Who would have thought?" Eve stated sarcastically.

"Play nicely, you two." Onyx interjected before Tyler could retort.

A few minutes passed and the car came to a stop in front of the small post office. The little brick building was on the corner beside the convenience store. Eve examined the area. She saw a few straggling residents, but they were all human. There was no sign of Anna.

"Stay here with Tyler. I'll be right back." Onyx met Eve's eyes.

"Sure." The Luna waved her off.

Onyx got out of the truck, closing the passenger door behind her. Eve slid into the seat. She ignored the way the defender tensed at her movements. Instead, she continued stared out of the window. A few moments later, a familiar purple hoodie emerged from the store. The person wearing it made eye contact with Eve.

It was Anna Delanie. She'd actually seen her. The specialist nodded at Eve, making it clear that she had seen her as well. Onyx came out of the post office, drawing the Luna's attention. When she glanced back at the grocery store, the woman in the purple hoodie was gone.

"Got it." Onyx stated as she opened the passenger door.

Eve nodded and slid into the middle of the seat. The teenager sat two packages in the floorboard before climbing into the truck. Tyler started the engine and drove away. Eve looked around but she didn't see the specialist anywhere.

After traveling a few blocks, the truck came to a stop in front of a modest store. It had large windows and a sun-bleached, orange awning. The words 'Walkman's Furniture' were on a simple wooden sign above the door.

Onyx climbed out of the seat and helped Eve out as well. They walked into the store, while Tyler circled the vehicle to open the rear door of the truck. The teenager approached the counter and Eve hesitated. She looked out the window for any sign of Anna. She stayed by a few shelves of lamps, near the door.

The bell above the door rang. Eve turned to see Tyler entering. He looked her over with narrowed eyes before walking up to the counter. The man working showed him to the back of the store. Onyx glanced at the Luna before looking at her phone.

The door opened but, this time, the bell didn't ring. Eve's eyes widened when she saw a purple hoodie come into the store. There was no scent accompanying this person. Not human or Lycan. Eve smiled broadly, turning around. She seemingly examined a bookcase, trying to conceal her joy.

"Luna." Came a familiar voice.

Anna stood with her back to Eve, a few steps away. She held a lamp in her hand, as if she were checking the price.

"How is Flint?" Eve whispered without turning to face her.

"Tired. How are you?" Anna replied quietly.

"Raw meat diet. Creeping sedum tea. Bastian's name in town is Seth Lawler." She rattled off facts about her stay.

"The tea has side effects. Don't drink it for extended periods." The specialist informed her.

"What side effects?" Eve probed quickly.

"The-" Anna fell suddenly silent.

The Luna felt her move away. She took a few casual steps, as if to look at some curtains on a nearby rack. The specialist pulled out her phone, seemingly answering it.

"Hello?" She paused. "Yeah. I'm at the store now. I have no idea what to get him."

Eve glanced at the counter. Onyx was watching her. She gave her a calm smile, just before the man came out of the back room. He drew her attention, talking about the size of the boxes Tyler had to lift.

"I know you need it, but it makes your inner self aggressive." Anna stated into the phone.

"Do we have a solution to the power yet?" The Luna whispered, turning back toward the bookshelves.

"Yeah. We know what it is, but we can't find any. We're still looking. I heard you got puppies. How are they?" She sighed quietly.

"Stronger than me." Eve breathed.

"Soon. I can't say when, but it won't be long." Anna paused before saying, "I think it's called, the last snow of winter."

Tyler entered through the front door again. He examined the specialist, smelling the air. He took a single step toward her, before Onyx called him to the counter. Eve glanced at him and rolled her eyes as if he were being ridiculous. Tyler grimaced, but left to speak to the man behind the register.

"I'll try the next place. Maybe I'll find something for him there." Anna continued to speak into the phone.

"Tell him we love him. We're okay for now." Eve stated.

The specialist left the store. Again, the door bell didn't ring. Eve looked at it and saw that the clapper had been removed from its center. She smirked to herself just before Onyx grabbed her attention.

"You like it?" The teenager approached her.

"It's sturdy, but too expensive." Eve glanced at the bookshelf she'd been standing in front of. "I mean, it's just some wooden boards."

"Yeah. They'll get what they can out of it." Onyx shrugged. "Let's go. Tyler loaded up around back."

She led the way back to the truck. The Luna was watchful for Anna but she knew she wouldn't see the her again. At the butcher, Onyx would be the only one to get out of the truck. Even though her contact with Anna had been brief, Eve was happy about it.

She learned that she was right. The tea was what was making her wolf aggressive. On top of that, she'd been told to wait for the last snow of winter. That would be when Flint would come for her. The thought made her inner beast bounce in place. Eve had spoken to someone from StarLight and Bastian wasn't at the cabin to observe her.

Things were looking hopeful for Eve, even if this would only last until the rogue Alpha returned.