Insight

The snow had turned to slush by the late morning. Decorations were blue and black, as always. Faye, Ben, and Becca arrived early to help set up. Jay apparently got held up with GraySky pack business. Kelsie and Benji were running around with twins when the rest of the guests began arriving.

Just before noon, all the children were seated around Joshua's wheelchair. The elder had been telling them stories about when Flint was young and when Eve first came to StarLight. Flint stood on the back porch, watching the party from a distance. Eve caught his gaze as she rushed toward her mother with a photo album in her hands.

Her black dress had long sleeves that covered her palms. Her blue leggings were dark and made her slender legs look somehow longer. Eve's blonde hair hung loosely over her shoulders, bouncing with every step she took. Even after all the years he'd known her, Flint never got tired of seeing her.

"Mind some company?" Johnny interrupted his thoughts as he came to stand beside him.

"I get the feeling that question was rhetorical." He chuckled.

"Yeah, it was." He nodded, smiling.

"Where are Lynn and Griffin?" Flint asked.

"Lynn's with Eve and Ellie, like always. Griffin is listening to Joshua. I can't believe the old man is like a shepherd for pups. He was so much different when I was young." Johnny replied.

"Age softened him." The Alpha nodded.

He thought of his father. This was the anniversary of Elijah's death. Flint couldn't help but wonder if he would have softened with time. Yet, part of him knew better.

Are you okay, love? Eve's wolf entered his mind.

Flint looked up, immediately meeting his mate's gaze. She had felt his sorrow like it was her own.

Always, little thing. He smiled at her.

Eve reluctantly turned back to her mom. Footsteps approached. Flint and Johnny turned to see Ben and Duncan walking toward them.

"How are you?" Flint shook Ben's hand.

"Good. Evie seems happy." He answered.

"We both are." The Alpha nodded.

"Bailey is down there. Have you guys noticed Joshua?" Duncan gestured to his son in front of the elder.

"Yeah. Freaking pup magnet." Johnny agreed with a goofy smile.

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Across the yard, a few of the pups broke off from the others to play. Nora, Griffin, Bailey, and Kelsey began an aggressive game of tag. Nora paid no attention as her dress became covered in mud. She tackled Kelsey to the ground, proclaiming her victory before another round of the game began.

Eli, Benji, and Jason continued to listen to Joshua. Eventually the old man needed a break and he wheeled himself away. The boys watched their peers without joining them. Eli had never been much of a social butterfly, he preferred to observe. A ball of muddy ice hit the back of his head, forcing him to turn around abruptly in confusion.

"James..." Eli curled his nose in annoyance.

"Mom made me come. I didn't want to." The boy answered sharply.

"Then go home." Benji replied.

"Why? Is the runt scared?" James cackled.

Eve felt her son getting upset. She turned to watch him. She rolled her eyes when she saw James Hayes. He was a bully from Eli's class. She and Flint tried to let the twins handle things themselves... However, this mean, little boy was actively bothering the Luna.

"I'm not a runt." Eli spoke through clenched teeth.

"Oh, yeah? Seems like you are." James laughed, drawing the other pup's attention.

Eli lifted his chin, wearing a stern face. He'd seen his father do this countless times, yet his own expression never garnered the same reaction.

"Leave him alone." Nora stated as she approached.

"Need a girl to fight for you, runt?" James smiled broader.

"I'm NOT a runt." Eli replied angrily.

The boy walked up to Eli with excited agitation in his eyes. Eli was taller and skinnier than James, making him appear weaker.

"Prove it." James shoved Eli in the chest, knocking him to the ground.

Eve turned and began walking toward them, but she noticed Flint doing the same thing. His hands were in his pockets and he was radiating frustration. She jogged to intercept him.

"Come here!" Nora barked, leaping toward James angrily.

However, Eli jumped to his feet and grabbed his sister's shoulder. He walked up to James with furious determination.

"You shouldn't get involved. You'll embarrass him." Eve placed a hand on her mate's chest.

"They're calling him a runt. My son." Flint growled lowly.

"I know. And if his Daddy, the Alpha, steps in? That won't help." She stated soothingly.

He grimaced and turned back to the altercation. Eli moved to shove the boy backwards, but James pushed him onto his back again. The growl of frustration that left his throat drew everyone's attention. It was more animalistic than anyone his age.

Eli lept up, baring his teeth at James. Even his friends were watching him with wide, surprised eyes. James took a few steps back, looking bewildered. Flint and Eve met gazes before running directly toward their son. Eli stepped forward, growling a bit louder.

"We're going to kill you!" The boy snarled, jumping at his frightened adversary.

Flint's arm encircled Eli's chest, pulling him off his feet. The boy struggled for freedom, snarling like a rabid pup. He turned and walked away, carrying his son. James' mom ran up to her child and hugged him tightly.

"What's wrong with your son?" The mother asked dramatically.

"My son?" She leaned toward the woman threateningly and lowered her voice. "Next time, I'll let Eli teach your son where his place is? How does that sound?"

The woman's eyes widened in fear as she shuffled off, carrying her crying child. Eve turned to the surprised, and slightly afraid, faces of those around her. She pasted on a bashful smile.

"Just boys being boys." She announced casually.

After a few awkward seconds, conversation began to pick up again.

"Mommy?" Nora looked at her curiously.

"Everything is okay. Go play. The cake will be coming out soon, then it'll be time for presents." Eve replied with a fake smile.

The little girl nodded skeptically, before pulling Benji and Jason into her game of tag. The Luna turned on her heels and followed Flint's path into the house. She found him sitting on the floor of the living room, wiping a few tears from his son's cheeks.

"What happened out there, Eli?" Eve asked, kneeling beside her mate.

"I'm not a runt! They all say I am, but I'm not!" He answered sadly.

"No. You aren't." Flint wiped his cheeks again. "You're a Dolan. You're strong and you'll get even stronger."

Eli shook his head in exasperation.

"Mommy has a question for you. It's important, okay?" Eve eventually stated in a comforting tone.

"Okay..." He sniffled, meeting her eyes.

"Who is we? You said we will kill you." She probed.

"I can feel him sometimes. He's there, but he's gone." Eli replied vaguely.

"Feel him?" Flint furrowed his brows.

"In my head. He's- I'm..." Eli released a shaky breath. "We're mad."

"Okay. It's okay." Eve hugged him, shooting Flint a worried look.

Flint nodded. He was worried too, for the same reasons. She released Eli once he felt calmer and had stopped crying.

"Go play with your sister. I sent James home." She stated as she forced a smile onto her face.

Eli glanced reluctantly to the door.

"It's okay. The cake will be out soon. You don't want to miss that, right?" Eve poked his nose playfully.

Eli nodded, going slowly back outside. Flint and Eve turned to each other with fearful eyes.

"He can't have a wolf yet. Let alone feel it! He's seven!" She whispered quickly.

"But he does..." Flint answered. "How else would he feel it in his mind?"

"I don't know. This is-" She cut herself off. "What are we going to do if the binding breaks when he's eight? Or nine? Or now?!"

"I turned early at eleven, nearly twelve. I'll teach him how my father taught me." He replied uncertainly.

"Ten fold the strength, Flint." Eve sighed and rubbed her face. "What training can we possibly give him to prepare for that?"

"I don't know, baby. But we'll figure it out." Flint replied. "And like always, we'll do it together."

"Together." She nodded, placing her palm in his.