Intuition

Elijah was gripping handle of his thin, black cane in frustration. Flint was standing tall, imposing his glare on his cousin. Ashley was staring at his throat, unable to look into his eyes. Her fingertips trembled, barely noticeably.

Evan tensed beside his wife but her hand blocked him from getting involved. Eve had been frozen in place by a single thought from the Alpha.

"You wait until we are going to war to abandon your pack? And you expect me to allow it." Flint stated in an intimidatingly deep tone.

"Flint..." Eve spoke in a quiet, calm tone.

He turned his head sharply toward her. She could feel the animal in his mind raging. Flint was struggling to maintain his calmness. To him, it felt as if Ashley were betraying them. No matter how illogical he knew this feeling was... His wolf begged to differ.

Eve stepped toward him, finally able to move. She placed a hand on his elbow, hoping the warmth between them could calm him. Elijah was eyeing his son carefully, as if measuring his restraint. Flint closed his eyes and took a deep breath through his nose.

"The timing couldn't be worse." Flint stated in a flat, tense tone.

"I know. If I could decide on the time frame myself, I would." Ashley nodded.

"Our pack can not be without a Beta. Not now." Elijah finally spoke up.

"The answer is no." The Alpha stated.

Flint. Wait. The she-wolf entered his mind.

He looked at Eve with pointed curiosity.

"We should compromise." Eve spoke in a soothing tone.

"How?" Evan probed.

"Ashley should stay until after the tournament. Then she could follow Evan to the valley." She answered.

"We would still be losing two powerful wolves." Elijah sighed.

"Yes but two wolves who don't want to be here, won't be of much help." Eve replied.

All eyes turned to Flint. He pinched the bridge of his nose, deep in thought for several minutes.

"Fine." He eventually grunted.

Ashley nodded gratefully. She and Evan left quickly after a few quiet and hurried goodbyes. Tension reigned for a while after their abrupt departure.

After several minutes of silence, Grace brought everyone drinks and they adjourned to their seats. Flint was about to excuse them for the evening when Elijah began speaking again.

"When you go to the valley, should you hear of Selena-" He began.

"I will call you immediately." Flint finished the sentence for him and emptied his glass.

"Is there anything else you wanted to discuss?" Elijah probed as he nonchalantly examined his cane while leaning back in his seat.

"I meant what I told everyone at the meeting. Any details about our trip will be available if they are proven useful." He examined his father curiously.

The mindlink expressed that Elijah was assured. Neither Eve nor Flint knew what his confidence could mean and they were both waiting to hear the reason for it.

"I wasn't talking about that." He met his son's gaze.

"What else is there?" Flint raised his eyebrow skeptically.

"Eve has been unable to eat for a while. She is losing weight." Elijah spoke in a matter-of-fact tone.

The Alpha's eyes narrowed on his father in confusion. This was the first time anyone had mentioned Eve's apparent difficulties. Flint took a moment to formulate an answer.

"W-what?" A surprised question slipped from her lips.

"You ate sufficiently tonight. I assume you aren't ill." Elijah stated calmly.

"I'm alright." Eve nodded and tried to regain her composure.

"Eve is pregnant." Flint had already decided on what to say.

Grace, who had just waddled into the room, dropped the glasses in her hand. The shattering of glass was the only noise that broke the silence for a moment. Eve turned her wide eyes and hanging jaw toward her mate. Flint gazed at her with a look that seemed to say 'I had to'.

The silence and shock was disrupted by the excited squeal of Grace. She ran into the room and pulled the expecting parents into a warm hug.

"I'm going to box up some of this ham for you to take home! Oh! This such great news!" The old woman straightened up and touched Flint's shoulder lovingly. "Congratulations."

"Thank you, Grace." He tapped her hand and she scurried toward the kitchen once more.

Once they were alone, the couple turned their gazes to Elijah. He, like them, was still seated. There was a smile on his face that was almost proud.

The sight of it was as surprising as it was heartwarming. Flint stared at him with an unreadable expression. Eve took his hand to remind him of her presence. She couldn't feel his mind; it seemed he was guarding his emotions closely.

"I know." Elijah stood, bringing the others to do the same. "I'm glad to see it."

Elijah wasn't usually expressive but he seemed emotional. In the somewhat awkward silence, his acceptance and pride could be felt through the mindlink. He stepped forward and extended his hand. Flint took it and was pulled close by his father.

"You've done well, boy." Elijah whispered in a nearly silent voice.

Flint nodded to him as if he had yet to process what had happened. Eve watched the exchange with a small, happy smile. Her mate had been acknowledged, even if it had been silent to her knowledge. Elijah patted Eve on the shoulder gently.

The group eventually retook their seats. Grace returned with a broom to sweep up the glass she had dropped. She was chattering happily before she refilled their drinks. She left a several minutes later to do the dishes and the trio was left alone again.

"How did you know? I've only lost a little weight." Eve probed.

"I can feel Dolan blood in you. You're more powerful. And Flint's wolf. He is more over protective and defensive than usual. You've gotten thinner because you can't eat, right?" Elijah replied knowingly.

"That's right... Most of the time." She nodded.

"Selena was further along when she experienced it. She could eat nothing but meat by the time Flint was born." He explained.

"You made nothing but meat tonight to see if she could eat. You were testing your theory." Flint was amused.

"Perhaps." Elijah smirked.

"Do you remember who her doctor was at the time?" Eve asked. She was curious for more information on Selena's pregnancy.

"Elkin." He answered.

Eve looked to Flint to explain who this man was, but she felt him get suddenly uncomfortable. Elijah had also grown tense.

"Elkin?" Flint probed stiffly.

"He is the best. What did you expect?" Elijah replied.