* * *

The following morning, Sage had come forward with full conviction that she would be doing this task of whisping as it would protect the pack without giving away their position.

The supplies were needed now more than ever, given that Black Crescent had joined without much notice. And Sage felt more than responsibility for that issue alone.

However, the plan was not without some alterations. Even if Sage's initial thought was to keep wolves away entirely. Andy had demanded that some were stationed there and back, in case that Sage couldn't make the trip or needed a break.

It did give her some leeway, but it hadn't been an issue, given that the witches crafted a large and endless sack that proved to be useful yet again.

Thus started to process of transferring back and forth with supplies. Even if Sage hadn't whisped repetitively in such a long time, it had been honest work. Only taking up half the day, and feeling more at ease with having found a proactive way to get through just another tally on a calendar with no true end date.

Thus, Sage had found herself enjoying the balcony near her bedroom. It was nothing short of a discovery, but after finishing her sketch of Liam, she decided there were other ways to avoid pack members.

And at a time when her nexus needed to regenerate, this allowed her a chance at peace. Even if the pack was loud in their shared link. Something that she was readily open to ever since she accepted Andy's pact.

"I think we need to have a chat, Luna." Sage's eyes rolled at hearing Andy's voice coming just behind her. Darius was usually the one to say her title in that way, him and Enzo together.

But one look had caused her to doc her page and turn, and it was his expression that earned him her full attention. Even if his presence did annoy her, as she was attempting to read a borrowed book from one of the she-wolves.

As it turns out, Andy hadn't a clue as to how much Sage loves to read.

"Important? I'm trying to read...Holly says I need to relax." She claimed, giving him all but a moment before turning back. But Andy had taken it as invitation enough to sit at the seat beside her. "Maeve's causing issues again. I thought I should tell you before it becomes serious, and I need to step in."

"What is happening?" Now that caused her to close her book, twisting to lean against the chair's armrest. "She is trying to rally the wolves originally from Black Crescent. It sounds like Maeve is trying to gain numbers to pitch an argument to you. Making promises and—I know you made a blood oath to me...We will start prepping things soon for when we leave, but when it's safer. We've already discovered the Fevers so close, but thankfully, no Bounty Hunters, but that doesn't mean they aren't here..." It seemed like Andy was prepared with dozens of points, only to fall back on another thought, then another. Yet his scattered listing made her frown.

"You made a blood oath to me. We will go when it's safer, I promise you that. But—"
"You leave my female alone, Andy. I'll talk to her." She insisted, rising up to her feet with her book in hand. But Andy had stopped her—"I think we should handle this together. Bring Severin and Grey here to discuss things. They're my females now, too. Witches included." Andy was right, even if Sage had more of a relationship with the females in question than he did, not to mention that they would still feel at least a little weary from Beta Severin and Delta Grey.

"I know you don't have Luna before, or see what Luna does for work. But this is what they do, wolf is telling me to talk to she-wolf. Forget it's Maeve, Luna's help she-wolves and pups."
"You're right, but she's causing trouble. And rounding up supporters looks an awful lot like an overthrow."
"Over...Throw. But you're Alpha. Witches can't lead a pack. And I'll protect you." Andy couldn't help but laugh, though it was a turning moment to see that Sage would have his back at a moment like this.

"Is that right? Then I don't have anything to worry about—But if I do, then you'll tell me...Right?" Sage remained silent, but the weeks with her in the pack already signified she knew what she was doing.

Patience was key, as she either looked over what he said or thought she was going to say. Instead, he joined her in standing, leveling his gaze to demand her attention. "That also extends to you telling me if you're in trouble. Alright?"
"I'm always in trouble, Andy. Troubles my best friend." She said with a sad smile, as the pain highlighted so intensely in her grey hues.

Why did it hurt to say those words?

This is to repeat what her father said when she visited Mystic Grimm for the second time. It's strange to think about, considering that she missed her father while at the same time trying to bite back the nerve, since she didn't know him more than just being Harlow and Haylee's dad.

So when she came towards the cabins where most of her she-wolves and witches were, she was met with half glances that were too scared to look at her.

Good. They knew that she was here for a reason.

"Start talking, I say it before...There a problem, tell me." She issued, and that had surely made the silence grow deeper.

Better yet, she felt the conversation of the wolves around her converse, and what they were saying was not pretty.

"You want to leave with Maeve, that's fine. Go. Getting to Crescent Moon or any pack is going to be hard travel. Three weeks, are you ready to go?... Do you have food packed, skins ready? Are we healed and ready to go?...No? If you leave with Maeve, don't come back." Her throat felt sore from speaking so much at once. But how did they plan to leave without her and her position as Luna in Crescent Moon?
They hadn't gotten that far but decided without much thought that it was better than Half Crescent.

"And there it is...I told you this would happen. You promise we'd see our families and get to go home!" Maeve spat, and Sage just looked at her numbly. It hurt much more than Sage wanted to admit.
She wanted to trust Mae and help her become a better person, but she was problematic.

And Sage couldn't take much more.

"It takes time, Maeve. It's dangerous with Bounty Hunters and other Rogues—The Fevers." The term had scared a majority of those around the growing crowd. Apparently, Bounty Hunters weren't as well known among them, and so she nodded.

"Dozens when I go into town. They're dead now. And Bounty Hunters? They hunt us for sport and like our pelts. Witches they keep like Vampire keep you. That's why we are waiting. I made a deal with Alpha Andy. He doesn't have to help, but he is. He needs a reason to help us, and now he does." Elena had caught the hesitation in her former Alpha's face and hurried forward.

"Sage...What did you do?"
"I make promise. I am a real Luna now, and if my mate is dead, then I will come back here." It was met with records of damnation and cries, and Maeve was the voice above the rest.

"Why not just tell him! Tell him you're already a Luna. It can't be that hard, I'll—I'll do it right now." The newly deemed Luna hardly had to raise her hand to enact the vines to trap the former Delta by the feet. Having been in half a step, she fell to the ground, and the other vines had awaited for the second calling.

But Sage did not want to punish the female, even if the glare invoked her wolf.

"Anyone tells the Alpha—Or anyone, that I am the Luna of Crescent Moon...I will kill you. Understood?" Elena shivered at the idea, the remorse in saying it was there. Of course, it would be.

Sage was a beautiful leader and would hate to do it.

But this was about safety, and it had been a worry since they arrived that the packs were still at war, and anyone could use her as a trading piece.

"We won't...Nobody will. It's not worth it." Elena said, coming closer and refusing to look like she was siding with Maeve.
"Ha! That's not what you were saying before, Elena. Stop lying and stop playing favoritism for—"
"Shut up, Maeve! You're already one step away from being on death's row with the Alpha. If you can't survive a Rogue pack, what makes you think you can survive a real one?! This is what it is, following the rules and following orders. Sage is lenient. Others wouldn't hesitate to punish." Sage's eyes turned warmly towards her former Beta, soaking in her words.

With the room heading into an odd sort of silence, Sage averted the group's attention and started to make a list of what could be required to speed up the process. Now that they saw the list of everything, they knew it'd take more than what Maeve was talking about to get moving.

______

Date: 05/01/24

Time: 3:45 PM

Words: 1574