Insight

Flint stayed up late that night. He was watching the video feed on the television, as he laid on the couch in his office. Ellie had brought him some food from the diner in town. He sent her a text to thank her after his run.

Even though his stomach was in knots, he forced himself to eat. His wolf hadn’t been hunting and Flint hadn’t been shopping. He knew that even if he wasn’t hungry, he was empty. The sun eventually began to rise and even then, Flint was awake.

He groaned at the sight of sunlight shining through the curtains. His cell phone rang. He glanced at the screen briefly before answering the annoying device.

“Alpha Flint Dolan.” He stated.

“I found something.” Drake replied.

“See how I answered the phone? That’s how you do that.” Flint quipped.

“Uh-huh.” He sighed.

“What did you find?” He ran his hand through his hair tiredly.

“Creeping sedum tea is a remedy for overactive wolves. In the valley, rogues can’t shift often. The tea stops them from bursting out to take over, that’s all.” Drake answered.

“Where did you get this information?” Flint probed curiously.

“One of the elderly members of my pack told me. They gave me a book of rogue remedies. I’m mailing it to your head quarters.” Drake answered.

“Don’t mail it. Drive it here. I need it sooner than the mail can get it to me.” He stated.

“I’ll send someone.” He sighed heavily. “This is the last thing I’m doing for anyone in StarLight. Luna Eve included.”

“I know.” Flint acknowledged before he hung up the phone.

The Alpha was exhausted. He collapsed back onto the couch. His eyes turned back to the television. Watching the video feed of the cabin had become an obsession of his. However, there was nothing he could do but continue to stare at the screen.

Knowing that answers were coming, coupled with his lack of energy, carried Flint to sleep. He awoke well into evening and immediately jumped off the couch. He grabbed his clothes off the hanger on the back of the door and got dressed.

His desk phone rang as he tied his shoes. He finished what he was doing, before hastily picking up the receiver.

“Alpha Flint Dolan.” He greeted the caller in a gruff voice.

“It’s Duncan. I’ve got a HillCreek wolf here. She claims to be bringing you a package, but I’ve detained her for now.” A voice replied calmly.

“She’s already here?” Flint looked at the clock in surprise.

“You were actually expecting her?” Duncan probed.

“Yes and no. Apologize for detaining her, bring her a bottle of water, and let her go. Watch her leave, then bring me that book.” The Alpha answered.

“Yes, Alpha. You know I have more questions.” He replied.

“I know. Get here quickly and I may give you some answers.” Flint stated before he hung up the phone.

He walked over to the bathroom and brushed his teeth. He noticed his hair hanging in his face, as well as the short, untrimmed beard across his jaw and lips. He thought of the way Eve ran her finger’s through it in the dream they’d shared. She’d told him to take the time to be human.

Flint combed his hair back from his face, before spreading shaving cream over his jaw. He had just finished shaving and was wiping his face when the commander entered the office. Flint looked in the mirror, insuring there was no missed hairs or shaving cream on his face.

“Alpha?” Duncan questioned.

Flint stepped into the office, closing the bathroom door behind him.

“Package.” He held out his hand expectantly.

He handed it him with furrowed brows.

“What’s going on?” He plopped into the seat across from Flint’s desk chair.

“Bastian’s leverage; I found it. It’s called creeping sedum tea. Drake Hunter sent me this book on rogue remedies.” The Alpha sat at the desk and flipped through the book.

It wasn’t very thick and the cover was made of denim wrapped cardboard. The title was printed and laminated in plastic on the book’s spine. It was named HillCreek Rogue Methodology. Flint noticed that there were a couple chapters ripped out. He simply flipped through it until he saw the section on old remedies.

“Creeping sedum has been used for ages to tame a wolf’s more explosive behaviors. One usually brews the crushed leaves into tea. The dose should not exceed more than two teaspoons of the leaves per cup. Sources say not to use it for extended periods of time, though the reasons have been lost to rumors.”

Flint read the words aloud, hoping to find more information than simply what he was looking at. At the bottom of the page, he noticed an addendum.

