* * *

Andrew had difficulty falling asleep, being so far away from Sage. It felt strange, not being overly cautious or being aware of their surroundings.

Instead, he enjoyed the pull-out couch with ease, thankful for the plush pillow that somewhat smelled like both Sage and Remus combined.

It cured his ache, but also made him feel like a damned pup now being back in Crescent Moon.

The male groaned into his hands, rubbing his eyes in the process of trying to wake. Knowing that the small sounds just outside the window was Half Crescent starting to wake up for the day.

Then, as Andy started to sit up, he feel the dreaded sense of something looming in the horizon—As if something was on the tip of his tongue that it dawned his mind to exhaustion.

However, the light pressure on his chest pulled him away from his dream, causing a growl to course through the room; though the whine had been the one to truly wake him up entirely, the weight had felt much larger now, nuzzling to his chest, and a smile sparked on his face.

Rue had snuck out of her room to investigate, perhaps confused by the scents trails throughout the entire house. And granted, it made sense.

There were nearly a dozen wolves just in the house, it was bound to confuse some of the pups. Andy assumed that she was expecting her mom instead. So he held her in an attempt to keep her still, hoping that she wouldn't yelp or bark.

The house wasn't awake just yet.

Having Rue cradled in his arms, he made his way from the office and smirked to see the office door slightly cracked open. Evidence of her entrance, but that allowed him to easily make his way through the house and stand outside the master bedroom.

It was only when they neared the door that Rue started to grow anxious, attempting to wiggle out of his embrace to get to her parents, leaving Andrew to chuckle.

With careful hands, he placed Rue down to the floor and opened the door to allow her to get to them, and he smiled to see that she knew just how to get into the tall bed.

Better yet, how the pup crawled under the bed to get to the other side, and with one quick whimper, it caused Sage to instinctively reach for the pup and help her up.

Andy took a moment to watch the pup snuggle into her mother's just before departing. Happy that he could at least make Sage's morning a little brighter.

Not wanting to linger, he made his way down the steps—Trying his best to remember that he wasn't a pup himself anymore. It was easier to prepare himself not to see Emery downstairs readying a breakfast fit for a King.

Something that Randal had demanded of her every morning.

Back upstairs, however, Rue's determination to play with her mom's hand had caused Sage to rouse awake. Pulling away from the blessed dream she'd managed to conjure felt painful.

One where she returned home and found her family.

But once she opened her eyes, she realized just how much of her dream was a reality—Minus the feeling of relaxation. Since Sage still felt the soreness wracking her body, she would need a few meditation sessions to get through the knots in her muscles.

In the midst of a stretch, Rue had started to gain a better handle on her mother's hand, as she teethed and the tension in her jaw a little less painful. But not for her poor mother, who sucked in a breath when a sharpened pang had pierced through her skin.

"Rue, not a toy," Sage claimed, sleep echoing each word as she sent another kiss or two to settle the energetic pup. Remus could feel either of his females near him and wrapped an arm over Sage's chest over Rue. He was still half asleep, content with what was happening at his side.

Leaving a smile to play on his face with ease.

Though their peaceful morning had soon been interrupted, Hayes wanted to talk to Remus separately—Saying that he spoke with Sage and pushed forward the decision that the Goddess fated. However, he wanted to put the word of fear into him to ensure he was patient and caring. In addition, he wanted to know Remus's true thoughts regarding the blood pact Andrew and Sage had made with one another.

But with the house so quiet, he had decided to peek into their room and uncover something so pure that every father wishes upon their children.

"Goddess, have mercy on my heart..." The whisper had made Remus jump at attention, hating that this was his first reaction to Hayden Mystic's unsettling appearance just peeking into the room.

Yet Remus's response caused Sage to flip herself over and make sure that Rue was protected underneath her, leaving the young pup to squeal, interrupting the adults surrounding her and bringing them to attention as to what had happened.

And to what could only be described as a scoff as she whipped her hands down her face to look at her father, "Good morning, " she said with a slight yawn, which Rue copied. This earned her a giggle from her mother and a bit of laughter from the other males in the room.

"I need to speak with you two when we have a free moment today. It's not up for discussion, Sage." It instantly earned the questioning male Remus' warning glare, and, of course, he paired it with a growl, not liking the intentions set, given how peaceful this morning had been set to play out.

But she no longer held the effect of his voice and, thus, tilted her head.

"Coffee and tea first," Sage demanded, "then talk."

"Eggies!" Rue's announcement made Sage relax internally as the pup returned to skin and tackled her mama.

Hayes didn't give Remus a chance to fight him when he left the room, especially when he still had to speak with Clark. He planned to be more lenient on Remus, given that he had witnessed the poor male rising to his feet and grabbing his cane—"Remember whose house this is, Hayden."

