* * *

Sage had felt a slight chill when shifting back to skin, and she didn't waste another moment in finding her sweatshirt and throwing it over her shoulders. Hoping that the elements surrounding them would ease up, but it was unlikely.

There was already talk of ghosts and curses, considering that the SAT phone—The one designed for connecting to service in areas such as this, was not working.

Leaving Blake to take a few laps to calm himself down, as if that would help tune down his panic.

Sage knew that her Charge was an easygoing male, but seeing him act and respond like this was starting to unnerve her. Even if the rest of the group was fairly close by.

So as she took the moment to get dressed and set up her tent beside a sturdy tree. She caught Remus setting down his pack right beside hers.

"Feels like we're camping and scouting out for the bear hunt again, huh?" He offered, his smile glistening down towards her as though nothing was wrong.

That they weren't in a graveyard in search of her captured mother.

"Wish we can go hunt bears—Oh, maybe not. I like Cal." She stopped herself, still keeping to her bear slayer title. Not that Calista didn't know of it, but there was still a bit of tension between the idea of hunting her own kind. Even if they weren't in the category of shifters.

"You want some company tonight?" The question had gone in one ear and out the other as Sage was so fixated on the word 'company' that she didn't understand the meaning of his question.

"What?" She asked, her innocence showing bright as her brows furred together.

"Shit, sorry—I meant, do you want to share a tent?" With it rephrased, Sage nodded at the offer but pointed her finger directly to his chest. "No cocky males in my tent, Remus."

"Understood, your father's right over there anyways. I know our limits." She huffed in agreement and watched as he turned away and started a conversation with those who had just rejoined from the scouting mission.

However, what currently lay at the bottom of her pack were a few offerings—Something that the members that were saved from the truck all that time ago, had asked Sage to do in the spirit of them.

To pray for all the lives lost in this pack.

It didn't occur to Sage that the few members were all that was left, a decent thirty at most. Thirty wolves did not create a pack, no, there were more than thirty in Leo's training sessions.

How could an entire pack be left with so few that escaped? Even then, the newer generation didn't count. Their entire family line was under threat, and hundreds of others ceased to continue.

Sage gripped the candles in her hands and clutched them tight to her chest. It would be better to do it while the energy in her soul was still equal.

There was no telling what they uncovered tomorrow would do to taint or damage her nexus.

With this, she took to standing once again and walked towards those who were born in Crimson. Her head was leveled high and her shoulders back, claiming the authority she was destined to take.

"L-Luna, would you like to join us?" The female questioned, and Sage nodded as she waved away a male who started to get up from the log he was sitting on. "It's okay...I want to ask you all to join me."

It was clear in an instant who was a Rogue that trained with Sage to those that were used to a pack's lifestyle. "What do you mean, ma'am?"

"Female I help from Underground bus is still in the infirmary in Moon Ridge. She can't come, but she asks to say prayers. Come with me?" With the motion of the candle and the remembrance of Sofia in the infirmary, there was little to no denial of the offer.

Not that Sage was all that worried about only one or two joining her, but seeing the entirety of them rise to their feet and leave the fire pit they'd created—Warmed her heart to know that Sofia's request was being fulfilled.

With those behind her, she said a quick word to her dad about taking a walk with the former members. Earning her a quick kiss on the top of her crown, which sparked a familiarity that both soothed and destroyed the well-being of his soul.

How was it possible that Sage, who has hardly met her mother, managed to grow up into such a pure and kind woman—One who takes initiative and decides to have a peaceful moment for those who need it?

He took a sharp inhale and went ahead to forward the message to Remus, hoping to the Goddess above that the male would be smart and not notice or point out the tears starting to prickle in his eyes.

Sage trusted her father to spread the word about her departure, but she didn't want to start up another conversation with Remus. In addition to not wanting him to join.

It felt odd enough that she was asking, and had it not been her promise to Sofia, then this would most likely not be happening.

"Alpha Sage, that looks like a nice place to make a circle." The female offered, and Sage smiled in return. It was close enough to the camp where they could be heard and vice versa.

As Sage moved forward and touched the large tree stationed in front of them, she choked back a sigh. There was no sign of upkeep from the Nymphs, not like there had been in any of the other packs she's visited in the past.

No, this felt similar to residing in Black Crescent—And it was only starting to grow valuable when they had moved in and removed the demon bear.

Sage had no doubt that there were Nymphs in the forest now.

She couldn't say the same for here, but she build up another smile and turned to sit on the ground with the tree's truck just behind her. And the rest had sat down to form a circle, there was no sense of direction for this.

