Insight

Flint was sitting at the desk in his office late that night. He’d been watching the video stream of the cliff. The smoke that rose from the cabin’s chimney held his attention. As if it, alone could tell him the things he wished to know.

A feeling in his chest drew his thoughts. He again laid his hand on his heart. The mark on his shoulder tingled with electricity. There was no mistaking this feeling. It was Eve. Flint took a slow deep breath, closing his eyes. He leaned his head back, trying to feel her wolf in his mind.

He could feel her, but he couldn’t speak to her. He only heard a distant conversation echoing from the past. A memory overtook him, he could nearly picture it. It was overwhelming; he could almost feel her electric touch.

Flint recalled the way Eve’s smooth skin glowed with a faint blue in the soft moonlight. Her shyness when he removed the last of her clothing. Her bashful smile before he kissed her. Eve's trembling legs on his hips as he pushed his erection into her. Her breathy moans that became outcries for him. Flint could feel the walls closing around his length as Eve's scream echoed in his mind.

Her lips, their taste was on his tongue. Jolts, warmth, Eve. His breath caught in his chest as the sweet smell of his mate's blood coated filled his senses. The taste in his mouth became one of iron and he felt like his very soul connected with Eve's very being. He became one with it.

Flint opened his eyes with a shudder. He wiped the sweat from his face. Is she reaching out to us or are we just missing her? He asked internally. There was no answer. It seemed that his beast was just as overcome as he was by the recollection. He knew this night, like it had happened yesterday. He remembered every second.

The Alpha placed his palms on the desk and closed his eyes again. He tried in vein to control his breathing and the thundering of his heart. He could feel Eve's heart as well. It was fluttering just as much, if not more, than his own. A conversation drifted by at a distance, pulling him back into the memory.

“Is that door open?” She asked, looking into the hallway.

“No one is even here... I think.” He said standing and bringing Eve his mouthwash.

“You think?” She asked.

She took a swig of it and swooshed it around, before swallowing the minty liquid. She looked so cute, the way she was blushing and embarrassed. Flint examined her playfully for a moment.

“Mostly.” He smirked at her taking a mouthful of the wash and walking to the door.

“Mostly?” She probed nervously.

“Maybe.” He chuckled at her incredulous face.

“Close the door, funny guy.” Eve said, catching his joke.

Flint complied before returning to the bed. He placed his hands behind his head. Her instincts told her she needed to touch him again, so she let herself. She laid her head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat. She pulled one of her knees over his thighs and he moved his hand to hold her against his side.

“So, what happens tomorrow?” Eve asked with a drowsy tone.

“I go back to work. You start working.” He said, nearly asleep.

“Is this how it’s supposed to be?” Sleepiness slurred her words.

“What do you mean?” He stirred back awake.

“Like this...” She sighed the response. “I know nothing about you, but you’re mine.”

“Yes, Eve. This is what it’s supposed to be like.” He relaxed and closed his eyes again.

“That could be good.” She breathed, fading into sleep.

“Yeah...” Flint smiled. “This could be good.”

He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead and was greeted by the pleasant electric feeling that he had somehow come to depend on in an unimaginably short span of time. Glancing down at the woman in his arms made him feel at peace. Him and the beast within him. He drifted off to sleep for the first time in six years, feeling like nothing was missing.

Again, Flint opened his eyes. He was exhausted. He took a few steps before collapsing onto the couch. There would be time to evaluate the episode, and its sensations, later. At that moment, the memory of how he felt that night was overwhelming. It was nearly like Eve was beside him. This was more important. It urged him to sleep. More than that, it drowned him in the need for it.

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The phone rang on the desk a few hours later, but Flint didn't hear it. His cellphone vibrated on the desk but, again, the Alpha continued to sleep. The next time the office phone rang, he finally stirred. Flint felt groggy. He grabbed the entire object off the desk and sat back on the couch.

"Flint Dolan..." He grumbled into the receiver.

"I've been trying to call you." Duncan's voice replied.

"And?" Flint grunted.

"We've got incoming visitors from GraySky." He sighed.

"What?" He rubbed his eyes.

"Becca just called me. She said she wanted to give me a heads up. Ben, Jay, and Skylar left to come see you. They could be here any time now." Duncan informed him.

Flint put the phone on speaker and sat it on the table. He needed a moment to collect himself. He stretched before shaking his head vigorously, waking himself fully.

"Okay. You come to me and tell me how they've been doing. I have to know how to approach them. They'll be met at the territory line but their on the family list, so they'll be allowed to enter." He eventually responded.

"Yes, Alpha." Duncan answered.

"Tell the warriors on the border to expect them and send them here. Security in the lobby should send them to my office. And have Joshua report here as well. I could use an elder representative." Flint glanced around the disheveled office.

"Yes, Alpha." The commander agreed.

He hung up the phone and put it back on the desk. Flint gathered the paperwork scatted on the desktop and the sonogram photos. He examined them closely before putting everything in the drawer of his desk. He slid the coffee table back into place in front of the sofa.

He stuffed blanket that was spread on the floor under the couch, as he began stripping his clothes. His office had a private bathroom with a shower, which he needed to use. Flint reeked of sweat and he needed a new outfit. He showered quickly and shaved. He opened the wardrobe in the corner and grabbed a black t-shirt. He tugged on a pair of slacks and a dark blue blazer.

Flint began to evaluate the events of the previous night. This was an experience he and Eve had shared. He could tell by her pounding heartbeat beside his own and the electricity he'd felt at her touch. It seemed so real. It was real. He simply knew it. Eve had been there, inside the memory with him... The memory of the very moment they became one.

A knock on the door drew his attention as he combed his hair back from his face.

"Enter." He stated.

Duncan came in and glanced over his superior.

"You slept well." He acknowledged casually.

"I dreamed well." Flint replied evenly.