* * *

The meeting was surprisingly informative, the pictures of the uncovered building were identified as an old formation of the Oracles of the Holy Knot, but not the modern period.

Hayes was quick to theorize that Randal would have put the entirety of the packs in America back into the stone age, leaving females to be titled bitches and nothing more than homebodies and to care for the pups.

Had he won the war, of course.

It wasn't far off from the chaos Randal had created in Crescent Moon either, but in recent times—It was much more equality centric and focused on prosperity in the newer testaments. Both Jade and her former Alpha had spoken the most and identified what they could, but there wasn't much to go off of.

Sage played over the conversation in her mind again and again, that packs hardly looked at a higher power beyond the Moon Goddess. But the presence of two separate cultures of Greek and Norse was tugging at her thoughts. Torin didn't know what to make of it either, not when they were dependent on such a small amount of information.

Her dreams were readily available to walk through both the temple she visited in her mother's body to the one within a few miles away. Something connected them, as the placement of the 'stained glass' was relatively the same.

As though they were telling a story.

"We'll see each other again real soon, Sage...Very soon." The voice was a familiar one, but his body didn't align with what she saw—Not with the flashing images paired with the falsely stained glass trying to promote darkness and dictatorship.

"VERY SOON!"

The shout erupted in Sage's ear as she shot forward, her hands touching her neck to ensure that there wasn't any collar or anything binding her arms and legs. It took her nearly falling out of bed to feel secure enough to breathe evenly, yet the familiar candle scent had placed her back in her bedroom—The one right across from Remus.

It was just easier to find peace here in her 'office', as Julia was starting to call it, as nobody wanted to admit to the fact that Sage and Remus were sleeping separately.

Or that Andrew occupied another room just at the end of the hall.

Then it hit her, Remus nor Andrew would be coming to her rescue for this night terror—Even when she felt the hands of Armond burning at the touch.

They weren't connected with a bond, thus having no idea what was happening—Which caused Sage to crack, feeling almost as alone as when she woke up bare in the rain.

It wasn't them that was betraying her, it was a dutiful point to be made that she needed to choose a male. Not linger around both, even if time had built up powerful emotions with the second.

Pulling herself together, she wiped away her tears and settled with the idea of checking on the pups. Who were sound asleep and nestled perfectly under their blanket, and as she allowed herself the moment of humming and combing their hair back and out of their face, Roe had decided to wake up and smile up at his mama.

The young toddler had offered up his stuffie, and Sage took the bear and kissed him on the top of his head. "Mommy sees you in the morning, goodnight Roe." It was enough to send the boy back to sleep within mere seconds, with his head tilted to the side.

He was defiantly fighting the urge to stay awake.

As she closed the door with a soft click, it left her in the hallway confused about what to do now. No part of her wanted to get back into bed alone, and as her eyes lingered off toward the stairs, she didn't crave a hot beverage either.

Nor was it safe to take a night run.

Her options were limited, especially when her dad was staying in the pack house instead. Saying that the house had too many people to get any real sleep.

She hadn't gotten any real sleep for some time now, and it wasn't hard to figure out what the blessed factor was. Both she and her wolf missed her mate, but having a former bond that was now disconnected made everything feel numb.

Only when they reached out and touched the bond did they finally recognize the other as what they once were, it was damning—And in the beginning, Sage had thought it helpful to not have to focus on a male, but for one reason or another, she wanted her male.

It was instinctual for wolves to find comfort in one another, especially those they've bonded with. And Jade's whole spiel about being faithful to a life partner hadn't sunk in until now, she realized how devastated she would have felt if another female had taken her place.

As Luna, mother of her pups and mated to Remus.

In the morning she would talk with Andrew, she needed to try and push out her feelings and emotions—Or perhaps speak with Cal before attempting any sort of change, not wanting to risk things coming out all wrong.

With her emotions and thoughts combined into one set motion, she had come towards Remus' door and gently peeked her head in—And her wolf had nearly howled at the sight of Remus sprawled out and clutching one of her missing pillows, she hadn't thought anything of it.
But now it was sending her back into a chaotic whirlwind.

She never would have thought she missed sleeping in this room—Yet that is what she fought so damn hard for in attempting to come back, he was the main reason besides the twins and the rest of the family to return to.

So why had she thought space was the easiest way to solve this?

Sage never lived in a world where Remus' bond didn't affect her, and it was still growing increasingly difficult. Even when she had slipped into his side of the bed beside the door, he didn't instinctually move to hold her.

Not until her scent reached his nose and he began to wake up. "Sage...?" He called out, sleep thick on his voice—And all she could do was conform to his backside and hum. "Hey, hun, did you have a nightmare?"

She hummed, funny how it was a nightmare that lead her to his room. But he didn't care, he was following Hayes' advice in letting Sage come at her own pace in getting back together.

