Insight

The passage of time had an effect on everyone, as it always does. Ellie and Austin eventually welcomed a wide eyed boy into their family. They named him Jason Lee Wyatt. Eve and Ellie, with the help of Gracie, were happy to take care of all three pups together, while their mates were working or away.

Jay and Faye also became parents shortly after Ellie. The gave birth to a girl, whom they named Kelsey Rebecca Adams. Less than two years later, Nora and Eli gained another cousin. Benjamin (Benji) Skylar Adams.

Eve was given the Stardust Hope foundation by Selena, three years after Elijah's death. She spent so much time in her wolven form that she wasn't able to run it effectively. This put Eve making decisions to help the rogues in the valley. Flint wasn't thrilled by the idea. He'd kept Eve safely on pack territory for two entire years after her kidnapping.

Her lack of travel didn't bother the Luna. She had no desire to travel out of GreenTree. Yet, when she was given Stardust Hope, she eventually found that she would sometimes be needed in the valley. Lynn Bass became Eve's bodyguard and personal assistant. Flint assigned her the role, but the women developed a friendship from it.

When Lynn and Johnny had a pup of their own, Eli and Nora were nearly four years old. They named their son Griffin Henry Bass, and that boy was wild. Energetic enough as a toddler to want to play with the larger pups.

As the years went by, Flint's reputation became one to rival his father's. As a parent, he began training the twins early. Nora passed expectations for those in her age and size range. Her eyes were sharp and clever. Her hair darkened, like her brother's, as she aged. By the time she was five, her straight strands were a chestnut brown. At the age of six, Nora could already track an animal through the forest two days after it passed through.

Eli's eyes remained the glowing turquois color of the winter jade vine. His hair was kept short and his training began at the same time as his sister's, when he was four. When he was six years old; he was fast, but no more so than the others. He was strong, but less than some. His tracking skills were rudimentary.

Flint knew the vine could be having an effect on the boy's abilities. He tried to be patient and teach him more thoroughly. He knew the time would come when Eli's wolf would break free from the binds holding him. And when that happened, Flint wanted to be close enough with his son to help him control it.

Having a strong wolf is a good thing. However, having a wolf stronger than the human within can be dangerous. To everyone.

Eve's return to being Luna was welcomed by the pack. She returned to work, helping their families and dealing with the internal issues of StarLight. As CEO of Stardust Hope, Eve made an initiative to educate rogues about their physiology. This way, they could understand why they could be ill or when they would be going through puberty. This resulted in the Highland Medical Clinic being built in Summerville. This place treated Lycans and half-breeds alike. Some who had never even been able to go to the doctor before.

As a mother, Eve was doting. She felt like Nora was a miraculous surprise. The child she didn't know she could even have. Eli was the pup she'd spent so long protecting and trying to save. Simply being able to have him felt like a gift from the moon goddess herself.

She enjoyed her daughter's determined, competitive spirit. She loved her son's stoic half-smile and thoughtful gaze. Twins that were so different, were equally special in Eve's heart. She didn't want to live a day without them.

Their first day of primary school was difficult for her. Less so than her mate. Flint chuckled at her for getting upset. Nora ran away down the hall, eager to start her day and meet everyone. Eli hesitated beside his father's leg, as if he were unsure about leaving. Eve bent down and straightened his hair soothingly.

"What's going on?" Flint crouched.

"I don't think I should." Eli mumbled.

"Should what? Go?" Eve knelt beside her mate.

The pup nodded slowly.

"You have to go." His father sighed.

"You'll make a lot of new friends. Everything will be okay. I promise." His mother stated gently.

"I don't want to be friends with them." Eli glanced at the children in the classroom.

"Why not?" Flint asked.

He shrugged as if there was no answer.

"Eli, this is good for you. Look here." Flint turned the boy by the shoulder and pointed into the classroom. "Everyone in there is part of the pack. They aren't strangers. They're family. Eventually, you'll know them as well as yourself."

Eli looked at is father over his shoulder with a skeptical expression. Flint chuckled and looked at Eve.

"Look. There's Jason. Don't you want to go say hi?" She pointed to the little blonde boy in the class.

He crossed his arms over his chest and gave her a blank expression. For a second, she could have sworn she was talking to a tiny version of Flint.

"Don't give me that look." Eve smiled. "Don't you want to say hi to your friend? Even a little?"

Eli sighed and dropped his arms.

"When will you be back?" He asked.

"At four o'clock, Gracie is coming to get the lot of you." Flint answered.

He started to walk away and his parents rose to observe him. He stopped in the doorway and turned around, meeting both of their eyes for a moment.

"Go, boy. Don't be shy. You're a Dolan." Flint encouraged him.

Eli reluctantly turned and entered the classroom. This was one of the memories Eve looked back on with happiness. Now, an entire year later, the pups had a birthday that was quickly approaching. They would be turning seven and everyone was going to be there, even Eve's family from Acres.

However, three days before the party, Eve received an email from an old friend. This person wanted to meet to discuss the secretive actions Eve had taken after Bastian's death.

She re-read the lines on the computer screen several times. Her hand unconsciously slid over her throat. The invisible wound had healed. It only seemed to ache when she thought of that day, the cabin, or the Shadow pack.

She sent a reply, agreeing to meet, before heading downstairs. Flint was in the back yard with the twins. They were climbing all over him, trying to pull him into the snow. Their laughter made her smile as she slid open the back door and stepped onto the porch. Her mate looked at her with a wide, beaming grin on his face.

"Dinner is done. Take your boots off before you come in." Eve giggled.

She turned to go back inside and a snowball hit her on the shoulder. She spun around to see Flint making more ammunition. The twins were snickering, hiding behind his legs.

"You did not jus-" She was cut short as he sent another snowball in her direction.

Eve jumped over the railing and rolled across the ground. Flint grabbed Eli and started running away. Eve caught up with Nora, lifting her as she sped after her mate. Flint turned toward her and scooped another handful of snow.

"Nora, make some snow balls." Eve sat her on the ground. "Big ones. Daddy's going down."

The little girl giggled and immediately began making more ammunition. The Luna tossed a snowball at her mate, while dodging the one he threw.

You can't win, little thing. Flint's wolf teased her.

She looked up, meeting his emerald gaze. Electricity tingled through her veins, making her smile. To her, it felt like she'd already won everything she'd ever wanted.

Whatever you need to tell yourself, Love. Eve's wolf quipped in return as she sent another snowball flying through the air.