* * *

An accounted twenty she-wolves had gone through their heat, including Sage and Elenor. And while there was a bit of hypocrisy, the pack soon continued on their daily lives knowing that the other she-wolves would get their time eventually.

Sage's ability to produce an heir for their Alpha was being tested now, and some were all too keen to point out that perhaps the scientists had made her infertile.

How was Sage meant to respond in hearing that?
It made her wolf feel like a failure, so much so that she had called Jade in tears over the whole ordeal. But Jade was such a calm figure in her life that it was quickly defused, that she herself had been through a few heats before Hardin came.

This led to Sage hiding her first real secret from Remus, her friend explained that all Luna's and she-wolves went through this type of discrimination, that sometimes pack politics saw them as nothing but breeders for the next generation.

"Our mates aren't like that, Sage. Remus wanted you to be ready to try for a pup. There are ways to stop a pup from being made during heat, but he waited for your consent. It doesn't matter what the pack thinks, you'll have a pup soon." Sage had been reduced to tears, though of course, it was all due to the comments from the older generation—And all women at that.

Sage would stare in wonder in the mirror thinking of how a pup would fit into her stomach, and the deity above just took this as a significant memento.

After her call with Jade, she hopped into the shower in hopes that the hot water would get rid of the scent of tears. And while she was minding her own thoughts, she failed to hear her mate come home—Or join her until two arms snaked around her waist and a kiss lingered on her neck.

"Goddess Sage, the water's burning." He grumbled, quickly putting it a few degrees lower, she turned around with a smile. Pushing back all that happened as she snuggled into his hold.
It wasn't that odd, her heat had only been a few days ago, meaning that the possession and obsession with each other were still high.

"You're warm." He chuckled and wrapped his arms around her further. "I missed you too, I'm sorry I had to leave so early this morning."
"That's okay, you're home now." Remus felt his wolf relish in her full sentences, no hisses or growls—Unless provoked. Instead, she spoke her mind and disagreed when she felt the need to.

It made communicating so much easier, and he had to give credit to Evie. She was the one who worked with Sage constantly and taught her almost everything required for her to earn a high school diploma.

The days leading up to their departure to Grey Hallow were rather daunting, Sage felt scared to shift. Thinking that it would disrupt her body in making a pup—So she avoided it until she felt the worries leave.

Her wolf tried to sniff herself but hadn't gotten any change in her scent, it made her tail lower and inflicted a two-hour run that Jack joined in halfway through after realizing she had gone alone.

I know my way around pack.
She'd say, and it caused Jack to roll his eyes and sneeze in his wolf form.

Yeah, I know that Peaches, but Luna's aren't supposed to be alone anyways. That's dangerous, especially with how many Rogue attacks we've had this year already.
Jack explained, and from recent knowledge of other packs and learning about the hierarchy system a little bit more.

She realized just recently that her and Jack's relationship wasn't all that odd, even when she was still living with the Elwoods and hadn't met Remus yet. Both Jack and Eli had argued in the favor of her staying in Crescent Moon, their protective nature over her triumphed over an Alpha's decision.

However, with all that being said, Sage tried her best to pack her suitcase for Grey Hallow. But she was heavily confused about what to bring.
Was she supposed to wear something nice?

Thinking back to when she was in Mystic Grim, she remembered that she wore jeans and a nice button-up. Would that work? Having added a few dresses and leggings as well she found herself semi-ready to go.

She might've gotten distracted by the video Haylee sent—Which left Remus to come into their room confused as ever.

"Hey, you all set?" She looked up in complete confusion and paused her video. "I finished packing, but I don't know what to wear."
"They're friends munchkin, we don't have to dress to impress."
"Dress to impress...Is that what I do when I go and see Luna's?" Remus bobbed his head before taking her suitcase in hand.

"Luna's like to show off how expensive things are hun, well I take that back. All women like to show off expensive things."
"Have to?"
"Nah, they do it to overrank each other." Sage digested the words as best she could but part of it didn't make sense.

