* * *

Sage was beyond nervous. 

While Kelly had planned half the ceremony. She and her females, in addition to Luke, had managed to plan the rest. Not that it was difficult, it was just the combined stress in knowing how important and special this even is to the pack.
It's considered to be a milestone for pups, them shifting into fur first time.

She was going to ask what it was going to be like for her pup, but she wouldn't have to wait all that long since her pup would be able to shift between skin and fur within a month after the birth.

Remus explained that if a normal she-wolf gave birth in fur then the pup wouldn't be strong enough to shift that young. Usually, it would end in death and that scared her beyond reason, but there was little chance of that happening for them. Sage had enough Alpha blood in her for the both of them, but in combination—Their pup was gaining a larger percentage than normal.

Sage wouldn't be allowed to leave the house until either Eli or Jack were with her—It was so that either could check if they could smell the pup.

Kenzie said it would happen in the next couple of days to a week, but as of yet, there was nothing giving the development away. Except for the rather protective nature that Eli claimed Remus had before, and Jack only recited what he said before.

That and Arabella being obsessed with Sage.

Sage's job in training the Rogue was done from a distance, as it was easy to admit that she wasn't cleared for sparring—A small white lie, but she was eager to see them again after not having visited in a week.

Tonight was the pup ceremony, and the Luna was more than excited. While she wanted to spend her free time before it with Remus, he pushed her to go with Blake back home and have lunch. All in the promise that he'd meet her in a bit.

Blake of course knew what was happening, Sage held grudges and he had a feeling that anything involving Kelly would be high on the list of making her angry. But she was giddy, and it wasn't that hard to figure out the difference.

And if it wasn't clear enough, when he asked what Sage wanted for lunch—She asked for French fries and a peanut butter sandwich, and he could feel his own gag reflect start to rise up as he watched her put the fries on the sandwich.

When Remus came home, Blake said he was lucky he didn't have to witness what he had. "What?"
"Sage put fries on her sandwich." He said with a shiver of disgust, but ultimately he returned back with a smirk.

"So, when's the pup going to be here?" Blake asked cautiously while preparing for a dish that he was going to take to the pup ceremony. And Remus' head darted from Blake back to Sage.
Had she told him by accident?

"I don't say anything!" She shouted, and it was clear that there was no way to hide it now. "How you know?" Sage mumbled behind her risen knees, but Remus sat down beside her and placed a hand to his knee before taking a fry from the basket before her.

"Rogue nose remember?... And you hate peanut butter." She huffed, and in an un-Sage-like manner, she groaned into the air. "I can't keep secret."
"Nah hun you can, he just guessed...Do the other—"
"Sure they do, Rogue never go after pregnant wolves. Not unless they're really sick. Actually, that's why the she-wolves were crowding you today." She pouted her lip and looked to Remus in a sense of an apology, but it wasn't her fault.

A Rogue's nose is significantly different.

The couple was kind of giddy to share the news now that Blake found out before needing to tell anyone else. He thought it was adorable to see Sage so happy and excited, and the former rogue couldn't help but feel elated for the couple.

After seeing Sage with Arabella, it was clear that she had the mother instincts needed to raise a pup.

"I can fix up that crib, keep the base and just replace it with new wood and screws. Probably could do it in a week or so." Remus truly appreciated it, and it wasn't long after that Sage was getting dressed for the pup ceremony to start.

Multiple she-wolves had come to ask her questions, and this time she had answers. Though they might've taken an extra second or two for Sage to explain it, the mothers were accepting.

Unlike some females.

It was much prettier than what she was imagining in her head, but it was a very communal event for the entire pack to witness. For Remus, it was just another year marked off the calendar, but this one was hosted in front of new members who've never seen it happen before. The prospect of a shift happening among family was a beautiful milestone to witness, and Sage mentioned that to Blake.

Either remembered their first shift very well, hers was brutal and before she could really understand what happened and properly get to her feet—Her body was inspected and injected with countless things.

It was when the real torture began.

Blake's transformation wasn't much different, he wasn't alone but his friend didn't shift yet either and they were too far from their campsite to make it back in time.

However, the scent of a pregnant wolf was making the Reformed surround her more than normal, which was starting to catch notice. So he worked on pup patrol and simply reminded them that Remus wouldn't let anything happen to his mate or pup.

It was a general rule of thumb for Rogues to take care of their own that are ill or pregnant. And Remus respected them even more after placing the Luna so high on a pedestal.

"Come on Munchkin, it's starting soon." She turned from the small group of she-wolves she was talking to and dismissed herself before leaving to join his side properly.

