Intuition

Flint had Sarah’s body shipped to Dayton the following morning, along with her co-conspirators. Alpha Daniel agreed to go to the Call as soon as identified Sarah Becker for himself.

Flint was glad to be rid of the NorthWood rogues. The Call was coming up quickly, Bastian had yet to make a move but he was certainly on his way, and Eve’s power was continuing to grow. The last thing he had time for were the enemies of other packs.

Later that week, a call came in from the tracker set to watch Norman. In his report, he mentioned a familiar address. Flint recognized it immediately as the home of Jack Fields. He pulled his jacket on as he climbed down the staircase.

“Where are you going?” Eve probed as she spotted him from the living room.

“To the valley. Norman paid a visit to Jack Fields. I guess the old rogue may be around, even if he’s evading my trackers.” Flint answered easily.

“Okay. I’m going too, right?” Eve nodded and went to get her boots off the shoe rack.

“You should stay here. Things could turn violent with so many rogues involved.” He contested.

She smiled up at him as tied her boots and put on her jacket.

“You’ll be more worried about me being here alone. Plus, you can drop me at the pack house on your way. I want to see Anna and check in on her search for your mom. Is that okay?” Eve took his hand.

“Eve...” Flint sighed and shook his head.

She stepped toward him and wrapped her arms around his waist. Eve felt the electricity between them and smiled as she momentarily buried her face in his chest. He sighed again before returning the embrace.

“I’ll stay with Anna. I promise.” Eve smiled up at him.

Flint looked into her glowing, cyan blue eyes. The warmth and comfort he found there washed over him. He relented with a small half-smile. He lead her to the SUV and drove toward the valley.

It took a couple hours to reach the pack house. The warriors Flint had sent for were waiting in the driveway for orders. After a tense goodbye, Flint headed toward the home of Jack Fields. He hated leaving Eve alone after their recent difficulties, but even more than that; he despised the thought of leaving his mate in the valley without him.

He had to push these thoughts from his mind and close the link a bit as well. The power inside Eve was something he could feel every moment, and it was distracting. He had to tone it down. The walkie talkie clipped to his visor interrupted his silent contemplation.

“Should we park down the block? My GPS says there’s a church at the end of the street. It’s Tuesday so there shouldn’t be anyone there.” Duncan’s voice was followed by a burst of static.

“Fine.” Flint replied as he held down the button.

A few minutes later, he was climbing out of his car and walking up to the small group. Johnny limped around the commander’s truck. The Alpha spotted him immediately with his long, unruly, blonde hair. David followed behind the young warrior with an expression like he were waiting on Johnny to fall over.

“I thought you told him to stay behind.” Flint looked at Duncan curiously.

“He took it as a suggestion. The doctor said action would be better for his healing anyway.” He replied.

“Did the doctor tell you that or did Johnny?” The Alpha smirked.

“Hey! I’m right here!” Johnny nudged Flint’s shoulder. “I’m fine, Alpha.”

“Are you?” Flint raised a sarcastic eyebrow at him.

“Fit as an out of tune fiddle.” He nodded energetically.

“Huh...” He pushed the young man on the shoulder and watched him stumble backwards, landing on his rear. “Oh, yeah. You’ll come in handy.”

Johnny scoffed and stood on shaking legs. Flint grabbed his elbow, steadying him.

“You should head to the pack house.” He lowered his voice.

“No. Come on, man. I’m already here. Let me help you.” Johnny replied quickly.

“You’re going to slow us down and if there’s a fight, you’ll be little more than a wobbly target.” Flint’s tone grew more strict.

He could feel the disappointment of the young warrior. He heaved a deep breath before speaking again.

“Eve is there. I don’t like leaving her alone outside the territory.” The Alpha met Johnny’s gaze. “Watch her for me.”

Johnny knew this was a tactic to get him off the mission. Still, when Flint held out his keys he accepted them. To guard the Luna was a great responsibility and an important job to the Alpha, as well as the pack.

“Call me when you’re out.” He eventually nodded.

“I will. Watch her, Johnny. I mean it.” Flint replied.

Johnny climbed into the SUV and drove back toward the pack house. The Alpha watched him disappear around a curve.

“You sent him out. I was just going to have him keep watch.” Duncan approached him.

“That’s what he’s leaving to go do.” Flint cleared his throat. “Let’s go.”

He led the trio up the road until Jack’s home came into view. It was a small brick house with one level and a front deck. The yard was modest in size but it was well maintained. Flint couldn’t smell any wolves in the house and or any humans nearby.

Circle it. Meet you on the in. The Alpha glanced at Duncan.

He nodded and walked out of sigh around the house. Flint turned his gaze to David.

Hide. Watch the street. He directed him silently.

David nodded and walked away. Flint turned back to the house and took a deep breath. He took decisive steps to the front door. He knocked firmly and waited. He heard nothing inside, not even breathing. He braced the door knob and prepared to ram the wood with his shoulder.

In. The Alpha reached into Duncan’s mind once more.

He popped the front door open with a loud thud and he heard his commander do the same to the rear entrance. The inside of the home smelled like the den of a rogue. There had been half-breeds in there along with some full blooded wolves. The heaviest scent, Flint supposed, belonged to Jack.

Among these scents he could easily recognize Selena’s. It was faint as if it had been a while since she’s been there. Still, her familiar aroma lingered. Another familiar smell drew his attention. He followed it into the living room, confirming his reluctant ideas.

Bastian had been here. His scent was everywhere. On the couch, in the kitchen, on the coffee table, and down the hallway. Flint took a moment to calm his breathing. A simple whiff of the enemy had his wolf preparing to go to battle.

“Alpha.” Duncan called out from the kitchen.

Flint walked in and froze in place.

“The house is empty. I checked the closet in the master bedroom, no clothes. Jack Fields is gone.” He gestured to the counter. “I did, however, find this.”

The Alpha picked up the small, fragile object. It was a wolf that could fit in the palm of his hand. It had been made by folding black construction paper. Flint got a flash of a memory. He had learned how to make these in primary school.

“You know what it means?” Duncan asked, sensing his leaders anxiety.

Flint glared down at the little, black wolf in his palm. Bastian had been beside him in this class, just like in many others. He had learned to create them too. And what was worse, Flint had to help him learn how.

“Yes.” He crushed the totem in his fist. “It means Jack Fields didn’t leave on his own.”