* * * 

With Sage's order of a new member of the pack joining the Moon Ridge trip, Cameron hurried out the back door and shifted—Knowing it would save him time in getting home, as he needed to pack a few things. Not to mention that Camilla would no doubt shed a few tears.
Seeing now that three of her boys were headed to an unknown mission.

Luke, who thought he had seen everything between Sage and Remus, had to hold back his smirk. Andrew was right, Sage was no longer allowing others to walk all over her. Not where her pups were concerned or even these types of decisions.

The time spent away from Crescent Moon and her family had done her well, even if the Master of Arms didn't want to admit to this out loud.

He missed her just as much as any of the other wolves in the room. And he prayed his first pup to be a girl so he could name her after his sister.
Elenor hadn't even hesitated to agree.

Lavender Sage Elwood, while having a witch-based name, was going to be a strong female in the coming years. Especially if her Godmother had anything to say about it.

"He knows we're leaving at noon, right?" Andrew questioned, and Luke chuckled. "He does now. Look, I know Liam and Caleb are heading with you—Can you keep an eye out on—"

"Don't sweat it, Elwood. It'll be good for the pup, I'll watch him." Andrew said, taking hold of Luke's shoulder. And it was easy to spot the fact that the oldest was nervous about being left on pack grounds by himself.

"Thanks, Andy. I appreciate it." He said, and Sage smiled lightly at the interaction. Seeing as how the males in her life were starting to forgive Andrew for mating with her.

Even though it was more so out of survival.
Survival, which continued onto something more.
In turn, this spoke volumes considering how soft Sage is on Andrew.

With a silent glance towards Luke, Sage had taken the cautious steps towards Kara and offered a cheek nuzzle. A sequenced apology before thanking her for her work, and stating that she should rest and not worry about things while they were away.

But Remus had mentioned that she needed to answer the phone if they called.

And of course, Sage nodded in agreement.

With only fifteen minutes until their flight, Sage had sat in the middle of Remus' truck as she looked between the pups. Both strapped in their car seats and looking out the window in awe, or in Rue's case, playing with the blanket over her bottom half.

Remus was watching Sage carefully through the rear view mirror and couldn't help but let a smile grow on his face to see her fussing over them both. "Can always stay, Sage. No hard feelings if you—"

"No." She finalized, with a slight nudge.

"Um, curtsey of the passengers and the pups in the back. Don't play with the driver, Sage." Andrew chided, holding onto the safety handle above him—Almost begging to run the rest of the way.

"He's teasing."

"Remus. I haven't been in a car for goddess knows how long. Cut that shit out." Sage frowned at Andrew's behavior, and then looked back at the steering wheel.

"I can't drive." Sage honestly admitted.

"It's been a while. Think Remus has to teach us both." Andrew said, nudging him now too.

"It's hard."

"Not really. Doubt you'd need to learn to drive, it's not like we're going around human territory anyway. But once you get it, you get it." Sage started to shake her head before huffing, something that pups certainly had an ear out for.

Yet when Sage caught sight of the jet, noticing that the one that was stolen from the council had been chosen for today's trip.
Given how many wolves were set to leave and set to be returned to the given packs, it made sense.

Upon seeing the plane being loaded up with injured wolves, she was able to smile at the thought of everyone returning home.

Crescent Moon had offered the chance to be rehabilitated, giving out lessons in PT in the infirmary. But they were due to head home to their respectable packs.

Given that Moon Ridge was the common ground as the other packs would end up picking them up from—considering it was their wish to get home.

"Gonna put our bags and stuff up. Get your goodbyes in now, Sage. And don't forget to text your brother." She nodded as she started to help get Ronan out of his car seat and onto solid ground.

It was definitely strange to be wearing a dress in this weather, even with the jacket, it didn't help all that much in providing warmth. Which is probably why the twins were holding onto their mother's legs.

"What did Laura say? Beauty is worth the pain?" Sage huffed once more before taking in Andrew's attire. It wasn't often that wolves cleaned themselves up to this extent.

No, this reminded her strictly of the behavior when she visited the council in Florida. The male before her was wearing a simple dress shirt and slick black pants. But her stare lingered, and he caught sight of it.

"What?" He questioned, not understanding why she was remaining silent for so long.
"You look nice." She instated. But her voice was easily carried off to where Remus was speaking with both Eli and Jackson—Seeing as how they were left to run the pack in his absents.

With his and Sage's duffle bags in hand, he passed them off to one of the warriors that were joining this mission before standing out front to do a headcount.

Though Sage's words to Andy still left an imprint.

He looked down to his own choice for today, a similar dress shirt and the same black pants everyone around him was wearing as well—Seeing at how it was customary to dress up when visiting another pack.

Why did Sage give Andrew a compliment and not himself? His wolf was starting to reign in the reasonings.
Had Andrew said something about it and she returned the words?

Upon returning back to the two, Sage smiled up at Remus and he instantly wrapped an arm back around her waist and pulled her close. Mindful of the pups just at her feet.

