* * *

It wasn't until the end of the week that Jack finally ended up in the ring with Sage. And they ended in a glorious tie.

Due to the fact that neither the she-wolf nor the Delta were going to back down.

This was a battle of ego, and even with a painful sprained wrist and a very bloody outcome on either side, neither backed down until the others stepped in and ended it with a draw.

Almost instantly did Sage bleed through the shirt provided for her.

"Damn Sage, are we still good?" Her eyes connected off towards him and she nodded her head forward in response.

"Fuck, she's got a nasty bite." Her wolf was basking in the comments, especially while Leo was getting the first aid kit.

"No, we need to bring her to the pack healer..." She huffed in confirmation, but even if she tried to rise to her feet, none of the males surrounding her would let her.

All in the assumption that she hurt her foot.

"No hurt." Liam scoffed.

"Goddess Sage, it's swollen!" The difference between this huff and the previous one to her adoptive father was one was out of agreement while the other was out of protest.

Though it was Luke that picked her up and started the walk-off to the medical facility. Sage stilled out of worry, but after seeing the familiar she-wolf, she felt more at ease.

The pack healer cleaned and dressed each of her injuries. Wrapping her wrist and ankle before moving on and stitching up the large gash at her side.

The girl started to protest in that regard.

"Nope, you have to get it stitched up, hun. It's not up for debate." Personally, she hated both the wraps or the stitches. As they made shifting uncomfortable.

But she did earn a lollypop at the end, so it was decently worth it.

When walking out of Kenzie's office, she was allowed to walk out on her own two feet. With little to no limp.

One of her diagnoses was that Sage had a high tolerance rate to not only to pain, but her healing factor was nearly maxed out.

Even now was everything healing at a considerable rate. But that didn't stop Liam from keeping an arm up and over her shoulder.

"Liam?...Luke? Damn, it feels like I'm seeing a ghost." Luke gritted his teeth as this was not the time for another introduction. But then again, it was his brother's lil crush, so he didn't have much of a say.

"Hey Ally, this isn't really a good time for—" Luke chuckled as it was an obviously bad picture all things considering, so he took the lead.

"Allison, this is our sister, Sage." The two she-wolves looked to one another in competition, but even in her form, Sage still held the higher level as she growled in damnation.

"Sage, that's rude...What do we do when we meet someone new?" Allison didn't understand who she was. Sure, 'sister' was a title, but it didn't give the entire backstory since Ally knew the Elwood's well.

"Hi." Either brother could've groaned out as there were days she was two steps forward or five steps back. And today was one of those days.

"Hey? It's nice to meet you?"

"We met Sage in the facility." Instantly Allison felt like a bitch for coming off so unempathetic to her situation. "Oh goddess, I'm sorry...What happened to her—"

"This one had a lil sparing match with Delta Jack." Liam's she-wolf rose a brow in wanting to hear the continuation of that story and laughed when the brothers filled her in on the details.

"I bet he looks worse, huh?" The question was off towards Sage, but the girl in Liam's arm simply didn't have a reaction to what she had said.

"Hm, Sage managed a tie...But you know what, someone needs a partner when going for a run. We have patrol early on." Allison nodded at the offer, and she smiled towards the new pack member. As seeing a new face was indeed odd.

Especially when she's not mated to someone in the pack.

"Of course, she can't have you two hanging around her forever." Liam was offended in the instant as he took it to heart.

"What's wrong with that?"

"Oh please, how many times did you or Luke want to rip off Jack's head for the comments he's made?" She was met with the dark gaze of ether warrior of the Elwood line and she snickered.

"I'll come by around ten."

"Might have a lil trouble keeping up with her, Bell." Liam teased, and it threw her into a grin.

"I'm up for a race." Sage's mind sparked with excitement as she looked to the she-wolf and smiled. "Run?"

"Tomorrow. If you're healed." She pouted up towards Luke, which caused Ally to chuckled into her hand.

"She's got him whipped." Liam joked, but his brother simply flickered towards his brother...

You share a bed with her...Or is that something you want to tell—

Luckily Sage's stomach growled, and it distracted the three wolves around her. "Izzy's free too. It'll be good for her to be around girls her own age."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Liam was close to stomping his foot down after hearing such a comment.

"Suppose you'll find out tomorrow..." She spoke, leaning into Sage and rubbing cheeks before planting a small kiss on Liam's. But what cracked Luke's usually stoic expression was how telling Sage's smirk had turned.

Like she knew.

