* * *

Grey's comment didn't make much sense at first, until they went through the underbrush of Oak Wood, the thick forest had been a surrounding barrier—But did not house any Nymphs for Sage or the witches to converse with.

The height of the trees was straining Sage's neck as she gazed to the top. It was as though the forest was attempting to compete with the size of the mountains, and goddess she was curious to climb up one.

With the in-betweens starting to grow thin, the line of the pack had started to conjure into a single file—Worrying her as she couldn't see the end of the pack to where Grey was, nor the front off where Severin and Elena were.

We're almost there, Pumpkin. Calm that heart of yours for me.

She huffed in response, her breath joining into the air with a fog of white clouds. Goddess, was it cold.
It was strange enough to see the rest of the wolves panting along, but they ran for the majority of the way—Hoping they could make it before nightfall. And they were blessed with the warning howl that sounded off in the distance. This caused Sage to rise to sit up as Andy threw his own back in response.

It was the perfect clause for other wolves to start rummaging this way and that, but thankfully her advice of putting the witches in the middle and away from harm had been met.

Especially when Yaxel had growled in a warning for the Coyote and Badger to stick to his side.

A few males had shifted all around, and those in fur weaved between them. "What business do you have, Rogues?" The question remained in the air, and sure they looked as though they were migrating for the winter.

But that was not the case.

"I'm Luna Hera of Half Crescent. This is Alpha Andy...We're here to speak with Alpha Julian." She decreed, and thus the males turned rigid. Of course, they were warned of the possibility of housing refugees.
They just didn't think it could become a reality so quickly.

"We'll take you to the pack house. Follow us." She nodded and held tightly to Andy's thickening fur. He sent a warning growl to her, which she teased—Knowing full well it was because she changed her name again on him without confirming it.

Not that either Julian or Alanna would know of Andy's Luna's name, which was never fully addressed in the letter. Instead, Sage smiled at seeing the onset of houses. She assumed the large ones were communal—Almost like the library in Crescent Moon, it was used for the school and the rest of the pack. However, the given houses were small, perhaps just a room or two inside.

She knew what that meant, as Andy had explained it before—It allowed the pack to save supplies but also did not give so much space to heat up.

Realistically, all a wolf needed was a living area, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom.

As they grew further into the town's center, some bigger houses started to come through. All with the rustic edge of a cabin feel.
Just outside the house, mountains of firewood stacked each angle and then some, though Sage had a feeling that it wouldn't be enough for this winter.

"It's so pretty here." She whispered off to Andy, but one of the Oak Wood Males had huffed his appreciation to the comment. Yet it soon placed Andy at the forefront of strangers being too closer to his female. His fur hiked up to warn them off, and if that didn't do the trick—His risen muzzle to reveal his sharp teeth was enough to scare the scout or warrior on the opposite end of this escorting party.

"Andy, please be nice...They're helping us." She whispered softly, running her hands through his fur, which earned her a ruffling shake of his head. He attempted to look up, though his efforts only ended with a soft kiss on his temple.

"Almost." She said, and he found himself purring at the thought of what tonight could possibly entail. Though he bit himself back, once Sage was looked over by a healer, then he could entertain those thoughts.

But for right now, he had to turn off his survival mode and turn into a compelling Alpha.

Especially if he needed to start pulling his weight and then some to make up for the fact they were going to use up so much supplies.

Both he and Severin had started with a game plan on those who could possibly help. The first was to offer the witches help in gaining shields around the territory, that in itself was valuable.

Or better yet, the necklaces that they wore to keep their clothing throughout their shift.

Yes, the list was starting to grow pretty well.

As they approached the largest building that Sage had scanned in the area, a small smile came up as she caught sight of a female with tanned skin. It was clear that this woman was Luna Alanna, and Sage certainly wasn't oblivious to the different types of people—Not when she kept up with her latest shows, and Remus was not about to harm her innocent mind with racist views.

Instead, she was told that people with different colored skin were not any different than him or her.

So she smiled underneath her bearskin, Severin nudged her thigh with his nose and aided her off the Alpha's back. She held onto them both, as the previous accident of having her leg falling asleep called her to fall down with the leverage of snow pillowing her fall.