And with the internal rage of everything coming back into the spotlight, a failed Heat, and the pups craving their mom's attention—Their relationship would take time to return back to what it was, if it ever returned back at all.

"Miss you." Her voice had come out in the form of a whisper, but as Remus turned around to look, he realized that she wasn't half awake as he first thought. "You want to talk about it?"

It was a genuine question, one that Calista had instructed those around Sage to ask on occasion. Hoping that maybe one day she would share everything that happened in the months she was pronounced dead.

"Bad vampire man says he's coming to get me soon." She replied, her nail fiddling with the blanket that she wrapped herself in. Yet her attention peeked back up when Remus' growl filled the room, providing her with the necessary comfort to fall back into his embrace

"He's not going to touch you while I'm still around, and there's a long line of people who want him dead." While Sage didn't respond, her long inhale was enough to settle his wolf.

"Can I sleep here?" She asked, wondering if she were the one to be too pushy now. And a playful smile had erupted onto her mate's lips. "I'm not sure, can you sleep here?" She thought for a moment before realizing he was starting their conversation with a gentle tease.

"I ask because I don't know...If you want me here."

"Sage—What gave you that idea?" The disbelief in his tone instantly caused her to feel guilty about her reasoning. "You're mad about Andy." She whispered back, the insecurity just building by the second between the both of them.

"Even if you were carrying his pup, you're welcome here. This is our home, our pack. We're mates, and sometimes the world will get in the way of us." Her nod was delayed, and Remus could only hold himself back so much.

His hand gestured to push the better part of her long bangs back behind her ear, electing a delightful shiver to escape her body. And Remus followed by tucking her under the covers.

"I want you, Sage. Now more than ever." Relief struck her instantly, giving her the proper go-ahead to push her lips lightly to his—And the spark erupted and began to glow, pushing their instincts to overcome any past incidences to bring them back into the moment.

To what had started as a chaste kiss turned into Sage gasping for a breath as Remus nuzzled her neck and pressed deeper into her ever-so-responding body.

With so much at risk, Sage was thriving at the good in the world. His hot breath did wonders to elect her arousal, and he followed in pursuit soon after. But the sharp gasp came out in surprise.

When both had come to a combined stop, it was clear nothing would happen this night or anytime soon. But that was okay in Remus' mind, as he kissed her once more and moved to his pillow, tucking her just under his chin.

"You took my pillow." She whispered, only for his body to shake in laughter. "Yeah, couldn't help myself. Even when Andy stayed in here on the couch, I slept better with you nearby." Shifting onto her stomach to face him properly.

"So busy we can't talk anymore."

"Yeah, almost forgot how much work it is being an Alpha. Once we find a few leads, we can start relaxing. And the second we find Willow and kill that vampire man, we're headed to Florida for vacation."
"Vacation?... Why Florida?" Her only experience of Florida was the council's territory, so he soothed her worries by expecting a large meeting. Explaining that Florida has beautiful beaches, ones that a douser like herself should experience the ocean a few times in her life.

"It's nice and warm, and we need a break."
"A break with pups."

"Sounds like a dream, a very far away dream." Sage nodded with a small pout, wondering what lay between them and a stressless activity with no objective other than to have fun.

And thus, Sage had fallen asleep soundly with the gentle image of a beach. While Remus hardly needed any imagination, as having his mate back beside him was all he ever wanted.

As morning came, the pups weren't all too chatty and made their way out of their cribs on their own and decided to play with the toys scattered in their room.

A shriek of laughter had pulled Andrew out of his slumber, not that he managed to get much with how soft the bed underneath him is. But his thoughts continued to plague him, not to mention that he missed Sage.

He missed her more than he ever thought he would.

It didn't help that he craved comfort when the Synder family was about to be put on trial in the coming days. The entire court will be broadcasted to surrounding packs, and it was driving him insane to think that he would have to stand as a witness and relay everything that had happened and how Snyder managed to rat him out of a suicide mission—But also encourage pain to four innocent wolves?

He made it a point to speak with them, to check in. But the last thing they wanted was a reminder of his scarred face.
Even if they were too nice to say it, John included.

"Hey lil moon pups, what're you two playing?" He asked, kneeling down beside them, as of right now the twins were the better part of his day. They were so innocent and sweet that they didn't care about his scar, not to mention that they were the near-identical copies of two of his favorite people.

"Uncle Andy! Read you book." Rue's excitement had stumbled a bit as she wobbled her way forward and fell into his lap, all while pointing to the pictures and making up her own story.

It was absolutely precious that Andy didn't have the heart to correct her on any of her mistakes. And Ronan listened just as intently as he fiddled with his small wolf figure.

Goddess, did he wish he could have the life Remus has. Just the idea of a mate and pups was causing his wolf to whine out in desperation. Even when he nuzzled the young pup, imprinting his scent into his head—It wasn't enough for his craving.

The matra of 'when everything is over,' struck once again. And the anxious feeling sparked up once again, leaving a heavy weight to rest above his heart and threatening his breathing.

