Intuition

Eve watched Linda walk away, after she'd asked for the third time if Eve was sure she wasn't hungry. When she looked back to Selena, she saw her waiting patiently for more questions.

"Do you know where Bastian is?" Eve asked bluntly.

"No. I just know he isn't supposed to be in the valley." Selena answered honestly.

"What do you mean by 'supposed to be'?" She raised an eyebrow.

"You haven't asked me why I helped him escape in the first place." She stated, seemingly randomly.

"I didn't think I had to." Eve took a deep breath. "You have been disconnected from Elijah and the pack for years. You didn't want to see Flint kill his best friend from his childhood, so you freed him."

"Yes and no. There are holes in your knowledge." She shook her head.

"I'll listen to you, Selena. Tell me." She nodded encouragingly.

"Everything you believe is true but there is more. I have an agreement with Bastian." Selena explained. "When I agreed to let him out, he agreed to leave the area."

"Selena..." Eve rubbed her eyes tiredly.

"No, Eve. Listen to me. It's not as silly as it sounds." She responded quickly.

"No? Because it sounds like your saying after one conversation with him, you convinced Bastian to give up his life long plans for revenge." She was exasperated.

"No. I talked to him about why he hated my family to begin with. He believes his parents are innocent. I distracted him and asked him to stay away from the mountain and the valley in the meantime." Selena kept her tone calm.

"What did you use to distract him?" Eve probed curiously.

"He wants me to believe his parents are innocent. He thinks that by proving their innocence, I'll betray the chinch in Elijah's armor." She explained.

"I have been assuring Elijah and Flint that you wouldn't do exactly that." She exhaled.

"I would rather die. They're still my family." Selena nodded.

"How long do you think this distraction will last? And what happens when it's over?" Eve asked.

"I spent years trying to decipher whether or not Tony and Clair were innocent. The information simply isn't there to be found. I think it'll take him some time to find all the evidence he wants. And when he's done, he'll return to me. I'll figure out what to do next in the meantime." She answered.

"It's a good plan but I feel like you haven't taken into account how much he hates Elijah and Flint." She shook her head, unsure.

"He hates Elijah. True. But he said he doesn't hate Flint." Selena stated.

"He does. He's jealous of Flint. Flint is the Alpha, he has a mate, and his life is exactly what Bastian thinks Elijah took from him. That jealousy became hatred over time." Eve explained.

"Either way, he is thoroughly distracted for now." She obviously didn't agree.

"Are you in contact with him? Or can you reach out to him somehow?" She probed.

"We don't talk but I know someone who could reach him. Bastian introduced us before he left." Selena explained.

"I'm going to need his information." Eve retrieved the notepad from the bag in her lap.

"Eve... I don't want any innocent rogues getting hurt. I've already got a couple of alarming deaths." She sighed.

"Deaths?" It felt like the air around her grew suddenly thin.

"Yes. I was searching for a rogue couple that went missing. They were respected business owners and they had a son. They didn't even pick the poor pup up from school. Their bodies were found on the mountain." Selena breathed.

Eve's heartbeat accelerated rapidly. She felt lightheaded and the power swelling within her made her fingers tremble. She clenched her hands into fists and took a slow, deep breath.

"Evie?" Selena asked worriedly.

Eve felt Duncan coming closer. He had noticed her distress.

"I just got found. Give me the information, your contact won't be hurt." She stated.

"Okay. His name is Jack. His phone number is 555-655-7789. He lives on the outskirts of Calgary. I don't know the exact address." She spoke quickly.

"And how can I get in touch with you?" Eve glanced up as Duncan entered the diner.

"You can't. I'll reach out, Eve. Soon. Just wait for me." Selena replied.

"Anything you want me to tell Elijah?" She probed.

"Actually, yes." She inhaled deeply. "Tell him... Tell him not to take risks. I am safe. He must keep himself the same way."

"And Flint?" Eve added.

"Tell him everything I said. And that his mother loves him." Selena stated.

"Luna?" Duncan greeted her.

"Hey, I was-" She cut herself off when the screen in front of her went black again.

"Are you okay?" He probed, looking her over.

"I'm fine. Let's go." Eve stood, taking a moment to steady herself.

"I didn't see your company." Duncan furrowed his brows.

"She wasn't here physically. I'll meet you outside." She nodded toward the door.

Duncan left but stood just outside. After leaving some money next to her water glass, Eve took the tablet and the earbud to the girl waiting across the room.

"Tell our friend I'll relay everything as she said it." She placed the items on the table.

"I will." The half-breed nodded.

Eve left and stopped beside Duncan.

"She called over video chat on a rogue's tablet. I need to tell Flint what I learned." She stated.

"Do me a favor, when you do that?" The commander led the way back to the gas station.

"Sure. I owe you at least one." Eve replied.

"When you tell Dolan about all this, try to minimize his reaction toward me. This was your whole thing." Duncan shook his head.

"Sure. I'll work on that." She restrained the urge to smile.

Bringing Duncan was supposed to be her saving grace when it came to explaining things to Flint. The irony was nearly too much. The ride back to GreenTree would be a long one. It would be a road trip filled with Eve trying to think of how she could tell Flint about her deception.

She hoped her mate would understand, but she knew he would most likely still be angry. Eve had endangered herself again, which was something Flint hated. And now, even her back up was awaiting Flint's reaction.