* * *

With the idea of the pup coming soon, Remus was more attentive and asked frequently if she was alright or if it was time. But Sage didn't have an answer, her wolf was silent and so she pushed it as an assumption that she's resting for the actual birth.

Sage's attitude didn't wavier, course she called Jade the following morning and explained that the pup would be coming earlier—Which left the Luna of Mystic Grimm to repeat the same advice from before.

Of course Sage trusted her wolf, but when Remus found his mate crying on the couch in the company of Camilla and Elenor. It was clear that Sage wasn't completely honest in her fears.

"What if I do wrong? Don't want to hurt pup..." She croaked out the question, and while Camilla tried to push her worries, it was clear that none of their words were helping. Camilla had given birth in skin, it wasn't the same nor would Sage have Remus in the den with her.

It was for the Luna to have privacy and not have to worry about snoopers getting near the den. Remus would be outside to protect them, but that meant the pressure was on Sage, and this idea of relying on 'instinct' didn't sound all that natural to her.

"Munchkin...You are going to do just fine. The pup isn't going to get hurt, and if something is really wrong we'll bring them to the infirmary. But this lil pup in here is an Alpha, they're stronger than you're giving them credit for. And you're an Alpha female, you wouldn't intentionally hurt the pup. So we're going to go sit on the exercise ball and practice your breathing, sound good?" It had been a tiring day for him as well, he hated that he left this enormous issue on his Beta and Delta right before the pup is going to be born.

But his mate needed him more, and either could feel the stress circulating the couple. Which allowed them to plan for it better, though Sage did make it a point to visit Blake and Raven.
The witch was still very weak, as were the rest of the former captives.

Aurelia had seen that they were used as blood bags for the most part—Much like Sage had in her time in the cage, but in a different way.
The tube scars were different than the bite marks, there were only three male witches among the group, and they were usually blood bags for the supernatural world. All of whom had these scars, as well as a select few females. But Raven and others had direct bite marks lingering on their body, meaning that blood tests were necessary.

Blake hadn't left Raven's side since, whether it was in skin or fur. He would curl up on her hospital bed and endure the infirmary smell to be able to be with her.

And Sage thought it was so sweet.
After her breakdown and Remus' support, she felt better, empowered.
So with the help of her females, Sage managed to collect dozens of flowers to put into the patient's rooms.

Though she added a bit more kiddish features for Levi's, and the pup has hardly calmed down since being free. But nobody blamed him, however, since he was still considered a rogue—It was dangerous in allowing him to leave without some supervision.

Or without gaining some proper strength and energy, but his vitals were growing and his appetite for real food was kicking in.
He was a growing boy after all.

Three days passed.
Then two.
Then another three.

And the pup had not come yet, which sent Remus in a downwards spiral—The estimated time had been next week. But with the suggestion of it being early, it pumped a new wave of confusion into the air.

But Kenzie claimed that a pup dictated their own time, and it was better for them to be completely ready than premature.

And while Sage wasn't entirely bothered, the next few days seemed to drag on. Her regular habits of taking walks with Levi outside with her and her army of protection —since Blake was with his mate—had been put on hold for her to relax and rest.

Though that didn't stop her half the time.

Speaking of Blake, Sage hadn't dared made him chose between his duties as her Charge, instead she had Luke and Liam, in addition to Elenor to stay with her when Remus was at the pack house.
As the Luna had a second motive in the mix, and in seeing Levi running around and smelling everything he possibly could, these milestones happening in the presence of a mated couple was just the first step in her plan.

It hadn't lessened at all the days following, but the best was when they made a picnic and invited the rest of the Elwoods. And the second that Casey and Levi had been introduced to one another, it was settled, the two were inseparable.
Sage had to hide away her tears as she cried in seeing such a precious moment.

But it didn't stop the aching feeling of waiting for her own pups to be around her like this. In a litter and coming to her if they ever had a trouble or worry, that's what scared and excited her the most.

Since last week, Remus would be the last to go to bed and the first to wake up. At the chance that the pup decided to come at night or morning, but alas...It was time.

Sage had been in fairly deep sleep when she first felt the pressure. Yet the liquid trailing down her leg had awakened her wolf, who was pawing at the surface.