The next morning their flight was schedule and Remus wasn't surprised to see that she was in one of the outfits Birdie sent. Similar to the one she wore on her first day of school paired with jeans, it earned her a kiss and a promise that he was going to enjoy taking it off.

Liam and Blake were the ones joining them this trip, while Luke wanted to go—He had a duty to the reformed to get them trained. Especially since his dad was making the commitment between Crescent Moon and Arctic Crest.

Liam was excited to visit another Pack, he and his wolf were a little jealous of how Luke found his mate. Even when he tried to share the logical reasoning that Luke was older, it didn't matter to his wolf.

Blake, on the other hand, was happy to be needed. Everyone could see the pure loyalty in his eyes when he stood beside Sage. And it was knowledge between the higher tiers that the only reason Blake was even here and working was because of Sage.
His loyalty and aid to the pack were because of her.

She spoke 'savage' as her pack labeled the reformed.

"You feeling alright hun?" Remus questioned, and she turned to look towards him with a look that spoke 'really?' As that question had been asked countless times since they boarded the plane.

"Sassy Sage has entered the chat." Liam teased off towards Blake and the two males were laughing lightly in the private plane. Luckily it was less than an hour flight, and Sage was readily prepared with a book in hand, all curled up beside her mate who was getting a bit of work done.

However, when it came time for the plane to start to descend, Sage gripped her mate's arm and tried to hide away. And while Remus wanted to pull her into his lap, he managed to stop his movement from unbuckling her—She was very serious in keeping it on the entire flight.

When they did land, Sage didn't make any move to stand from her seat.
Liam knew that look all too well and handed her the garbage bin just moments before she vomited the entirety of her breakfast.

Leaving Remus to rub her back and get her hair out of the line of fire.

"Sounds like you partied too hard last night Sage." Liam teased, and Blake groaned as he took his own bag from his seat. His wolf was worried for his Luna, while Remus was thankful that Elwood had acted as quickly as he did.

After she puked and managed to chug down half the bottle of water, Sage started to feel much better. Though it just made Remus and his wolf even more protective, if that was even possible.

When her feet landed onto the tarmac she breathed a sigh of relief, though she turned in suspicion towards the two wolves awaiting at a car.

"Same when we went to Mystic Grimm, we're going to meet them at the packhouse." She grinned eagerly, taking her mate's hand in hers as they came up to the car waiting for them.

"Alpha Remus, Luna Sage...Welcome to Grey Hallow." Beta Joe had stated, earning him a bright smile from the Luna. Of course she heard some deep voices in some very large males before, but Joe was built like a tank—Much like Luke.

"Hello." She said in a lofty voice, and the she-wolf that stood beside the Beta smiled brightly.
"Sorry, my brother's being a hard ass...I'm Julia." As much as Sage wanted to go over to the female and rub her cheek, she managed to stay planted beside her mate.

"Julia." He growled, but it was in a teasing nature that caused Sage to smile once again. Finding humor in their relationship, that's probably what she and Luke looked like to others.

She was sure of it.

Soon everyone piled into the SUV, Blake and Liam were comfortable in the back while their Alpha's were in the second-row passenger seat.

Sage noticed a few things that were different from Crescent Moon to Grey Hallow. The houses had a different style, while they were cabins as well, it was the wood that really caught Sage's eye.

Another detail she noticed, was that it was a much larger pack territory. The drive took a decent chunk of time before the car finally stopped in front of a large building.

Much larger than either Mystic Grimm's and Crescent Moon's packhouse.

"There's an apartment complex built into the side of the packhouse, and then on the other side it's the pack warriors—Usually the males who don't want to live with their parents anymore stay there." Sage blinked at Julia's explanation but then a smile blossomed on her face.

"It's big." She spoke, and Remus kissed the side of her temple as they continued into the building.

Sage was issued a dozen scents in one whiff, everyone from pup to warrior. The building and its space reminded her of the mall, everything was open and easily lead to different areas.

