* * *

Sage was more than relieved to return home, she wanted her mate, her bed, and clothes that fit her. She explained to Remus what happened, and he didn't mention the fact that Eli already told him what happened.

Instead, he said later on the next day, that he stocked the closet with a few more clothes that'd fit her. And since the warmer weather was approaching, Sage couldn't really hide her growing breasts behind a sweater.

Even if she wanted to.

Right now she was sitting in front of a fan trying to cool herself down, while Jack was getting her packets of ice to try and rectify their run.
Was she feeling a challenge? Yes.
Did she push herself too much? Yes.

She just didn't understand why she couldn't get her breathing in order and it was infuriating.
"So uh...We'll go a little slower next time?" It offended her wolf and earned himself a growl.

"Hey...That was the first big shift and run you've done since the pup ceremony. It's alright, you need to take it easy anyway."
"Why...can't I breath...?" She said, trying level out her breaths and make them easy and long.

Course it sent Remus in a panic as the Alpha's wolf would be more in tune with his mate's body, now more than ever. So it wasn't that much of a surprise that he came rushing back home to see his mate covered ice on the couch.

"What the hell happened?!" Remus yelled, and Jack shyly came out of the kitchen with another jug of cold water—Which Sage drank greedily like her life depended on it.

"Uh, I think we ran too much today..."
"You think?! I can hear her heart beating at the pack house!" Jack felt awful, and Sage took a deep breath to take hold of her mate's hand.

"My fault, thought I can." Remus was so quick to blame someone else that it was starting to hurt Sage's feelings. She needed to be responsible for her actions too, and this was it.

Especially when she was carrying a pup.

"Munchkin, you can't run a marathon anymore..."
"Thought I can, I miss running."
"I know hun, but you're worrying a lot of people." She huffed, placing the jug of water beside her cheek as it was cooling her down significantly.

"Sir, she hasn't shifted in awhile...Not since before she visited Grey Hallow." Remus realized the issue now, and so he came around the couch and kneed down on the floor before her.

"Sage, you need to start shift regularly...Both you and your wolf need to be in sync with the changes."
"What?" Kenzie had explained it, but it was clear that Sage didn't understand what it meant.

"When you shift, the pup will shift too when they're with you in here. Your wolf needs to get used to being pregnant too."
"That why she happy?" He let out a breathless smile.
"Yeah, probably...The last time you ran was during the pup run, and we took it easy for the shifted pups. After we tell the pack, we'll find some training you can do. Alright?" She nodded, her heartbeat going down significantly with the presence of her mate.

However, Jack clapped his hands together and smiled. "Sagey, you want some wings?" The attention she had her mate was immediently taken away at the mere mention of food.

"Sage you can't just eat wings."
"But I have fruit for breakfest, and yogurt and a smoothie." Remus turned over towards Jack and the Delta nodded in confirmation.

"You didn't feel nauseous this morning?"
"No, only a little dizzy. But I ate a lot, can I still have wings?" He sighed, still reluctant that she eats healthier than wings, but at least she was eating.

"Alright, you can get wings...And a salad."
"And tomatoes." Goddess, Kenzie wasn't lying when she said that Sage's craving would be everywhere.

The Delta's job for today was distracting Sage, as her birthday party was coming up quickly, only two more days and it was still set to be a surprise. The only problem was that Remus had an idea of what he wanted to get Sage for her birthday party.

Camilla and Sage's females already had a dress ready for her to wear, otherwise the pack was excited. And while Sage felt the pack's emotions, for the most part, she simply passed it as a good start to the summer season.

Blake had come over with their conjoined order from the pizza place in town, and Sage was more than ready to devour the wings. "Goddess you're a hungry wolf huh? Sure we ordered enough?" Jack rolled his eyes, while Blake was here this morning for breakfast.

Jack was unprepared for the appetite of the Luna, good thing Blake doubled the order.

And when she finished her feast, it wasn't long before she passed out on the couch. Leaving Jack and Blake to play a silent card game, though it was difficult to play quietly when either was getting rather heated.

Luckily Sage's coma's after eating didn't last all that long, and soon she sat on the table with a light blanket around her shoulders.

"Is this a game?"
"Yeah, wanna join?" Sage blinked as Blake dealt her in, she looked to either of them and attempted to hold the cards up like she knew what she was doing.

But it didn't take all that long for Sage to get the hang of it, Jack was anticipating a few wiggles when she understood or managed a good hand. Yet she remained still and calculated, especially when she dropped her hand down for the third time in a row and the males groaned.

"What the fuck Sage?" Jack growled, and she pouted. "I like this game."
"Yeah, and if we were playing with money Sagey, Jack would've been in dept." It was then she wiggled, smiling brightly but not at the prospect of putting Jack in dept. She didn't understand that part, she just liked the fact that she managed to find a pattern.