Remus led the group before him in a set of prayers, wishing the pups a speedy and painless process before the moms and pups went ahead into the circle, while their fathers stood at the side.

Luke attempted to explain this to Sage—Along with Elenor and Julia as they weren't used to this way. Some would allow both parents to aid, but Crescent Moon was firm in believing a pup needed their mom the most.

It was a vulnerable time for the pups, and for the pack as well. So unmated warriors surounded the area at the ready in their furs. Most were Rogues who volunteered, especially since Blake told them to stop being so obvious in shifting their protective attention towards the Luna.

While Sage was taking in the view, seeing how there were blankets and mountains of ice to help the transition, as well as enough water to keep a small army hydrated. She smiled to see the relationship between mother and pup, it made her impatient for the time she could just hold her pup.

Especially when they were scared or nervous like the ones in the circle.

However, a pup caught her eye as he was alone. Sure his dad was above him and keeping an eye out, but there was no female with the pup and she whined in a record of sadness.

"Hey...Do you need to sit down?" She was feeling nauseous this morning, and he turned into an over-catering mutt. But she shook her head and tried to hide her point.

"Pup has no mom." Remus turned to meet where his mate's gaze was locked onto. There were a few pups without moms, and instead had aunts or grandmothers to stand in their place.

But there was nobody besides the pup except his father, and with the customs in place—He would be going through the transition alone.

"That's Matthew, he lost his mate a few years ago...his son's name is Michael." Sage's eyes burned with the realization that death is still a possibility, she had trouble with the concept at times as it was all around her in batches.

But this one hit home a lot harder than most.

"Can I sit with Michael?" While Remus wanted to be selfish and hold his mate the entire night, but he couldn't help but feel the soft smile that escaped him. He closed his eyes and leaned down into her neck, breathing in her scent as he wasn't allowed in the circle.

"Make sure Matthew knows before you sit with him, Sage. Go help the pup." She smiled graciously up to her mate and settled a kiss on his cheek before walking through the grass and coming up to the male.

She was still working on understanding how to actually start a conversation, she felt it was strange calling their name out. So she ended up tugging on Matthew's shirt and offered a smile, and the male nearing toppled over in seeing his Luna come over and seek him out of everyone. 

"Hello...Can I sit with Michael tonight?" She asked, and the rumors of how soft and lofty her voice reigned true. Sure he heard a few incriminating things, they all were lost to him and those around him as her offer stood true.

The Luna wanted to sit with Michael.

"O-of course Luna, let me get you a blanket." He said, hurrying over to the supply table to fetch his Luna something warmer as the night was going to be a long one.

But she was up for a challenge.

Bending down into the circle beside Michael caused the pup to come from a slight haze, most of the pups had missed school today and the last as they were working on not allowing their wolf to shift from any aggravation or danger.

They needed to wait until it was the proper time, it was harder for some than others. And Michael was the one with a bit of trouble.

Sage didn't waste a moment as she picked up the young pup and placed his head in her lap, soothing through his hair gently and trying to speak to his wolf.

The pup was shivering and so she tucked him in further, running her hands down his arm in hopes it would work. She remembered Remus and Luke would do it countless times during the winter months.

The shivers subsided and she smiled in a slight victory, especially when the pup opened his eyes fully and managed to get a clear view of the she-wolf above him.

"L-Luna?"
"Hello...Is it okay if I sit with you?" She knew that Matthew already said it was alright, but the pup should have a choice too.

"Yeah...Where's dad?" Sage turned around, but the male was just a step or two behind them as he wrapped the Luna in a blanket and returned with a few more things. "Right here son, are you still feeling sore?"
"No, Luna's been rubbing my arms...I'm just really tired." He whispered back, and Sage simply played with his hair—Hoping to calm him further back to sleep.

How's the pup?
Remus called through their bond, and while his attention was on Sage, she hadn't moved hers from the pup. Her instincts were stuck in overdrive in wanting to help the lone pup.

He's tired and sore, but I can feel he's excited.

Remus' wolf felt content, while he was prepared for a night of relaxing with his mate and enjoying the ceremony, he remembered that this was a female and pup event. Of course, the Luna instinct would start kicking in now.

She had a rather easy routine, when Mikey started sweating she dabbed it away and gave him a few sips of the ice water. It was confusing that he would switch between hot and cold, but a constant was always sore muscles—But he did like it when she rubbed his arms or just hugged him.

He was worried the last few days in preparation for tonight, and while he knew his dad was right there with him—His father couldn't do anything to help. And the guilt steaming from Matthew was bad enough, especially since there was no other female in the family to help.

The mothers beside Sage were sweet, and truthfully there were only about two dozen or so in the entire group. Which was still a healthy amount of pups to shift for the season, however, a majority of them were glaring off towards the Luna.

