Intuition

Norman Taylor lived in a brick, four bedroom house with one level and a two car garage. His yard was modest in size but well kept and trimmed. A short, white picket fence marked the pathway leading to the front porch steps.

Eve stood by a large tree across the street. Her grip on Flint’s hand was grounding her, calming her anxiety over seeing the boy again. The boy she once saved; she had now made him an orphan.

Flint inhaled the air around them, taking stock of the area. There were no other wolves nearby. Just Norman. His animal had been diluted and posed no threat. He focused on the home until he could hear something in the backyard, hidden from view. A child was talking adamantly about something.

“They’re out back.” Flint stated.

“I know. What do we do now?” Eve looked to her mate for direction.

“His son smelled my wolf and Randy's blood was even murkier than his father’s. We should stay back.” The Alpha answered.

“No. We can just approach from the south. It’s down hill and down wind. I want to see the old rogue.” She pointed to the side yard.

“If we get caught, this will end just as badly as before. Maybe more so. The pup is here.” Flint warned her.

“We’ll be fine.” Eve and her inner beast were steadfast in their decision. “I have this feeling, like something is happening. We have to take a look.”

“Fine. If we get seen by anyone, we just leave.” He sighed.

“If we-”

“No. Eve, we leave. If StarLight comes into the valley and slays a bunch of rogues, we’re breaking our treaty will HillCreek. It’ll be war all over again.” Flint stated in a serious tone. “We aren’t in our territory anymore.”

“I-” Eve cut herself off.

She was going to argue that she had no intentions of ‘slaying’ anyone, but then she recalled how she had no choice with Randy and Denise. Instead of answering, she nodded her agreement. Flint pulled her toward Norman’s neighbor’s home, circling the man’s yard.

There was a privacy fence around the back half of the Taylors’ property. Flint peered over the top until he could see the positions of those in the backyard. He wrapped his arms round Eve, lifting her by the waist until she could see everything.

“That’s them.” She whispered as she wrapped her arms around her mate’s neck.

“The old wolf is on the phone. I want to get close enough to hear him.” Flint replied quietly as he placed Eve back on the ground.

“Okay. You go that way, I’ll watch Briar.” She peered through the thin space between the fence slats.

“Come with me.” He shook his head.

“Just go, baby. I’ll be right here.” Eve shrugged.

Flint sighed and glanced toward Norman. He didn’t want to miss the old man’s conversation. He reluctantly nodded and stepped carefully closer to the half-breed until her disappeared around the corner of the fence.

“Everything’s fine! Don’t worry! So much lies...” Briar mumbled to himself.

The boy’s quiet ranting drew her attention. Eve carefully gripped the top of the fence before hoisting herself up to see into the yard. Briar had gotten a bit taller since she had met him and his mousy brown hair hung shaggy in his eyes.

Eve glanced over to see that Norman was still on the phone, speaking in a low voice. When the Luna looked back at the boy, she saw that he was staring at her with wide eyes. He didn’t speak to her or scream for help. Briar simply had a confused look on his face.

Eve didn’t know what to do. When the child opened his mouth to address her, she was frightened that he would be too loud and she would get caught. Without hesitation, she lifted herself up more and threw her legs over the divider.

“Shhhh. I just wanted to see if you were well.” She whispered as she landed in front of the boy.

“You-” The boy paused confusedly. “I know you. You were with the mean man in the woods.”

“Yes.” She nodded.

“You can’t be here. My grandpa doesn’t like the mountain wolves.” Briar looked around anxiously.

“I know.” Eve took his hand and walked out of Norman’s line of vision. “This will be our secret. Okay?”

“Oh... Okay?” The child followed behind her nervously.

Several yards away, Flint came to a stop. He had gotten close enough to hear Norman’s conversation while remaining downwind. The Alpha crouched to the ground, listening intently while hiding from the old half-breed.

“No. I’m telling you, they never came home last night. Denise didn’t even pick Briar up from school yesterday.” Norman was clearly worried.

He paused to allow the other person to reply.

“My son wouldn’t have just taken off. Especially without making arrangements for his son. I don’t give a shit what she has to say. I need to get in touch with him.”

Another pause.

“Bastian was there the last time someone in my family went missing. We found Briar in hours. Randy and his wife have been gone all night and day. Have him call me. Soon.”

Flint felt every hair on his body stand up. Memories of yesterday flooded his mind. Randy had a bleeding gash in his thigh and he lay on the ground with his wife's arms around him. Denise held her jacket to Randy's wound. Eve, in her wolven form, was growing and leaning over the couple.

“Who would know more?” The Alpha asked menacingly.

Fear flooded the woman's eyes. Fear and panic.

“I don’t know!” Denise began sobbing loudly.

Randy glanced at Flint with a determined, furious expression just before he suddenly lifted his healthy leg and kicked Eve in the face. She latched onto his ankle as he screamed in pain.

“Denise! Run!” He bellowed.

The memory faded from the Alpha's mind. He was protecting his father. His father knows Bastian too. Flint shook off the thoughts and listened to the old man again.

"Find him. I don't care how. If I have to find Bastian myself, he'll find out what this wolf is willing to do for his family." Norman growled into the phone.

Flint stood and peered over the fence. The half-breed was still facing away from him. He glanced toward Briar only to see that the boy was gone. The Alpha took a few steps back and saw Eve.

His heart began pounding in his chest. She was in the yard, kneeling in front of the pup. Flint hurried toward her, using the fence to separate him from the eyes of the old man.

What the hell is she doing?! His thoughts were racing.

Move faster. His inner animal commanded him.

We told her to stay put. Flint was exasperated.

She rarely does as she is told. The wolf replied.

Meanwhile, Eve had been catching up with Briar. They talked for a minute about his school and his friends before she asked the questions on her mind.

"Do you like being here with Grandpa?" She probed.

"Yeah..." He looked around sadly.

"What is it?" Eve furrowed her brows.

"He's scared. He told me he's not but he is." Briar crossed his little arms over his chest.

"Scared of what?" She asked intently.

"My parents are gone. They left me at school yesterday and the store was empty." The boy's words made her breath freeze in her chest.

Eve felt her heart beat accelerate immediately. The wind carried the feeling of her mate approaching. She glanced around hastily before taking Briar by the shoulders.

"I have to go. Remember, this is our secret. Okay?" She tried to keep her tone low and calm.

"Okay. Hey..." He grabbed her sleeve when she began to stand.

"Yeah?" She looked down at him curiously.

"If you see my parents, can you send them home too?" Briar's innocent, small voice trembled and tears filled his dark eyes.

Eve felt her chest tighten until it ached. She gave him a small nod and a stiff, lopsided smile. A moment later, a pair of strong, familiar hands reached down behind her and lifted her off her feet.

Flint placed her feet on the ground in front of him. She could feel the frustration radiating off of him. She opened her mouth to explain but he simply took her hand and walked silently back toward the street.

As Flint pulled her along behind him, Eve could tell that the time for discussion would come later. This wasn't the right moment. Her animal was spinning in her mind.

Her heart was aching and she was dizzy. The power... She could feel it. Eve needed a moment to think. But somehow her thoughts were either too slow to comprehend, or too fast moving to glimpse.