Intuition

Flint parked in front of HQ with twenty minutes to spare before the elder meeting. When he and Eve entered, they were greeted happily by the quiet of the lobby. The pair rode the elevator to the third floor and proceeded to the conference room.

“Where’s Blair?” Flint began typing on his phone.

“She said she would be here before the meeting. She will be.” Eve gently lowered the hand grasping his device.

“I need to look over the search reports. Duncan was supposed to give them to her after the early morning patrol.” He sighed.

“You mean these?” She produced a file from her satchel and handed it to him.

Flint raised an eyebrow and opened the folder. An appreciative smile graced his lips as he sat at the head of the table.

“Yes. Have you already seen Blair this morning?” He probed playfully while he perused the pages.

“She had a cup of coffee with me at sunrise.” Eve shrugged.

“I know you didn’t go for a run. Why were you up so early?” Flint caught her gaze.

“I’ve just been sleeping a little less lately.” She sat beside him. “Everything’s okay.”

“I don’t like it when you don’t sleep, Eve.” He stated honestly.

“I’m fine. Really.” She smiled at him and shook her head.

Are you? Flint’s wolf invaded her mind.

We are. Promise. The she-beast replied.

Eve squinted at her mate, who simply grinned at her. Flint knew that even if Eve wasn’t being honest with him... Her wolf would always be honest with his. A knock fell on the door.

“Enter.” Flint spoke without looking away from her.

Blair stepped into the room with her Bluetooth still on her ear. She said a hasty goodbye before sitting beside Eve.

“Alpha. Luna.” She greeted them with a nod and began pulling documents out of her briefcase.

“Blair.” Flint acknowledged her before looking back at the papers in front of him.

“Would you mind sending Jay's assistant an email about the upcoming Calling? I need to know the schedule GraySky has come up with.” Eve asked.

“Of course, Luna. I’ll have his itinerary ready for you by tomorrow evening.” Blair replied as she began typing on her PDA.

"Speaking of tomorrow; I need you to clear my schedule. Eve's was already pretty empty but I need you to reschedule a teleconference with NorthWood. I know they have grievances, so you should expect that." Flint stated.

"Got it." The assistant continued typing.

A knock fell on the door and Eve could sense who stood behind it. The elders. Flint closed the file in his hand and nodded at Blair to let them in. Joshua came in first. He drove his motorized wheel chair to sit at Flint's right hand. Elijah came in next, casting his son a small nod.

Next was Tim, followed by Edward. He had taken over the seat vacated by Steven. Once everyone was seated, Blair closed the door and stood in the back of the room with her pen poised over a legal pad.

"I've been over the security reports. Let's make a note of the scent trail into Calgary. The rogue followed our border for a few hundred yards." Flint stated.

"Noted." Joshua nodded.

"Where was the trail lost?" Elijah asked in a flat tone.

"Off highway nine, on the outskirts of the city." Flint replied.

"And the new training protocols?" Tim probed.

"The advanced program is producing its first graduates in December." The Alpha answered.

"What's next on the agenda?" Edward probed.

Flint glanced to Blair for a response.

"The Calling." She stated.

"The decorations have already been purchased. They're being stored with the chairs and tables. The stage has been built and the caterers have been paid. Speeches will be done by the time of the event; I see no need to oversee those." Eve explained.

"And the attendance of the other packs?" Joshua asked.

"Alpha Noah of SilverCrest has agreed. Alpha Jay accepted and offered some warriors for extra security, should we need it. However, Alpha Daniel from NorthWood has yet to respond. I'll set a meeting with him." Flint replied.

"Do you know the reason for this?" Edward probed.

"I have suspicions." He answered.

The Alpha's vague answer silenced any further questions on the subject. Half an hour later, after more discussion, Tim and Edward exited.

"News?" Elijah asked while shooting Blair a suspicious glance.

"Blair, you can go. I know you have scheduling to do." Eve spoke quietly.

The assistant nodded and left the room. Eve knew that Elijah wasn't comfortable talking about some things around anyone except family members.

"No sign of her. The interviews in the valley are still being led by the specialist, Anna." Flint answered.

"Selena wouldn't have gone far. She would stay in the area." His father sighed.

"The smartest thing would be to run. Maybe she has." Eve thought aloud.

"No. She is near." Elijah shook his head assuredly.

"If she's near, we will find her." Flint stated.

"And the Anderson boy?" Joshua probed.

Flint and Eve shared a look. No one outside the elder council was aware of the progress being made in tracking down the fugitive. Joshua knew more than the others because of the grievous injury he'd received at Bastian's hands.

Elijah was seething for revenge but Eve felt something else through the mindlink. A feeling much stronger than his need for vengeance... He missed his mate like one would miss a detached limb.

"Eve found something but we aren't sure of its importance yet." Flint stated slowly.

No specifics. Flint's wolf entered his mate's mind.

"Bastian gave out the names of some of his friends. The information was too shallow to be helpful. However, I may have located an acquaintance of his." She explained carefully.

"Who? Where?" Elijah's gruff voice reminded everyone of his bias.

"Irrelevant." Flint answered for her.

Elijah's gaze was sharp when he turned it to his son. Flint, on the other hand, remained steady with an unbothered expression.

"Once we know how important this lead is, you will be informed." The Luna tried to ease the tension in the room.

"When can we hope for an update?" Joshua asked.

"Before the week lets out." Flint responded.

The room grew quiet. The mindlink was nearly vibrating with stagnant frustration and anger. Eve was the first to break the heavy silence.

"The silver lining is; any progress is still progress." She wanted to remind everyone that any clue was indeed good news.

"Eve is right. Now, we have an appointment." Flint rose to his feet.

"Will I see you for dinner?" Elijah's questions somehow always sounded like commands.

"Of course." Eve nodded.

The couple left and boarded the elevator. Once the doors closed behind them, they both released a sigh of relief.

"Did your dad happen to say why we were expected for dinner, when he summoned us?" Eve asked curiously.

"Not really. Something to do with Ashley, I think. He mentioned that she would be there with Evan." He answered.

"So after the appointment... What happens?" She asked thoughtfully.

"If everything is good, we'll tell Joshua of the pregnancy. He's our chief advisor." Flint explained.

"I know that at least one elder must be informed of any Alpha children... But what do you think he'll say?" Eve probed.

She was nervous enough about becoming a mother and telling people somehow added to that anxiety. Her mate could feel it. Flint instinctively wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her to rest her head on his broad chest.

"I don't know. But that's not what matters." He breathed calmly.

"And what is?" She scoffed.

"Everything will be okay. I'm going to make sure of it." Flint placed a kiss on the crown of her head.

He inhaled her scent as she allowed the soothing, electric feel of his touch to calm her. The doors opened and, within minutes, they were seated in Flint's SUV and headed toward the doctor's office.