"This looks like a Moon family moment, bye lil pups. See you in a week, yeah?" Rue had offered a wave while Ronan had simply huffed a goodbye to their Uncle Andy. While that wasn't at all out of character, it did earn him a smile from both Sage and Remus at how sweet he was being to their kids.

Sage's eyes had followed Andrew's hunched shoulders, wondering what was making him worry now. But she wanted nothing more than to say goodbye to the pups properly. Even then, leaving them with Amy was difficult at best.

So Sage had followed her father into the plane without another act of stalling after saying a heartfelt goodbye. While Remus eyed the remaining members staying in Crescent Moon.

Yet scowled at Andrew when he came up to join him. "Are you going to huff at me the whole plane ride?" He grumbled, and Remus continued to look out. Waiting for the final checks of the plane to settle before joining Sage in their seat.

"Sage doesn't give out compliments."

"Ah, so that's what it's about. I thought you were jealous of Rue's little wave." Remus certainly didn't like that either. "Look, she liked me when she knew I was wearing the same jeans for four days, Rem. I really don't think she knew what she was saying. No hard feelings." But there was definitely some type of feeling there, Remus just didn't know what.

"You're borrowing my clothes, too."

"Hm, so she didn't call you handsome? Damn, well, did you compliment her?" So maybe Remus didn't, or he did. He wasn't sure, as of right now he was still boiling at the idea of his mate looking at another male with intentions that should be focused on him.

"We're leaving in two minutes, with or without you two!" Hayes called out, and Remus nodded to his father-in-law before eyeing Eli and Jackson one last time.

But they settled any final words with a wave.

Get some answers, Alpha. We'll take care of things here.

Eli's last words helped Remus take the steps up into the plane without guilt, but as Sage was leaning towards Blake in conversation, her eyes landed on him with a welcoming smile.

While Andrew took to the back of the plane and joined Grey and Severin.

There was a good twenty wolves sitting around in the main cabin, while another ten were headed in return back to their homes.

Remus reached for Sage's hand and nicked his head to the front of the plane. "I spoke with the pilots, they're ours." Sage blinked toward her mate, not sure what his words meant.

Why wouldn't they be their pilots?

"Well, thank fuck we don't have to worry about that. You hear that Hayes!" Blake cheered, and the former Alpha laughed.
"I've been in this seat two minutes, Warren. Don't make me regret not sitting in the back." That earned a few chuckles from the wolves around them, but Sage felt at ease in being around wolves that she trusted.

Even if the last time she left Crescent Moon ended in a crash and capture.

As the plane took off, both Sage and Remus felt the departure from their home pack—And they weren't the only ones. They had just felt it at a different level.

Yet when the plane started to settle in the air, the seatbelt icon had been on, and the wolves had groaned in relief. And Blake didn't hesitate to get to his feet and stretch out.

While Sage stayed dutifully in his seat.

Remus, having remembered the flight to Grey Hallow had offered his lap for Sage to lay down and rest. And she had nearly instantly settled down—Humming as Remus had taken to running his hand through her hair.

Do you need a blanket, hun?

Remus asked, and Sage had just shook her head into his thigh. Her heart throbbed at the thought of the pups.

That dress is perfect on you, but it's freezing out.

You like my dress?

Goddess Sage, you look beautiful. Bear fur or this dress, I like both.

He felt her smile against his thigh, and he continued to continue the pattern of his hands soothing her worries away.

I like when you wear purple.

Perhaps Andrew was right, Sage only gave compliments when they were given first. Otherwise, she didn't take into consideration how someone looked.

Yeah? I have to start wearing it more.

Andrew looks normal.

What do you mean normal?

Andrew looks like pack wolf now, not a rogue Alpha anymore.

Now that had caused the male to sigh, and that caught Sage's attention whether he liked it or not. As her eyes popped open and she turned up with a pointed look.

You liked how Andrew looks?

He's strong male. You don't like how Kelly looks?

Alright, he was caught red-handed. Sage was allowed to have her own opinions. Sure. But it still didn't help Remus' confidence when the female destined to be with him was still considering Andrew as an option.

In feeling Remus' mood, Sage had taken hold of his hand and clutched it tightly.

Andrew doesn't get nice talks.

Nice talks, huh?

He doesn't smile. I want him to smile more.

Me too, Munchkin. Me too.

______

Date: 05/26/23

Time: 9:00 (Guys I did it!! I finally managed to post on time)

Words: 2002

Author's Note:

Nothing major, just a sweet little chapter before the chaos begins.
We've hit past the halfway mark for this story,  and the next phase will welcome the Moon Ridge pack with Alpha Kendal.

He may be considered a neutral pack, but we've never met him face-to-face with Sage.

Hopefully bringing wolves wanting to return home will be a sign of good faith, though anything can happen.

Alrighty, I wish you all a great weekend and I will see you Monday for a new chapter!
Or tomorrow, with an update on The Brave Human Mate!