But it was long overdue, and Sage took making a small pile in the dirt in order to prepare the candle. However, another thought occurred as she lit the wick.

"My name is Alpha Sage Mystic Moon, tonight we say hello to Crismon Pack and goodbye to family and friends. May the Goddess hear our prayers, and let them rest in peace." She whispered, over the flame before turning it to the next wolf.

"My name is Calvin Renner, former Enforcer in Crimson pack and living in Mystic Grimm. May the Goddess hear our prayers, and allow our families the rest they deserve." Following Renner's statement, many of the wolves have credited their families, their previous rank to their newly acquired one.

That was all that Sage wished for, that if there were any trapped souls here that they could find the strength to move on. Hearing that some of their loved ones were at peace, could transcend into something greater.

"Do you guys remember the song the priestess would sing on Friday nights?" Charlie asked, and Sage nodded eagerly, hoping that this would encourage the rest to join in and sing.

She was just happy to be a part of this reawakening, and she knew how much it meant for the older males to recognize the others. It was such a difficult time that she truly wondered if there was any contact between them from then up until now.

Yet as they were conversing and sharing stories about others, there was a bit of rustling in the woods that had caught Sage's attention. Her eyes caught on to Blake's figure deep in the underbrush, and she offered a hand for him to join in as well.

Even with his title as Rogue General, it wasn't enough for him to properly join in. Though as he shifted and pulled up his pants, he was eager to add to the circle.

It didn't matter if he remained quiet, it felt right to be respectful and honor the lives lost.

So while the group here was humming and reciting chants from their days in Crismon pack, Remus was dealing with his own sense of guilt.

One that was inspired by the fact that most of the packs that agreed to this trip were instating that Remus should fix his wrongs doings. The male was blamed for a majority of the past dozen or so current events in their world, but not the downfall of an entire pack.

Not in the way that Coldridge is stating, as they sought out to only cast doubt and blame.

It didn't matter how old he was or how much he tried to clear his family name, there was always going to be one wolf or another creating shame.

No wonder Andrew thought this was a bad idea, it was only driving him further down his father's traps of not being enough—of not doing enough.

"You alright, Rem?" Speak of the bastard, Remus had turned up from his private fire pit to look up at Drew. Even now, he was still not used to his new look.

It was bad enough that Randal lied about his death, but to sell him into the Underground just like he had with Willow? It was torture no one could describe except those who lived through it.

And no one wanted to speak a word about it.

So lost in thought, Remus had nearly forgotten to respond to his friend. But the silence was enough for Andrew to get the message. And the already angry male was pressed with outside forces, and he scoffed in response.

"Typical, fucking typical."

"Hey—Drew wait! I didn't mean it like—" Remus groaned internally at the one chance Andrew had taken to be somewhat friendly, and goddess, of course, he ruined it!

"Didn't mean it like what? It's one thing to fuck her knowing I'm right next door—But ignoring me on top of it?!"
"Be careful how you speak about Sage. What gives you the right to tell me what to do with my mate? My pack's Luna! Get it together, Andrew. We're in unfamiliar territory!" Seeing Andrew's chest rising up and down in a sense of rising panic, Remus planted his feet on the ground.

He knew his friend, and trusted him at one time or another—But how far would that go?

"Unfamiliar territory? How long are you going to play that excuse, first we're too busy in Crescent Moon—Then we're in an allied pack so we can't make a scene. When, Remus? When will we ever talk about what happened?!"

"There's nothing to talk about, you gave her a chance to come home. That's it, your deal is done. Otherwise, the blood pact would've enacted—We don't have to talk about anything."

"Yes, we do. Because I can't take this anymore. Your pack members look at me like a stole her, that I defiled her. And fuck Rem, I get that from you half the time too!"

"It's not like that at all! Drew, I thought you were dead. So excuse me for feeling guilty that I didn't think to look out for my best friend who's resurrected." Andrew's snarl had caused a shutter to shift through those just a few feet away.

The camp was small after all, and they didn't have the luxury of having this conversation in private.

The only blessing here was that Hayes was off scouting on his lonesome.

"That's the thanks I get for saving your ass every damn day? You wouldn't have lasted five minutes with him in the mountain. Watching Emery wither away—"

"Don't you dare fucking talk about my moth—"

"But you're not getting the point! Sage and I didn't know who each other were, and Goddess have mercy that you can forgive her but not me."

"Is this your apology? Because I have to say, it's missing the actual part where you say sorry." Andrew's eyes flared toward Remus, and the growl that cut through the air had caused Remus' breath to hitch.