"Zip it, Sage. Or you're on your own tonight," Liam growled, continuing to aid her back to the house. Though they had an hour before settling into bed, the sons of the Elwood family decided to watch a movie.

Nothing too gruesome, action-packed sure...But with Casey in the room, it had to be decently turned down.

Even if the she-wolf didn't understand most, if not all, of the movie. She did enjoy staring at the screen and watching the people move around and visit the places on the large box on the wall.

Come bedtime, however, Sage growled to Liam as he attempted to lie in bed beside her. "Hey...Hey, I didn't spar with you today. That was Jack!" He huffed in aggravation, all this causing Luke to peek his head in at hearing the small commotion.

"What's the problem?"

"She growled at me!" Liam spoke, pouting like a child. But Sage looked up with her innocent eyes as she blinked slowly.

"Hun, what's wrong? Is it your ankle?"

"No." She spoke, and when Liam attempted to sit on the bed again, it earned him a second growl. This one acting as more of a warning than the first.

"Seems like she's kicking you out, brother. The couch is mine." Liam looked exceedingly hurt as he turned to see Sage. But she sent him her memory of what he had said to Ally, and he attempted to apologize, but she ignored it all. "No."

"Please?...I'll make chicken and potatoes...And ice cream!" He hadn't meant any offense when he said it, but Luke understood what she was doing.

And it was good for them to start taking a stand and have her own opinion.

"You heard the lady, off to bed." Liam couldn't believe what was happening.

"I wanna hear it from her." It was a suggestion from their mother that they should try to integrate her into speaking more than huffing and puffing.

Even if they are wolves, she should still be able to communicate.

"Off to bed." Her voice was rough around the edges, but it was a close sentence as any. Although it was against what Liam had wanted, he couldn't be completely angry.

"Do I at least get a kiss goodnight?" Sage has only ever sent memories or thoughts to Luke, but right now, she sent the picture of Ally kissing him, pairing it with a smirk and a little wiggle.

Goddess, she is a feisty little thing.

"Mate." She spoke, and truthfully it turned into a trigger word when it had anything to do with their sister.

"No, no mate. Not for a long time, missy." It made her wolf sad to hear that, but it wasn't something she needed to focus on.

"Sleep." That was the last thing she mumbled. It was her form of endearment or a 'goodnight,' although they tried to get her to say short sentences and not just single-worded questions.

Since Luke was helping his father for most of the night, meaning that Sage spent it alone in her room. It hadn't been all that different, considering she's been alone for most of her life.

But now there were bright colors, and anything could catch her attention. She didn't need to count the tiles on the walls anymore to help her fall asleep. And she even had the choice to leave in the room if she preferred otherwise.

This room wasn't her cell, nor was this house.

*

Sage entered the kitchen and flashed a smile off towards Luke, going up and rubbing her cheek affectionately to him. He withheld his eye roll, as his sister was indeed a comfort around both him and Liam. Her only competition of being that was Casey, who is still considered a young pup.

"Lu?" She questioned, and he popped his head back on up to look towards her. She was asking if he wanted any orange juice. It almost turned into a daily ritual.

"Whatcha got there?" Sage knew he was testing her. He knew what it was, considering he showed her what this drink was. So she huffed impatiently.

"What color is it?" Her eyes were staring directly at the words, and it was a difficult sight to see, but she steadily spoke the color, and he nodded.

"Orange Juice, that's right. Can you put it in a full sentence?" She swallowed and held the glass up.

"Want Orange juice?" His grin was wider than before, and he nodded.

"'Do you want some Orange Juice?' Of course hun. Half a glass." She fulfilled the order and mumbled the question once again, and the mere entrance of Caleb did she test it out.

"Do you want Orange Juice?" The wolf had taken to answering with a quick yes and didn't think anything of it, not until he caught who asked, and he instantly stilled. "Ever think about teaching, brother?"

"I'll stick with training. Are you home tonight?" The conversation soon continued up and around Sage as she sat stationed at the table with her drawing book in hand and all.

Casey had been the one to teach her some new designs, but it paired best with the adult coloring book their mother had gifted her. It's meant to 'soothe the mind,' just coloring in these massive designs.

The doorbell rang, and it grew confusing as to whom might be here, but soon enough, it became clear. Sage was going out with future friends.

"Now Sage, I want you to listen to Ally, alright? Whenever she says goes." She nodded in that regard. The male was shifting the power to this she-wolf. She understood that for now, she couldn't be on her own.