Just as she was holding onto either of their backs, Andy and Severin shifted to hold her steady. Yet this time, he was at least decently prepared to use her feet and walk forward.

The majority of the pack remained in fur, surrounded by the escorts ever so often.

"Luna Alanna, it's been a long time." The woman's eyes flickered over towards the male and hummed. And instead, her attention had gone down to Sage—The height difference wasn't hard to see, Sage stood just under Andy's shoulder blades. Yet this woman had just a decent head taller than her.

"Luna Hera, it's a pleasure to finally meet the she-wolf that's decided to deal with this one...I noticed you traveled on your mate's back, is everything alright?" Sage realized that perhaps they weren't at all informed that Andy wasn't her true mate, but she soon moved aside her bear skin and revealed the layers of bandaging they had wrapped it in.

Alanna soon turned over to another she-wolf, one of the same origins. "Pegue o curandeiro!" [Get the Healer] Sage smiled and rose up to give the Luna a quick rub of the cheek, and while it startled Alanna for a moment. The woman caved in quite quickly.

"I haven't met a young wolf with old customs such as this one. You couldn't be a day over twenty." Again, her accent was thick, but Sage wasn't bothered.

The trust she felt for Alanna came off in waves, but Andy's eyes still followed after the woman Sage had spoken to. And Sage nudged her uninjured to his stomach.

"She's going to get Healer, thank you."
"Ah, Falante nativo, sim?" It earned her a set of perked lips as Sage shook her head. "I'm learning Latin, I only know some words."

The amused look on Alanna's face caused Sage to turn away from her mate's hold. Shy wasn't an easy trait to come by, but part of Sage hadn't managed to realize that Alanna was a different generation Luna.

Well into double her own age.

"My mate is finishing up a meeting, come...Let's get you all warmed up." Alanna had continued to call out orders to those surrounding her, but as the numbers of Half Crescent began to shift, the need for a quick cover-up was unnecessary.

Which earned the Alpha couple a raised brow from the Luna.

"My female is full of surprises. We'll talk more about it once everyone is settled."
"Of course, come...There'll be food and drinks in a bit." Upon entering the large pack house, Sage realized that every square foot of space was not at all wasted. However, in seeing some more of Oak Wood's females, she smiled.

With the harsh climates, they would surely need thicker fur than most. And the prime example was sitting there in front of them, as the females weren't as skinny as Sage or the rest of Black Crescents.

No, they held an extra layer to prepare them for winter.

And judging by the glares, Sage realized that perhaps Alanna's warming words would be the only ones she'd be receiving.

Ignore them. They smell the Alpha on you.

They smell you on me, or they smell me?

Both, our scents are mixed together. Probably more now that you drank my blood. Just keep your head up high and ignore them. We're not looking for a petty fight.

And if they start a petty fight?

Oh, then I give you full permission to prove to them that you're a badass.

Her smile hadn't faltered, only when she was introduced to the high chemical smell of sterilization and the quick sight of needles that she squeezed tighter her hold on Andy.

"Luna Alanna...Has the Alpha let you start training again?" The male ushered, and the bright laugh caused Sage to feel slightly better. But only for his eyes to look behind his Luna to the new smelling male and female.

"Newcomers! Oh goddess, welcome!" The male hurried to his feet and came over with his hand extended out, of course, he meant to greet the female first. As it was the polite action to do, but Andy intercepted him.

"Don't mind this one, he's finally understanding the mate pull. I'm so proud of you." Alanna cooed, reaching up to pinch his cheeks—Thus causing Andy to groan.

"Luna Alanna found me first, after the Underground threw me out." Sage's eyes widened as she looked between the two, so her instinct of them being closer than he let on was right!

"And he had the damn audacity to run away in the middle of the night!... Right, we'll talk about this after lunch. This is Luna Hera. She has an injury that's not healing. And I'm sure a few others should be looked at too?"
"If you have enough hands, my Healer Brian survived the attack." Sage had turned to sit down, her head feeling fuzzy as she had to catch and stable herself—Earning Andy her attention to steady her from falling further.

"How long were you traveling?" Alanna gasped, with caused Andy to lean down and kiss Sage's temple. "A little over a week, we're exhausted—I'm sure she'll bounce back soon...I uh...She received her heat just a few weeks ago. I'm really not all that positive she is pregnant, but if there's anything to check then—"
"I'd be happy to check over your Luna, Alpha Andy. Would you like to stay in the room while I perform the evaluation?" There wasn't a moment of hesitation as he let out a nod.

