Intuition

Eve awoke in her wolf form as she tumbled to a stop in the forest. On the wind, she could smell her pursuer. Bastian. He was howling in an attempt to wake her as he tried to catch up with her. She shook the dirt out of fur and looked around. She had no idea where she was but she could hear a highway nearby.

The large, gray wolf caught up with her. He was panting as he plopped tiredly on the ground. Bastian shifted into his human form, still heaving his breath from running so fast for so long. He sat up up and looked at Eve with fascination.

More than that. Bastian was excited, thrilled even. She furrowed her brows at him. Her legs were aching, so she remained laying on the forest floor. He beamed at her, still panting.

This isn’t good. What’s he so happy about? The she-wolf thought to herself.

No idea... Eve replied silently.

Bastian moved closer to her, causing her to narrow her electric blue eyes at him.

“You should have told me, Evie. I didn’t know you turn when you dream!” He grinned as he explained. “I can fix that part!”

She looked at him in bewilderment with undisguised doubt. Bastian simply chuckled at her and shook his head, still smiling.

A solution? Maybe a lie? The Luna pondered.

He’s way too pleased with himself for him to be lying completely. Don’t trust him anyway. Eve answered the wolf.

Don’t trust even though he’s probably not lying... What to do? The animal thought to herself.

We can’t escape now, he’s here. Go back with him. Hear about his possible solution. Decide then. Eve replied pensively.

Bastian stood and stretched upward, as if awaking his muscles. The black wolf stood as well, her legs trembled beneath her. She shook herself all over, trying to return the feeling to her limbs.

“We’re around six miles from home. Can you walk?” Bastian asked her.

Your home! Not ours! The she-wolf growled at him, knowing he couldn’t understand her.

She stumbled ahead, ignoring his presence.

“This way, Evie.” Bastian chuckled and pointed east.

She grumbled at him and turned around, heading in the direction he indicated while still trying to ignore him. He laughed again. She was clearly amusing him.

Half way through the trek back to the Shadow pack’s cabin, Eve was filled by a wave of exhaustion. She collapsed and her legs would no longer obey her. Bastian said nothing, he simply picked her up and continued on.

Eve hated the dull thrumming of static ran through her muscles from his every touch. Yet, it was always there. The sensation, and the steady movements of Bastian’s steps, carried her to sleep once more.

This time she had no dreams, no running, no panicking. She had somehow seen Flint, she had spoken to him. He was going to save her and her pup. She was sure. Bastian eventually laid her on her bed and sat beside her. She was still curled up in her wolven form but he had pulled on a pair of shorts.

Onyx entered the room and asked what happened but Bastian simply shrugged and smiled at her, as if he’d discovered something wonderful. The girl stoked Eve’s ears, stirring her. She listened to their conversation while pretending she was still resting.

“What is that look for? She turned again and bolted out the door this time. That’s bad, Bas. Things are getting worse.” The young woman was confused.

“Yes, it’s bad. But...” He smirked. “I can fix this problem. Remember that tea Rose used to make for me before I went to sleep at night?”

“Jim made you drink it, I remember that. You hated it.” She stated.

“My wolf wanted to run and hunt. We were in the valley. I couldn’t and he kept taking us for a run when we were asleep. When we dreamed. I just needed to get the energy out.” Bastian sighed. “Anyway, Rose looked all over for a solution and she found the creeping sedum tea.”

“And it stopped the running.” Onyx nodded thoughtfully.

“Yes. If I give Evie the tea, it’ll help. She’ll be able to rest and get stronger. I just have to get some from Rose.” He agreed happily.

“And if not? If it has effects you don’t know about on pregnant wolves?” She sounded doubtful.

“I’ll check it out first, but I got this. I can help her, Onyx. I know it.” Bastian stated definitely.

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Flint awoke in the forest beside the highway, leading through the valley. He had been in his wolf form when he fell asleep, so this part was natural to him. However, running as he slept wasn’t a problem for him. He ran so often that his wolf never felt the need to run as he rested.

Yet, he awoke in a different place, closer to the foot of the mountain. Flint shook off the stiffness and the tired ache in his limbs. He called out in his mid for a tracker. Any nearby tracker. A small brown wolf arrived twenty minutes later.

Follow a wide trail. It leads east, southeast. Call HQ. Tell them to connect you with specialist Anna Delanie. She will coordinate with you and fill you in. Flint ordered.

Yes, Alpha. Peter nodded.

He ran through the trees as his leader turned back to the pack. He would be have to travel another five miles back to the place he’d fallen asleep. Twelve more to get home. That was okay with him. As were the burn in his muscles and the ache in his chest. He had seen her.

Eve had appeared to him like an angel in the form a dream, just as she had at the Calling. She came from nowhere and had somehow filled him with a sense of belonging. Yet, in waking, he was separated from her again. It took the comfort he got from her but it left something else. Hope.

He would find her. Anna was already searching for Kirkwood. The only towns she’d found were too far away. Still, he knew she would find it. Eve was already finding a way to reach him, as was the pup inside her. He would find them. Of this, he had no doubt.