Intuition

The hollow, thrilling howls of the wolves washed over the mountain to reach the sky. It wasn’t until an hour passed that couples were emerging from the woods. Eve had arranged for robes to be hung from the trees so they could cover themselves before emerging.

In order to take the stage to accept or reject your mate, the male had to inform his Alpha of their names. These names were then put on a list for the presiding leader. Eve glanced at her brother to see him speaking to his people from a perch on the edge of the stage in front of his table.

Alpha Noah was seated on the ground in front of the stage. His Beta stood beside him, taking down the names. The NorthWood pack were coming to Alpha Daniel’s Luna, who stood on the stairs to the stage. Blair stood a few feet in front of the center of the platform. She was the one making the list for StarLight.

“The SilverCrest members are uncomfortable.” Eve whispered thoughtfully.

“Being humans and interacting with others isn’t their specialty. They’ll be fine.” Flint smirked.

She stifled a giggle and playfully pushed him. He handed her the glass of water from the table behind him. Eve smiled at him and took a long sip. Flint checked in with his warriors multiple times but everything was quiet. Blair didn’t circle around to the other Alphas to collect their lists for another two hours.

“Most are here. There are some stragglers but I’ve been told some stay out longer than others.” Blair informed him.

“Tell the patrols to start sending the wolves back this way. It’s already three in the morning.” Flint replied, taking the pages from her.

“Alright. Anyone who signs in now will be brought to you immediately.” She nodded.

The Alpha sighed as he read through the many names. Eve watched him from her seat with a small smile. Since she’d known him, Flint had always been was confident. Still, there was a side to him that had never enjoyed social occasions. He found them tiresome and mostly pointless.

Her mate felt her gaze and returned her smile. They had done it. The Call was coming to an end and there had been no incidents or close calls on the patrols. Everything was going according to plan and on schedule. For once.

“To accept or reject your mate is to be done before the end of the Call.” Flint’s voice turned all eyes to the podium. “That time has come. Follow your instincts.”

He eyed the page for a moment before a smile spread across his face. Eve felt his surprise but she didn’t understand why until he spoke again.

“Abigail Lutz, NorthWood.” Flint gestured across the stage where a small red haired girl stepped forward. “Do you accept your mate?”

“Yes.” The young woman answered in a nervous tone.

“Johnny Bass, StarLight.” He stated as the young warrior stepped onto the stage in his robe with his blonde shaggy hair in his face. “Do you accept your mate?”

“Yes.” Johnny stated confidently, with a goofy grin.

Flint nodded. Eve clapped happily, she couldn’t help it. As the young warrior crossed the stage, he met his Alpha’s gaze. Flint chuckled at him before he took his mate’s hand and left from the back of the platform.

“Lynn Hollis, Northwood. Do you accept your mate?” He gave the next female’s name.

It took forty five minutes before all the pairings for the first list. Even more as the stragglers came out of the forest. Eventually Flint managed to step back from the podium to call in for an update by the patrols. Before he could, he felt eyes on him.

Graham approached him. The blackish, purple bruising on his throat was nearly faded. The deep puncture wounds were newly healed but they still pitted into his skin. He wore his shirt collar buttoned all the way up to conceal them but the Alpha spotted them.

“Alpha.” He greeted him.

“Beta Graham.” Flint replied.

“I wanted to congratulate you on the event. It went off nicely.” He held out his hand.

“Is that all?” The Alpha smirked and shook his hand.

“Does there need to be more?” Graham smiled.

Flint paused and looked over the man. He was self assured and put together. The pack seemed confident in him and based on this, Flint decided to ease a bit of the tension between them.

“No. I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.” He relaxed his posture.

“It’s nearly time to wrap up the night. I’ll see you at the pack negotiations tomorrow, right.” Graham nodded.

“Of course.” Flint’s phone rang in his pocket.

The Beta walked back to his table at the end of the stage. Flint sat beside Eve as he picked up the call.

“Talk.” He took a drink of whiskey.

“One of our warriors on the outer line missed their call time. One of the GraySky warriors stationed beside him is gone as well.” Duncan replied.

“Have you searched the area?” Flint glanced over to Jay who was answering his phone.

“Yes. No sign of them.” He answered.

“I want everyone to stay in position. Wait for me there.” He spoke in a gruff tone.

“Sector three. Checkpoint seven.” Duncan informed him.

Flint hung up the phone. Eve was staring at him with wide, curious eyes. She could feel the anxiety swelling within her mate. It made her heart pound in her chest. Jay stepped up to the table and sat, wearing a grim expression.

“What’s happening right now?” Eve asked in a quiet voice.

“Care to answer that, Flint?” Jay glowered at him.

“A warrior is missing from the patrol. One of ours and one from GraySky.” Flint answered in a low tone.

Eve’s eye widened. She looked over the crowd. No one knew anything yet and everything was still calm.

“What do we do?” She asked quietly.

“I have to go to the area.” Jay stood.

“I will meet you there. No moves until I arrive.” Flint stated.

Eve took his hand, drawing his attention.

“We need to wrap everything up and send everyone home without causing a panic. All the packs.” He thought aloud.

“I can do that.” Eve nodded.

“Okay. Stay with the Alphas. Do not go anywhere." Flint kissed her forehead.

“I won’t. I promise.” She agreed.

Flint kissed her again. When his lips met hers, the familiar jolt of electricity between them was followed by something. It was more than just nervous anxiety. It was the foreboding sensation she’d had in her chest all day.

“Wait.” She took his hand when he turned away.

Flint turned back to her with furrowed brows. He was clearly worried and deep in thought.

“Be safe. I have this feeling...” Eve whispered.

“Okay. I will be. You just wait here and I’ll call you as soon as I know what’s going on.” He hugged her.

“I love you.” She whispered.

“I love you too, Eve.” Flint kissed her a final time before walking away.