Alanna had given her final parting words before rubbing her cheek to either of them and setting course to make the preparations for the guests.

It wasn't often that they hosted for anyone, but neither she nor her mate could turn away Andy.

Speaking of the male, he was having the hardest time remaining still at the other end of the room. He had been banned by his female's side, considering all he was doing was growling and snarl after every little touch or gasp Sage would produce.

He knew she was fine as the bond didn't suggest any real pain. "Well, everything seems to normal, her arm, I mean. My best guess is that the pregnancy is already taking effect on her body, and that's why it's taking its time to heal. But this paste should speed up the process, I'd like you to come in after breakfast, and before you turn in for the night, so I change and redress it. If it doesn't heal by Friday, I'll make a few calls." Sage nodded, liking the feel of the medical-grade wrappings as she attempted to move her arm to get used to the added texture.

"Pup?" She questioned, and the male hurried over to his binder and read through it. "I've only dealt with a few pups. Our real healer is over at Arctic Crest. They've got a little situation that we wanted to help with. He should be back in a few days." Sage's eyes went wide as the male started to follow the instructions and listened for him.

"What kind of situation?"
"Oh nothing they can't handle—My bad, I forget you're considered a Rogue, Andy. The last time I saw you, you were as skinny as your female over here." It caused Sage to giggle into her hands, especially considering Samuel was feeling around for the beginning portion of a womb.

"When did you say her heat was?"
"About a month ago, I had to give her some of my blood the other day after losing so much from her arm..."
"Ah, well I can't see anything just yet. But that doesn't mean all hope is lost. Once Doc comes back he'll know for sure. I don't suppose this one told you about what having an Alpha pup means?"
"I shift for birth. I see it before." Now that certainly startled Andy. Why hadn't she said that before?

"That certainly helps, but again Doc helped Luna Alanna with her children...I have no doubt he can help here." Sage smiled up to the Healer but started to pout when he prescribed bed rest, plenty of food, and fluids to help her regain her strength.

Andy mentally made a list knowing that Sage's stubbornness was going to reign in once she was required to sleep in. Realistically, even he could sleep for a week right about now.

Sage followed after him back towards the main room to see the majority of their pack mingling around others. However, in a moment's notice, a female had thrown herself into Andy—Her arms wrapped around him instantly.

"Andy! When they told me you were here, I couldn't believe it! You're back!" Sage knew right then and there what this was, a reunion with a female who was involved with him prior.

It wasn't hard to notice, not when she had to deal with Kelly and other jealous females all in the same room.

No, Sage was used to having a target on her head and being picked apart by people who wanted her dead.

"Lucy...I'd like you to meet my Luna, Hera." The shock was written all over the woman's face. Though Sage wasn't all that surprised. Not only did she feel pathetic with a wrap binding her arm, but she certainly didn't look as put together as Lucy did.

Her braids were days old. She more or less smelled like sweat and blood. And the better part of her was dying for any sort of warm cooked meal, so she smiled up to the female and nodded.

"Nice to meet you, Lucy." She said as polite as she could manage, though it ended when the stranger disregarded the greeting, and Sage looked back up at Andy. "I'm going to sit with Grey and Elena. Find me later?" He was about to protest, but she already had her back toward him, and Lucy had swooped in to wrap herself around his arms.

"And? What'd the Healer say? Am I going to be an Uncle?" She shrugged her shoulder and curled further into the pillow. The couches were beyond comfortable, and Cassandra didn't hesitate to massage her shoulders.
"Luna Alanna said we can all take baths in the hot springs. Will you join us after dinner, Luna?" Her eyes sparkled up within the moment, and she hummed, especially when Grey and Chase were joking about the idea of a jacuzzi—And she knew exactly what that was, after having listened to Jackson try and convince Aurora of purchasing one all Fall and Winter.

Looking out the window, it seemed like their hot springs would have to wait another day as the snow began to pile up against the window.

Soft arms began to wrap around her, and a head locked onto her shoulder. "You're thinking loudly, little wolf...What troubles you?" She leaned her head instantly into Alanna's and sighed.

