Intuition

Eve had a long, exhausting day. She had eaten four times by the time evening came and still, she felt empty. Getting to know the Shadow pack and blending in was a more tiring task than Eve thought. They all had varying opinions on Eve’s presence at the cabin.

Some thought the Luna could be helpful to them if she believed in their cause, like Felix and Leigh. Others believed Eve shouldn’t be there at all. She was a burden to Tyler and Callie. Most of the supporters believed whatever Bastian told them, and he told them Eve was on their side.

Onyx had been given a simple task. Eve stood in the dining room, eating her fourth bowl of fresh, raw meat. She watched the teenager through the window. The task the Luna gave her was small, but very important.

Eve had written a note. It was short and to the point. She’d allowed Onyx to read it so it couldn’t be a plea for salvation. Still, it was something. Just as the girl with the bright, blue hair reached the mailbox, Bastian pulled into the driveway.

He approached his adoptive sister and casually took the envelopes from her hand. Eve’s heart lept into her throat. Bastian was chuckling as Onyx tried to get the mail from him. He ended up handing it back and ruffling her hair before walking back toward the truck.

Eve relaxed. She felt like she could breathe again. Onyx gave her a thumbs up through the window as she passed by. The Luna smiled and took another bite of her food. She felt someone approaching and turned to see Callie entering the room.

“Ugh, it’s you.” She sighed.

“Where else would I be?” Eve rolled her eyes.

Callie walked to the fridge and opened it, retrieving a bottle of water.

“As soon as you pop out that pup...” She turned back to face her. “I’m going to kill you.”

“Someone has dreams of grandeur. I’m the Luna of the most powerful pack on the range. You’re just...” Eve laughed ironically.

Callie snarled, which produced more giggles from the Luna. This enraged the rogue more but Eve simply continued mocking her.

“You’re just an incubator, you disgusting bitch. Your child will be strong enough to tear down the mountain. And that’s what he’ll be used for. You won’t even be alive to see it. I’ll make sure of it.” Callie stepped toward Eve threateningly.

Eve had stopped laughing at the mention of her pup. She tilted her head, narrowing her eyes at the woman.

“Bastian may be think you’re worthwhile now, but once all that power isn’t inside you... He’ll be done with you.” She hissed.

“So, that’s what this is about? Bastian?” Eve smiled sharply. “If you want him, you can have him. I don’t want him. I have a mate. But I’ll tell you this, and I’ll say it once...”

Eve lifted her chin, stepping up to the girl. Their noses were nearly touching. Her power forced Callie to avert her gaze and take a step back.

“Mention my pup again, just one more time, and I’ll slaughter you like the pathetic cur you truly are.” She growled in a low tone, smiling viscously. “And Bastian will let me.”

Callie growled but her wolf wouldn’t allow her to meet Eve’s intense, electric blue eyes. The Luna walked passed her without looking back. She went directly to her room and sat her half-finished bowl of raw meat on the nightstand.

Her heartbeat was thumping very hard, though not very fast. It almost felt slow. She couldn’t control it. The thought of Callie talking so freely about her pup’s future was worrying. More than that, it was infuriating. Eve focused on eating, making sure to take long and slow breaths.

Onyx opened the door and crept inside the room. She sighed in relief and laid beside Eve on the bed. Eve smiled and nudged her, trying to cheer her up.

“Thank you.” She stated.

“I don’t like this. Bas is going to be mad at me. I hate when he’s mad at me.” Onyx shook her head.

“He won’t be mad if we don’t tell him. And even if he finds out, I’ll tell him I made you do it.” Eve replied, placing her empty bowl back on the nightstand.

“No because you didn’t force me. I told him not to take you against your will. ‘It’s wrong’ and ‘she’ll hate you’, I said it all. He wouldn’t listen... Or couldn’t.” She exhaled.

“I hate to be blunt about this, but your brother is literally insane. You know that right?” She probed.

“No. He’s not...” Onyx denied.

“Then how do you explain all the stuff he does. He’s explosive unless he’s laughing. He’s obsessed with trees. He loves violence and -”

“Stop it.” She sat up quickly. “You don’t know anything about him. Don’t talk about him like that. Not to me. Not to anyone.”

“Onyx... I’m sorry.” Eve had crossed a line.

“He was hurt, Evie. He was hurt really badly.” She explained. “When his parents died- When he felt them die, he felt their pain. Their confusion. He told me once it was like he was the one being killed, but he experienced two deaths.”

The Luna listened with sorrowful eyes. She couldn’t imagine how he must have felt; not to mention he was so young at the time.

“He wanted answers from Elijah when he returned with his mate. He asked for answers from the one who murdered his family and he was forced into exile by him. Then he found his mate and lost her...” Onyx shook her head sadly. “You don’t know what he’s been through. It’s made him who he is.”

“It sounds like he needs trauma therapy.” Eve whispered.

The teenager chuckled bitterly before leaning on the wall beside Eve tiredly.

“He’s not insane, Evie. He’s strong. And brave. And smart, so incredibly smart. He’s my Alpha and even if he wasn’t... He’s still everything I said he was. Bastian is a good person. He’s just misguided.” Onyx stated.

“I know.” She nodded slowly.

Eve did know. She was aware that Bastian was brave, strong, and smart. She just couldn’t help but worry about the lurking mania she sensed bubbling just below his cool, jovial surface. A quiet knock fell on the door. Onyx opened it and stepped outside, letting her brother into the room.

“Hey, Evie.” Bastian closed the threshold behind him.

“What’s up, punchy?” Eve probed curiously.

“Nothing. I was just wondering how bad you and Callie got into it.” He shrugged casually.

“We didn’t. She forgot her place. I reminded her. That was all.” She felt relieved he hadn’t come because he found her note in the mailbox.

“Callie gave me an earful about it and here, you only give me four sentences.” Bastian chuckled and sat at the foot of the mattress.

“Gave you an earful, huh? That lover of yours has spunk, popping off at the Alpha.” Eve smirked.

“She isn’t my ‘lover’. She’s my nothing.” He examined the Luna with interest.

“Uh huh. I know a ton of ‘nothings’ that nag at their Alphas. Oh, wait. I don’t though.” She quipped.

“Fine, there may have been a very brief thing between us. It ended as soon as I saw you. I swear.” Bastian grinned.

“Hah! Don’t mistake me, punchy. If you want Callie to be your Luna, do that. I already have a pack to take care of.” Eve nudged his knee with her foot.

Bastian laughed again and hook his head at her. She looked at the darkened sky outside and a wave of exhaustion rolled over her.

“It’s getting late. I need some sleep.” Eve thought aloud.

“I’m not stopping you.” He smirked.

“I can’t sleep with you staring at me. It’s creepy.” She stated.

“Okay.” Bastian stood happily.

He flicked off the light and laid beside Eve, staring at the ceiling. He placed one arm behind his head, ignoring the look of bewilderment on Eve’s face.

“Go away.” She pushed on his shoulder but the thrum of static in her veins made her quickly withdraw her hands.

“Close your eyes, Evie. We both know I won’t hurt you. I just want to know how much power you put off when you sleep.” Bastian replied.

Eve scoffed and put several inches between them before she laid beside him. She held her eyes closed, pretending she was alone. Her mind kept drifting to Flint. His face was the last image in her mind before sleep overtook her.