Insight

The day of the all pack meeting had arrived and Eve felt relieved. She’d been working on something for days, she just had to move quietly. She didn’t exactly want anyone to know what she had planned. Especially not Flint. He would misunderstand, and Eve couldn’t find the words to explain it. Not even to herself.

Eve begrudgingly stared into her closet. Her old clothes would make her feel fat, but her maternity clothes were too large for her now. She pulled out a black dress shirt and a pair of loose slacks. However, the pants hugged her tightly now. She felt bloated, so she decided not to tuck in her shirt.

She pulled on her vest, cringing. Her neck seemed to be healing like a real wound. Stages and all. Now the invisible injury was still stiff, and it was itching. The throbbing was worse when anything touched or grazed the area. The cramps from labor were worse at night, but tolerable. Eve thought she was nearly healed, at least physically.

She brushed her hair and was finishing up her make-up when the bathroom door opened. The steam released into the room sent chills up her spine and goosebumps arose all over her skin. The familiar, enticing scent of morning dew and fresh forest air; it swirled around her.

Flint stepped out with nothing but a towel around his waist. Eve’s gaze trailed over his cleanly shaven, square jaw and down his thick, damp throat. His broad, firm chest. His tight, defined abdominal muscles. Flint felt her gaze on him, sending electricity over his skin.

“Eve...” He said her name like a warning.

“Hmmm?” Eve met his emerald gaze.

“Don’t look at me like that. Emily said five weeks.” Flint replied, stepping toward her.

“I know what she said.” The Luna felt her cheeks burning at her obvious intent.

“Uh-huh.” He nodded slowly.

“However...” Eve reached for his lips with her own.

Flint kissed her deeply. The electricity coursing through them was provoking them, pulling them together like magnets.

“Eve-” Flint broke away reluctantly. “You’ll get hurt.”

“Shhhh.” She kissed his neck before brushing her lips over his mark.

Flint tensed like a bowstring. A lightning bolt of pleasure shot through him. She placed another kiss on his sternum, moving lower on his torso. Eve didn’t know exactly what she was doing; all she knew was she needed Flint. She needed him closer, she needed more.

Eve sat on the bed behind her as she descended. The Alpha released a hoarse groan as she dropped the towel from his hips. He was already erect, waiting for her to touch him. Eve wrapped her hand around his length. She moved her hand back and forth. She delicately licked the tip, causing Flint to grunt and shutter forward.

“Eve...” Flint groaned her name as she took him into her mouth.

His hand slid over her head, guiding her movements. Eve placed her hand in front of her lips, holding him. For a second, Flint’s knees caved. He recovered immediately, clenching her silky strands in his fist. Flint looked at her with passion glazed eyes. Eve felt his gaze and quickened the pace, swirling her tongue.

Flint growled, his hips thrust toward her; meeting her every movement. Eve moved her hand back and forth in front of her mouth. A long groan vibrated the air around them. Flint shuddered in release, pulling away from her. Eve went to the bathroom and grabbed her toothbrush.

When she returned, Flint was getting dressed. He paused as he buttoned his black shirt. He walked over to her and kissed her without warning. His lips crashed onto hers. He felt her smiling against his mouth and he smiled in return.

“So much for five weeks.” Flint chuckled and kissed her forehead.

“She said no sex. My mouth doesn’t need to heal.” Eve grabbed her make-up and returned to the mirror to fix it.

“Thank the goddess for that.” He replied jokingly.

Eve giggled at him and threw a towel at him from the bathroom. Flint caught it and shook his head, grinning at her.

Forty five minutes later, they found themselves in the locker room of the arena. Eve realized that it felt like ages since she’d stood in that room. Flint had an arm around her waist, holding her protectively to his side.

“Warriors, specialists, and trackers are in their groups on the field. The rest are in the seats. It took over an hour, but we’re full to capacity.” Duncan reported as he entered.

The commander held the door for Joshua to enter in his wheel chair. The old man looked over the Alpha couple approvingly.

“Old and young are here. There are a few that aren’t; nearly thirty. All have reasonable excuses.” The Elder stated.

“Text the announcer. It’s time to get started.” Flint answered.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Children of all ages, the elderly, everyone who was able; knew the importance of their attendance at the all pack meeting. They could feel it. Those that had fought in the battle and survived were in a line behind the small platform, facing their fellow warriors, specialists, and trackers. There was a large box in front of the stage, drawing much attention.

“Silence. Alpha Flint Dolan and Luna Eve Adams, entering the field.” The speakers in the arena crackled to life. “Silence. Alpha Flint Dolan and Luna Eve Adams are entering the field.”

It took only moments for it to become quiet. Flint and Eve walked out of the locker room and onto the platform. There was a microphone on the podium, though there was no prepared speech waiting.

Eve looked around at the pack. They were all wearing black, even the children. It’s customary to mourn the loss of an Alpha, current or previous, for two weeks. The Luna had just never seen it before.

“StarLight.” Flint’s voice came from the speakers. “The rogue commander, Bastian Anderson, is dead. As are his followers.”

He gestured to the box in front of the stage. Eve’s eyes got stuck there as understanding dawned in her mind. It was him... Bastian’s body was right there.

“Let me make myself clear...” The Alpha spoke seriously. “Someone came into our territory, repeatedly. Breaching our borders. He killed our family members and friends, repeatedly. Random deaths. Bastian Anderson has paid for his crimes. He will be buried outside of the territory, face down, in an unmarked grave. Just like all those who stand against us.”

Applause slowly filled the air. Flint held up a hand to silence them.

“His body will be here for one hour after this meeting's end. The families of his victims will be allowed to see him. Confirming to themselves, that justice has been served.”

Flint paused, thinking over his next words. Eve touched his back to comfort him. She could feel how tense he was about what he had to say and explain.

“Alice Fall, Blair Dell, Dylan Nahar, Peter Sylvie, Donald Beckett, Bethany Perkins, and Alpha Elijah Dolan. They died for this pack. For us. To protect us from Bastian Anderson’s games, murders, plots, and lies. They lived and died for StarLight. Now, we will take a few moments of silence. To honor those who lost their lives.”

Greif was palpable in the air and in the mindlink. There was nowhere to turn without feeling it overwhelm the senses.

“These people fought to avenge those deaths. These people came without question or hesitation. You owe them all your lives.” He gestured to the line of Lycans behind him. “For their actions in battle, for their loyalty, they will be awarded the Medal of Fidelity.”

Flint turned around and looked at the row.

“Duncan Green, please step forward.” Eve announced his name.

The Alpha put the medal around the commander’s neck, meeting his gaze proudly. It took nearly twenty minutes to go through the list, though some were unable to attend due to their injuries. After the awards were given and the applause died down, Flint stepped back up to the podium.

“Now, I have an announcement to make.” The Alpha informed them. “There was a traitor among us. We knew this, but just recently learned his identity. It was Beta Graham Monroe. He was working with Bastian, giving him information about us in hopes of taking control of the pack.”

Murmurs, scoffs, and gasps erupted from the stands. Even the specialists on the field had a hard time hiding their surprise.

“Silence.” Flint barked loudly.

In moments, the space was quiet again.

“Commander Duncan performed the interrogation. Graham confessed to the charges of treason against StarLight, aiding and abetting rogue activity, aiding and abetting the kidnapping of Luna Eve, and of conspiratorial espionage.” The Alpha looked at Duncan.

He nodded, confirming that the ex-Beta had admitted to the crimes.

"He has been sentenced to public execution." Flint stated.