Intuition

The pack house was much nicer on the inside than the exterior made Eve believe. The living room was large and there was a fluffy, beige rug covering the hardwood floors.

There was a television on the wall facing two large sectional sofas. The kitchen was through an open, square doorway and had a large rectangular table with at least twelve seats. The neutral tones and comfortable furniture reminded the Luna of GreenTree and the country house.

Flint led Eve to a bedroom upstairs where they dropped off their bags. The space was tastefully decorated, if a bit impersonal. After a few minutes, the Alpha couple found themselves seated with Anna in the quiet living room.

“I haven’t found Selena. You know that. However...” The specialists slid a folder across the round coffee table. “I did find this.”

Flint opened the documents and Eve leaned close to look at them. It seemed like the business records of a charity for the underprivileged. The Alpha scanned the page and handed it to his mate.

He repeated this gesture several times before he paused. The only piece of information Eve had seen that had seen of use was the foundation’s name. “Stardust Hope Foundation”. Seeing her mate frozen with his eyes on the paper drew her immediate attention.

“Wha-” Eve cut herself off as she glimpsed the information in Flint’s hand.

The founder and CEO of the Stardust Hope Foundation had signed the page. Thin, swooping letters that anyone could recognize spelled the signature for Selena Hanston. As if coming to his senses, Flint abruptly stood off the sectional.

“My mother used her maiden name to start a foundation? Here? In the valley?” He furrowed his brow skeptically.

“Yes, Alpha.” Anna nodded.

“What does this foundation do? Donations and housing placements?” Flint asked in a knowing tone.

“Yes, Alpha.” The specialist answered.

“Why would she have her own foundation for that? She was the director of the Safety Den run by the pack.” Eve pondered aloud.

“The Safety Den is a charity that is set up to help victims of domestic violence. We use it to help the wolves outside of pack territory and to place rogue pups into homes. Stardust Hope serves a different purpose.” Anna explained.

Flint rubbed his eyes, deep in thought. Eve took his hand and pulled him back into his seat. He was exasperated and she could feel it. Still, there was more to learn. The Luna stroked his forearm to ease his frustration.

“Stardust Hope is helping the rogues. Not the pack. I have yet to get into their recent recipient list but I have the records from when they opened.” Anna handed Flint the remaining file.

“What year was this foundation made?” The Alpha asked as he stared hard at the front of the folder.

“It says 2001. Why?” Eve could feel his anxiety growing by the second as his wolf stirred in his mind.

“Damn it.” Flint hissed through gritted teeth.

“Flint... What?” The Luna touched his hand nervously.

He took a deep breath and opened the file. His expression darkened dangerously and hardened into one of betrayal. Eve peered around his arm at the document. The first task of the Stardust Hope Foundation was to find a home for a rogue pup. Eleven year old Bastian Anderson.

“Damn it!” He threw the folder and the pages scattered as he stood to pace the room. “She made the fucking thing to control Bastian’s placement! Of fucking course she did!”

Anna was staring at the floor. She had no outward reaction to the Alpha’s outburst due to her training and self control. However, the mindlink revealed how intimidated her inner wolf was feeling. Eve ignored her presence to focus on Flint. His wolf was fighting for freedom again and she needed to help him.

“Flint.” Eve placed a gentle hand on his back.

“She’s been aiding the fucking enemy, Eve! What am I supposed to do when I find her?! If we even fucking find her at all!” He burst with agitation.

“I don’t know...” She breathed uncertainly.

“She made herself the fucking enemy! Over a decade ago!” Flint held his head as if it might explode.

“I know.” Eve was at a loss for words.

The growl that came from the Alpha’s chest was threatening though the mindlink expressed that it was directed at no one. Flint was simply struggling to contain a raging beast. His mate again touched him, hoping the feel of her would sooth him.

Everything is alright, my love. I promise. Shhhh... The she-wolf invaded his mind in a cooing animalistic voice.

Eventually, he took a shaking breath followed by a deeper one. This continued until he could stifle the howls in his mind. After several minutes of tense silence, Flint retook his seat though his hands were still clenched into anxious fists. The Luna joined him, allowing the quiet to calm them both before she spoke again.

“There’s more.” Eve could feel that Anna had more to say though she wasn’t sure how to begin.

Flint looked at the specialist pointedly.

“The foundation has many supporters and beneficiaries. Any of them or many of them could be helping her to evade us.” Anna stated in a flat tone.

“So, all we know for sure is that she’s a long time traitor and she could be literally anywhere?” He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

The inquiry required no answer. It was obvious.

“The foundation receives donations, right?” Eve’s question seemed to come from nowhere.

“Yes. The money is sent to a corporate account and the address on file is the foster house for Stardust Hope.” Anna nodded curiously.

“How does that help us?” Flint was clearly tired of this discussion.

“It doesn’t. I don’t care where the donations go. Where do they come from?” She knelt to the ground and gathered the scattered papers.

“Luna?" Anna furrowed her brows.

“Selena wouldn’t take money from outsiders for wolf projects. Rogues or not. So, where is the funding coming from? Elijah would have noticed if she set all this up using his money.” Eve thought aloud.

“Brilliant.” The specialist smiled and joined her on the floor to look through the documents again.

“She always is.” Flint breathed as he knelt beside his mate.

In the hours that followed, many useless facts were discovered and several phone calls were made. In the end, Eve was right. While some of the money came from the rogue outreach program on the mountain, the majority came from a single large account.

“Another thirteen percent.” Anna answered as she turned over the last page in front of her.

“That settles it. It doesn’t make sense but it’s true. The money has been coming from Andrew Ford.” Flint could feel Eve’s growing anxiety though she hadn’t expressed its reason.

“No.” She shook her head steadily.

“You know this person?” The Alpha asked curiously.

“Yes and so do you, kind of. Ellie’s full name is Eliza Ford. Andrew is her father.” Eve answered stiffly. “He’s the commander of GraySky pack’s warriors.”