Intuition

Eve climbed into the passenger seat and Flint closed the door behind her. He started the SUV before driving toward the Dolan manor. Before they could address the small altercation at the wedding, Eve’s phone rang. She dug through her bag until she found the annoying device.

“Hello?” She answered the incessant ringing.

“Luna. This is Lyla at HQ. I have a package here for you from the valley with no return address. Are you expecting something?” She replied.

“Did it come to HQ?” Eve probed.

“No. Your name is on it but the address is to the Dolan country home. We just bring all packages from the valley here until we can confirm them.” Lyla explained.

“The country house-” Eve cut herself off. “Yes! It’s something I ordered. Please have it brought to the Dolan estate immediately.”

“Yes, Luna.” She nodded.

“Call me if anything else comes up. Goodbye.” Eve hung up the phone and looked at Flint. “There’s a package for me at HQ.”

“I heard. You think it’s the book from Mom?” Flint asked.

“Who else would have sent something to me at the country house, from the valley, with no return address label?” She sighed.

“I don’t know. I guess we’re about to find out.” He shook his head uncertainly.

As Flint turned down another road, Eve examined him. His square jaw, which he had just shaven before the ceremony, was nearly covered in stubble. His emerald eyes held a great weight in them, as if he had the world on his shoulders.

“Flint-”

“I’m fine, Eve. Sometimes, my power is too much for me too. I’ll smooth things over with Duncan. Eventually.” He interrupted her.

Eve nodded, all the while knowing that he was hiding something. Getting information from Flint was like pulling out a wild animal’s teeth. As long as he planned to keep the it from her, Eve knew she wouldn’t be able to get it out of him.

When they pulled to a stop in front of the large home, Blair was sitting on the porch with her bag on her shoulder and a package in her lap. Eve approached quickly with Flint right behind her. He unlocked the door and gestured for everyone to come in.

“This is for you.” Blair handed Eve a box wrapped in brown paper.

“Thank you.” Eve went to the living room to sit.

“The tapes?” Flint probed.

“Right here.” The assistant pulled a few disks from her bag and sat them on the coffee table.

“Did you find the address of that rogue yet?” He asked as he sat beside his mate.

“Yes, Alpha.” Blair handed him a file from her satchel. “Can I do anything else for you?”

“No.” Flint shook his head and opened the folder.

“You can have the night off, Blair. I don’t think we’ll need you again tonight.” Eve added.

“Thanks. But if you do, just call.” She smiled at them before exiting the house.

“Tapes?” Eve looked at one of the disks through its clear, plastic case.

“The Beta first rounds. I can’t be there for them all but I need to see how everyone is improving. Learn what their strengths are.” Flint explained.

“Yeah. Right.” She nodded, staring at the top of the package in her hands.

“Let me.” The Alpha held out his hand.

Eve gave him the package. He listened to the box for a moment before he shook it gently. Flint carefully pulled the paper away to reveal a nondescript, cardboard box. He popped the tape and peered into it.

“Well?” She probed impatiently.

“It’s a book.” Flint retrieved the item.

Eve took it from him when she glimpsed it. She examined the cover closely as her mate turned back to the box.

“Lunar Gifts is the title. The author just says SilverCrest.” She ran her fingers over the detailed image of the moon in the night sky.

“That’s not all she sent.” He pulled three envelopes from the box.

They were all black and addressed in white ink with first names. One for Flint, Elijah, and Eve. The large swooping letters and feminine swirls of the pen told both of them exactly who had written them.

Flint handed Eve her envelope. The pair watched each other for a tentative minute, before opening the letters.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Eve,

I found the gift my father gave me. It indeed has the legend in it you seek. Be aware, I don’t think it’s complete. Otherwise, my father wouldn’t have simply left the book to me. He would have had much more to explain.

There is hope, Luna. I swear it. I so wish I could be there for you during this time. As you know, I’m here waiting for the fruition of my plans to peacefully stop an enemy’s pursuit of our family. Just know, even if I am not beside you; I believe in you. I always have.

You are a strong wolf, woman, and Luna. I will do all that I can to aid you. I bought a burner phone. My associate assures me that it is untraceable, though you may try. I will only give this number to you. It would be best to share it with no one, but I won’t ask you to keep any more secrets from Flint.

Be safe, Evie. There are more enemies of StarLight that I thought. Some may even be living in GreenTree. I have no proof of this, just suspicions. Watch your back. Protect my son and grandchild. This is all I will ask of you.

Call me, should you need me. 555-787-3465

With Love and Trust,

S.

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Eve looked up from the page to see Flint refolding his own letter. She watched him curiously, trying to understand how he was feeling. Eve could feel that now was not the time to ask him about it, or the paper’s contents. He was tense and apparently Selena’s words did very little to calm him, if anything.

“I’m going to text my father.” He stated simply as he pulled his phone from his jacket pocket.

“Okay.” She nodded and opened the book.

Eve eventually kicked off her heels and slid into the floor. She bent over the book and tuned out the rest of the world as she began delving into the information in front of her. At first, it seemed like the book was full of simple, well known things.

Chapter after chapter consisted of tidbits like the stages of the Bonding, the age of wolven maturation, and the old ways of worshipping the moon goddess. Buried in the middle of the tome was a page that had been torn. On it lay the words Eve had been seeking but seeing them made her heart leap into her throat.

“Flint...?” Eve breathed.

“Are you okay?” Flint felt her emotional tidal wave as he sat beside her on the floor.

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An Alpha’s power is a gift from the moon goddess.

The son will inherit the strengths of his father, alongside his own.

To maintain the balance of nature, these gifts cannot be allowed to amass forever.

To end the line, the power will consume both the son and the mother.

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“I don’t think so... No.” Eve shook her head slowly as she re-read the words in front her.