Insight

Bastian returned to the cabin that evening, just as he’d said he would. Eve wasn’t sure what he’d left to do, but apparently he had been successful. He’d called Tyler to set up a bonfire and celebration. The fire was burning bright and the smell of burgers filled the air when he pulled up in the driveway.

Onyx bounced up to him and he hugged her tightly, ruffling her hair as he released her. Eve sat on the porch swing, watching the shadow pack greet their Alpha. Everyone approached him. He patted them on the shoulders and laughed at some of their jokes. Callie walked up to him from the side yard.

She’d just returned from her training session in the woods and gotten dressed. Her face was bruised and her lip was split. Still, she greeted him with a small smile. Bastian grinned at her and touched her swollen cheek with his fingertips. He spoke quietly to her, before continuing to walk up the path.

The group separated as he stepped onto the porch. Some went to go get food, others began drinking and dancing. Bastian and Onyx approached Eve. She felt static in her veins when she met his dark eyes with her own. He was smiling at her, as if he were happy to see her again.

“Long time, no see.” Bastian took her hand and pulled her to her feet. “I missed you, Evie.”

She stood stiffly as he hugged her. He pulled away, leaving an arm around her shoulders. The sensation he produced crawled under her skin, radiating from his touch. He wrapped his other arm around Onyx’s shoulder’s, pulling them both close to him.

“How did my girls hold up without me, hmm?” He smirked, looking out at the bustling pack.

“Just fine.” Onyx rolled her eyes as if she were annoyed. Still, anyone could see the smile on her lips and the joy she felt now that he’d returned.

“Even without you, Onyx was a great leader. I think she’s your Beta in training.” Eve offered her a compliment, making the teenager giggle.

“Is that right?” Bastian chuckled.

“Don’t underestimate me, Bas.” Onyx shrugged, feigning nonchalance.

“You sound like Evie.” He rolled his eyes.

“What can I say? She’s a quick study.” Eve laughed lightly.

“I thought I was the teacher here?” Bastian looked at his sister playfully.

“Teacher of what? Tree climbing?” Onyx giggled before ducking under his arm to go inside.

“Don’t pick up her sarcasm! I don’t like that one bit!” He called after her with a grin.

“I would ask how your trip was, but...” Eve gestured around at the party.

“Right? It was good.” He answered as she sat back on the porch swing.

“How was your time with the pack? Eventful?” Bastian probed, sitting beside her.

“We went into town because someone forgot to pick up some stuff. Other than that, nothing huge.” Eve gave him a small, snarky smile.

“You enjoyed your trip to Kirkwood?” His voice was aloof but his eye shined with interest.

“It was okay. I didn’t really get a chance to run for the mountain.” She answered coyly.

Bastian examined her for a moment before chuckling. He relaxed in his seat and threw his arm across the back of the swing.

“See? Sarcastic as ever.” He smirked.

“It’s in my nature.” Eve shrugged.

“I know. I love it.” Bastian turned to face her.

Eye furrowed her brows and glanced at him. He was looking at her from very close. She felt the urge to move away but she was seated at the end of the swing with the armrest blocking her exit. Alternatively, standing abruptly was no longer an option due to her size and odd center of gravity.

“Did you miss me?” His deep voice was quiet.

Eve didn’t know what to say. The truth? No, she hadn’t missed him. She’d hoped he would have been gone for a few more days. Maybe enough for her to do something else in progression toward her freedom. Maybe she could have even gotten to go into town again.

She couldn’t lie. The words wouldn’t come out of her mouth, She opened her lips confusedly, to at least say something, when Onyx cleared her throat nearby. Eve looked at the teenager with obvious relief in her eyes. Bastian, on the other hand, looked slightly annoyed by his sister’s sense of timing.

“Here, I made your tea. It’s getting late.” She handed Eve the steaming mug.

“Thanks.” The Luna looked dubiously at the liquid.

“Your packages are in your room with the furniture boxes. They were huge. What did you even order?” Onyx asked, sitting beside him.

“Oh, the furniture!” Bastian stood, “Wait here.”

He went into the house quickly. He brought all the huge cardboard boxes into the yard. One was square and thick. The other was short and rectangular. The last one was long and wide. Tyler and Scott approached him. After immediately disregarding the written instructions, they were putting the pieces of wood together.

Eve and Onyx approached. The Luna took the opportunity to secretly pour some of the tea onto the ground as she moved. There was a stereo on a picnic table nearby. A contemporary country song went off, just as the DJ’s voice came through the speakers.

“Next we have a good one. It’s not too old and not too new, but it goes with our vibe tonight. Say hello to one of your favorites from last year, All We Are."

Eve froze in place. She stared at the radio in surprise. She knew this song. She knew it so well that her heart felt hollow for a moment. Flint had chosen this song for them to dance to, at his coronation. He’d said it reminded him of her when he’d heard it. Eve closed her eyes, feeling the music flow through her mind and her memory.

She recalled the way Flint had spun her around. He made her giggle before pulling her close to him again. They knew all eyes were on them, but the crowd seemed to disappear. Eve had felt graceful in his arms, even though she had never felt that way before.

"Evie?" Onyx touched her arm.

She opened her eyes as the song faded away. She glanced around to see Bastian smiling at her from behind a full sized bed frame with a head board and footboard.

"Wow... Okay?" She looked at him confusedly.

"I got this for you. Your bed is too small for you and it's uncomfortable. This one will be better." He waved it away.

Felix and Darren carried it into the cabin. Behind it she saw another object. It was a green basinet with white fabric. Eve felt like her throat was closing. This wasn't right. This wasn't the way this was supposed to happen. She struggled to ignore her wolf.

Two nights without drinking the tea weren't enough to calm the she-beast's aggression. She wanted to be free, no matter the cost. Eve blinked away the tears threatening to fall from her lashes as she, again, felt hollow in her chest. The heart beating alongside hers was pounding steadily, helping to keep her calm.

"What's that?" Eve pushed the words out like she were moving a heavy stone.

"For the pup. Before I knew there were two. But I'll get another one. Whatever color you want." Bastian beamed at her.

Once they returned, Felix and Darren took the other piece of furniture inside as well. Bastian approached Eve. Everyone slowly went back to their previous activities, or at least pretended to. The rogue Alpha put his hands on her shoulders, again filling her with static.

"I wanted to make you smile, Evie." He squeezed her reassuringly.

"I know." She whispered quietly.

"Then smile for me. Please." Bastian requested in a charming tone. He was wearing his kindest grin.

Eve didn't know what to say. She wanted to go to bed. At least in her room, she could pretend she was back home. She could imagine that she was finishing her nursery with Flint in the manor. Anything but the truth.

So, without speaking and struggling not to cry, she smiled at him. Eve relinquished to give Bastian what he wanted, at least for now. She knew she only had to wait for last snow of winter. Then Flint would come for her. Eve just had to wait, and learn as much as she could along the way.

Understanding one's enemy is crucial in battle. Insight was what wins wars and revolutions. The Luna knew that. Her time among the Shadow pack, and Bastian, wouldn't be vain. Eve was determined to make sure of it.