"Everything...Dinner was good, thank you."

"Oh please, who do you think taught your male how to cook?... And who do you think is going to punish him for disregarding his injured and pregnant mate."

"It's okay. He can sleep in the snow if he wants to...Is it okay if I go to bed?" The two were soon joined in by a she-wolf named Juno, as Sage had finally learned. Juno would be the next reigning Alpha once she had passed a few trials that her parents had set out, and goddess Sage couldn't contain her smile.

The idea of a strong female leading this pack was a beautiful sight, and by the way the female held herself, she didn't doubt it would be all that long. Though Alanna certainly had a few golden years left in her to lead.

No doubt Julian did as well.

"Not rude that I go to sleep before meeting Alpha Julian?" The Mother and Daughter duo had claimed that tonight was done with, that nothing productive would come without rest. So being escorted into a small double-sized bed, Sage began to feel the sense of aloneness—For the first time in Goddess knows how long.

The room really only held enough room for the bed itself and the closet in the corner, the bathroom was down the hall, but all Sage could think about was stripping down the bare nothing and wiping the warmed cloth against her skin.

After doing so, she undressed and found herself snuggled underneath the warm covers with her bear fur on top of her. Tomorrow she'd be productive, as Juno claimed. And better yet, she was going to find a sowing kit to fix the small gap that was starting to come undone again.

Just as she was about to join the world of her subconscious, the door opened with an abrupt creek that demanded to be heard. Causing her to peek one eye open to see a rather guilty-looking Andy as he tried to silently push it closed.

"Sorry, Pumpkin. Forgot this house is ancient." She hummed, and he whispered a few things about settling in the remainder of their pack members in the bunks downstairs—All of which could've been discussed tomorrow, however when he finally did join her underneath the blanket, he grinned, almost delirious when he caught that she wasn't wearing anything other than her panties.

"It's going to be hard to keep my hands to myself when you're not wearing anything..." He said with a small growl right beside her ear, and while she gently pushed herself away and a playful smile grew, her face fell flat as she gaged for a moment.

"What—what's wrong?" She covered her nose and huffed, knowing full well this was a possible sign of morning sickness or the idea of foods making her stomach queasy.

"You smell different..." Was all she said, and an instant flame rose in both her glare and her heart. And Andy didn't have time to think before she turned fitfully around and used the extra pillow to block him from touching her.

"Pumpkin?... I can get Sam if—"
"No. He won't help you stop smelling like she-wolf." Sage smiled when she heard him curse, she might hold her tongue before, but she wouldn't be able to hold back.

Not when Lucy was nearly obsessed.

"Sage, I—"
"I deal with crazy she-wolves before that love my mate and want me dead. I am not doing that again. Last time almost killed me and my pups."
"What? No, Lucy would never do that. Honest, Sage, if you meet her tomorrow she's—" She turned over her shoulder to look at him, to really look at him for a moment.

Then another.

And then another before she turned back around.

"Jealous she-wolves are dangerous."
"If she does something, tell me. I won't tolerate—"
"Mate says the same thing, but nothing happens until too late. Now go to sleep or go somewhere else." She deemed, and Andy remained silent as he watched the back of Sage's head. His female had every right to be defensive, especially when he realized that he had been mingling with everyone but his supposedly Luna.

Nor did he correct anyone when they said they were mates, but his idea of a mate meant that they would greet strangers together. To be introduced as a set couple, and while it didn't feel like Lucy dragged him away, Sage's hands had been clean the entire time.

If anything, Luna Alanna had given him reprimand for not knowing that she had gone to bed early. He expected it, of course. Most of his packs were trickling away and were only staying up to show respect.

He had only managed to get a few words into Julian, who was quick to see how exhausted he was and decided to settle all matters tomorrow morning.

______

Date: 10/08/22

Time: 9:43

Words: 3660

Author's Note:

I'm so sorry this is late, I had a small procedure done on my foot and worked the last three days. I almost didn't post tonight because of my internet, but I hurried through to get it posted!

What do we think about being introduced to the Oak Wood Pack?

It's a quaint little pack, small cabins, kind Luna, and a jealous ex...Nothing could possibly go wrong!

Alrighty I'm off to bed, night night and I'll you all on Monday (If my internet doesn't betray me again)