* * *

When Sage started to regain conscious, the poor she-wolf felt more groggy than usual, but it hadn't caught her attention as to how loud the cave had grown.

Or that it could leak so heavily.

However, it was clear that she was no longer in the cave—Nor near it at all.

An aggravated huff escaped her, especially since her wolf was already starting to resurface from the suppression streaming from the torment. The pack and coven hadn't dictated Sage as Alpha yet, so they were no doubt following the trend they knew before. Something familiar.

Which Sage concluded to be Maeve.

The guttural hiss that rendered her to move in the small puddle that formed around her gave away one of the many things that they had done.

One was striping her of her clothes.

And the other was binding her arms.

It wasn't hard to find the cave, as they probably thought that she'd die in the conditions of the storm. But alas, Sage thrived in it.

What they hoped to end Hera—Turned into the exact treatment she needed.

Yet her vengeance wasn't far from complete. The silver cuffs must have come from one of the witches, but it failed to do much to subdue Sage as she sat forward.

It took all of one fatal swoop of her Lycan strength to rip them apart. Even if throwing them felt like the best course of action, she gripped them tightly. Still wondering what sort of mutation it was that rendered her not to be affected by them.

It was simply metal, but by definition, it didn't fault her strength or abilities. The only thing this device had done was cause her anxiety to be spiked, as Sage hardly liked being bound or contained.

She'd make those females learn, especially when she knew for certain that it wasn't directly the witches who acted against her.
It was the wolves.

Sage couldn't recall if it was Remus' words or Blake's, but the politics in the wolf world were dangerous if not understood. And she wasn't up for the game when a Beta or Delta blood was in place of her title.

When she rose further up to her feet, her head leaned back to face up toward the clouds and hummed in recognition of her healing.

"Goddess, give me strength..." She whispered, knowing that it was one of her dad's favorite lines—Both of them. Though in the time of meeting her real father, Hayes' cues and dialect surely influenced apart of Sage's own words of wisdom and understanding.

So as she walked in returning to the cave, her vines came forth and clothed her. It hadn't all been what she expected, the skirt was manly moss over enlarged leaves that surely did not come from the woods.

Or perhaps it did. Her ability to conjure up flowers has been heavily left unmoving as her month in solitude pushed her back in her studies. Hopefully, the witches here would see reason.

It was clear by those closest to the fireplace that it was Maeve's clan. And it saddened Sage to see that Elena was among the few. The others, she hadn't gotten the names or the energy to care.

But that was back in the garage, and now they were free and in a cave.

"Crescere Ignis." The witches certainly knew what that entailed, and thus they shuttered away seconds before the fire grew expectedly large—Or unexpectedly large, depending on the species of the cave.

"Hera!" Clementine called out, and while there was no malice on that end. Sage welcomed the pup with open arms, yet darted her attention to Maeve.

"Y-You're supposed to be dead! You were out there for—"
"I'm a Dowser. Water is my element. So is nature. Your pointy stick won't hurt me. Or silver." Sage said, picking up the child and coming closer to the cave, and the witches all looked at her with a hint of begging in their gaze.
Which she of course nodded along with.

"My name isn't Hera, it's Sage. I'm a Luna." Which earned her a scoff from the said wolf. "So? My father's a Beta!"
"Willow is my mom, she was Luna of Mystic Grimm with my dad. Hayes Mystic." It was clear that the voice of two high-ranked wolves was starting to draw a divide between the entire clan.

"Who leaves me out in the rain?" She questioned, looking expectedly towards Isla and the woman to her side her. It hardly took that long to rat out the three that did just that.

Sage leaned forward toward both Isla and Cassandra, as she found the witch's names to be. And ripped off the silver cufflinks that bound their powers.

"I don't know how long it takes to get nexus healed, but we wait and find out." The grateful smile and comments rendered Sage to give them her undivided attention—But earned her the curiosity of the wolves.

"Which pack are you from?" Maeve spat, trying to retain her final moments as a leader. But seemingly failed by her lack of dominance.
"Doesn't matter. Grey Hallow ally of my pack, and I don't remember Beta Joe and Julia having a sister. You're a liar." Pinning the attention back on Maeve caused the others to dart this way and that.

"You're a Rogue?!" One she-wolf instated as she rose up to her feet beside the still beating fire. "N-no! I'm not! My father is a Beta, but I was born to the Lichen Pack name! I'm not a Rogue!" The deification was quick and easily made, but Sage's growl echoed nicely within the case and silenced those who were disgusted.