And one, in particular, was Mrs.Synder. Who was just beside her son all while whispering encouragement to both mother and pup before her. Course Sage felt eyes on her, it happened frequently when she was in public.
Yet this time her wolf did not like it at all.

She tried to ignore it, she truly did—She wanted to make sure that Mikey and the rest of the pups around him went through this shift without any added stress. But that wasn't meant to be, not when the Snyders were involved.

Especially when the sires in the Luna's brain were telling her that Mrs.Snyder was stomping her way over, so Sage whispered down to the pup. Telling him it's going to be okay and promised to stay right beside him through the night.

Matthew heard that and was mildly confused, but it was clear that Sage was awaiting the arrival of Mrs.Snyders.

"What in goddess name are you doing? You aren't his mother!" Sage turned to look up towards Mrs.Snyder and just blinked off towards her, loving that the elder was growing frustrated with each passing moment that Sage took to talk back.

And her wolf loved the defiance.

"No. But the pup is alone, so I sit with him. Matthew and Mikey said it's okay."
"That's going against tradition!" While the elder she-wolf's voice was yelling at full force, Sage remained collected and calm. Using the same pleasant voice that she had when she greeted Matthew, and she paired it with a shrug.

"Mikey needs a female with him, I sit here with him."
"Then you need to sit with my grandson! This favoritism isn't fair!" Sage shook her head and darted her attention to the pup in question.

"I will not sit with him, he has mom with him. He's fine."
"And Michael is fine without you, Kelly wouldn't dare go against tradition."
"That's why Kelly is not Luna, if I leave the circle that pup will not have female with him." The woman gawked as Sage motioned her head to the Snyder family across the circle. But Mrs.Snyder had taken it one step further, going so far as to lay a hand on the Luna was against the law.

And Remus never saw red that quickly, he was only thankful that Jack was making rounds purposefully close to the Luna for this very reason. Jealousy was a horrible trait to have, as with this selfishness.

"I need you to back away from the Luna."
"She's not meant to be in the circle!"
"And from where I'm standing, Mrs.Snyder, neither are you. I won't be asking again." For whatever reason or another, the word of the Delta rang further in the elder's mind than the Luna's.

But Sage had heard the comment as Mrs.Snyder met up with Kelly and tried to take their losses—And while some she-wolves snickered, Sage sighed at what she knew she had to do.

"Leave the circle." The laughter stopped instantly. And Remus wasn't the only one who was shocked by the Luna's order.

"That's against the tradition!"
"My pup needs me!"

Sage ignored the outburst to the three she targeted, so she turned to Jack who was still close enough and she ordered him to escorted Mrs.Snyder away from the ceremony altogether. Something that the Rogues were all too happy to walk her home, though they were just itching to sink their teeth into her.

The three she-wolves on the other hand were making it worse, they continued to battle out reasons why their pup needed them.

"Your pups need silence and no neg-a-tiv-it-ty, out of the circle." While Remus was Alpha, this Luna event put Sage in charge. And it was clear from then on that the pup in her stomach was building her senses to the pups around her or it was the collective nature of being in the circle.

While one of the mothers left, Sage was rather disappointed in the actions the mother had taken in regards to the pup. So Julia picked up the young girl and placed her over near the Luna, earning Matthew another father to stand beside considering he was alone on this end.

"Thank you, Luna." The male spoke up, and she nodded while splitting either side for them to lean against her thigh.
"What's your name?" Sage whispered, and the girl smiled through the chills.

"Millie." Sage hummed alone and soothed their worries, and soon enough Elenor dropped off another pup whose mom left the circle.

"Luna Sage, I am sorry for showing you disrespect..." The mother spoke, and it was clear that she was. Especially in the sigh of submission, and that's all Sage wanted.

Not the submission, the act of apologizing and making up for the rude actions that could've affected her pup. While the Luna was understanding politics, this news with Kelly and Mrs.Snyder, even with Kara—She was learning another word.

Drama.

And this was the first example of that.

"Thank you. You can stay." Sage whispered, and the mother across the circle had let out a breath of thankfulness as she cried down to pup in forgiveness.

Unlike the other she-wolves who were stomping around. It was clear that while Kelly had been 'Luna' there was some type of group forming, and of course, it was the collected few as the mothers were talking to Kelly right now.

Who looked much too pleased in having a reason to talk to the Alpha.

"What?!" The mother yelled, and Sage could feel the flinches the young pups were feeling. And it was clear that the other mother's—Even the father's were starting to get offended.

