Insight

Eve woke up the evening after the battle to light streaming across her face. Her vision cleared and Flint’s slumbering visage came into view. She smiled at the familiar sight, just before the aches in her body came to her attention.

Even the pain radiating down the side of her neck couldn’t take from her elation. She had done it. She’d survived. She’d finally made it home. The hoarse piercing cries coming from downstairs drew her focus. Not only had she made it back to Flint, they now had a set of twins to raise.

Twins she hadn’t seen. Eve forced herself to sit up. Her body felt like it had healed, but the soreness remained. Her neck, was different somehow. She touched it with her fingertips and hissed. It felt raw, like an open wound. Eve opened her nightstand drawer and took out a small make-up mirror.

There was no sign of any injury. The raw, stiff feeling was completely covered by smooth, undamaged skin. Eve sighed heavily and furrowed her brows. She replaced the mirror and closed the drawer, before looking back down at her mate. Flint was still sleeping deeply.

The dark circles under his eyes told Eve all about his sleepless nights. The dark beard covering his jaw made it obvious that he’d been taking very little care of himself. She ran her fingertips across his cheekbone. He smiled faintly, but still didn’t awaken. The fight and her absence had left Flint drained.

Eve moved to stand. Her legs were stiff and her knees ached, but she was able to support her weight. She took several painful, slow steps to the bathroom. She closed the door and, out of habit, locked it. Eve realized once she heard it click that there was no need for it, still... She didn’t unlock the door.

She looked around at the dirty towels on the floor and the mess of objects on the counter. Flint hadn’t spent any time cleaning while she’d been away. Eve shrugged and turned back to the sink. She turned the faucet on, to run warm water, before dampening a rag from the drawer.

She took off her clothes somewhat awkwardly before sitting on the toilet. She washed her skin, taking notice of each of her wounds. It hadn’t been long since she’d bathed but, somehow, it felt like she needed to take several showers to wash the grimy feeling off of her.

She stood to wash her face and ran the wet cloth up her neck, over the invisible wound. She jerked uncontrollably and sucked in an audible breath. The warm water felt like it had touched exposed flesh. Flashes of Bastian’s death flew through her mind. The taste of his blood, the static of his touch, all the pain he’d endured in his life... It would haunt her forever.

I’ll be with you, Sunshine. Always. Bastian’s gravelly, animalistic voice echoed through her head.

Eve shivered at the realization that Bastian had been right. He wouldn’t ever leave her. He had made an impression in Eve’s life story. Now, she would have to come to terms with it. It felt like she knew Bastian just as well as anyone else. No, better than everyone else.

The Luna shook off the disturbing memories, though it took several seconds. She looked at herself in the mirror. Having the pups had changed her body. Though her quick healing abilities had tightened her skin back into place, she still had about fifteen pounds to lose before she looked like she once did.

Eve couldn’t even think about exercise or about shifting into her wolf form. She was too tired and sore. Eve wrapped a towel around herself and walked into the bedroom. Flint was still sleeping. She paused to watch him for a few moments before grabbing a pair of maternity pants from her drawer.

Another chorus of cries came from downstairs. Eve moved as quickly as she could, which wasn’t very fast. Her entire body felt heavy, stiff, and achy. She pulled a large t-shirt over her head and grabbed a scrunchie off the dresser. Eve walked into the hall as she tied her un-brushed hair into a ponytail.

She hadn’t taken but a few steps down the hall, before Johnny came up the stairs. He spotted her and grinned, rushing to her side.

“Good to see you awake, Luna.” Johnny wrapped an arm around her shoulders, helping her to the stairs. “Where’s Flint?”

“Still sleeping.” She answered.

“He’ll probably be down for a while. He hasn’t slept a whole night in months.” The warrior replied.

“I know.” Eve nodded.

A feeling came over her as they neared the last step to the first floor. There were Lycans in the house. A lot of them. She looked at Johnny with furrowed brows.

“Don’t worry. You’ll love it.” Johnny smiled sneakily.

He led Eve to the living room and helped her to sit on the couch.

“Are you okay? Comfortable?” Johnny probed.

“I’m okay. I need to see the pups.” She answered.

Ellie and Austin walked passed the doorway to the kitchen. Ellie spotted her and came running to her side. Johnny stood to go get the babies for Eve.

"Evie!" She yelped, hugging the Luna gingerly.

"El." Eve leaned into the embrace.

"Don't ever go missing again, okay?" Ellie whispered.

"I won't. I promise." She laughed in a hushed tone.

Duncan stepped into the doorway and peaked in. He smiled before nodding to whomever was in the other room. Gracie and Johnny entered with a pup in each arm. Much to Eve's surprise, several familiar faces rushed in.

Jay, Becca, Ben, Skylar, Lauren, and Faye crowded around her. Her brother touched her head and released a relieved breath. Her mother was crying and holding her. Eve winced, trying to ignore the pain in her neck.

Ben's eyes were watering, though he refused to cry. He sat beside his wife on the arm of the sofa, taking his daughter's hand. Skylar crouched in front of her on his knee, examining her with a tired, relieved expression. The others were busting behind the group. They were all talking at once and it felt like Eve couldn't respond to anything without getting more questions.

"Hush, now." Gracie shushed the baby in her arms.

"Guys, I love you. But-" Eve looked at the pups.

"Here, Eve." Johnny stepped into the fray.

The Luna gently took her son into her arms. He was beautiful. His eyes were squeezed closed and his face was red from crying. He wore a green onesie. However the scent of his mother, and her warmth on his skin, soothed him in moments.

"Here, Luna." Gracie laid Eve's daughter in her other arm.

"Goddess..." Eve breathed. "They're perfect."

"Yes. They are." Becca gently stroked her granddaughter's cheek.

The room fell silent at the sound of thundering footsteps erupting from above. Flint came running down the stairs in his boxers. He was panicking, Eve could feel it. His wide eyes fell on the mate in the middle of the group. Then his emerald gaze dropped to the babies in her arms.

"Everything is okay." Eve offered him a reassuring smile.

Flint walked up to her and the group parted for him. He kneeled in front of her, examining the pups. After a few silent moments, he looked back at his Luna's face.

"Everything is okay, Flint. I'm here." Eve adjusted the pups on her legs so she could touch the Alpha's face. "We're all here."