While it should've earned him another growl, a smile popped up, "I know, just a friendly fatherly reminder."

With Rue properly in Sage's arms and a robe around her body, she peeked into the pup's room to see that Jade was already changing Hardin.

"Good morning," Sage said, walking off toward the closet to see what Rue could wear, but Jade stopped her.

"That duffle bag is filled with Rue's things. I usually just let her pick what she wants to wear." The pup was so infatuated with just being in her mother's arms that she hadn't caught what Auntie Jade had said, so when Sage bent down to check through the bag—It caught her attention outright.

Ronan had come up beside his mother as well and showed her with a bright smile what he wanted to wear, too. The positive reinforcements had blessed the twins, as Sage couldn't stop smiling and cooing at them for simple things. Of course, Jade wanted to tell her more about a morning routine.

But that was not her position anymore; she wasn't acting as their mother—she had been denounced back to an aunt.

Jade had started to talk about Christmas in fewer words, as apparently, the pups knew the holiday a little better than before, given their age.

Which was exciting in itself, however, Sage had lightly held onto Jade's forearm, withholding her from continuing to talk in circles in order to take away from the discomfort.

Sage learned, long ago, that it was better to just rip off the bandaid than slowly take it off.

Well, both metaphorically and physically speaking.

"Thank you. I know I make you angry before, but I think I was angry at Eli and Julia and can't shake it off. I know Mama Willow will say thank you to Mama Camilla when she comes back home, you take care of my pups when I can't..."

"Sage—" It earned the Alpha she-wolf to shake her head.

"...But I am not happy that you don't help Remus. He doesn't have family, he only has me. That's why I only throw Harlow out of house, because I know Remus is not easy male to help." With that out in the open, Sage had bent down to pick up both of her pups.

Though Ronan sure was gaining in weight as a young Alpha male should, she would still be able to carry them in her arms for a bit longer before they outgrew her.

"We tried to—" Sage glared at Jade, not wanting to hear excuses or lies, and Jade huffed. No, the problem is they didn't try. They punished him and didn't seek out any other alternative than taking the rest of his family away.

"Andy always says 'they mean well,' and I think you mean well, but doesn't always work out. It's okay. I don't know what to do about Remus or Andy too, and I don't want him to hurt pups."

"Do you...Do you forgive Remus?" Jade asked, cautiously phrasing the question, not knowing what the decision is—And truthfully, after how Jade acted with the pups, she wasn't sure if Sage would feel comfortable sharing such a deep confession

"Not yet," Sage confirmed, her eyes flickering towards the door, knowing the pups in her arms were getting a little reckless in wanting to start their day. But she sighed once more with a frown... "I don't want to be angry. I don't like being angry, but it's hard. Remus is—" My mate. That is what Sage wanted to say, and even in the midst of it all, the bond was starting to wander in the direction of forgiveness.

But also the maternal instinct wanted to protect the pups from everything and anything. Even if that meant their father.

And close to instantly, the female abruptly mumbled one word, her eyes tearful—Not for Sage, but for Remus, as the male didn't deserve everything that had been thrown at him. "I'm sorry..." It wasn't a mystery as to what Jade was talking about, but Sage was thankful that she could fix the relationship with her brother's Mate. Hating that the first female she connected with were at opposite ends.

Forgiveness is the first step in the right direction. Once Sage let her shoulders fall, she relaxed as she thought of their next step together, "Help me heal Papa and Remus. They don't want it, but they need it."

"Do you think we can sneak it into their coffee?" Jade asked, and Sage grinned along with her sister as they walked downstairs.

She'd need to be careful, the smell of her blood would instantly be caught by her Mate and perhaps even her father would be more toned into his missing pup.

Not to mention, Andy was pretty keen on the scent, given how many times she's gotten injured in the last few months.

When she managed to go downstairs, she caught a few of her wolves and witches walking through the house. They thanked her for the restroom after she had taken a shower.

Apparently, the house had been in operation for the last twelve hours, as others had taken refuge in the kitchen, just to lounge around and take advantage of the warmth and kettle.

The fire downstairs had been roaring the entire night as well, and just as she had stopped at the bottom of the stairs, Harlow had taken Rue in his arms to take the weight away from Sage's tiring arms.

Her gaze followed after them for a moment until her wolf felt content with where her pup was going to make sure she was alright. "Come on, mamas, let's get you something to eat," Harlow called out to his Mate and sisters.

Sage had bounced her son to her other hip and placed an adoring kiss on his head as he babbled and grinned at the attention from his mother.

Sage matched the smile, even as she turned to Jade, waiting for the signal—Wondering if they could accomplish this today.

Jade winked, though it was a moment when Ronan had caught sight of Dillon in Drake's arms. "Hey bud, I think Grandpa is making some eggies if you're interested?"

