* * *

 Sage had woken up on the third day in the infirmary, mumbling some sayings about the Underground. Luke assumed that Sage would've woken up in a hospital bed more than a few times in her life as she wasn't entirely confused at the devices, but she remained relatively silent. Which caused Remus to fear that she thought she returned back to the underground.

"Sage, munchkin? Hey sweetheart, how are you feeling?" To her it felt like a sick nightmare, to see those around her—The one she loves combined into the likeliness of nurses that would come and go.

It was dark to remember that the only bliss the Luna would find was in sleep, and usually that was due to over-exhaustion or through medication.

"McKenzie said I can take you home soon, don't you want to go home?" After all the faith she had in gaining him as a mate, he would not fail and give up on her.
But the wolfsbane was truly hurting her system—The one drug that the Underground did not know to use against their kind.

He thanked the goddess, because not only would it cause the worst kind of death to their kind...But also in high dosages, would it force a wolf to go rogue.

But Kenzie offered one dose to force a shift, and then both she and everyone injured had to be given an injection because of any Rogue infection/sicknesses.

By the middle of the second week, Remus was relieved to know that he could take her home. It had all been arranged, a spare room downstairs had been converted to a bedroom for the time being as he was surely going to mother hen the hell out of his healing mate.

"Your mom put up the Christmas tree for us...It was really nice of her to decorate the house. We should thank her when she comes to visit." He smiled brightly, the Alpha and Luna's house was looking like someone was actually living here, and perhaps it was the familiar smell that caused her to stir?
Remus couldn't tell, but he couldn't be any happier that she was okay.

Luke and Liam kept their distance on two accounts, an unmated she-wolf near their mate while injured will surely end in a fight. But that wasn't the only reason, it mainly stemmed from the fact that the brothers couldn't handle her being docile and silent.

It reminded them too much of who she was in the cage.

"Home?" She questioned, and he smiled ever so brightly. Finally, some good had come to this month, finally.
"Yeah hun, we're home...Do you want to lay in bed or watch some tv on the couch?" He didn't mind the fact that she wanted the couch rather than the first option, but then again she had been bedridden for so long that he assumed she wanted a different position.

"Camilla said there's some soup and sandwiches...Do you want anything to eat?" He must've asked four times in the past two hours, but she was far too tired to eat.
"How about tea?" Now that peeked her interested.

"Hmm." He took that as a yes and made sure she was comfortable before hurrying to cater to her every whim, the tea had taken a little bit but she was so engrossed with the television that she hadn't rightly noticed his departure.
But what she did catch was the whiff of freshly brewed tea.

The days passed and the wolfsbane had been eradicated from her body. Remus found out in the most beautiful of ways, coming to return to Sage after finishing some work in the home office, he caught her wolf rolling around in their bed with her tongue out playfully.

There didn't seem to be any hate left in her as they seemed to return to the lifestyle they had prior to her heat. Yet now he was wracked with guilt—Guilt that was reminded on a daily basis by everyone around them.

Though no one could say anything against their Alpha, the stress on the situation was built upon everyone's involvement and advice was now returned to neutral.

Nobody said a damn word—Other than Harlow and Jade. They were the two that weren't scared of the Alpha's wrath.

Currently the two were simply relaxing after an eventful run, Sage had discovered what a frozen lake could do if it was thick enough. Causing her to slip and fall countless times, though she continued to have an upbeat character throughout the entirety of the day.

The she-wolf was still shaking her hair in an attempt to get the snow out that transferred to her skin form. "How about a warm bath munchkin?" She smiled up towards him, which had turned into their version of 'yes'.

"Later." Wiggling as she realized that responding verbally was going to give others a sense of what's in her head. And every time she did, she earned an affectionate kiss to her cheek and the chance of communicating with her mate.
One that she is slowly coming to re-accepting.

In addition to her classes and her return to art lessons, she would join Remus and he would attempt to tell her the minimal of what was happening. Usually it involved the movement of Rogues, and Remus found that his little mate was indeed strategic. 

It grew her maturity and united them.

The whole pack started to feel it.

Everyone could agree that the healing between the two was beautiful, the tension was no longer threatening the likes of their Alpha and Luna. However, upon looking at his home desk he frowned. Not in anger, but more in a surprising sense.

There was a letter addressed to Sage Elwood laying right before him.