On the way to the Alpha's office, Julia was very informative to give the group a slight tour. She spoke much more than Joe was, it confused Sage—Wasn't he the Beta?

"Can I see your tattoo? I heard Issac gushing about it over the phone last meeting." Julia said, and it was indeed the right thing as Sage didn't mind the push of boundaries. And after showing her the tattoo, Sage and Julia were instant best friends.

"Don't get any funny ideas, Julia," Joe said in warning, but Sage understood that tattoos weren't a normal trend among wolves. Although her's and Remus' were for the pack, it stopped there.

As it would look like a brand otherwise.

Joe had knocked on his Alpha's door before coming through and holding it open. And before Sage knew it, she saw Issac and Remus in a bear hug, and she squealed at seeing the friendship between them.

"This must be Sage?" Issac said, pretending to check her out for Remus to growl in defense. But the Luna of Crescent Moon wasn't all that naive anymore as she crossed her arms over her chest and made a face.

"Sorry sweetheart, your mate is too easy to tease. It's nice to properly meet you...Tell me, is he still a pain in the ass?" Sage blinked up to the other Alpha in utter confusion, her shoulders lowering.

"I don't know what that means." She whispered, and Liam went over to whisper it in her ear.

"That's alright munchkin, he was just trying to make a joke," Remus said eyeing his friend in warning, and Issac felt awful for making her uncomfortable already. It wasn't how he wanted to start out this new relationship with the entirety of the power couple.

"Jokes go over my head sometimes." She explained, and Issac shrugged his shoulders and offer a hug. That was something she enjoyed, physical contact. So she found herself hugging him and politely rubbing her cheek to his.

"Oh you're sweet. How was the flight?" Sage made a face and shook her head, while her mate explained that she was a little sick.

"Let me get you something to eat, are you two hungry?" Blake smirked in temptation at Julia's offer, earning him a rather firm growl from Joe. The protective nature of a brother to their sister was a familiar relationship as well.

"That'd be great Julia, Sage is a big fan of tea if you have any." At the mention of tea, the Luna looked over very hopeful. And Julia nodded, knowing she was just going to get a whole bunch of everything.

"I'll see what I can do, be right back!" Julia said before leaving the room, while Liam decided that he was going to see his aunt now to give the Alpha couple some privacy.

Though he was secretly hoping to run into his mate.

Blake asked if he could go and train, but Issac noticed that the former Rogue had asked his Luna instead of his Alpha.

"Alpha Issac, can Blake go and train?" Issac didn't know how he felt with his friend's mate calling him by title, but he realized that he hadn't made a friendship with her yet.

Though the hug did help.

"Course, my Beta will show you where to go." He said, and Sage smiled up to the Alpha before squinting her eyes. "No trouble."
"Yes ma'am!" He said, looking excited to work out. Which led Remus to lead his mate over towards the couches.

She found herself rather interested in how long Remus and Issac knew one another. While she didn't talk that much, a little shy in meeting a new Alpha—She was thankful that Julia returned with a tray of food.

And the tea!

"Thank you," Sage said before taking a gentle sip, she favored all teas, and Julia wasn't really well versed in what flavor was good versus another. So she asked another wolf downstairs and this was considered a neutral flavor.

"Mary is just finishing up her reading, she'll join us in a few."

Settling into her seat did she sip her tea and found herself spacing out here and there. "Is Sage alright?"
"She gets nervous with new people sometimes, she'll be fine by tomorrow. I think the plane just made her tired." Sage knew that they were talking about her, she was beside them and all.

She was just trying to sort through her thoughts.

"Remmy?" He turned to her, wondering if it was a private mention or something but she bit her lip, knowing it was too late to hide it. "Intuition."
"Good or bad?"
"Good. Don't know for who." Issac narrowed his brow in confusion as to what they were talking about, and Remus defused it with a smile.

"Sage has these little spirits of intuition, comes and it goes."
"Yeah? And what does a 'bad intuition' mean?" Sage didn't know if she was supposed to speak about the Rogues in Mystic Grimm, and thankful she stayed silent as Remus disclosed the Rogues that had a surprise attack during her Luna initiation.

