Insight

Callie had vanished. She was the only member of the Shadow pack left alive, and she'd escaped. Eventually, all those chasing her returned to the back yard, which was now more like a wet battlefield.

StarLight had been caring for their wounded and gathering their dead as the fight moved forward. This had saved some of their lives; at least, the ones that could be saved. Duncan and Johnny took inventory of their numbers. Six of the nineteen wolves that had shown up to fight, were dead.

Bethany, Donald, Peter, Dylan, and Blair. Their bodies were laid beside one another respectfully. Elijah was still in the place he'd fallen. It felt wrong to move him. Selena's limp body still laid several feet from him. Her leg had stopped bleeding but she had yet to awaken.

Johnny also found Alice Fall's body at the edge of the tree line. She'd never made it onto the yard. There were nearly as many injured StarLight members, as there were dead ones. The back of Silas' head was bleeding and he was disoriented. Duncan thought the warrior surely had a concussion.

David had a broken clavicle and left arm. Patrick had throat and chest lacerations. He'd clearly barely survived his last fight. Johnny had been kicked by Callie's boot spikes. His scalp was torn and he had several puncture wounds. However, he didn't slow down enough to acknowledge or treat his wounds.

Lynn was following him around, trying to help him as he continued checking on the injured. Everyone seemed to be covered in bruises and claw marks. Ellie had blood crusted on her mouth. She couldn't focus on her split lips or her broken nose. All she could do was hold the twins in her arms as they wailed.

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Eve wasn't sure how much time passed before she opened her eyes. Her entire body was sore and her neck was extremely painful. She forced herself to turn her head to the side, hissing at the pain that rushed down the side of her throat.

Flint was still behind her in Bastian's old, rusted truck bed. Her eyes widened dramatically when she saw the baby in her mate's arms. It was quiet and its eyes were closed peacefully. Eve smiled to herself. Ellie sat beside Flint, holding the other baby close enough that Flint could see it.

"Evie." Ellie beamed at her, separating the split skin of her lips without thought.

"Hi." Eve croaked. Her voice was thin and she was unable to raise her volume.

Flint hugged her with his broken arm. Eve touched him gingerly, savoring the electricity of his touch. The quietness around her was odd. The Luna glanced out of the open tailgate of the truck. Night had arrived and the rain had stopped.

"Why aren't they crying?" Eve asked.

"Anna went to Kirkwood. She got some puppy formula. They drank a ton of the stuff. Elkin said it was okay. Eventually, they slept." Ellie informed her.

"They're fine, baby. They're perfect." Flint's tone was deep and quiet. "How are you?"

"Still tired." Eve tried to sit up to look at the baby he was holding, but she winced, slumping back into place.

"Here." Ellie moved closer and laid the baby on Eve's chest.

The contact of the pup's skin on hers was invigorating. She felt happy, peaceful, and complete. It was overwhelming. Eve cradled the baby and Ellie helped to brace the bundle.

"Elkin said they were okay? Really?" Eve felt a few hot tears on her cheeks.

"He said they were healthy." Flint answered. "You will be too."

"The doc is with the rest of the hurt wolves. The more critical ones have already been sent to Green Tree." Ellie nodded.

"This one is smaller." Eve whispered.

Her throat felt like it had an open wound, still she forced herself to lift her head. She softly kissed her child's warm forehead. She instantly knew the boy was the one laying on her chest. His fresh scent reminded her of Flint after he got out of the shower. Yet there was something different. Something innocent and new.

"He's longer, but she's chubbier." Ellie stifled a giggle.

"He'll grow. Don't underestimate him. He's a Dolan." As Flint spoke, he felt a pang of grief in his chest.

His father was the one who had taught him what it meant to be a Dolan. To be an Alpha. Elijah was the one who had made him into the man he was. The thought of his father never seeing his son, never meeting him, it was painful.

"He's ours." Eve murmured, gazing at the infant in her arms.

Johnny appeared with Duncan at the threshold. The Luna noticed that they had somehow procured clothes that weren't damaged or covered in blood. Eve simply assumed that clothing was on Anna's shopping list when she went to Kirkwood.

"Eve." Johnny smiled when he saw that her tired eyes were open.

She returned his smile as the baby in her arms yawned, momentarily drawing her attention.

"Luna. I'm glad you're okay." Duncan stated.

"Thank you. Both of you." Eve replied.

There was no explanation needed to understand why she was thanking them. They had come with no orders. Without hesitation or thought to the risks they were facing. They still came, fought, and won.

"Loaded up?" Flint probed, gently bouncing the infant in his healthy arm.

"Yes, Alpha." Duncan nodded.

"SUV is parked right there." Johnny pointed to the side of the truck bed.

"Then we go." Flint nodded.

Duncan and Ellie held the babies as Flint helped Eve out of the bed of the truck. He had to lift her but the shock from his broken arm had worn off. He struggled to hold her. Johnny stepped forward immediately. The warrior adjust the sheet that wrapped around Eve's legs before helping to brace her weight off of Flint's injury.

The scene around her came into view, churning Eve's stomach. Shadow wolves, in human and wolven forms, were laying dead. Haphazardly left in the open air of the back yard. Most of the StarLight wolves were gone. However; those left behind were all bloody, dirty, and exhausted.

Bastian's body was still on the deck, leaning against the cabin. The smile frozen on his face would haunt Eve's memories. Though not as much as the vacant look in his dark eyes as he died. Elijah lay in the place of his death as well. His wolven body had been covered with a throw blanket.

Selena was missing, and Eve knew she wouldn't have left on her own accord. It stood to reason that someone must have taken her away as she slept. A sudden thought made Eve clutch Flint's shoulder, abruptly grabbing his attention.

"Where's Onyx?" She asked anxiously.

"She was in the first truck back to Green Tree. Don't worry, she's safe." Flint answered.

He and Johnny began moving again, sliding Eve into the back seat of the SUV. Ellie climbed in the third row with her mate beside her. Flint sat beside Eve; Duncan handed him his daughter back. Johnny closed the door and walked to the driver's side.

"Oh, no. Back it up." Duncan held his hand out for the keys.

"Come on." He sighed in annoyance.

"Maybe when you don't have a gaping head wound, you can drive." The commander chuckled. "Maybe."

"I'm fine-"

The door opened again and Flint got out. He handed Eve the baby before opening the driver door beside the bickering wolves. He reached in and pressed the truck release button. Flint turned and walked into the backyard. The Alpha was silent, but his actions still drew everyone's attention.

Flint knelt beside his father and lifted him. It was clear that the weight of his father's body was splintering his broken arm. Still, no one moved to help him. His link told them not to. Flint deposited the sheet covered body in the trunk.

"Anna." He stated, staring at the deck.

"Yes, Alpha." The specialist replied.

"Take Bastian back the GreenTree personally. Deliver him to the morgue yourself. No one is to see the body until I release it." Flint ordered.

"Yes, Alpha." Anna turned on her heels and walked toward Bastian's body.

Flint walked back to the SUV and closed the hatch. He then climbed into the back and closed the door.

We couldn't leave him for someone else. He returns with us. Flint's wolf reached into Eve's mind.

Of course, Love. He returns with us. The she-beast agreed.

Meanwhile, outside the car, Johnny handed Duncan the keys. The commander tapped him on the shoulder and gave him an understanding nod. Johnny calmly circled to climb into the passenger seat. Duncan heaved a heavy breath before sitting in the driver's, starting the engine.