Was it Jade? No, it seemed to be the wrong area code.

Heading down the hallway did he find himself knocking at her door, even if it was partly opened he still felt the need to give her some privacy.

"Hey hun, you have some mail here." She repeated the word and he came closer to her desk and placed it in her hands.
"Someone is sending you something, see...It says your name, the pack's address and our house number. I think Jade would love it if you send her a painting, you know." The idea sparked instantly as she nodded, but her attention turned back to the letter in front of her.

"Open?"
"Yeah, I want to know who's contacting my mate." A flash of jealousy sparked and she leaned up to leave a small kiss to his chin. Lightly tearing the end like she's seen a dozen times does she unfold the given paper, and Remus' eyes flared in recognition.

"'Sage Elwood, we would like to invite you to this season's Luna meeting located at our Council location in Florida. We'll catch up from last year and introduce new Luna's for the year.'" Although it was meant to sound upbeat and happy, her monotone remained and she seemed unbothered by the topic.

"Luna's meeting?" Remus was gnawing on the inside of her cheeks, he heard about these damnable meetings. The thirteen packs are meant to meet in a sort of common ground, but the issue here is that Alphas were not allowed to attend.

And to make matters worse, the council made this a mandatory event.

"Sage, could you call Jade? I think you should tell her about this. I'll be right back." The she-wolf went to log into the computer, one of which had been modded to be as simple as possible. But he couldn't help but see her google history of 'puppies'.

"Sage! It's so good to hear from you, I was going to call tomorrow. How are you?" Remus heard the two she-wolves speak as he attempted to sort out the ordeal in his head without seeming like an overprotective mate, but in reality...He was in the same dominant stance as any of the other males letting their Lunas go.

"I am invited to...Florida?" Sage questioned, and then she held up the invitation to the camera. Which only caused Jade to sigh. "Hm, I got one of them too. I wish I could go this year hun, but my pup still needs to be close. How is Remus taking the news?" 

"He isn't, but he knows that it's a council's order." He saw that Jade was currently on her phone as the camera was anything but stable.

"Unfortunately it is, and although you can't be in attendance. That doesn't mean a Beta female or whoever else you choose can't join Sage." Remus sighed in utter relief, but the young she-wolf looked rightly excited to be going somewhere...little did she know what that rightly meant.

The next day after her class and time in the art studio had she traveled—By truck—to the pack house, only to smell the lurking stress of her mate. "Remus?" 

"He's fine Sage, someone's just going to be an upset pup that you're away for a few days."

She frowned and came closer to her mate, her arms coming to snake around his neck—Only to find herself squealing at a moment's notice because he decided to hold her closer.

"I have to go." 

"I know sweetheart, I'm just trying to decide on the army I want to send you with." Of course confusion hit her, but the others explained it as who was to go with her.

"Brothers." 

"I don't think I'd hear the end of it if you left the state without them hun, Luke and Liam are going with you. But it's a she-wolf event...Perhaps—" Then the group continued to discuss candidates, she heard that Allie and Izzy weren't high enough tier for this type of task.

"Laura." Sage interrupted, blinking and waiting for the males to take in the account of the mentioned she-wolf. "You know, that's not a half-bad suggestion." 

"I want Laura to come." Now looking to her mate did she huff at his lack of response, but he smirked. Sometimes he was never sure if she was getting the logistics and what was going on around her, but here and now just proved that she was.

"You're right Eli, why Laura?" She took the second to gather thoughts before she leaned back to speak. "Laura strong wolf. Sparring, getting stronger." 

"I second the Luna's suggestion, Laura's worked closely with her father and knows the political side that most of the pack looks over," Remus remembered all too soon that there would be some she-wolves holding their anger to Sage because of the pack she is Luna of.

Though having nothing to do with Sage herself, it was simply a matter of previous years, wars, and disagreement.

"She's coming right now, but I agree that she'll know which packs to stay away from. She's your bodyguard munchkin, that means no fights." 

"Why fight?" The Gamma had gained Sage's attention as he offered a kind smile.

"She-wolves aren't always nice Luna. They bite before they even get a word out." Jack chuckled beside the man. 

"It's a room full of Luna's, Beta, Delta, and Gamma Females. They're not just there because they're mated to the Alpha of the pack." She nodded at this information, it made her wolf weary to meet some of her kind, but then Eli turned back in question.