"Rogues have rights. I helped reform hundreds. We travel to my pack and get everyone home safely. Okay?" Sage might not know what an electoral speech is, but she certainly was upping the votes of her followers within seconds.

The range of a Luna was vast, especially as there was a pack willing to listen to her words and laws. Maeve came from a dead name and a dead pack, though that didn't make Sage look at her any differently than before—It was her actions that she was worried about.

"You want to follow a hybrid?!"
"You listen from Willow, she's a Hybrid. You sit by my fire and I'm a hybrid—You escape because I'm a hybrid. Listen Maeve, or I'll leave you out in the rain. And I like to make thunder." She said, and just to add the emphasis, the quick cackle and boom outside caused a few shivers and whines from the rest.

"I go and find food, rain will stop soon. We leave in the morning. We're too close to fa-cility." Sage's word had resorted those who had been outcasted from the circle to sit closer, especially now that she had started to take the bindings off—However, one thing was for certain in the former Beta daughter's mind.

Once the witches had their powers, they would be the leaders, and she couldn't allow that to happen.

"I challenge you!" She screamed over the roar of the storm, and Sage stopped in an instant before turning around and locking eyes with the she-wolf. "You survive two years in facility. I survive twenty. I survive bounty hunter, bear hunt, and mermaids. You want to fight me? Goddess, give you luck." She prayed for Maeve, as both Luke and Leo had instilled a sort of sportsmanship into her from the very beginning.

The only time she ever came close to cocky was when she compared her bear to Luke's.

Not that it wasn't impressive, it was more so in a tease considering it was just banter between two siblings.

Sage hadn't heard Maeve's declaration to kill her, not when she thought of her brother—Brothers. All her siblings, including Jade and her females back home.

Then the obvious is Remus and the pups.
What she wouldn't do to just hold Rue and Ronan, to get word to her mate that she was alive and well...And that was only if he hadn't gone off and away to the moon.

"What is your pack challenge rules?"
"We aren't in a pack, Maeve. This is Rogue rules. There are none." She said, easily topping the she-wolf still in the issued uniform, yet it was soaked within seconds as Sage held her pinned down into the mud below them.

It was a shame to ruin either piece of clothes with the amount of supplies they had one them right now, but one thing was for certain. The win hardly felt like a win.

"You...Are not an Alpha. I am." Sage huffed, letting the first sign of submission be all that she needed before releasing. It was hardly a game considering she had no wolf and her own was already starting to fight through the drugs.

"Beta...Elena. Maeve, Delta—Potion mistress?" Sage called out, and the witches looked beyond one another before their eyes landed on the woman beside Cassandra. "I um...I know a bit. It's been a while since I've been able to—Since I've been free." The shy witch spoke in nothing more than a whisper as her head rose from her sheltered position. "What's your name?"

"Ethel...I'm Ethel, Alpha Sage." The title caused Sage's wolf to whisper a rumble in applause, it felt so strange to hear, but after the cuff, it felt...Right.

It wasn't her mate's title that made her in charge any longer.
It was her own.

Not that Remus' name would do anything more now, and for the sake of what the other packs knew...She'd remain quiet on being a part of Crescent Moon. Being labeled a Mystic and Willow's daughter was enough.

"We try and make potion to get medicine out of blood. Friends in Ember Circle use steam."
"T-that could work. We just need water and stones," Ethel said, with a bit more courage in her voice.

"Build smaller fires and collect rocks. Cover up the door." She directed, and Maeve scoffed. "The cave can barely hold the thirty of us. How do you plan on making this a sauna?" Sage blinked off towards Maeve for a moment and then huffed.

She wasn't the best of her earth-like abilities, but movement and hollowing out weren't as much of a challenge as before. And thus, she moved towards to feel the wall, it now being near empty since the party of wolves and witches came to see the fight.

The fulfilling nap Sage took in the rain allowed her to feel energized and refreshed, but it was clear that to keep spirits high...She'd need to figure out a better plan.

In all of two motions, she pranced in a small skip before her fists connected to the stone—it followed in a sort of push and tug, all before she sent the majority of the back wall farther away.

Having made the cave that much bigger to appease Maeve. "This is not home. We find a better cave like this, then set camp. We work on sauna and then move in the morning. The rain clears up soon. Find lots of sticks and rocks." The order was set in place, and Maeve followed Sage out of the cave just as she created a moss-like tarp to cover the basics of the cave's entrance.

It wasn't in a Delta's nature to continue to question the Alpha, but it wasn't true disagreement as Sage never felt threatened by her. So when they managed a few minutes away from the cave and the rest of the clan. Sage turned to her Delta.