Sweet Goddess, had the years of acting as a Rogue Alpha built up Andrew's confidence?

But that didn't matter, it couldn't.
Remus was the rightful heir to Crescent Moon, with Andrew's return and stay in the pack, he would need to submit.

Just like everyone else.

"Why should I have to apologize, the amount of shit I did for you back when we were younger should cover it. Or did you want to make the silver rope and talk to bounty hunters? So stop treating me like I'm a problem, Remus."

"I'm not! I offered you a room in my house! For goddess sakes, we shared a bed to make sure Sage was comfortable. What more do you want?! To share a mate?!" It had been a joke, it had been an honest and fair joke that Remus didn't think his friend would say yes to.

But the firm nod had destroyed any and all thoughts to leave Remus.

"Yes. We should share her."

"Are you fucking nuts?!"

"Think about it Remus, then she doesn't have to choose between us. She could hardly look me in the eyes the last time I spoke to her, and everything I say looks like I'm guilt-tripping her."

"Cause you are!"
"I'm not trying to, listen. It's not as strange as you're making it out to be. She'll share our mark, she'll share our—" The rage had started to pick up the moment the conversation shifted. Out of all the things he suggested, this was not at all what he expected.

And he had to shut it down, now.

"No. I'm her mate—Her fated mate. The Goddess chose me to love and protect her, she is going to carry my pups. And if you can't understand that then—"

"Then what?... You know what, don't answer that, I'll do us both a favor and leave."

"Drew, that's not what I want." Remus tried, but the instinctual part of him was starting to detest Andrew—Seeing him as a threat.

"How did you think this was going to work out then? That I'd just sit idly by while you raise your pups and I'm left with nothing? Gods, Remus. I'm already hanging out by a thread!"

"You can't pin the blame on anyone but yourself, if you knew that she was mated to Elwood, it would've still been wrong!"

"Then what about her Heat? What do you call that?"

"A fluke that came from the time she spent in the facilities. Blake and the witches said the same—"

"I don't give a damn what Witches or that Rogue says or claims. Say it to me, Remus. Say it loud and clear, tell me to go and I will!" Remus had remained silent, completely and utterly silent.

How many nights had he thought about his old friend, damn it—He was missing the last few weeks when they were at least civil with each other. That the biggest issue that came between them is that Sage was still working through what she had experienced from the soul swap. She had feared both himself and Andrew from one shared factor.

That they've both mated her at one point or another.

But the look of utter disbelief had caused Remus to remain silent, allowing his thoughts to boil and bubble over. Hoping that there could be something else, anything else.

There was no part of Remus that wanted to choose between Sage or Andrew, and it didn't make any sense. Not when he knew the secrets that Randal may be hiding.

"If I stay, we share. You can't have my friendship and think I'll be able to handle you being with her. You can't have it both ways." Andrew had said his stance, but Remus couldn't handle it. Not anymore. Not after he had a taste of his female again, to have her so close to what they were once before.

So Remus took a page from Sage's book and swung his arm to connect to Andrew's jaw, leaving him to stumble back as Remus stalked forward.

"How dare you even fucking think to ask me that? Share?! How do you think Sage would feel—The pack—Her father?"

"I've stopped giving a damn about politics." Remus laughed, realizing that this was just one of their problems. "Yeah, I've realized that already. But what I didn't think is that you'd stoop this low into asking to share—" Remus had stopped speaking allowed his actions to work their way in defending Sage.

But what ultimately fueled it is if Sage did hear about this option, she may be inclined to take it—Wanting everyone to be happy.

Andrew had allowed Remus the first few hits, but didn't hesitate from plummeting his fist deep into the male's stomach, causing him to hunch over.

"I gave you a chance..." Andrew growled, the continuous threat just at the edge of his tongue, but he took the moment to watch Remus grovel. "...Maybe I should issue a challenge, doubt you changed that rule. Hm?"

It was more than a taunt, it might as well have been a problem, and Remus could not fathom the idea any longer as he charged forward. Shouts of pure panic had erupted throughout, and it was an honest effort from Andrew's males to pry their Alpha off, while the Elwoods were left to do the same.

But Goddess have mercy on them both as Hayden Mystic stormed through the crowd and stared down the two obsessed males.

"I know for a fact that you two aren't stupid enough to start shit here." He issued, having only caught the better half of the argument—But his attention went directly towards Andrew.