As well as Jade carrying a pup.

"I know Luke finds his mate in Mystic Grimm when we go visit." She claimed, and Remus nodded in confirmation.

Before either of them could speak next, the door opened for the room to see two females. Jules and Mary.

And Sage smiled off to the Luna, who was wearing a very beautiful dress as she slowly walked in—Powerfully, but cautious.

Either Sage and Remus rose to their feet alongside Issac as he met her halfway, kissing her cheek and whispering into her ear before aiding her position to face Crescent Moon's Alphas.

"Alpha Remus, Luna Sage...Thank you for coming." Sage was intaking the long scar that went across Mary's face, along with the fact that her eyes were a very pure shade of white.

While those closeted to Sage attempted to explain what being blind entailed, they didn't think she properly understood. "Hello." She said, weaving her way from the table and going up to the Luna.

"I'm Sage, it's nice to meet you." Issac's eyes danced between Remus and Sage, but it was a surprise at what Sage was doing. She spoke as she moved closer, and rose up her wrist for Mary to smell properly.

And a smile crept on Grey Hallow's Luna, so much so she pulled Sage in to rub her cheek.

"Your voice sounds so soft...But you're scent, it's strong."
"I kill big bear on hunt." Remus sighed and pulled his mate back with a small tug, and she looked at him as she felt like she said something wrong.

But Remus just silenced those thoughts with a kiss on her forehead.

"She's very proud of it," Remus smirked down, seeing his smiling mate lean into him further. But then her eyes danced towards Mary again.

She wanted to try something and so she turned to the mirror and when either of the males had caught that her attention went elsewhere—she sent the thought off towards Mary.

"Oh that little—She dressed me in white!"
"I think it looks pretty." Mary chuckled to Sage's compliment. "Oh sweetie, I don't think I'm innocent enough for white...Is there any tea left?" Sage eagerly nodded and went back off towards the table and started to fix her up a glass.

"No sugar please, sweetheart."
"Sugar goes in tea?" She said blinking off towards Remus and he nodded. "That's the ice tea hun, there's sugar in that." An understanding 'oh' escape Sage, but she went to go to sit beside Mary and touched her hand with her free one before transferring and settling the teacup in hers.

"Thank you." Mary cooed, and Sage smiled. She always accepted friends, and while Issac shared that he wouldn't mind Mary being more social with those of her rank. Most didn't because they were scared of her. Even when she bumped into things, the she-wolf was known to curse to swear—Meaning she had a nasty temper.

And while Mary couldn't see Sage looking, she could certainly feel her gaze.

She's looking at my scar, isn't she?

No kitten, I think she wants you to talk to her. She was nervous to meet us.

Mary knew that she wasn't the most traditional Luna—She came from the middle rank after all, but she rose up enough and gained strength in her wolf with the help of her mate.

"Remus tells us you've been working with Rogues?"
"I call them Reformed, I don't think they like to be called Rogues. And they have a home now." Mary attempted to keep a calm face as she heard her mate laughing in the back of her head.

Damnit why did the Luna have to be so damn cute?

"And they're behaving, listening?"
"They're pups. If they don't behavior or listen, they go in the ring." This caught Issac's attention straight away, but Mary smiled into her tea.

"What do you mean ring?" Issac questioned, and Sage smiled towards him. "I see them not listen to me or Jack, they learn hie-arc-ke— Remmy how do you say it?" Remus repeated the word and Mary couldn't take it anymore.

She placed her cup down and instantly brought Sage into a hug. "Oh you sweet sweet wolf, you're adorable!... Issac, can we keep her?" Remus crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head.

"She's mine." Remus declared, only for Sage to follow up with, "But Mary smells nice."

Remus groaned into the air, looking off to his friend and shaking his head. "I think she smells nice too. And that she looks beautiful in white." Issac growled seductively, ad Sage turned her nose and hid away.