And a breathless sigh of relief filled her.

"Remmy." She issued, but the male had failed to respond. He was beaten down and exhausted to the brink, but this was time-sensitive, she knew that very well.
So she threw over the covers, her hand instantly going to support the weight of her swelling stomach as she tried to rise up to her feet.
But goddess, the spike settled through her indicated that the baby was coming and soon!

"Remus." Sage said through gritted teeth, but now it was her wolf's turn. She shoved him, hard.

"What? What...?" He scrambled, but the second he smelled the changing aroma of the room, he didn't waste another moment before getting up from the tangled blankets and bending down.

While Sage was attempting to keep her breathing under control, she felt her body preparing for the birth as she started to let out a painful sob.

"We have...To go." She whispered, reaching forward to lock a hand onto Remus' shoulder as he helped her up. He regretted right then and there not sleeping downstairs to make this easier, but the sound of an incoming car was parked at the ready.

"Call someone?" Sage said through gritted teeth, but the prospect of being held up by her mate felt like a sheer godsend that she really hadn't a care in the world as to who was driving the car.

She didn't think she could make it the entire distance in fur.

"Luna!" Julia called out, opening the door wide for the Alpha couple while Eli had the car door open and aided with a helping hand to get her in.

"How'd you know?"
"I'm the Beta female, course I'll feel it," Julia called out to Remus' question as she hurried into the front.

Off they went, as close to possible to the site as the car would allow them. Eli had tried to drive as smooth as possible, but in hearing the birthing pains of Sage—It caused him to pick up the speed, and Remus hardly waited for the car to stop fully before opening the door.

"Call Harlow, he—"
"Alpha...I got it, don't worry," Eli said without any hesitation, and Julia threw up her best smile and nodded in encouragement.

They stayed parked there for a few moments, allowing the lights to shine into the forest so that the two didn't walk completely in the dark.

At the edge of the plot of land, Remus motioned to a tree—Though he was instructed by Jade that Sage would need help shifting to fur this time around. So he held her so she wouldn't fall, and hurt herself or the pup.

"Nice and easy hun, take your time."
"Don't have time...Pup coming." It came out as a growl, but it allowed a small push for Sage to shift—And Remus had never witnessed it being this slow in an adult before.

It reminded him of a pup shifting for the first time. Until he realized why Jade said he needed to hold her. As the birthing processes had suddenly switched to her counterpart, and the pain spiked tenfold.

"I got you hun...Do you want me to carry you?" She huffed, but still didn't move from his hand holding her up. Her legs still felt wobbly and his touch aided the pain.

No, I need to walk.

Remus waited until he was sure that she could support her own weight, and when she finally could, he told her to start walking at her own speed and he'd catch up with her when he shifted.

Walking felt strange for sure, but her wolf hadn't started panicking since she entered the den's area. While Remus on the other hand had waved off his Beta's who were now acting Alpha's.

And Remus hadn't wasted another minute before shifting to race after his mate, she made decent progress but didn't stop when he caught up with her.

Her labored breathing made his wolf's ears perk and twitch.

Sage was thankful that she caught sight of the den, leaving her mate with a small lick to his muzzle before heading closer to the hole.

Sage?

She turned over her shoulder for a moment, seeing the entirety of her mate, who growled in approval and acceptance.

I love you.

I love you Remmy, pup be here soon. Next time I see you.

He knew what she was trying to say, and before he could follow up with anything else, Sage had entered down into the small tunnel.
A whine slipped through his lips as he wanted to join her, his legs moved up to follow in—But a branch breaking caused his head to shoot off in that direction.

It was then that he was reminded of his job, to secure the area and protect Sage and his soon-to-be-born pup.

The second Sage had laid into the cool dirt, she felt at ease. Her stomach allowed her to count how many breaths per minute, so she could try and lessen it or take more.

You're going to feel the need to push, Sweetheart.
Listen to your wolf, she knows what to do.

Sage had wanted to respond to that voice, it felt so close and far at the same time that tears prickled her eyes for a different type of pain. The harbor of her wolf finally surfaced as she felt the pressure build in her abdomen, and just like the voice predicted.

She let out her first push.