Following close behind did she spot the two females, both of which held the same alluring scent of one another. They looked friendly enough, and Luke had no doubt about her judgment of character.

"G-good morning, Luke," Izzy whispered, shedding a blush as she looked to the very intimidating male. Most she-wolves were attracted to those stronger than the rest, as it was the natural order of progression.

Especially if some were to grow more than just a general attraction, it wasn't odd for some older wolves to seek out bonds. They're just considered different from regular bonds, the decision between fated couples created by the Moon Goddess herself.

Or choice mates, where the wolves found their own life partner.

And it happens on more than a few occasions when both sides give up the chance to find their true mate.

"Good morning Sage, are you ready for a run?" She nodded with sheer built happiness. Looking up to Luke, he offered out his hand in a gesture for them to go.

But seeing Izzy built a level of strain doubt in her mind. "Name?" Luke sighed.

"Sage, try a full sentence." He reminded, and the instant dread followed in pursuit as she pouted.

"That's okay, my name is Isabella. But you can call me Izzy. I was going to join you and Ally on a run if that's alright?"

"Run?" The excitement was still evident as she smiled brightly and walked towards the girls in greeting.

"Sage, be back at—"

"Oh shut it, Elwood, she's ours for the day!" The girls hooked their arms on either of Sage's and led her off to the woods. Whatever sort of gossip they managed instantly went over her head.

Sage was in a bit of a struggle to understand what was happening. Granted, sleeping alone was one step, but here she was, entering the woods with newly introduced she-wolves. As she pranced out of the tree lining she picked to change behind, both Izzy and Ally had been politely waiting and their clothes in bundles resting by the tree.

Leave your clothes beside ours. They'll be there when we come back.

It was strange to hear a female voice in her head, but she huffed in confirmation and returned once her task was done.

Run?

Sage asked, her paws struggling to remain on the ground, while Izzy let her tongue out lazily to mirror this puppy attitude.

Do you know where the lake is, Sage?

The wolf nodded instantly and perked her head in the direction that it was indeed in. Her memory was strong, and it demanded to be tested.

The three young she-wolves darted off to the path, leaving the two sisters to realize what the hype was on this girl in about four seconds as they were nothing but dust in her wake.

You fucking asshole, why didn't you warn me.

Ally was quick to growl into Liam's mind, and both he and his wolf cracked their own grin.

What's the fun in that?

It was true, this new pack member was carving her own path, and everyone was just building her up for her future. The gals were sharing proper female cues that Sage lacked, and neither had anything pressing to do today, so it meant a day filled with mentoring Sage.

Meaning they were in fur for the majority of the day.

As if the days could only get better, the energy and bright smile she greeted her family as she walked through the door. They instantly checked her over for injuries, but she held none and her ankle was all better, just like her wrist.

Although the two girls were invited to join the family for dinner, they didn't want to intrude. "We should go on a run again soon," Izzy mentioned, and that indeed shook Sage to the core as she wiggled in delight.

The young she-wolf threw her arms around her new friend and snuggled into her neck. This relationship of being pack siblings was so easy to conform to, she leaned backward into Izzy and purred to the little sister.

"Maybe we can have a sleepover next—" The stern look from both Luke and her sister. That would be what they hoped for in the future, but at the moment, she needed to calm her temper and learn the ropes like Beta had instructed.

"The Alpha's back, but he's busy hosting the Moonstone pack for their treaty." The girl whispered the highest rank of a wolf, and Luke nodded his head.

"Hm, gotta wait to meet Alpha Remus. I bet these two will want to see you more." Sage's new friends offer plans of both runs and swimming, but Izzy took it a step further and began mentioning new things like painting nails and shopping.

"Sorry, Izzy, but I doubt this one is going to want to go shopping."

"How would you know if she's never gone, she could love it." The girl fought back, aggravated that these boys didn't allow her to basically act like a female.

"Hey, if you can get her to put shoes on, then go for it. She's all yours." It was now Izzy and Liam toe to toe, and Luke growled at the both of them.

"She is not leaving the pack borders anytime soon, especially when she hasn't been initiated yet." Ally agreed with Luke and pulled her sister back, leaving after saying goodnight.

As Sage lingered by the door for another moment, Liam was quick to wrap his arm around his sister and pull her close, having missed her company. "You won't like shopping, it's long and tiring and—"

"LIAM JOHN ELWOOD, YOU STOP CORRUPTING YOUR SISTER THIS INSTANT!" Luke swore he heard snickering off to the side, and he couldn't even deny how his brother flinched after hearing his mother's voice.

