Insight

Duncan was already at the arena when Flint arrived. The Alpha walked passed him and onto the snow covered field. He was too deep in thought to explain himself at that moment. Truthfully, he wanted to wait for the others. He would rather not repeat the information over and over, if he didn’t have to.

Joshua and Elijah joined them a few minutes later. They could tell that something had happened. Something good. Flint’s mindlink was radiating accomplishment and joy, even if there was an undercurrent of anxiety. The Alpha cleared his throat, gathering his thoughts.

“The vine is blooming. It’ll be on the way tonight.” Flint stated openly.

It seemed that there was a collective sigh of relief. A smile spread across Duncan’s face. Joshua nodded excitedly.Elijah appraised his son, holding a small smirk.

“How long before it’s here?” His father probed.

“Six days.” Flint replied.

“That’s why you called a meeting...” Duncan stated.

He nodded.

“Flint...” Joshua spoke in a low tone. “There may opposition going forward. You know that.”

“I know the pack is wary of me. They don’t know if they can trust me right now, but they will once they have answers.” The Alpha stated.

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The specialists lined up in front of the others. They were obvious by their perfect posture and identical stances. The warriors stood in rows with their teams, the more advanced troops were gathered just behind the specialists.

As Flint examined them, he noticed Graham entering. The Beta approached the front where the elders were waiting beside Duncan. Flint walked toward them as well.

“I heard about it by coincidence, I suppose. Any reason why that is?” Flint heard Graham reply to Joshua.

“Because I didn’t call you.” The Alpha interjected.

“And the reason for that?” He turned to face him with raised brows.

“You aren’t a warrior or an elder. Our conversation would come later.” Flint answered calmly.

“I see.” Graham nodded with a small smile. “Would you like me to leave, Alpha?”

“That won’t be necessary.” Joshua replied.

“I’m glad.” Graham glanced at his leader. “I’m looking forward to our talk.”

Flint nodded stiffly. Graham smiled at him before walking several yards away to type on his phone. Everyone left in the circle turned their disapproving eyes to Joshua.

“He’s the one that’s been addressing the pack. They trust him. Asking him to leave, now that the warriors have seen him, won’t help us gain support.” The elder explained quietly.

“I don’t need their support. I’m Alpha.” Flint stated in a low tone.

“You aren’t going after a threat to StarLight...” Duncan whispered.

“How?” He rubbed his face.

“The rogue isn’t threatening the pack. He hasn’t in months and he’s relocated very, very far from our territory.” Joshua sighed.

“He’s a wanted fugitive.” Flint grunted quickly.

“Yeah, one with a pack of rogues standing behind him.” Duncan replied. “We just got out of one war. They would want more planning than your time frame would give them.”

Flint nearly choked on the deep growl rising in his chest.

“This isn’t pack business, boy.” Elijah spoke for the first time since the conversation began. “It’s Dolan business.”

“You can’t order them this time...” Duncan nodded. “Not without risking your bond with them.”

Flint put his hands on top of his head, inhaling deeply. His wolf was spinning in circles.

No! Their Luna is in danger. This is pack business. The white wolf disagreed with his advisors.

And if they refuse? What options will we have left? Flint thought to himself.

If they aren’t with us, they’re against us. We do what we do to everyone that stands against us. The beast growled.

No. We can’t take them all at once. We’ll lose the pack all together. He replied internally.

Then we don’t need them! We need little thing! And she needs us! The beast snarled quickly.

Keep it together! Flint began pacing around. We have to do this the right way or we’ll have to go alone. We can’t take on the shadow pack by ourself.

What do we do? The white wolf eventually, and reluctantly, replied.

They always listened to Eve... What would she do? He pondered.

Little thing always leaves them with a choice. She hates giving orders. The animal answered.

“Flint.” Elijah interrupted his thoughts.

“It’s fine.” The Alpha dropped his arms and sighed heavily. “I know what to do.”

Flint looked out at the crowd. Everyone had gathered and were waiting for him to address them. The Alpha pushed his hair back from his face and walked to the center of the field.

“Hello, StarLight. It’s been a while.” He spoke loudly and clearly. “I know you have questions and you’ve been given basically no answers. Today, I plan to explain.”

Flint watched as interest or skepticism flashed across the various faces in the audience. He could feel their emotions. They wanted information, but they didn’t completely believe that they would receive it.

“The rogue commander has a name. Some of you may remember it from the failed execution last year. I, personally, am sick and tired of avoiding it. Like he’s a demon, haunting us. No more of that...” Flint shook his head. “His name is Bastian Anderson. He’s an exile from years ago, born from a family of traitors. At the Call, he was the one that committed the killings.”

He allowed them a few moments to absorb his words before he spoke again.

“I know you’ve been told Luna Eve disappeared in the days after the Call. That was a lie. She was kidnapped by Bastian Anderson that night.”

The revelation peaked the interest of everyone in the crowd.

“He came into my home, under the noses of the warriors guarding it. He drugged her and kidnapped her.” Flint took a deep breath. “I reacted badly that night... Very badly. I lashed out at the troop, even though Bastian was at fault. I take responsibility for their injuries. I’ve spoken with them and the situation is considered closed.”

There was a pause as the Alpha gathered his thoughts.

“I haven’t addressed you all in quite a while. It took all my time and energy to find Luna Eve. Not just my time. Duncan Green, Blair Tevin, Anna Delanie, Johnny Bass, Peter Hill, the elder council, and more. We’ve been working without rest. I know you all have been doing the same since the Call. It’s appreciated.”

In the mindlink, emotions were varied. Some believed in what he had to say and they already wanted to help. Some thought that Flint had created the mess, he should be the one to clean it up. Unfortunately, it was nearly impossible to count the votes.

“Now, I have to go get her. I won’t order you all to come with me. Bastian stands with a group of followers and we can't know their numbers. It's believed that he got what he wanted when he took our Luna, so there is no active threat to the pack.” Flint informed them slowly.

The group's emotions were conflicting. That much could be felt. However, several of the teams gathered glanced to the side. Flint followed their gazes to Graham Monroe. They were used to looking to their Beta for answers. They weren't sure what to do.

"I will go and I will fight. I will kill Bastian Anderson and save Luna Eve. I'll go alone if I have to. I'll die if I have to. I'll do what I have to. This mission is dangerous and there is no current threat to the pack. Like I said, I won't order you to join me. But... I am asking for your help." The Alpha stated.