"How many Luna's are Alpha-Females?" This had her ears perk in attention, and Remus shook his head and shrugged. 

"Maybe two, not including Sage...Those I don't think you have to worry about Munchkin, but you have to remember that they aren't your friend. They all won't be like Jade." 

"Not like Jade." It was her version of 'okay' to repeat what was said.

Soon after had Laura knocked at the door and bowed her head, it was clear that she was on patrol. Or that's what Sage thought as she smelled the familiar scent of a workout.

"Alpha, Luna." She offered, and Sage smiled as she took the initiative to speak. 

"I go to Florida to meet Lunas. You strong she-wolf, you come." Sometimes Sage would say something to a certain normalcy, but other times it would have Jackson crack at how assertively wrong their Luna had spoken—It wasn't that she meant to be blunt. But that's what it turned out to be.

"What Sage means is that she was invited to the annual Luna's get together in Florida, and she chose you to go with her." 

"Strong wolf." It shocked the woman on two accounts, first the honor of the whole situation, the partially full sentence that Sage had provided—But lastly that she was praised by the Luna.

The Luna who she had foolishly challenged all those weeks ago.

"Thank you Luna, and of course. I'd be honored." From there the conversation had started to inform Sage on who they were politically aligned with versus who they should steer clear of.

Sage was rather calm about the whole ordeal, and it threw Remus in damnation. Especially when she would be traveling so far away without so much as a bond.

But he couldn't send her away with a fresh mark ether, no—After the witches. After the witches he would mark her, take her out to the mating cabin off in the woods where most of the heated females would stay in order to get away from the rest of the pack and for privacy.

Yet the witches were still two weeks away, and the idea of sending her to these damn she-wolves was daunting enough. Liam winked off towards Sage during the meeting, both he and Luke needed to hear the same speech as Laura.

And it went on like that for the given days leading up to said travel.

Camilla aided Laura in what to pack for the both of them, one included a bathing suit but the other required what Luna's would wear to an event like this. 

Although it was only females and their parties in attendance, Remus found himself denying some of the clothes.

And since he held the title of Mate and Alpha, his word became law—Only until Sage herself liked a certain shirt or dress and darted her glare off towards him as he tried to deny.

He'd say things like: "Come on Munchkin, I don't want you to be cold." When really they werewolves, they were natural furnaces.

Camilla's personal favorite is when Remus did like something and he'd try to withhold a growl. While Sage was adoring playing dress up, she liked to look pretty. And the ideas of hairstyles and planned outfits only made her giddy and excited.

Laura was not only going to act as a guard and Beta Female, she was also in charge of making sure that Sage didn't elect war between two packs. 

"Alright Munchkin, do you have your phone?" She nodded, digging through her borrowed purse from Camilla and holding it up. "And remember to call when you land, get to the hotel and before you go to bed, alright?"

"Every night." Laura remained quiet, she knew that her Luna was feeling slightly nervous about the whole trip and the Alpha wasn't helping at all.

"Type." 

"Yes, I'll text you, and have a little fun alright?" One final hug solidified how far they'd be away from one another, and it was Luke grabbing the small rolling suitcase and mumbled a warning that they needed to get a move on.

Sage was soon led onto the small jet, it was indeed a project to clear the miniature airport that they had from snow. But it was a demand from the council to have this meeting, soon enough 

Remus would have to make the trip for the Alpha one next year, leaving the pack in the hands of his Beta and Delta...But now he felt proud to see the progress Sage had gained over the last few weeks, it was just overshadowed by the surprise of her heat.

Sage was briefed on flying in the most minimal of senses, it was hard to explain what it meant to leave the ground in the terms she'd understand. But she did not like the flight one bit. Everything from the ear-popping torture, to the uncomfortable seats, or the sudden drop of her stomach when she took a peek out the window.

The males would've found more humor in her reactions had they not been heavily reminded of what it meant to be out of the pack bounds. It was partly the reason why they were taking a plane this time around, not only was it Alpha business. But they were going to be landing on the council grounds as well, so it didn't leave any room for risks.

After the first half an hour, Sage had calmed down at the settling attempts from Laura. Just to lean back into the recliner chair, close the window and drink some water.

"Gonna be a stressful three days." 

