Insight

Eve didn't want to continue drinking the creeping sedum tea. However, in the days since she'd been caught dumping it out, Bastian had insisted on watching her gulp it down. Her wolf reverted quickly back to growls and snarls.

After her run that evening, Eve got dressed in a baggy sweater and some comfortable pants. The power in her chest had been built up as she exercised her animal body. It felt like an overly full balloon, ready to burst at any minute. The Luna laid down on her bed, trying to ease the powerful sensation away.

A soft knock fell on the door but Eve didn't hear it. She was pushing on her temples with her palms, trying to drown out the angry sounds of her wolf. She didn't notice when the threshold opened and Onyx peeked inside, examining her.

Kill! Blood! Meat! Flesh! Kill! The she-beast was overwhelmed with the urge to commit violence.

"Evie?" The teenager probed worriedly.

Again, the Luna couldn't hear anything besides her internal voice.

Settle down! No one is killing anyone! Eve squeezed her eyes closed tighter.

"Evie?" Onyx touched the Luna's shoulder.

Without thought, Eve leapt off the bed. She grabbed Onyx's throat and threw her to the ground.

"Evie! Stop!" The teenager shrieked fearfully.

The Luna snarled loudly, forcing herself not to jump onto the girl's chest. Bastian burst into the room, drawn by the sounds of the struggle. He stepped between them, helping his sister to her feet.

"Go. Now." He whispered to her.

Eve growled at him viciously as Onyx fled the room. Bastian looked at the Luna appraisingly. He took a cautious step toward her with his hands raised. The power radiating off of her was incredible. It, alone, nearly stopped him from moving.

"Evie..." Bastian said her name like he were trying to coax a child awake after a nightmare. "Everything is okay."

No! It isn't! Kill him! End him! End it all! Eve heard the insistent snarling of her beast.

If she hadn't been drinking the tea and hadn't already turned that day, her wolf would have burst into action. However, the Luna no longer had the physical strength to shift. Still, she felt so angry that she contemplated her chances of killing him while in her human form.

"Nothing is okay!" Eve growled in an animalistic voice, holding her head tightly. "We can't think! Make it stop!"

Realization dawned over Bastian's expression. He had experienced this before. Her wolf was making her frantic. Eve was being wound into a frenzy by the animal's uncontrollable aggression. Bastian released a breath as a small smile pulled at his lips. The sight of his smirk caused the Luna's fury to escalate abruptly.

"You're a fucking asshole!" Her ferocious voice echoed off the walls. "You did this to us! We're not drinking any more of that shit! We won't!"

His smile broadened in amusement. Eve's legs trembled weakly. Screaming and being angry had taken much more of her strength than she'd imagined. She leaned on the bed as a frustrated growl resonated from her chest.

"Take a breath Evie." Bastian chuckled at her.

"Kiss our ass!" She snarled at him as she slowly felt more and more dizzy. "We won't drink the tea! You can't make us!"

The rogue alpha leaned on the footboard and crossed his arms over his chest. He was grinning like he were content, even while seeing Eve distraught.

This alone reminded her that she wasn't where she was supposed to be... She wanted Flint. Her mate would have taken care of her. Eve growled at him threateningly while, again, pressing on her head.

"I don't want to make you do anything, Evie." Bastian moved closer to her.

"Don't touch me!" She snapped at him as she collapsed onto the side of the mattress.

The power in her chest was still there. It felt suffocating. Bastian ignored her outburst and grabbed her shoulders. He helped her sit comfortable beside him, resting their backs on the headboard.

The static of his touch was irritating, Eve barely stifled another snarl. However, she decided to focus on her breathing instead. The heart beating alongside her own was calm, steady, and constant. She allowed its rhythm to ease the speed of her own pulse. Even if the power remained in her chest like a heavy weight.

"I probably shouldn't mention the monkshood right now, but without the tea..." Bastian stated in a soft tone.

"I know. I'll drink the tea. An angry wolf is better than a dead one." Eve breathed sadly.

The door opened slowly and Onyx's blue hair peeked into the room. Bastian smirked and tapped the mattress at the footboard. The teenager approached hesitantly, looking at Eve.

"I'm sorry, Onyx. I think the tea makes my wolf angry and the power can be..." The Luna sighed.

"Are you okay?" She sat at the end of the bed.

"Are you?" Eve gestured to the girl's throat.

"Oh, yeah. I'm fine." Onyx replied with a small smile.

"Good." She touched her hand briefly.

"Once again, I saved the day." Bastian lightened the mood in the room.

"Yeah, right. We had that under control, didn't we?" Onyx grinned at Eve.

"He's underestimating you again. A few more seconds and you could have taken me down." The Luna agreed jokingly.

"Alright, alright." Bastian smirked while pretending to be annoyed. "Don't gang up on me."

Eve and Onyx laughed conspiratorially. Kill! Blood! Kill them all! KILL! Eve's wolf howled, piercing her mind. She held her head in her hands and whimpered outwardly. The suddenness of the attack made Onyx gasp and reach for Eve. Bastian hugged her around her shoulders and furrowed his eyebrows.

"Go get her some fresh meat. It'll help." He stated calmly.

Onyx nodded and hurried out of the room. Eve tried to silence the throbbing growls echoing off the inside of her skull. Bastian pulled her into his lap. He held her huddled, trembling body against his chest.

"You can kill someone, if you want. That will help you. It always helps us." The static of his touch surrounded her as he rocked her gently back and forth.

"What...? Who...?" Eve shuddered at his proposal.

"We'll find someone. A human. Maybe a camper. It doesn't matter." He whispered the words as if to comfort her.

"I don't want to hurt anybody." She replied in a hoarse, small voice.

Kill! Yes! Kill! Blood! Yes! Her wolf snarled viciously.

Eve began to cry. Her tears soaked into Bastian's t-shirt. He looked down at her as if she were precious to him, while holding a small smile. It was as if he were confident she would come through this, better than before.

"When you do, it'll be okay. Everything's alright, Evie. I'm here." The rogue Alpha continued to sway back and forth, holding her.