He needed things to be over, and soon—It wasn't that he hated living in Crescent Moon, it was just too much of a reminder of what he had and lost.

Perhaps he could take up Issac's offer and move to Grey Hallow, at least there he could start a new life surrounded by his mother's family.

The pups had soon grown bored with the toys in their room and decided they wanted to move downstairs to the playroom. After helping them both down the stairs, he called out to Sage and Remus—But they weren't in their normal spots in the kitchen.

Frowning, he set the twins in the playroom and secured the child gate to make sure they wouldn't run all around the house unsupervised. In checking Sage's room first in seeing it empty, he assumed rather quickly that she was off on an early morning run before the pups woke up.

Not that surprising considering she's had that routine even in Half Crescent.

But with a quick knock on Remus' door, he was both delighted and hurt to have found Sage.
It was wrong to be jealous, it felt more like the life Remus was living than having Sage and the twins. In all honesty, the idea of Sage being pregnant with his pup had rejuvenated his sense of living.

And with that gone, and her, he was now stuck in the aftermath—All in addition to returning back to the one place he swore he wouldn't.

Yet the image of both his friends naked and sharing an embrace was still difficult to digest. So he said the first thing that popped into his mind. "Cooking. I'm cooking breakfast." Remus rubbed his eyes and started to pull away from Sage, his attention not fully there just yet.

"Andy—Wait." Before Remus could get out of bed, Andy was already halfway down the hall. And in his rush, the bed began to tussle, making Sage growl in warning for him to stop.

"Breakfast hun, I'll make you some tea." She hummed, snuggling further into her pillow as she yawned. It felt as though she hardly slept, but taking in the fact that the bed smelled heavily of Remus caused her to still.

She was back in their bed, how did she get here?

Upon sitting up, Remus placed a kiss on her crown and offered up her robe. Smiling up at him, she pulled it on. Thinking her tank top wasn't enough when the Spring air was still leaving the mornings a bit chilly.

But speaking of downstairs, Andrew was grumbling to himself at just how much of a dumbass he was being. He was just causing unwanted problems.

"Hey, can I get a cup of coffee?" The voice caused his large back to hunch up as he turned around. Only to see Calista smiling up a storm behind him. "Stop sneaking up on me." He said, placing down his spatula to get what she asked for.

"Well, Mr.Grumpy, you make it so fun." She said with an even wider grin, if that was even possible. "Here, what do you want?"

Cal's brows rose as she took a sip, only until her eyes flickered off towards the stairs. "Are the pup's up?"

"Yeah, they're in the playroom, why?"

"Have a soft spot for pups." She said, but Andrew had missed the more than obvious she-bear checking out his ass as he turned back around to the stove.

It's hopeless, isn't it?
Calista had tried to talk herself out of these feelings, but they blossomed right under her snoot—Andrew Clark was a handsome male, it was a shame he was so caught up on something out of everyone's control...

"Cal!...Good morning!" Sage cheered as she came flying down the stairs and offered the she-bear a hug. "Good morning Luna...See, that's the kind of greeting I want, Clark." Remus frowned at seeing his friend scowling at a pack's guest, and sure it was too early to start talking about work—There was little anyone could do.

The Snyders needed to be put down and forgotten as soon as possible.

"How did the interviews go?" Remus questioned as the table was finishing up their last bites, and Sage lingered for a minute before getting the pups cleaned up. "Pitiful, but that's not very professional of me. I have the recordings if you want to go through them, and I have the list of questions and everything in my room. Who did they call to defend them again?" Remus shrugged and claimed that someone from another pack would be taking on the legal procedures in the case of Crescent Moon versus Synder.

"I can't talk about much more than that, Alpha. I'm supposed to be on neutral territory." Andrew chuckled into his next bite and Sage frowned at his reaction as there wasn't a reason for his anger.
"It's okay, you helped a lot already." The Luna said, completely grateful for the help.

If only they had more of a lead on Willow than getting justice for all the crimes the Synders have caused.

______

Date: 4/24/23

Time: 9:15

Words: 3203

Author's Note:

Things are slowly on the mend!
The next chapter introduces a new phase, it's only about three chapters, as Crescent Moon is finally bringing the Snyders to trial.
Let me just say, I'm pretty proud of how the courtroom scenes are going to play out!
They have a lot to answer to, but besides all the commotion, Sage and Remus are slowly finding their grove again!

I did receive some worries that Sage and Remus weren't going to end up together.
They are my end game.
I can tell you, it wasn't a hard decision on that front, what is--Is what to do with Andy's character.
However, I think I might have found a solution😏 *Wink* *Wink*

That brings the Black Moon phase to a close--It did introduce a few harsh scenes, and there will be another one coming in a bit that I will put a warning label on.

Anywho, I hope you all have an amazing week,
and I will see you Friday for the next update!

🫶🫶🫶