Insight

The last snow of winter was coming. For most, this meant nothing more than the coming of spring. For Flint Dolan, it meant the last chance to save his mate was quickly approaching. The Alpha power had been gathering in his bloodline for so many generations that it threatened the lives of his mate and unborn pup.

The only thing that would be sure to save them both was the winter jade vine. It blossomed with beans only during the last snowfall of the year and grew only on the peaks of mountains. Flint had sent his star pupil, Johnny, to lead a team of warriors to the surrounding mountains in order to find the vine. The search continued without progress.

Eve had been kidnapped in January. The end of February was nearly upon them now, and Flint had been fighting the urge to go to Kirkwood and take her back. Bastian Anderson, his once best friend, had been in possession of the StarLight Luna for longer than Flint thought he could bear.

Still, Bastian had a temporary solution to the power that threatening Eve and her child. Until Flint could insure she would be safe without it, he couldn't simply burst in and save her. No matter how much he yearned to do just that. In the notes Eve had managed to send, she wrote in riddles and poems.

Flint was still trying to dissect their meaning, but the name of this 'temporary solution' still evaded him. Flint had returned to the Alpha seat, though only symbolically. It was obvious to those around him that his mind wasn't on pack business, it was on his missing mate.

The Alpha had been sleeping on the couch in his office, unable to feel at ease in his home without Eve beside him. He stayed there before in the hopes of keeping his power from effecting her. Now, he found himself contemplating how much time he had wasted.

He could have had more days with her before her abduction, had he been able to stop blaming himself for her predicament. He thought he was doing what was best for her and, without meaning to, he'd hurt her before he lost her entirely. Flint could feel her in his mind, though not as he once did.

Eve's link to the pack was open though she hadn't used it to send a single impulse or order. Her link to her mate, on the other hand, remained firmly closed. The pack link was Flint's only way to feel her. And he focused on it every chance he could. Eve's resolve was often buried in anxiety, anger, and sadness.

Still, in knowing that she wanted to be saved just as much as he wanted to save her... It gave him hope while damning him to further depression. Flint stood off the couch and stretched. He looked at the calendar on the desk and sighed heavily. Another day without her... The prospect itself caused his chest to ache with vacancy.

The shrill ringing of the phone drew him out of his thoughts sharply. He looked at the caller ID on the screen. It was Anna Delanie. She was the specialist warrior assigned to observe Kirkwood, while gathering information on Bastian's and his rogues. Flint picked up the device and cleared his throat.

"Alpha Flint Dolan." He stated into the phone.

"Specialist Anna, checking in." She replied.

"It's ten. You were due to check in at six. Any trouble?" Flint probed.

"No, Alpha. I postponed my call-in time to learn more while I had the opportunity." Anna explained.

"Very well. Report?" He replied.

"None of the humans in Kirkwood know anything about the name Bastian or Anderson. The Shadow pack of rogues goes unnoticed as well. However, I've heard talk about a young man matching Bastian's description." She stated.

"And?" Flint sighed and sat at his desk.

"The name he's using is Seth Lawler. We can be sure it's him because of the family name. The Lawlers were the couple that Stardust Hope placed him with after his exile." Anna answered.

"I know the names of his foster parents. Tell me what he's been doing in Kirkwood, according to the humans." He replied quickly.

"He bought several acres of land east of town, a few miles into the woods. He built a cabin there and he often allows campers to stay there. The humans all have nothing negative to say. He helped them repair their businesses after the storms last year, he carries the grocery bags for old ladies, he-"

"I get it. He's their local hero." Flint pinched the bridge of his nose. "The 'campers' are the Shadow pack members; I'm sure about that. He's making the humans like him, I need to know why. What does he plan to use them to do?"

"I don't know yet, Alpha." Anna replied.

He took in a deep, slow breath to calm his annoyance. His inner wolf was stirring with frustration.

"Anything else of interest?" Flint eventually probed.

"Yes, Alpha. The local physician made an appointment under the name Lawler. It's in a couple weeks." Anna answered.

"Alright. Continue your assignment. Check-in time is still the same." He stated gruffly.

"Yes, Alpha."

As the specialist accepted her orders, Flint hung up the phone. He tossed it onto the desktop and ran his hand through his hair, pushing it back. The investigation, and his recue efforts, were taking too long. Flint was tired of waiting.

Little thing needs us, and here we are. Failing her. His inner wolf growled in his mind.

We know. Flint retorted sharply.

Then we should do something! All this waiting will only make things worse! The animal barked.

Doing something will get Eve killed, or moved, or worse. We need to be able to help her before we go get her. He internally reasoned.

And if waiting is what gets her killed? Or worse? What will we do then? The wolf was frustrated, even more so than his human counterpart.

We don't know, okay?! We don't know... Flint answered himself.