"Absolutely not, you're going to corrupt her." Mary scowled off to her mate, though it was a little off in terms of direction
"Me?! She just went through her heat last week, I really doubt she's the most innocent wolf in the world." Mary was having none of that as she ran her hands through Sage's hair.

"Shh, don't listen to him. He's an asshole." Sage gasped, and Remus shook his head.
"She's not a fan of swears." Which earned Mary a pat on the knee.

"Looks like it's a PG weekend for you. Don't want to corrupt Sage here." That word sounded so familiar but with her silence, Remus wasn't surprised that she linked him to ask him what it means.

And from prior experience, Sage didn't like when he responded with word definitions out loud.

She called you innocent hun, and if you corrupt someone they aren't innocent anymore.

With the two Alpha's and two Luna's reuniting—Or after having met for the first time in Sage's case, Mary offered to take Sage out to the garden.

And she was beyond excited in seeing it.

"I want you to take Joe and Ian with you," Issac said in warning, and Mary huffed. "We'll be fine, Sage will be my eyes." In the mention of her name, Sage gave a smile—No wonder Remus could never say no to her.
Even Issac was having some trouble.

I see how you ended up with that tattoo.
Was all Issac had said, but he managed to stand his ground.

And before Sage knew it, either Beta Joe and another fellow had entered the room. Having recognized Joe, it earned him a smile—And a friendly stranger had been granted the same.

"Come on Sage, why don't you tell me about the bear hunt?" Remus smirked into his coffee, knowing full well that Mary was catering to the conversation—But it meant the utter world to Sage to be able to talk about something like that.

However the garden Sage had pictured was nothing as to what she was entering in, her eyes hadn't closed once as she gazed upon the rows and rows of flowers in bloom. "It's mine and Luna's project when we're not in the office." The stranger said, and it caused Sage to tilt her head.

"I'm Ian, Issac's little brother...You've met Joey right?" Sage nodded, her smile and wide eyes never looking unimpressed. Even for a moment.

"Oh come on Joey, just a lil smile. Look how adorable this lil Luna is." Ian teased, and it earned him a deep growl from Joey—Though it wasn't in warning.

It sounded the same as when Remus did it to her when she was being fresh or naughty.

Mary could smell the confusion radiating off her friend, and turned to her ear for a moment.
"They're mates, sweetheart." Understanding washed over, and while Joe was waiting for a sign of confusion—as to why two males ended up together.

Nothing came.

Leaving him confused, but otherwise losing the 'stick up his ass' as his sister teased.

"Is Joe the Beta or is Ian?"
"We tag-team it—Sorry, we're both Betas," Ian explained, fixing his slang words as Joe mentioned that she had a difficult time with jokes.

The two Lunas soon found a beautiful spot to sit, and Sage felt perfectly happy in sitting in her spot, holding the grass in her hands as she smelled the beautiful flowers.

Within the silence, Sage had gotten up for a moment and started picking at one of the flowers that were dying—Trying to aid its recovery, she always felt at a loss when one of her plants in the house died. And while she kept telling Remus that they should stay outside, he never listened.

Meaning that they died inside.

Was it because she felt like a trapped plant inside when she was locked in a cell? Perhaps. They needed sunlight and proper air just like she should've gotten, and instead, she was given controlled water and limited nutrition.

However, here she managed just as nicely, and the broken flowers caused her to gain an idea. Having her return back to the group with enough supplies to make them flower crows.

She finished the first one and put it on Luna's head silently, before offering the next one to Ian who was all too happy to put it on his head...Until she came to Joe.

Sage knew that not all people were going to like her, and the only reason he was apprehensive about the Luna was because he knew just as well not everyone was going to be accepting a male-to-male mate relationship.

"You don't want flower crown?" Mary closed her eyes, shaking her head as she knew what the problem here is. While Ian was open and completely alright with the sexuality of his mate, Joe still had a bit of trouble with others accepting it.

And Sage was good at reading people as the offered flower crown was retracted.