Remus returned home in the thick of it, either male had disheveled hair and it was more than battling their egos. Course they managed to get a few good cards here or there, but it wasn't enough.

Blake thought she was counting cards while Jack was sure she was dipping into her Luna abilities and looked directly to what number they had.

No, Sage just had the perfect level of intuition and could read the tells between the two. Blake would eye the cards he had in hand, but when he did have the start of something he hardly looked.

For Jack, he didn't have much of a poker face. Since Sage grew up with a lack of proper communication she was in tune with the cues of being excited to solum.

And this was just it.

"You guys taught her how to play cards?" Remus said with a laugh, and Eli joined in. But either male looked like they needed help, beyond help—They needed a miracle.

The Alpha came up behind Sage and smirked. "You have to—" She put her hand against his mouth and shushed him. "I know." She smiled, and the males groaned.

"Goddess have mercy, she's a natural and it hurts. My pockets were already empty."
"I like card game, it have numbers and look. It's Jack." Black couldn't take it anymore as he threw down his losing hand, this was a rogues pastime when there's nothing else to do in terms of chores for the camp.

Cards was a universal trade and yet, either male tapped out and Sage placed her cards down. "How long did you have those?"
"Since you take the five, are you home now?"
"Yep." She leaned her head up for a moment and Remus knew what she wanted and leaned down to kiss her.

Which was clear to the males that it was the Alpha's time with Sage, meaning they booked it soon after their arrival.

"Do you have to do work?"
"Nope, you have my attention munchkin. You and mini munchkin." Her wolf rumbled in approval and he chuckled. "I hear you too, but I mean it Sage. You have to shift every day, or it's going to be harder on the pup." She didn't want that, not at all.

It was perfect this plan, he was distracting her while the rest of the pack was preparing for the 'banger' that Caleb suggested. Which meant a decent pit of planned hunting as well as baking.

The commotion was hidden from her as she enjoyed the attention of her mate, whether that meant cuddling, napping or the occasion mating.

Kenzie was clear that Sage's sex drive would be just as crazy as her appetite for food, but who was he to deny his mate in need?

It worked especially well the days following, and the morning of her birthday—He woke her up in a beautiful way, him between her thighs and not afraid of hurting her or the pup as his wolf was cautious in reminding him.

When she was a shaking mess, Remus revealed himself from underneath their bedsheets and smiled. "Good morning munchkin." She giggled, her hands going over her face as she was starting to grow a sense of what being embarrassed meant.

And mating sometimes enacted her tinted cheeks.

"Good morning...you're excited." She pointed out, and he laughed before kissing her stomach.
"I was thinking we can tell the pack today."
"How?"
"A meeting at the packhouse, have to share some summer plans this month too. We can tell them at the end." She nodded along, and another grin erupted.

"That why you wake me up? Cause you're excited?" His body was just lightly hovering over hers, his weight leaning heavily onto his arms. But he pushed himself forward, his forehead leaning down against hers and nuzzle his nose to trace against her cheek.

He couldn't understand why this action always made her weak to the knees, but it was a secret tactic he liked to use.

"I'm excited because my beautiful mate smells great in our bed and I couldn't help myself from having a taste...I can't get enough of your scent munchkin, I wish I could just have you on me all day."
"I like that, we stay in bed." He wanted to give her a good birthday and so he humored her for a few minutes before offering a smoothie.

Goddess they should've been doing that months ago, she loved it. Especially with fruits—And of course, Blake would spoil her with milkshakes here and there.

Remus managed well enough with a hearty breakfast, it helped that Sage was feeling good that morning. Making him wonder if her wolf knew that it was her birthday?

Did his own wolf know when it's their birthday?

"Luke says I have today off, are you busy today?"
"Yeah hun I'm sorry, I don't think I can make it for lunch...Or until the meeting tonight." She pouted into her next bite but moved on, trying to enjoy the moment beside her mate before being left alone.

She did feel a little drowsy, but it was normal. And since her hate for coffee and her inability to drink it now that she had a pup, she decided that it was better to sit outside and paint a little. Which left Jack to suntan while Blake took his own stab at this painting hobby.

"Sage, sweetheart I love you and everything. But I am not good at this."
"Yesss, you're not done! When it's done then you say that." Jack scoffed and took a side glance to see Sage's work compared to Blake's.