"Why are you angry?"
"Why? Why?! I just spent two years in that hole. You come in and—and...And manage to do everything I couldn't!" Sage pouted and nodded, continuing her walk and trying to find the better part of the animal's tracks. And thankfully, there had been a large bush of berries, plentiful as well.

"What pack are you from? I don't remember anyone with your name."
"I escaped two years ago, my brothers were captured and they join me...We escape together and go home, to Crescent Moon."
"Y-You're Moon's mate?" Sage nodded and sighed in hearing his name.

"Supposed to be born in Mystic Grimm, but I born in a cage and Willow is still there. She couldn't leave, said Armond cannot die." Maeve shook her head and instantly shivered at the mention of his name.

"No, he drinks this weird essence. That's where he goes for two weeks. He gets more." Sage's small makeshift bag had been tied, and the one she loaned Mae had been equally as packed. It allowed the two to continue through the bush, taking as much as they could fit beyond the brim.

"What pack are you from?"
"I...My mom is from Grey Hallow. Joey and Jules, they're my cousins." An understanding gaze caught the conversation to a halt, and Sage smiled down to herself as she captured a few more berries.

"Jules is my Beta's mate. She has a son. Elias...And Joey— I help him and Ian adopt Rogue pup. Arabella." To hear this caused Mae to crack. The hard exterior had loosened. And it was safe to say that Sage was expecting it.

"When we get to Crescent Moon, I help you...I'll help everyone. But we need to get there first. I don't know where we are and we can't shift, so we keep moving and try to heal. When we can shift and witches can be their familiar, we can get farther." Mae nodded, wiping her tears from her eyes and onto her sleeve.

However, it didn't help as the drizzling hadn't subsided just yet.

"We'll need some big leaves to fan around the steam. It'll be good to sleep through the night with it." She decided, and it earned her a firm nod, and it was clear after a month of living with Hera—Sage, that was simply how she responded.

"You lied...About your name."
"Yes, because my name in system. Master take me away from mama Willow when I was born. I never see her after."
"T-that was the first time you saw your mother?" Maeve croaked and Sage nodded, though her eyes were much softer in the mention of her mother.

"When I first come to Crescent Moon, my brothers in-tro-duce me to Mama Milla and Papa Leo. He's Master of Arms, and they teach me how to be wolf and live. My brother Liam and mate were with me, and I need to get back soon." The urgency in her voice spoke more than a loss of the bond, and Maeve frowned.

"What's wrong?" Sage remained silent and continued her task, only until Mae gripped her Alpha's wrist lightly. "Tell me...I'm your Delta. We need to work together."
"I don't trust you anymore, Maeve. Submission is not enough. You need to earn the title before I trust you again." She installed and continued upwards with the large leaf-woven bag, and Maeve followed in pursuit. Though it allowed a few steps in between the both of them, it was a better picture to see both the wolves and witches starting to work together.

However, Sage took one look at the clothes drying, or the lack of everyone not wearing pants. "We use clothes for beds and blankets. Elena? Come here, please." She ordered, and the she-wolf had come forward after helping the pups move another rock into position.

"Alpha." She greeted, her neck slightly bent in greeting. Though Sage didn't hesitate to install the trust of a cheek rub, making Maeve jealous at the contact and trust.

Elena certainly wasn't as innocent as Sage's pictured her to be.

"Undress. I make clothes." Either she-wolf had looked to one another, but in seeing their Alpha in the unique get-up, they couldn't call her out on such a lie. It certainly looked warmer than wearing nothing and hoping their pants dry up soon. So Echo had soon found herself tugging at her scrub shirt and smiling at the ready.

Sage smiled in that regard and after a few motions here and there. Beta Elena had received something of the same of Sage's gown, though the cape was a bonus.

Thus Sage turned to Maeve in the same expectation, yet remained silent. Unsureness lofted into the Alpha's nose, and a natural hum allowed the she-wolf to feel much more comfortable. Especially since it didn't seem that Sage meant any malice in this moment.

The hand twitching didn't take all that long, and to be quite honest, Mae thought this was a perfect substitute, the moss was thick and warm. And the cloaked cape even had a hood. "You like it?"
"It's wonderful, Alpha. We can use these as blankets! I've found a few small twigs I can sharpen and sow." Sage let out another nod before spotting either of the pups attempting to do their part.

"We need cups."
"For what?"
"To make tea, better to drink warm and can add more. Get more." Sage's explanations continued to make more sense, and Mae turned down to see the two bags of berries. She had only eaten a few but they were definitely sweet, and her starved taste buds certainly adored anything with flavor.