"Grandpa making eggies?" He questioned, though it was more towards his mother in confirmation that she came over to the stove to check.

"Cooking up plenty here, no worries Roe." Hayes placed another kiss on his daughter's forehead as well as his grandson's. In a room filled with grandchildren, he was glad for Rue among them.

There were so many future Alphas in the room, that it made a small pedestal for Rue to easily get her grandpa Hayes favoritism.

"Go sit down, Hayes. Sage and I can handle this." Hayes didn't hesitate to give up the reigns of the stove. It wasn't that difficult to feed the eight wolves and the pups when the cooking had been for the children.

The serving trays of hash browns had been delivered soon after the pups had been fed and cared for, though everyone dived into their coffee and teas.

What are you smiling about over there?

Andrew called into her mind, and she caught his gaze, although it hardly mattered. Not as she watched, a little too happy that Remus and Hayes were drinking cups and cups of coffee that Jade offered them.

Jade help me sneak potion in papa and Remmy's coffee, shhh.

When'd you manage to brew a potion, hun?

I ask witches for empty potion, only need a little blood. They need to heal, Andy. Remmy can't be Alpha with a cane.

Andrew growled, and Sage huffed. "It's rude to ink at the table, Sage," Hayes said over the brim of his mug.

"Not rude. He ask if I want more food and everyone is talking," She claimed, and Andrew was able to follow along with the lie as he rose up to grab another few things from the trays.

Mostly potatoes and bacon to satisfy her cravings from her time locked away. She would do her best to heal her body, even if it meant treating herself now and again.

Remus watched Andrew for another few moments in suspicion before turning back towards Hayes and Harlow. "We'll need to call the list of packs that the Wolves originate from."

"Thankfully, there are only a few from any Coldridge pack," Andrew answered, "not that they want to go back." Sage nodded at the idea of Half Crescent leaving to an even worse state.

"I can call Issac and Mary!" Sage wiggled, her excitement growing at the idea of calling her old friends and making up for the time lost. But that caused her family to still.

"We need to be careful, Moonlight. Not everyone is going to be happy that you're back." Remus warned, and Sage's lips parted at Remus' warning.

"You didn't have to say it like that." Andrew huffed, frowning.

"Alright then, Drew," Remus narrowed his gaze, "tell me a better way to say that our relationship with other packs aren't the best at the moment." The brutal reality of the situation was hard for Sage to swallow, and she questioned who wouldn't be happy.

Besides Coldridge.

"Everything with Eli taking up as Alpha, we have to be careful. Julia is the main reason Issac and Mary didn't cut us off. But Joe and Ian will be watching and ready to retaliate." Remus continued, and that had caused Sage's shoulders to fall at the mention of Enid and Fiona—"Who's going to be mad?"

"And why would they be pissed? Didn't you finish off the war?" Andrew questioned, and Severin's slight smile off to his Luna made her feel better.

But it still didn't get rid of the pang in her chest.

"They lost a lot of Wolves..." Remus breathed, hating every word, "...In the process, they claimed that they followed a scentless trail to find a female who was already marked for death. The connection to three packs should've been enough, but I guess they wanted to help and now regret it."

"Fiona too?" Sage whispered, and Remus nodded, wishing that he could lie and say that it wouldn't be an issue. But the hundreds of Wolves lost between Summit and Coldridge was an awful coming to equality.

It was the consensus that Crescent Moon had used their connections yet again to rage war. Right now, it has been silenced, so perhaps they should wait and allow the holidays to roll by.

But Sage owed it to those in Half Crescent—"People outside want to go home."

"I get that, Moonlight, but we have to be careful. Crescent Moon's representation is at an all-time low. And Eli hasn't—"

"Hasn't lived up to any of it, he's promised a whole lot and didn't manage to fulfill any of it." Harlow had cut off Remus' explanation, and Sage hated that her family was putting Remus down without a second thought.

"Any pack like Eli as Alpha?" Sage pondered, but Hayes shook his head, "Besides Grey Hallow, no. Not really."

Sage nodded along to her father's explanation and settled to grab her phone. It'd been salvaged and rebooted for Remus to be able to morn properly with the hundreds of photos taken on the damn thing. But as she placed the phone up to her ear, she eyed anyone who dared speak.

Not that she would listen.

"Hello, Luna Mary speaking." Remus sighed into his hand but knew that this would be a rather explosive end for everyone else. He was hoping to remain neutral like he's attempted to since he's been Alpha.

"Hello, Mary, it's Alpha Sage. Can you get Issac? I need to talk to you." The silence over the phone caused those around Sage to lean in, curious as to what would happen.