"She-wolf apologized, stay with pup...You don't apologize, you leave the circle."
"I listened to your ord—"
"Mom, please stop." The pup cried, and the woman fell silent instantly.

Leaving everyone in complete silence—All except one.

"You're going to allow this?" Kelly questioned the Alpha, and Remus smirked.
"I think we both know what it's like to be on the receiving end of her bite, and what are you meant to be? The voice in my ear?"
"It's wrong and you know it."
"Which part? The part where my mate wants to comfort a lone pup who doesn't have a female to hold him while he shifts? Or that your cousin didn't get the Luna's attention?" Kelly growled and Remus couldn't help but laugh.

"You weren't threatening before and you aren't threatening now, Kelly."
"We'll see, I challenged the Luna before she took the title. This time I'll win."
"If myself, Eli, and Jack can't manage more than a tie...What do you think that says for your chances Kelly? And you won't be challenging her." He smirked, there would be no challenge—There would be no sparring for Sage for the next few months as she was producing a life.

His pup.

This event was highly family-oriented circle, and while Remus' first idea of kicking mothers out was strange, he realized she didn't do it for herself and what the wolves were laughing about.

She did it to defuse the tension, as young pups would be open to the negativity in the air as she hinted at. So Sage was beyond right, and Remus had no fault defending what she thought was the proper thing to do.

If anything, it showed the maternal instinct growing feverish—And it was clear that the pups were calm.
Calmer than most ceremonies as their Luna is finally here.

It was a tranquil feeling, the addition of new pups to the pack was always a thrill. And after the argument with Mrs.Snyder, Remus was worried that her night would be ruined.

But it wasn't, and she humming along to the music surrounding them, however when she stopped—The mothers all turned to in preparedness. Sage had taken one final look up to the moon before closing her eyes and breathing in.

Holding onto the three pups she was comforting, and within the next few moments, the first set of cracking bones commence.

And it was Mikey.
The pain that was described in shifting to fur for the first time was said to be excruciating, that every bone in the body would break and mend to take the shape of a wolf's form.

But the Luna's touch nulled the pain, even though the uncomfortable shifting was still there—It didn't hurt as much. And it was an itching feeling from the mothers to touch the shoulder of the she-wolf beside them.

The purpose of the ceremony had returned, the Luna was meant to sit within the circle as well—A lost tradition in fact, and with one hand to the right on the wolf beside them, the energy of the moon and the Luna passed to the surrounding pups.

The numbness that Mikey was feeling was mutual through all the pups, Sage had thought she was going to feel exhausted. But it wasn't the same.
She felt recharged.

It wasn't long for the rest of the pups to start having their bones ache before being twisted and warped into their fur. And the beautiful reveal of the new pack members were all welcomed in Sage's nose, it felt like a drug and she simply couldn't get enough.

Especially when the pups she took care of started licking her as they couldn't do much more. Their bodies are weak, which meant they would spend the next few hours getting used to it before going home to recuperate.

While the pups wanted to try on their own, it was clear that they needed some help. And Sage was a blessing at being patient, so while they stumbled here and there, they never lost their sense of motivation.

The Luna's job was just to make sure they didn't fall entirely to the ground. She filled their heads with positive coos and plenty of cheek rubs before they managed to stand without an extra hand lingering to hold them up.

Thank you Luna!

Look at my tail, and my paws!

Sage giggled as she crossed her legs to the three wolves in front of her. They were considerably smaller than a full-grown wolf, much less herself. But they were adorable nonetheless, especially when their pup attributes had started to shine bright and the three pups tackled their Luna with licks and whines.

Which brought their fathers to finally step in the circle and pry them off, while Jack brought her to her feet.

"You alright?" Her smile showcased brightly as she looked around, the parents were all prepared for the first run. And with Remus making his way over it was finally time, and her wolf was excited to shift and run.

"Do you want to hang back Sage? You're not tired?... Are you hungry?" She leaned into him just a bit more, and what was an amazing moment for the two Alphas.

Which earned the pair a deathly glare from Kelly, as she stood in the place the Alpha left her.

In that moment, Kelly knew what she had to do.
She was going to get her revenge, she was going to challenge Sage.
And she was going to stop at nothing until she stood back beside Remus.

______

Date: 08-04-2021

Time: 8:48

Words: 4077

Author's Notes:

-How did you like the pup ceremony? Was it similar or different to other werewolf stories you've read in the past?

This chapter introduced Mikey Dixon who is going to be a recurring character:)

-Kelly and Snyder are plotting something and it doesn't sound too promising for Sage...

***

Alright 3 more chapters of this special phase, and then we're onto the next!
Here's a hint for what's in store, the next phase is:
-Blood Moon-