Intuition

The SilverCrest elders claimed that winter jade vine used to grow on the peak of the mountain. It was a rare plant and hadn’t been seen on the range in decades. It blossomed with berries only during the last snow of winter. Which, much to Flint’s displeasure, wasn’t probable to happen for weeks.

Noah agreed to be on the lookout for the vine while Flint searched elsewhere. Elijah went to the athenaeum to search for more places where the winter jade once grew. Flint couldn’t halt the search for Eve, as much as he wanted to find the plant that seemed to be hiding from him.

Instead, he would be forced to delegate the hunt for the vine to someone he trusted. This list of candidates began small and had gotten shorter since his mate’s kidnapping. Duncan was loyal and had always been trustworthy. However, he had taken over the responsibilities of Beta. Public opinion being what it was about Flint’s recent mental state, eliminated most others.

The Alpha’s decision was obvious. He made the phone call and waited on the porch of the Dolan Manor. Being there made him angry and frustrated, but it also reminded him of another time. A better one. His mind drifted to the day Eve picked out which room would be the pup’s.

“Purple.” Eve smiled at him.

“No. Not purple. Liberace won’t be living there.” He chuckled.

“Fine...” She rolled her eyes.

Flint watched her walk into the empty room and look around. She had a small, tender grin on her lips as she designed the space in her mind. She wore a red bandana over her head to keep her freely flowing, honey strands out of her face.

He examined the way the sunlight from the large window shined off the long, straight hair flowing down her back. She had cut the legs into shorts of the jean overalls she wore. The mark he’d placed on the soft skin which connected her shoulder to her neck was hidden just under the collar of her gray t-shirt.

As always, the sheer beauty she held in his eyes was astonishing. From the electric cyan coloring of her irises to her thin, delicate fingers and toes... She was perfect. Flint couldn’t help himself. He stepped forward and wrapped her in his arms. The electricity coursing through his veins from her every touch was as soothing as it was enthralling.

“Mmmm...” Eve turned to face him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “You aren’t listening to me.”

“No, I’m listening. Keep talking.” Flint smirked and planted a hot kiss on her neck.

“Yellow. I said yellow.” She sighed and ran her hand through his hair.

“Too bright.” He kissed her again, on the side of her jaw this time.

Eve smiled and pressed herself against him. She knew he would say that before she asked.

“Green?” She looked into his eyes.

“I like green.” Flint nodded.

He touched her lips with his, savoring the pleasurable jolts emanating from her. Her sweet, tart scent surrounded him. His wolf stirred at her mere closeness. His tongue danced with hers, turning the flame of passion within him into a full blown wildfire. Eve gasped as he unclipped the straps of her overalls.

The sound of truck tires approaching brought Flint out of his memory. His chest was aching, as it did every time his thoughts drifted to his mate. The vehicle parked in front of the steps and the Alpha rose as two warriors approached him.

“Alpha.” Johnny greeted him. “I’d like to officially introduce you to my mate. Lynn Hollis.”

The small, red haired girl smiled nervously at Flint. He saw the look in the young man’s eyes. Johnny wanted approval but more than that, he wanted the Alpha to be kind.

“I’ve read about you. Top of your class in orienteering, sparing, and trekking.” He offered her a brief, affable smile.

“You’ve read about me?” She probed curiously.

“Of course. Johnny and I go way back. E-” Flint paused and cleared his throat. “Eve is looking forward to meeting you.”

“Eve is great. You’ll love her. I promise.” The young warrior whispered to his mate before looking at his leader. “Much more approachable than this one.”

“I won’t argue with that, kid.” Flint sighed and motioned for them to join him on the porch.

A few minutes later, they were seated at the table on the back patio. Flint avoided going inside. He’d simply circled the house instead.

“Any word from Anna?” Johnny asked.

“Nothing substantial. If the town is close, it’s not on the maps.” He answered.

“Want us to go down there?” Lynn probed.

Flint smiled for a moment. He could feel through the mindlink all the ways in which this young woman was like Johnny. She was kind, supportive, and brave. Eager to help, even if she was new to the pack and hardly knew the people in need. Her mate cared about Flint and Eve. So, subsequently, she was willing to do anything to aid them.

“Let us go, Alpha. I’m already ranked for missions and so is Lynn. We want to help, man. Really.” Johnny brushed his sandy blonde hair out of his eyes.

“I appreciate it. I do.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “I have a different mission for you, kid. I’ll allow you to take your mate, if you want. Risk level is minimal.”

“Alright.” The young warrior nodded.

“You’ve probably heard bits and pieces of this already so I’ll fill in the blanks for you...” Flint took a deep breath. “Eve’s pregnancy is threatening her life. The pup is too strong.”

He explained as much as he could in as few words as possible. The Alpha power. The legend. Finally, the winter jade vine.

“Oh my goddess...” Lynn sighed empathetically.

“What can we do?” Johnny asked.

“You always said you wanted to travel the range, right?” Flint insinuated.

“Of course.” The young warrior raised an interested eyebrow.

“Well, I need someone to search the surrounding mountain peaks. I’ll be sending a team but they’ll need a leader. Someone to coordinate things and check out all possible leads until we find that vine.” He stated.

“My-” Johnny paused. “My own team?”

“That’s right. Until Duncan gets back from the Beta chair, I need someone I can trust to watch over the warriors.” Flint nodded.

“As in...?” Lynn was wide eyed.

“As in, acting commander of warrior team C-8.” The Alpha smirked.

Johnny’s mouth fell open for a moment before he caught himself. He straightened his back and dropped his shoulders, meeting the neon green eyes of his superior.

“I won’t let you down, Alpha.” He stated firmly.

“I know you won’t.” Flint replied confidently.

Johnny felt enormous pride at trust his leader had in him. It was firm and assured as it flowed through the mindlink. At different times Flint had been his teacher, coach, leader, confidant, and friend.

Now, Flint needed his help with something. Something personal and severely important. Johnny was determined to help him however he could; the Alpha could sense it.

“I’m texting you a picture of the vine. My father found an image of it in an old book. It won’t be blossoming for weeks, but it’ll still be distinctive. Thin, white vine with neon turquois leaves. The scent is supposedly like spiced lavender.” He explained.

“Understood. When do we set out?” The young warrior rose to his feet, his mate followed suit.

“Tomorrow. The time is up to you, commander.” Flint smiled at the look on Johnny’s face. “Go meet your team at HQ. They’re awaiting their orders.”

Johnny offered Flint his usual, goofy grin as he left with Lynn. Once again, the Alpha was left alone. He was exhausted but resting felt selfish. His pack needed him. Eve needed him. The pup needed him. The search for the plant needed his attention.

Without meaning to, he fell sleep in his seat on the back porch. It had been the longest few weeks of his life, and there was no sign things would be looking up. Only the second heartbeat in his chest, the hope the dream had given him, and the memories of Eve in his mind offered him peace.