“Most sedum plants are not used in modern medical treatments. The following list are plants that are defined as ‘remedies’, but they should not be taken without a doctor’s consent and supervision. Tall border sedum, trailing sedum, creeping sedum, golden sedum, and two-leaf sedum.” Flint shook his head.

“That wasn’t entirely helpful. Creeping sedum is what Eve is taking? You’re sure?” Duncan leaned forward to examine the book.

“Yes. Eve put it in her second note. I just had to figure it out.” He sighed.

“Okay... This says you should have a doctor’s supervision to take it.” He thought aloud.

“Doctor-” Flint was suddenly struck. “Elkin.”

“Oh, Elkin. Yeah, call him.” Duncan nodded adamantly.

Flint had already picked up his phone. The doctor eventually answered.

“Alpha. I was just about to call you.” Elkin greeted him.

“I found something on the tea. Not much. Where are you right now?” Flint skipped all pleasantries.

“I’m at the edge of the territory. I had to go see an old friend. She remembered more than me. We have to talk...” He answered.

“How long would it take you to get to HQ?” He probed.

“Forty five minutes. Listen to me first, okay?” Elkin replied.

“Fine, talk and drive.” Flint stated as he heard the car door close through the phone.

“The tea. I found something out. When you sent me the email naming the creeping sedum, it was familiar. I couldn’t remember from where. My old partner remembered more. The tea isn’t supposed to be used over long periods.” The doctor stated.

“I know. That’s what I just found. It doesn’t say why.” He put the call on speaker.

“I know why. It makes the wolves that take it more aggressive. This wears off, unless the doses continue. It can make wolves rabid.” Elkin explained.

Flint felt the blood drain from his face. The commander watched him warily for a moment, before standing.

“How long would that take?” Duncan interjected.

“I don’t know. I think it all depends on the original temperament of the wolf in question.” Elkin answered.

Little thing is strong. Steady. Calm. She’ll be alright. Flint’s beast arose in his mind.

She’s been isolated and scared for a long time. She’s angry and frustrated. We still don’t know what it’s like for her there... He replied internally.

Meaning? The wolf already knew the answer.

We don’t know what her temperament is like there. We can’t assume. Flint shook his head.

He felt for Eve in the StarLight mindlink. She was there. Alive and seemingly calm. Last night, he’d felt a surge of the power within her, but it was gone as quickly as it came. Now, his mate was alright. Or, at least, that’s what she was projecting.

“Can we get our hands on creeping sedum? How hard is it to find?” The Alpha’s mind was turning.

“It’s usage on the range wiped it out ages ago. It needs the altitude to grow so it won’t be in the valley.” Elkin stated.

“Great. Another hidden plant.” Duncan sighed heavily.

“Okay. Just get down here. We’ll talk then.” Flint ended the call.

He ran his hand through his hair. He felt anxious. Eve was right. Her ‘temporary solution’ was ‘no solution at all’. He began to pace the area behind his desk. Duncan watched him silently, waiting for orders.

“We’re out of time.” Flint pondered aloud. “The tea is all she has, until we find the vine. The tea is killing her. Worse yet, we can’t just find it. We have to... I have to...”

“Where did Bastian get the tea?” The commander asked.

“I don’t know. He-” The Alpha stood up straight and picked up the phone.

He dialed a number quickly and waited for an answer to the shrill ringing.

“Hello.” Blair greeted the caller.

“Alpha Flint Dolan speaking. I have an assignment for you. It won’t be easy and you’ll have to go through the rogue foundations for any information.” He explained.

“Yes, Alpha.” The young woman replied immediately.

“I need to find a couple of rogues. I don’t know what pack they’re from, but they are mated according to our records. So, they had to be get together before their exile.” Flint stated.

“Names?” Blair probed.

“James and Rose Lawler. Security level A-1. Understood?” His tone was filled with authority.

“Yes, Alpha.” She replied without hesitation.

“I’ll be waiting for your call.” Flint commented before hanging up the phone once more.