"I-I don't know who this is, but that is the cruelest joke to play on—"

"Not a joke, I'm back. I missed you, Mary." She claimed, a smile gracing her face, but the line had gone dead. Causing Sage to look down at her phone in complete awe.

"It's nothing to take personally, Bubbles. Friendships with other Alpha couples rarely work out." Hayes said, taking a sip of coffee, but Sage wasn't about to take that as that as an answer.

"They're mad because there's no win with war. It wasn't supposed to be a war, but Coldridge said yes to war. They—" The ring of her phone caused her to jump, earning her a bit of light laughter around her, and she would've been pissed at those who did. But seeing Mary returning her call caused her to answer it instantly, though Remus was hesitant.

"Mary I—

"Who is this?"

"Alpha Sage...Issac?" The line had gone silent once more, and Remus nudged her to hand him the phone. "Issac, it's true. Sage is back. She wanted to make sure you and Mary were okay." Remus' words on the speaker didn't allow for much continuation of the conversation, not when Mary had cried out—"Really?! Sage is it really you?!"

"Hi bi-t-ch." The pronunciation of the word had instantly called Mary to howl with laughter, much like those around her had. Sage wasn't one for swearing or cursing, and if she did—It was due to her friendship with Mary Hallow.

"How are you? How's Remus...Gods right in time for Christmas!" Mary was much happier than Issac was letting on, however, Remus noticed that the call had turned into a FaceTime call and he instantly accepted.

Pointing it towards both Sage, with Rue in her arms.

Issac was waiting for confirmation, but his entire figure had been taken back at the single wave Sage had made with Rue's hand. The male howled, and Sage smiled off toward Remus and the rest.

She had that instant effect on people, and while the war might have been partially her fault—Nobody thought she deserved the hate. It was just easier to place on a dead wolf. But now she was no longer dead, and she hadn't been a part of the rest of the war.

That was on them, solely on them.

"We're coming over." Issac said, without hestiation.

"Tight fit, Issac. We have Sage's family here and the pack that she traveled with. Sure, we can fit you and Mary and some warriors, but it'll be—"

"I don't care if I'm sleeping outside! I just wanna see my girl again!" Mary shouted, and Remus shrugged his shoulders and allowed it. It seemed like his airstrip would be just as crowded as when the Council came to save Nathan.

While mentioning a fixed sleeping arrangement, Sage wiggled in her seat—Which the pups were all too eager to repeat.

"We talk to Half Crescent and then go and see Eli, " She declared, catching sight of her confused Mate, with Andy mirroring his expression. So she continued, "Before Julia's brother comes, or he'll try and talk out of punishment. It's not just Eli." She had the slight reminder that Julia was indeed pregnant, and thus, it wouldn't be a physical punishment, and thus, the female smiled.

She let her eyes drift towards Remus, and Andrew knew they were Linking. He also knew that they were fated mates and, of course, that they would be returned to one another.

But dammit, it still hurt his inner beast.

"I think that's a pretty good idea, hun. We'll figure it out after breakfast." Remus said, and Sage agreed, continuing to nibble on the sliver of bacon until Rue attempted to wrap her entire hand around her mama's wrist to get a bite.

It instantly blew away the hatred Sage had for the situation and what was about to happen, perhaps if Eli had been much more conversing and nicer after her name had been revealed.

Though Andrew nudged her. "I think you're forgetting to call someone..." 

______

Date: 01/01/25

Time: 12:20 PM

Words: 3857

Author's Note:

Surprise bonus chapter for the week, and marking the first upload of the year--

I know I didn't dive to far into it, but I will say a lot was accomplished within the last year.

I managed to rewrite Lacking Humanity: Half Crescent, upload it, and even get a headstart on the current story!

I have managed to compile advertising material for the first LH:CM book and commission some artwork!

And the most surprising finish is The Luna of Crescent Moon, a spin-off story that I thought was just written for fun. But it ended up being just over 150k words, and there is still so much to explore!

My Writing Goals for 2025:

○Finish uploading Moon Ridge
○Edit The Luna of Crescent Moon
○Finish writing The Luna of Crescent Moon (Book Two)
○Write/Edit Lacking Humanity: Grey Hallow
○Edit my Motorcycle Romance and submit to the creator's program
(Shhh, it's a secret for now!)
○Plot out a short story for The Brave Human Mate Universe
○Commision another piece of artwork for LH and TBHM
○Create an author website OR Facebook page
And last but not least:
○Self Publish Lacking Humanity: Crescent Moon

____

I think I've listed all I'm planning for this year, and let me tell you, it might be a small list, but some of these goals are bigger than others.
I'm feeling confident that I can check off at least a few of the bullet points above!

And if now, 2026 looks just as bright!

Anywhoo, I hope you all have a fantastic first day of the new year, and I'll see you next week!