The only reason Sage flinched was that the piercing pitch the she-wolf had endured still rang in her ear. "No shoes." Camillia looked at Sage and took the girl's cheeks into her hands.

"How about we try some better ones?... Come, let's get you washed up." The girl allowed herself to be led away, but she turned over her shoulder and stuck her tongue out to her brother.

Caleb, who had just entered the room from the other side of the house, caught the end of Sage's childish toying with Liam and scoffed.

"I can't wait until she can tell you off." Luke perked his lips and disagreed.

"No thanks." Was his deflection as he went off to see if Cameron needed any help in the kitchen. They planned on grilling up the deer Sage had gotten a few days ago. Even seeing the strips sent a shock of pride to swell in his chest, her first kill.

Her first real hunting kill.

He explained to his father that Sage wanted to go on the upcoming bear hunt, and since it was the wrong season, it would prove difficult. Unless they found an old male bear, Sage would have to wait a good while until then.

The steaks were finished, and the potato salad was all set.

All they needed was Sage and mom, who came down filled with a set of smiles. It was probably because Camilla had braided her wet hair and praised her for a productive day, but all was meant well.

The girl deserved to smile for the rest of her life.

Sage helped Casey into his booster seat so he could be at eye level on the table and filled his plate with whatever he pointed at. Her motor skills in using a knife were getting better, though she used opposite hands than everyone on the table.

It was a blessing that she was trying to master the skill.

"So Sage, how was your run today?" Leo asked, and she wiggled in delight, causing most of the table to laugh along with her smile. But the girl simply shared a mental image of her chasing a few bunnies and squirrels.

"Hm, looks like our woods are gonna be missing of few squirrels, huh hun?" Another wiggle followed, and although the entire table tried to get her to talk. The girl was far too tired to really focus on expressing her thoughts into words, though Luke's words of 'sucking it up and staying awake' hadn't really proved helpful at the moment as she passed out within seconds of getting into bed.

"Guess they really tired her out, huh?" Luke asked, while Liam was currently putting on her moonlight just because he knew her slight fear of the dark.

"Ally gave me a headache after they chased her back and forth from the lake. Maybe we should take her on patrol with us." The younger brother of the room knew that look. Luke was contemplating it, which was a sign of caving in.

"I'll have to pass it with El. They're still entertaining another pack, I don't know how well they're going to like the addition of—"

"How can you say no to this lil pup?" Luke rolled his eyes and waved off his brother as he needed to get work done.

With Sage passed out, Liam snuck in beside her and found the comfort he hadn't had last night.

Meaning she woke up to the feeling of an arm wrapped over her, and she huffed in aggravation. "Off to bed." She repeated, and Liam knew well enough what that meant.

"Nah, I like your bed a lot better, Sagey, thanks." One clear trait she had picked up from Luke was perking her lips, and it paired with her own created action of crossing her arms over one another.

She's annoyed.

"I'll make pancakes to make up for it?" Her head tilted, and he realized she's never had pancakes before, so he popped up to his feet and called out from the hallway for her to follow.

Leaving her to jump to her own feet, she raced down to watch Liam start cooking up a whole pile of them. Enough to feed a damn army.

Sage wanted to help in the kitchen, and she managed just as well, considering her understanding of numbers. It made the task easy to get the right amount of ingredients and so on. This bonding had her look past the fact that he snuck into her room, though she only kicked Liam out, in the beginning, to try and get Luke to smile.

But there was an energetic thump in her heart as she realized that their cooking was going to feed the whole house.

"Whatcha cooking up, Sage?" Luke asked, strolling in a little bit after ten o'clock.

"Pancake." She said, a spatula in hand and a bit of powder on her face, but Liam corrected her, saying it was plural. But before he could finish, she spoke again.

"Pancakes." It earned her a round of approval as she returned back to her task of mixing the batter for the next batch.

"Oh, look at you! Cooking! You know, maybe we can make cookies or brownies tonight." Camilla said, her hands on Sage's shoulder in pure affection. The morning had hit off on a high note which only got better with all the activities the Elwoods participated in.

Running, training, hunting...Everything.

And the smile never left Sage's face, not even when she was sporting bruises from the day's events.

Luke reminded her that it was a good day when the bruises could prove that she played tough and managed well to keep up with the males, but after a moment of thinking--It felt more like the Elwoods were trying to keep up with her.
______

Date: 11-16-2020

Time: 6:59

Words: 3583

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EDITED:
Date: 09/08/2021
Words: 3745