Intuition

Eve slowly pulled her eyes open. She felt groggy and, at first, she didn’t know where she was. She glanced around her to see that the sun had risen and she was in a car, as it went down the highway. She looked at the driver beside her and jumped back to reality.

Bastian was driving. He threw a powder in her face and she passed out. Her wolf was stirring awake but she too felt like she was in a daze. Eve sat up and rubbed her temples, trying to rouse herself completely.

“Good morning, Evie.” He greeted her with a calm smile.

“What did you do to me?” As she spoke she became acutely aware of how dry her throat was.

“It was a harmless sedative. You and the pup are fine.” Bastian reassured her.

“Let me go, punchy. I mean it.” Eve could feel the power inside her but she couldn’t reach it. She was too weak.

“Stop calling me that. You know I hate it.” He replied.

“I hate being kidnapped but here I am. With you. Again.” Eve scoffed.

“I dreamed about you.” Bastian stated randomly.

Images of the dream flashed through her mind. A large, gray wolf with familiar, black eyes was staring at her. As if he were fascinated.

“So what?” She shook off the memory.

“So, I know you dreamed of me too.” He smiled.

“What are you talking about?” Eve rolled her eyes, but she continued to watch him closely.

“We’re connected, you and I. For the longest time, I couldn’t figure out what was drawing me to you. But then I understood, it wasn’t just the mindlink we share.” Bastian explained.

“We don’t share a mindlink, punchy. You were cut off from the StarLight bond by Elijah when I was just a pup.” She shook her head at him.

“He didn’t do a thorough enough job, Evie. Half of the pack didn’t buy the reasons behind my exile. Someone left a window open. I climbed in years ago.” He grinned happily.

“No...” Eve’s mind was beginning to awaken further, and it was racing.

“Yes. I felt you close your mindlink back in the manor. And I’ll feel it if you open it. Understand?” Bastian glanced at her.

“You want me to keep it closed, sure. But will you do if I don’t, punchy?” She glared at him.

“You’re strong right now, Evie. The pup’s power makes it impossible to say I’ll keep you by force. Also, I don’t want to do that.” He sighed. “But if you insist on being defiant, I’ll kill the people you love. I have Selena’s address. As well as Joshua’s, Duncan’s, Blair’s, Anna’s, Johnny’s, Ellie’s, and a few more.”

“They live in GreenTree, how-” She cut herself off.

The traitor. Bastian had at least one person working for him inside the pack. They had mailed her that children’s book along with Bastian’s note. He had trapped her, once again, using the people she loved.

“Who is it?” Eve probed.

“Who is who?” Bastian smirked.

“The traitor. The person, or people, working for you.” She demanded an answer.

“Oh, Evie. I can’t tell you all my secrets yet. You have to earn my trust for that.” He chuckled.

“Why are you doing this to me?” Eve asked in a quiet voice.

Bastian looked at her for a moment and his eyes softened. Eve saw it. He tightened his lips and took a deep breath. When he exhaled, he seemed to let go of the façade he was constantly using as a shield.

“Listen, I’m not a bad guy. I know you probably don’t believe that, Evie. But it’s true. I’m not going to hurt you. Okay? I promise.” Bastian stated in a calm voice.

She didn’t respond. She simply examined him. He didn’t seem to be lying. Eve felt Flint searching for her, like a pressure in the back of her mind. She wanted to give in to it and allow him in, but the thought of Bastian’s threats against her friends made her weary.

“We’re almost there.” He eventually broke the silence.

“Where?” She looked at their surroundings.

The truck was driving down a long gravel road now, until it turned to dirt. There were no houses around and no other roads or vehicles to be seen. A small cabin came into sight. It had a green roof and two levels. There were two people on the porch. They were rocking in chairs and didn’t even stand when they heard the truck approaching them.

“Welcome home, Evie.” Bastian parked beside the house. “It’s time to meet the pack.”

“The pack?” She probed curiously.

He smiled at her and got out of the car. Eve noted that there was no door handle on her side. She waited for Bastian to circle the truck and open it for her.

He gestured for her to follow him into the cabin and Eve got the urge to get as far away as she could. Her mind was still tired and her body felt weak, but she thought she’d be dumb to miss this chance. Before she could move at all, Bastian grasped her elbow.

“Come on, Evie. I know you want to run, but don’t.” He leaned in closer to her and lowered his voice. “You’re safe. Just trust me.”

Eve pulled away from him roughly. The thought of trusting a rogue who had murdered members of her pack was ludacris on every level she could think of.

Let us out! We’ll run! Her wolf urged her.

If we do that, someone we care about dies. We have to play this smart. She thought to herself.

How is going in that cabin smart?! The animal replied hastily.

It’s not but there are less risks. If he hurts us, it’s just us. If he hurts our pack... Eve let the sentence trail away in her mind.

Bastian watched as Eve looked around, taking in the yard and the surrounding forest. He could see that she was pensively considering his request of trust.

We have to find out everything we can, while we’re forced to be here anyway. She finally reasoned.

How will we get home? The she-beast asked worriedly.

We’ll have to escape. Get back to GreenTree before Bastian can kill anyone. Eve sighed internally.

“Evie?” Bastian drew her attention.

Eve met his gaze and he saw resolution in her electric blue eyes. A small smile crept to his lips. He extended his hand for her to take but she slapped it away.

Eve walked passed him with her head held high. She stepped onto the porch and paused before entering the cabin’s open threshold. All Eve could do now was hope that she was ready to face whatever awaited her on the other side.