She willed herself not to cry, she knew that it would make matters worse and she didn't want Remus to get upset with Joe. It was okay if he didn't like her, Mary and Ian did.
As well as Julia.

She was new after all, Remus had already met him before.

The conversation soon sparked as Mary asked about the bear hunt, and Sage spoke in a few half-sentences before getting the grove of what she was trying to get across.

When dinner finally rolled around, Sage could smell the slight hint of that alcoholic drink that Remus would on occasion drink—Especially during parties. "Do you want a sip munchkin?" She shook her head and instead snuggled up into her mate's hold, a sure indication that it was time to go to bed soon.

Better to do it now when she's tried, as Sage never really felt comfortable in a new place until the second day.

"Did you have fun with Mary?... I saw the flower crowns you made." She was silent and Remus couldn't pinpoint what was wrong, so while she was getting dressed for bed, he tugged her by her bare waist and she responded with a huff.

"Nooo, I'm tired."
"Are you alright hun? Did someone say something?" She shook her head, and let out a quick 'no' before returning back to her task.

"Just tired, ate too much." It was true, Sage did like the bean casserole that the kitchen made. So he attempted to pull her into his grasp, kissing her stomach as she stood in between his legs.

It earned him the smile he and his wolf were craving, but it wasn't full. There was still something wrong—and it wasn't her eating too much.

"Sage...please tell me what's wrong?"
"No."
"No? Then I guess I have to assume the worse hun." She huffed, getting out of his hold and heading to the bed. Knowing that Remus would want the side with the large window and the front door to its side.

"Sage Elwood Moon, we're not done here." He said playfully, plopping down onto the bed beside her, though not under the covers like she managed.

It was highly likely that Remus was still feeling a large possessiveness of his mate, as Alpha's were known to respond to heats differently than most. And so he threw his boxers off and shifted into his wolf, wiggling as close as he possibly could into her until she cracked.

And it worked every time.

"You silly wolf, I'm not talking."

Please munchkin? My wolf is getting antsy.

"I can't figure out int-ition." She huffed, her hands running through his thinning spring coat. And when her hand managed to get too close to his muzzle, he would start licking it. Capturing it under his big paw and allowing his wolf to get his own kisses in.

When did it start?

"When we leave the plane, no help." He wolf huffed a chuckle as he finally let his head lay down onto her chest, his snoot directly in front of her mouth.

And she leaned forward to give him a kiss and a scratch under his chin. Causing him to growl in suggestion—Though it caused her to still and frown.

That wasn't what was wrong, was it?

"Joe don't like me."

Why do you think that hun?

"He don't take my flower crown, and he don't talk to me."

Remus' chin started to dig nuzzle further into her and licked to what he could reach.

Joe is protective of his mate hun, most of America doesn't accept their mating.

"What? Why?"

Because they're males, Sage.

"But mates are from moon goddess...she picks."

That's right, but some people—Humans include—think that it should only be males and females together. To produce pups.

"That means there are female mates for females?"

Yeah, it's not that strange. But when Joe and Ian did mate, wolves were against it.

"They can't have pups..."

They can adopt. If a pup loses their parents I'm sure they're first in the running to get to be their guardians.

"What about Rogue pup?" She caught how Remus' eyes widened in recognition, that was a great idea!

How did I get so lucky with you Sage...?

"I dunno, but I know I'm not living until I leave underground with my brothers, like my flowers at home. They need to be outside."

I don't think I've lived either. Not until I saw you, munchkin.

Remus couldn't hold back his shift back to skin, he pressed down against her and it wasn't long until they found the familiar rhythm to one another's embrace.

______

Date: 07-13-2021

Time: 11:00

Words: 5012

I wanted to get this chapter out before July to honor Pride month, but that's okay! 
Those in Grey Hallow will be making more appearances, that includes Joe/Ian, Julia, and Issac/Mary.

What do we think about Sage taking charge of her role as Luna?

Is it too early in the series to decide a favorite character yet?

Let me know, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

And I apologize for not updating yesterday, but expect the next chapter tomorrow!