Intuition

Much to his dismay, Flint’s wolf had been unable to connect to the animal in Eve’s mind. He could feel her, but he couldn’t track her or speak to her. It was overly agitating and frustrating for him. He was relieved to know of her condition, while his lack of control over it drove him mad.

He wasn’t set to meet with Noah and the SilverCrest elders until midnight. Still, he arrived two hours early. He spent some of that time allowing his wolf to run freely. He needed to spend his power and aggression, unless he wanted to lose control when it counted. Fifteen minutes before the moon reached its peak, the other Alpha approached him.

Dolan. Noah greeted him.

What can you tell us before we meet your elders? He probed.

We still do not know about their verdict. If we did, we would be restricted from telling you. Noah stated openly.

We can’t wait any longer. We won’t. Flint replied firmly.

Follow me. The older wolf nodded.

Noah led him through the woods to the Snow Slide’s administrative cabin. Elijah stood there in his wolf form, waiting for them. The doors were propped open and upon entering, Flint glanced around. The lodge was just as he remembered. The seventies era décor was composed of faded mustard yellow fabric and dark brown woods.

There was no one behind the reception desk and the snow from outside had been tracked through the room on both boots and paws. Flint was brought to a large seating area in the hall behind the empty desk. Here, four SilverCrest pack members waited. All were over seventy years in age, announcing to Flint exactly who they were. The elders.

As Noah introduced them, Flint examined them one by one. There was one elder in his human form, his name was Richard. He was a heavy set man with a long, gray beard. His light eyes were stoic and his lips were tight. He wore work boots and coveralls, as if he had just come in from working.

The others were in their wolven forms. Andrew’s eyes were cunning and sharp. His fur was brown with streaks of gray running through it. Lee’s coat was dark and scratchy, as if he’d been running before the meeting. Buck had a curious expression on his strong face, as if he were fascinated in the proceedings around him.

After the formal introductions by Noah, the room got eerily quiet. Flint faced the SilverCrest elders unflinchingly. If they denied him the information he needed to save his mate, the Alpha wasn’t sure how he would react. All he was certain of... Was that his wolf would grow uncontrollably violent.

“Alpha Dolan, you’ve called upon the SilverCrest pack to gain information on a secured legend amongst our people.” Richard began.

Explain yourself. Andrew entered his mind.

Our mate is pregnant. The pup’s power is too strong. We fear for their lives. Flint replied firmly.

You’re Luna is gone, Alpha. How would this legend help you now? Buck probed.

We will find her. We’re closer than ever before. Flint growled lowly.

Answer the question. Lee demanded gruffly.

Her strength is fading. We can feel it. When we find her, she’ll need whatever help we can give her. He answered in a stern voice.

Elijah and Noah stood behind him, watching the scene. The oldest Dolan wanted to interject with the elders he was acquainted with, but he knew this was something his son would need to handle himself.

“Our decision is not to be challenged. There will be no violence today, no matter the answer you receive. Do you agree to this?” Richard’s human voice drew his attention.

Yes. Flint’s wolf answered reluctantly.

Then know that we have unanimously agreed to help, under one condition. Andrew stated.

The pup will never be able to mate or sire own family. Lee informed him.

What?! Elijah growled and stepped up beside his son.

No! To deny him his mate is cruel! We won’t do it. Flint snarled in frustration.

His power is too strong, already, for his mother. His mate will surely die if he’s allowed to find her. His pups will be too strong to ever be carried to term. Buck explained.

“Once you have read the legend being offered to you, you will understand. We do not do this out of cruelty. This is a measure of mercy. For your pup and for the mountain.” Richard added.

He’ll never be Alpha without his Luna! You’re effectively ending the Dolan line! Elijah growled angrily.

The Dolans are the ones dying off from the power they hold. We are not ending your family. Simply offering you a way to save those that remain. Andrew answered firmly.

Flint began pacing. He was at war with himself. On one hand, if he accepted this stipulation, his child would live his life incomplete. He would never be allowed to take Alpha. All the things Flint hoped for his child... Gone before his pup was even born.

On the other hand, the elders weren’t wrong. No wolf would be able to bare any more Dolan children. Their power had grown too strong. If his pup was allowed to find his mate, his own offspring would most probably kill her. Adding more heartache than any wolf could bear

Flint met his father’s bewildered and upset gaze. The green there matched his own and was somehow darkened by the light gray of his fur. Their thoughts were similar, Flint could feel it. He nodded to him stiffly, signaling that his decision had been made. He turned back to the SilverCrest leaders with determination.

We will not allow him to attend the Call. However, should he find a mate without it... We will only tell him of the risks of his mating. We will NOT force him away from his mate, should he find her. Flint answered firmly.

The elders looked at one another, clearly having a private conversation amongst themselves. Noah stepped forward, drawing all eyes.

This is a compromise. As Alpha of SilverCrest, I accept on behalf of the pack. The older Alpha lifted his chin confidently.

The elder’s returned to their silent conversation for a few seconds, before looking at Flint once more. Richard stood and went to a room further down the hall. He returned with a large, thick tomb. The pages were frayed and yellowed. The cover was thick, worn leather with the official pack seal on the front. It looked like the depression of a crescent moon halved with a wolf’s face.

Flint shifted quickly into his human form, hoping to read the words himself. Richard retook his seat and opened the book to a marked page. He turned it toward the nude Alpha, not allowing him to touch it. Flint examined the legend with wide eyes and began to read it aloud.

“An Alpha’s power is a gift from the moon goddess. The son will inherit the strengths of his father, alongside his own. To maintain the balance of nature, these gifts cannot be allowed to amass forever. To end the line, the power will consume both the son and the mother.”

He paused before continuing.

“Only the berries of the winter jade vine will bind an Alpha’s power. However, beware the vine. All tethers break. When his beast is released, the gifts of the goddess will be ten fold.”

The room was silent. Elijah and his son were both speechless. Flint’s power and strength were enough to take down any Alpha he’d come across. The thought of his offspring, which would inevitably be stronger, would have that power multiplied. Ten fold. The idea gave even Flint a moment of pause.

However, he could feel Eve in his mind. She was sleeping. There had been no more shared dreams but he could feel when her wolf was resting. It eased his mind and solidified his decision. No matter how strong his pup would become, no matter what he had to sacrifice, no matter what the opinions were of those around him... Flint had to save Eve. He simply had to.