Remus flinched in hearing the muffled sounds coming from the dark den, but Sage thought the den itself was a comfort. Her mate was born here and it made sense for his future pups to enter the world the same way, yet her thoughts were jumbled and scattered as the pup was coming and coming now.

I'm so proud of you sweetheart.
I'm right here, always.

The words of encouragement were like a warm blanket, and as she shifted and twisted her body to look and see—She realized she caught sight of the beginning of her pup.

The third and final push allowed them to finally exit, and Sage's wolf wasted no time to lick and tear off the sac surrounding the pup or break the umbilical cord.

Sage realized that the pup was no bigger than two of her paws combined.

The sweet innocence and love that came crashing down on Sage caused her to whine out the pup. Even if they were deaf and blind to the area around them, they surely felt the rumblings of their mama.

When the pup was finally separated properly, she allowed her jaw to to light pick them up and offer him one of her closest teats.

The pup quickly latched on and began suckling as it was quite easy to smell the milk now.

However, what struck Sage was how damning the second part of the birth had come crashing down on her. Jade said that the 'home' the pup lived in would follow soon after the pup, yet she didn't say it was just as painful!

She tried to keep her breathing from disrupting her pup from nursing just under her front leg. However in looking at her progress, her eyes widened further.

Another pup!

Her mind held no answers at the prospect of twins, of course, she knew it was possible. But she didn't think it was possible for her!

Thankfully, it took less pushes than pup number one, and her wolf separated the cord and cleaned them up just as easy. Though they were fussy in terms of finding the proper handle on their mama's teat.

The 'home' soon followed, but Sage was far to exhausted that she curled a small bit and laid her head into the cool dirt.

She did it. And her wolf purred at the prospect of being a mother.

Yet her eyes popped open and she turned to nuzzle at the first pup, checking in between their legs to see.

The pup was indeed a he, and she licked him once again. A silent declaration that he was Ronan.

But her wolf was wild at the prospect of the second pup, the secret little gift who was hidden all this time.
Her little Rue.

A small yowling out to Remus alerted him that the birthing process was over and the pup was born. And hardly a moment passed before Remus threw his head and howled.

Proclaiming that the heir had been born, and the nightshift had surely responded with their own exciting chants to their Alpha couple.

But Remus wasn't allowed inside just yet, perhaps he could try once the sun rose. But from Harlow and Hayes' standpoint, she-wolves were heavily protective on their little pup—Visiting too early and he could be snapped at.

And the last thing he wanted was the pup to smell their father's blood or worry Sage on an instinctual reaction.

He did however, find it peaceful in their sanctuary. The link he had felt since he took his father's position had been pushed elsewhere. He hadn't moved that far from the den, not while Sage was comprised in birthing the pups.
Yet when the early morning started to arrive, he sought out breakfast.

For now, it would be light meal. Later he'll go hunt further out from their sanctuary and return back what he could.

Sage hadn't been awake all that long, the pups would fall from their feeding. Small squeaks would alert her to what they needed. Her biggest concern at the moment was if they were warm enough or hungry.

But that didn't stop her from slobbering them with kisses.

Her body was horribly exhausted that she found herself waking up to the whines that could've been calling her for minutes—But her wolf would always resurface and take into consideration that half of her needed to sleep.

Yet the pups were lonely.
They wanted attention, food, and cuddles. And Sage was happy to provide that.

Having settled the pup's back onto her for a feeding, she let out a low yowl for Remus to hear her. He heard it instantly and hurried to his feet to wait at the entrance, the beautiful smell graced his nose—His pup.

Sage wiggled a bit and huffed, allowing Remus to enter and that her wolf accepted it. Remus' eyes hadn't deviated from the small little fuzzy ball attached to his mate's stomach.

They're okay.

And how are you munchkin? Are you hurting at all?

She shook her head and gave out a wide smile, though she put her chin up so she could receive some kisses. And Remus whined as he fulfilled her want all before looking at the pup with desperation.

Are they Rue or Ronan?

Sage leaned down as Ronan had started to get a little fussy, but it was quickly fixed by his mama's affection. And thus she returned the gaze up to her mate.

Ronan.