"Be easier if you two just followed instructions, orders from an Alpha are still orders...Sage is still unmarked." Laura's soft voice only emphasized that the Luna had fallen asleep, and rather adorably too consider she curled up into a ball into her side.

Her nose attached to the jacket as it was one of Remus'.

Liam snagged Sage's phone and removed himself from his seat to take a selfie with his slumbering Luna. Would it enrage the Alpha? Probably, but after countless hours of being trapped in the meeting room going over protocol—It only elevated the stress.

"I think that falls under the 'do not goof off, annoy or influence Sage' category." 

"But look how adorable she looks." He showed the photo and Laura's stern expression softened entirely, Luke knew that she was still trying to prove herself to her Luna and right her wrongs, but there was truly no need to act this tense about the trip.

"Before we land I think she should change into—" 

"What? A dress? I saw those heels you packed for her, she doesn't even like normal shoes." Laura rolled her eyes and turned back to her tablet, Luke knew what she was doing. Reading over most of the profiles made on the Luna's.

Either Liam and Luke had their own, same with Sage—Though her's was more to give her pictures to match the name and cater to her if she gets bored of listening to the lectures.

There was little conversation otherwise, as nobody wanted to wake Sage from her slumber. It was a miracle she fell asleep in the first place, but Liam was delighted to find any reason to take a picture of Sage. However the flight wasn't much longer, and Laura continued on with the plan of letting Sage change even at the disagreement from the males.

"No change." 

"Then can I do your hair? You have a sleepy braid." That seemed to somehow translate and it allowed Laura to fix her Luna's appearance and allow her the time to wake up, though no sort of warning could have been explained to when the plan landed.

And Sage did not want to leave the plan.

"Should we call the Alpha?"
"No. If we can't convince her to leave the plan then he'll come thinking we can't handle it. Sage, hun. Listen to me. We entered the plane and we're going off the plane, just like a car right? And when we do get into the car outside, you can call Alpha Remus."
"We in Florida?"
"Yup, and we can't call the Alpha when we're in the plan...And you promised to call him when we land, so upup!" She didn't want to break a promise, nor did she waste another moment when she could be calling Remus.

Sage only had to keep track of her purse, otherwise the males had her suitcase and their own belongings. Same with Laura, and suddenly the warmth of Florida's winter had suddenly caused Sage to smile bright. She adored this easy heat, and followed the rest of her pack members to the offered car.

The Omegas that worked for the council took the luggage and began to drive them away from the runway.

Sage was quick to reach into her purse and locate her phone, going to click on Remus' call button before smiling to the little pinging sounds it made in return.

The Alpha answered within two rings.

"Hey Munchkin, how was the flight?" 

"Okay. I sleep." Remus sighed in relief, she didn't sound too lost or confused, and she was still wearing his jacket. 

"That's good that you got some sleep, stick with Laura, Sage." The two continued to talk, or more so Sage listened to the constant reminders that Remus set in place. But before long she had to say goodbye as they finally managed to get to the building, Luke knew they weren't the last group to be arriving, but he thought it very odd for the council there when this was a Luna specific event.

Was this a trap?

Luke thought, he and Liam brought Laura into their sudden suspicion but she disagreed almost instantly.

No, Luna Jade was meant to come and we know she sent her Beta in her place. And my sister's Luna has come too. Relax.

Luke let out a frustrated growl, which surely sparked concern into his sister's face. "Don't listen to this grump Sage, he's just sore from the plane ride." 

"Foot fall asleep?" It was hard to be aggravated in her presence so he pulled her into his side and said that he was just glad to be back on the ground.

"Ah Luna Sage...It's an honor to finally meet you, I hadn't the chance at the last council meeting." Sage had been taken by surprise, she wasn't prepared to be greeted by someone—Anyone from the council. Perhaps some of the older generation females, but not by a male.

And not by one that is so familiar to her sense of smell.

"Who name...Who?" She was indeed a wildcard, since they were of pack land it would be a constant reminder to everyone Sage talks to that she was just integrated into their world for half the year. "Former Alpha of Mystic Grimm, Hayden, but you can call me Hayes. Most do." 

"Harlow dad." Sage had made the connection as to why he looked familiar, and the light sense of an Alpha still reigned heavily on his person.