"Are you two following the same video or...?" It earned him a growl and a silent motion from Sage to tell him to be quiet. "It's for pup's room."
"Why didn't you say that before! I would've tried a lot harder."
"From Uncle Blake it's okay."
"You're telling me this is going to be hung in the pup's room even if it's god awful, can't I get them like a stuffed animal or something?" She just remained silent and put the video back on, the majority of the day continued on like that. But Sage was starting to get grumpy in not wanting to take a nap that the two males had to coax her.

Until Blake threw his hands in the air and went to get her stuffed bear that still managed to smell like Remus. She was out like a light after that.

"I hope she doesn't get scared tonight..." Jack whispered, causing Blake to frown. "Why would she? It's a party."
"Yeah but it's her party, the last party she had was her coronation and Rogues came in. That's how we found out she's an Alpha she-wolf, she didn't listen to Remus' order on staying with the pups." The former Rogues couldn't help but laugh, especially if Sage's communication skills were lower than they were when they met in Mystic Grimm.

He could only wonder how that went.

"Sage and surprises don't turn out all that great," Jack grumbled, as he was one of the few that wanted to warn the Luna about the real reason for tonight.

"She knows there's a pack meeting, so she's somewhat prepared. Besides, it's not formal." Blake had hope while Jack still had reservations when it came to Sage and her well-being.

Yet there was little time, because the she-wolves booted them out two hours before the party was supposed to start. They went along with the lie of the pack meeting and said there's going to be food and it's a seasonal party.

Which wasn't an entire lie, but Sage didn't know any better to question.

Sage smiled at herself in the mirror, Remus would joke that she was 'glowing' and she didn't understand what it meant until now. Her mind went straight back to the first time she saw herself in a mirror.

The one she regrettably punched in Jade's guest house, looking down to her hand she remembered not understanding who was in front of her or why they were mimicking her.

But now she understood what a mirror is, that it's simply a reflection.

"Hey, are you all set to go?" Julia called out, and Sage turned from the vanity table and smiled.
"I'm different, different when I come to pack with brothers..." Her voice was so soft, and the Beta female found herself coming over to her Luna and wrapping behind her figure.

"You look healthy and happy, and mated. That'll cure any she-wolf. Now let's get going, we can't be late." A small gasp escapes her as she rises to her feet and hurried downstairs.

The walk was short, especially with the warm weather compared to when she trudged through the snow to simply get to the pack house. Granted she hoped by the next winter, she could drive properly.
Though she wasn't all that hopeful as she eyed another golf cart with a glare.

"Hey munchkin." Remus greeted just outside the packhouse, he hurried down the stairs and earned himself a smile as she caught him wearing a very nice lilac dress shirt.

"You're wearing my favorite shirt?"
"Yeah, I thought it was time to break it out. I just wanted to go through really quick on what's going to happen." She blinked up towards him, he could feel her wolf pacing back and forth in suspicion.

Especially when she glanced to the door.

"There is no summer party..." She said in cation, and a stab of anxiousness ran through her—Making Remus and his wolf eager to feel safe and secure.

"Nah, it's your party."
"My party?" He nodded and offered his hand, but she eyed it in suspicion.

"My wolf won't let you out of my sight when you're hearts beating like that munchkin, don't you trust me?" Sage trusted him of course, but there was one person she trusted more.

But she felt the honesty in the bond and lifted her hand into his, earning a kiss on the back of her palm before gesturing to the pack doors.

Usually they were open, but them closed seemed to drive her wolf to lower her head in wait. And she was right to do so when the entirety of the pack had jumped out from their hiding spots and shouted their terms of endearment.

But the word fell on deaf ears as Sage's eyes turned black and her instant reaction was now to hide behind her mate. An action that took Luke by surprise, and he turned to his own mate in question.

"She's been a little jumpy, that's what Blake said at least." She whispered back all before coming over and wishing her 'happy birthday' which caused her to look at Remus.

"Happy birthday?"
"It's your birthday hun."
"I have a birthday?"
"Everyone has a birthday, Birdie told me you were born today. This is your surprise party munchkin." Her face was impassive as she looked at the rest of the pack, either inside or outdoors. And a soft smile started to form, not because of her mate beside her, but the unity of the pack.

Seeing the former Rogues integrated with the pack members, that was the perfect gift.

"My birthday..." Remus came closer, his nose brushing against her cheek and agreeing with her. "Happy birthday munchkin."
"Thank you?" She questioned, which he wasn't surprised. She was confused at his own party to really understand the concept.

"Your twenty-three, but I don't think you got used to the taste for our alcoholic brew?"
"No, smells funny..." Kissing her cheek, he whispered his confirmation on the fact that she shouldn't be drinking anyway.

The two mingled around, but the pack found it an easy-going party—It wasn't a dress to impress, it was casual. And he could feel Sage's acceptance on that end, especially when she entertained the pups and sat with them.