Remus had laid down onto his stomach and just propped his head to get a good look at his son.

His little boy.

And Rue.

Sage surprised, her hitched leg had hidden their daughter from his line of sight. His wolf, however, found it wonderful.
But Remus himself recalled Harlow's promise, that having a daughter meant defending her from her mate.

That having a daughter was harder than having a son.

His head snapped back towards Sage as he whined out, his tongue just barely touched her chin as he was far too excited.

Twins?!

Surprise! I surprised too...They're really hungry.

Sage said turning her head and wiggling a small bit, Ronan however had detached and let out a fitful yawn before nuzzle further into his mother's stomach.

Remus couldn't hold himself back as his nose sniffled the pureness of the pup scent. He added his own licks before turning to Rue, of course he wanted a daughter—Sage seemed so excited.

However the idea of two pups at a time suddenly dawned on him. How did the healers not catch a second pup?

Remus soon curled himself behind Sage, and allowed her to rest her head onto him. Making her more comfortable and giving his pups a bit of his own body heat as well as getting used to his scent as well.

It wasn't until a few hours later when Sage's stomach rumbled, and her whine of exhaustion soon followed.

Hungry?

A lil. You smell like squirrel blood.

Jade said to not eat too hefty of a meal, I'll bring a few back alright?

She didn't want him to leave, but she knew that she couldn't leave the pup's in the den alone. They were still very vulnerable, so she nodded and curled up further as she checked on the pups. Licking their bellies, only to find that they peed on the ground below them.

Remus hadn't realized that the pups would need help with such a voluntary action, but then he supposed it was different for when they shifted to skin.

Sage figuring out this trick made her feel better, her wolf knew exactly what to do and how to do it. And it filled her with exactly what she needed. However in looking at her two pups, it was easy to spot a difference between the two.

Ronan had inherited the Mystic black fur on Sage's side. Showcasing how strong and dominate he will grow up to be, just like their mother. While Rue had inherited a lighter color, more like Remus' silver coat. Though it was much lighter than just silver, perhaps it was white?

Sage couldn't tell in the dark den, but their fur was going to change regardless when they aged.

Remus returned within ten minutes, three squirrels in his mouth and he dropped them a decent ways away before offering it to her.
Not to get blood on the pups, she ate off to the side away from them.

Her mate could've sworn that she hardly tasted them, she gulped them down so quickly that he wondered if Jade had just eaten too early after her own labor.

He stayed with them in the den in a cuddling position, watching over the three slumbering beside him. Remus adored seeing Sage so attentive to the both of them, already the whines had been categorized for the need to eat or wanting love.

And Remus would add his own, especially to the youngest of the two. His heart just swelled further in seeing them stretch and try and wiggle around.

The first few days had continued this pattern, and Remus didn't wish for anything less. All his father's taunts had finally been counteracted, he has a mate and two pups.

He thanked the goddess above for the opportunity before falling asleep that night beside his family.

______

Date:  10/01/2021

Time: 10:31

Words: 3707

Author's Note:

It feels so bitter-sweet to finally put this story as complete. And Goddess, it's only going to get crazy from here.

The last few chapters were a big twist, starting with Blake finding his mate, and not only that but the Moon pup has been born--Or should I say pups, did anyone see that coming that Sage was carrying twins?

So many mates were found in this story:
Blake and Raven
Caleb and Lexi
Liam and Allison
Eli and Julia
Luke and Elenor

Not to mention all the friendly lil pups we've been introduced to! 
Lil Mikey and now Levi!

New alliances between Grey Hallow and Mystic Grimm, and probably the biggest shocker of them all, Sage's real identity as Hera Mystic.

__

I want to thank everyone who took the time to vote and comment on the series thus far, it means the world to me that you're enjoying Sage and Remus' story.

I wish I could promise an earlier release of the third book, but school is taking up most of my schedule and the third book needs some tweaking.

If anything, the short story of Hera and Remus could possibly be posted. I just reread through it and while it needs some editing, it's pretty cute and it's a shame it's just sitting on my computer untouched.

Follow me for updates on the 3rd story!
I will also be posting the actual book itself, so keep it in your library to be notified of the first chapter.

Thank you, stay safe!!