He cheered in victory in making the tiny Luna smile. "We're very happy to have you here Sage, and it's a blessed honor to meet you." 

"Nice here—Nice to be here?" Hayes threw his head back and laughed, placing a hand onto her shoulder and soothed her worries.

"I don't think any of those Luna's have walked the same mile you have Sage. Don't let them intimidate you, alright? Got quite the pack behind you." Sage looked to her group who was completely stoic in the presence of the male.

One of which they at war with just over a decade ago.

But that was the fault of their previous Alpha, not the one in front of them.

"Laura. My female. Luke, Liam. Brothers." Hayes listened intently and nodded, catching that the female Sage brought beamed at such a statement. And the two Elwood brothers bowed their heads to the former Alpha.

"Ah, the Elwoods. Made quite the story you three." 

"Story?" Luke watched Hayden's eyes soften, it reminded him of Remus every time Sage spoke, but it was almost in pure pride.

The council was indeed excited for Sage's entrance in their world, and this was surely it.

"Sir, our Alpha was very adamant about our Luna being alone this trip." 

"Of course he is, they're vicious. But I have hope in your Luna to put them in their place...All parties of the Luna are welcomed everywhere. Especially if their Luna is present. The Crescent Moon cabin is the eight I believe. But you'll need to check-in at the Council's packhouse, it's where most of the meetings and dinners will be." Luke nodded and thanked the man for the information. And they were soon introduced to a multitude of senses and eyes on them

To be fair, this entire lot was filled with connections. And it was a little bit of a blessing that they had Mystic Grimm on their side. As Crescent Moon didn't have any surviving members to be apart of the council.

The four of them found themselves entering into the main lobby, and sure there were a few lone warriors. But nothing would compare them to the Master of Arms sons, and Liam smirked as some of the Luna's companions had eyed them from across the room.

Laura scoped those who looked to the newcomers, but they seemed to be quiet under the radiator. If anything it seemed like Sage didn't promote the Alpha-Female unless provoked.

"Pack and name."
"Crescent Moon. Sage."
"Last name?" It didn't occur to Sage what the Last name meant, she knew she was Sage Elwood for technical terms in being disguised by her family.

"It's Elwood. Sage Elwood." The female behind the desk finally looked up, she surely did not seem enthusiastic about her task. "Welcome to Council grounds, Luna Sage. Here's the Pamphlet of all that will happen the next few days, breakfast goes from 8 to 10, lunch from 11 to 2 and then dinner 5 to 9...The kitchen is open from 7 to 10. The main dining room for all meetings and eating is down the hall that way. Activities will be outside behind this building." The woman had only kept eye contact with Laura, and Liam had felt the anger reigning off of Luke behind him.

"Luna, are you hungry?" Laura questioned, and Luke was thankful that she defused the situation before either he or his brother acted. Sage nodded, but not before darting her attention back to the she-wolf.

She wasn't an Omega per say, perhaps a volunteer, but that didn't give her the right to survey Sage's attire if she had any right over it. She wasn't unaware of the disrespect, instead she tilted her head as her wolf demanded submission.

And it happened much quicker than her three companions could've expected. "I'm sorry Luna Sage...It was my mistake." Sage looked the she-wolf in the eyes and shook her head once again.

"No. You're not." Luke trusted his sister's judge of character, Laura had significantly changed throughout her time beside Sage. She worked harder within the pack and it was clear that it was a respectful relationship, but also friendship.

Yet here it was a mission.

"Come on Sage, let's freshen up." Laura's voice was in a taunt to the obvious judgment to what her Luna was wearing at the moment, and with a final huff did she follow the rest of her group to the given cabin for their pack.

Liam groaned in pure thankfulness to see that there was a generous platter of food, but the moment was taken away from him when Luke smacked his hand away to look at the offered note.

"'Luna Sage, we are honored by your presence. Please enjoy the exclusive use of our facility during your stay.' Sounds like they're kissing ass." Luke rolled his eyes, but waved to Liam that he could eat. Laura had already taken the liberty to show Sage her bedroom and tell her to take a shower before there was anything planned.

Laura also took the phamplet and shared which times that they would make an appearance, perhaps they could avoid Breakfast and remained in their cabin and only leave when absolutely necessary. There was too much at risk here.

______

Date: 12-12-2020

Time: 11:46

Words: 4652