They all crowded around her with ease, and it brought a smile to the parent's eyes to see the Luna so active. Remus was surprised, though the Pup ceremony surely activated something new in her.

Or it was the fact that she was carrying his pup.

"Think this is the most I've seen you smile, Alpha." Eli teased, and it just earned him another flashing grin. "Who would've thought we would find our mates this year?"
"I think Sage did all the work there Rem, but I'm not going to complain. Not when my mate is looking like that." Eli left in mention of that as he snaked his arms around Jules and kissed his mark on her neck.

The happiness was riveting, yet there was one corner that it was tainted.
Snyder and Kelly were stuck on kitchen duty on the worst day possible. Not only were they on duty during the party, but they were also watching Sage's pureness spread like a disease around the pack.

The scowl never left Kelly's face, especially when she returned to the kitchen to hear the same lecture and curses from her great aunt.

"Me and my age, bah! Cooking! The only people I should be cooking for are my pups! I bet that Luna of ours does nothing more than drool at his feet." Kelly wanted to scream, to shout at her aunt to stop with the torture. It was bad enough she was still heartbroken about Remus, that she was the slight

"Nana, please."
"Please? Oh, I'll give you something to be pleasing me for! Get these out to the princess and be quick about it." It was a blessing to be out of the kitchen, and while she found conversation with a few of her friends—It wasn't worth it.

Her Nana having been stripped made the elder even more bitter than before, in private she had the courage of an Alpha but the second anyone came closer her neck craned.

Even to Gigi, it seemed like Synder was a mess of misery. Begging for forgiveness and kissing ass. But the second she was alone, she was a devious she-wolf.

Remus was itching to talk to the pack, but he had to wait to match the schedule he planned. It was just starting to get dark and the bonfires were starting to be lit as the party moved from either inside or out to just outside.

Sage readily enjoyed the pups who asked if they could bring their instruments, and he thought that his mate's fondness of music would make her more at ease.

With everyone starting to calm down and a break-in session from the music, it was finally time. "You want to tell them now, Munchkin?" She nodded quickly, her wolf wanted to share the news.

She wanted to tell the rest of pack that they didn't have to worry about Crescent Moon's heir. Remus could feel her wolf jumping around in glee at the mention of it, she was right at the surface.

Meaning that she was on the right path in terms of pregnancy, a she-wolf had instant access to her wolf. And if it was any sign enough, the pack would be protective of an expecting she-wolf.

But the Luna being pregnant?
Gods, he couldn't even imagine what would happen.

When he and Sage approached the little stage they made for the entertainment, he called out to the pack and wanted to bring the attention forward. His little mate was nervous in front of everyone with their eyes on her again.

It only made Remus pull tighter into his embrace.

"I want to thank everyone for giving my mate a very happy first birthday, but I also wanted to mention that today, June 6th, is the day she and her brothers escaped the underground and made the trek back home to Crescent Moon. Without the Elwood brothers, I would've never had the chance to meet my mate, your Luna." There were more than a few drunk yips and hollers that followed in a toast.

"But I'm honored to stand here before you...To say that your Luna is expecting our first pup." There had been half a beat, that's all it took before the pack howled in approval.

The cheers and blessings coursed them instantly, and while Sage didn't know how to feel about them touching her stomach so openly. Her wolf embraced it, knowing that no ill will would happen.

Not with Remus right beside her.

The blessings were indeed needed, and Sage took them each with a shiver down her spine and a wiggle. And while most wolves were smiling at the continuing of the Moon bloodline in their pack, Kelly's heart was breaking.

"What's got you blubbering like a pup?" Her Nana spat, and the mere mention of pup sent her further. She had always hope that by some miracle that she wouldn't need a heat, but in the realm of packs—An low-tier wolf such as herself would never be strong enough to birth an Alpha pup.

She was an Omega, she had the strength but not the dominance like most other she-wolves had. She preyed on the weak and the weak gave in, so when she clutched her empty womb in damnation as she held onto the counter.

"The Luna's pregnant." She sobbed, and Synder stopped in the instant in her next task. Wiping her hands down her apron as she went towards her own blood—Her kin's kin.

"They announced it?"
"Just a few minutes ago, the pack is—"
"The pack is blind. Soon they'll see the type of rogue bitch she really is. That pup will be yours, I promise you that, my dear." She bitterly remarked, and while Kelly wanted to stop this nonsense. That the defiance to the Alpha and Luna couple would be a death sentence.

The spite that had festered in her long enough caused her to nod her head. A hand soon found its way on top of her own hand against her flat stomach.

It was dirty and cruel, but Kelly was bitter and so was her Nana.

______

Date: 08-09-2021

Time: 9:38

Words: 4058