It caused the Delta to realize that Sage had done the same creation for the pups, and they twisted and twirled. Saying that they were princesses, only to tackle Sage's legs in an effort of thanks. "Are you warm, pups?" They nodded eagerly, which caused Sage to give them a task to complete.

To bring the others over here one at a time to get dressed, as well as take the forgotten clothes off towards Elena in the corner by the fire. The extra stitchers worked on the material that was needed, making the Beta's task much easier. Though it was truly the blankets that those who were smart enough to render some use.

With the clan's population now dressed and now much more enthusiastic, Sage had taken both the pups and a few witches over toward the small body of water. It wasn't at all correct to call it a lake as she's seen bigger. But for the pups, it was a beautiful moment, and the pureness gave the adults a moment of clarity.

Even if this was going to be mountains of work, this was going to be a beautiful life from here on out.

It hadn't taken too long to dig up mountains of clay, and after a few dozen attempts. They managed to get a kettle, dozens of cups, and large bowls.

Both Adelaide and Cassandra were taken aback by the Hybrid's knowledge of their world, and by the way Alpha Sage spoke—It seemed like she had known much more before she discovered her abilities.

That is how she started to talk about Raven, a fellow captive that she saved. The time spent collecting, it was a blessing to see the sky starting to darken, and yet—the beautiful and welcoming smell of both berries and meats caused Sage's mouth to water.

Ethel had proven her worth in a mere hour, as the large brewing stand that might've earned curious glances when both she and Sage were constructing it...Had managed to be useful and efficient.

While Maeve had managed to lead two females that caught a few dozen squirrels with the help of both Bree and Kira, both Hunter's daughters. It meant that their expertise in traps caused Sage to smile. But what the Alpha was starting to see was that the divide was starting, from the dozens of conversations with Blake, she recalled that a shift of power always happened.

So it was not over just yet, though her wolf expected it. Maeve was—is a strong wolf. Once her beast returned, Sage would expect a proper challenge, unless of course, she withheld the title as Alpha to a degree that even Mae agreed to.

Ethel and another witch named Leah had started to pass around the tea, the clay holding up well. Which caused Sage to hum to herself in delight. Luke always had something to say about her attempt to make dimensional art, yet she managed well enough when it mattered.

"I uh...Well, I think it's safe to say it's the Goddess' will that we managed through that." Elena said, her cup of tea sloshing slightly as she managed up to her feet. "May the Moon Goddess bless our journey, bless our recovery, and bless our numbers...Alpha?" Sage had risen to her feet one more, knowing that she should've prepared a speech earlier, but it clearly wouldn't have worked.

Especially after her Beta's words.

"Day one is over. We will make this work. I tell a few wolves my pack name and rank. Yes, I am Luna Sage of Crescent Moon. My Alpha and mate is Remus Moon. I only know a few packs that you're from, but I know my pack has bad blood...Some are from White Paw? Yes? I will make sure you get to my sister, Luna Haylee. And then Silver Tail? Moon Stone? I meet both Luna Fiona and Luna Enid..." Sage breathed for a moment and sighed, knowing that if Darius was here and lively, he'd tell her to inform them.

"...Before I come to the here to Underground, my mate was shot by Councilman Nathan. That male is dead and packs are at war. I was going to Mystic Grim with pups to stay safe...But plane crashed and I was taken by Underground, by Armond. There are more fa-cil-ities than the one I sink. Lots more. We need to share what we learn, and we need to go home. To see pups, to see Mates and Lights...to see family. Goddess bless our travels." She said and raised her cup to the air, and the rest had given their cheer. The small sip everyone had taken caused Sage to sigh in relief.

Had she added a small drop of her blood to the mixture? Yes.

The witch in her burned to help aid the recovery of everyone stationed around the fire, it needed to be done. Though a part of her knew that Darius would return and reign havoc at being so careless, but now the eyes set on her trusted her much easier.

And if she caught the first glance of Maeve correctly, it was followed quickly by a blush.

Confusing Sage more than before.

______

Date: 02/21/24

Time: 11:45

Words: 3765

Author's Note:

If you read the first version of Half Crescent, you know I was a little all over the place with Maeve's character.

Some of her antics are the same, but I will say, I do like this version much better and I hope you do as well!

The rewrite is going okay, I did have to make a few alterations, but we're back on track and moving ahead.

I hope you're all having a wonderful day and I wish you a fantastic weekend!