"I had a lot of respect for your father, Clark. He would be ashamed of what you've become, sharing a female?! Have you forgotten this is my daughter you're speaking about? I have half the mind to take her back to Mystic Grimm, the pups too!" Now that had elected Remus to fight through the three Elwood restraints, only for Laura to stand in front of him.

And he stalled, knowing that Sage would be downright angry if he hurt her—Hurt her brothers. So he huffed in damnation, trying to get the better half of his feelings under control.

"You're not taking her away." He issued, and Andrew huffed in agreement. Seems as though they both could agree upon something.

"I'm not? Because as far as I can see, she's an unmated female. And no matter how old she is, Mystic Grimm rules still apply. Now get it together, otherwise, the whole country will hear about this mess." He wasn't wrong, with wolves coming from all over to help in this mission, they weren't loyal to Alpha Remus entirely.

Just for the mission of course, but the second they returned home, the gossip was no doubt going to spark.

"I warned you what would happen if you continued to guilt trip—"

"I told him I would leave Crescent Moon, but he's the one who can't say it!" Laura, whose attention was firmly on her Alpha in case something were to happen, had turned to Andrew within an instant.

"You're leaving..." She croaked, turning to Grey in pure outrage and disappointment. "Fuck—Babe, it's not like that. Andy didn't make a final decision yet, wait!" Laura hadn't bothered to listen to the rest, not when she cursed Grey and walked off into the woods. Leaving him to call out and follow her.

"This—This is why I wanted a conversation when we're on safe territory. By the gods, Sage is just now coming to terms with not carrying a pup and is acting better than you two. Don't make me the enemy by making me take her away." Mystic finalized, glaring at either of them, managing the stakes and Andrew smirked.

"Andy, it's not worth it. Let's just finish this as we planned and keep our heads down." Severin suggested, trying to be the voice of reason. But it was difficult when Grey was trying to apologize to Laura for not telling her.

It didn't occur to Andrew that his decision was ripping apart not only his pack but the ones that already integrated themselves with Black Crescent or Crescent Moon.

Remus, who turned to Liam in an attempt to calm down had nodded.

Sage would have my head if I killed him.

Sir, I think she'd kill us all by association.

Remus gritted his teeth and nodded, taking Caleb's advice in managing a walk. But it was only causing issues as the punches were starting to become transparent as the adrenalin started to wear down.

"Fuck, I guess I know how he's been an Alpha for so long..." Remus claimed, leaning against a tree as he watched the three Elwoods look at one another in worry.

"Uh, what do you plan on telling Sage?"

"I'm not bringing his proposal to the table, Liam. He's nuts." The three agreed, almost instantly. The idea of their sister having two males was enough for them to revert back to their brotherly stance.

"Oh fuck, Luke's going to kill him..." Cameron whispered, and Remus let out a laugh. "Couldn't say I blame him. That's not my friend out there, it can't be."

"Well...Neither is Sage if we think about it." Caleb offered, and it earned him the spotlight outright. "What do you mean?" The Alpha questioned, and there was absolutely no getting out of it from there.

"The female that I met the first day she came home is not the same wolf that returned. She's evolved. When she was deemed Luna, look what happened—We discovered she's an Alpha she-wolf...Then we find out she's the Mystic's lost heir. Not to mention her title as Rogue Queen—Sir, Sage is not the same from before her capture." Liam sighed at his brother's admission to the truth.

"He's right, sir. I love my sister, but Sage has matured. She chose you, it's clear. And maybe she just needs to kick his ass for him to realize it properly." That was certainly an option, but seeing that she had not returned from her small trip with the Crimson pack members, so Remus was left with the consequence of his own actions as he groaned in his hand.

"You did everything I would've, do Rogues share females?... Is that it?"

"Maybe, you heard Blake—They don't believe they have mates and tend to just connect on a different level than we do," Liam asked, but it was Caleb who voiced the answer, however, Cameron was looking off into the distance before jogging forward.

"What happened?!" He shouted, alerting the Alpha and his brothers to see Blake, still shirtless, carrying Sage in his arms.

"It's okay. Everything is fine. We were praying and I think she overworked herself from the traveling. I keep forgetting she's still healing." He claimed, coming straight towards the Alpha before he could say anything about 'being too close to the Luna,' again.

But Remus sucked in a breath at the idea of carrying his mate, he wanted to, but Andrew had made it nearly impossible at the risk of dropping her.

"Uh?...Something wrong?" Blake asked, knowing he missed something from being away for so long.

"Andrew and the Alpha had a spat." Liam piqued up.

"Ah, maybe it's good she missed it and the aftermath. Nothing hurts worse than an Alpha decking you, huh?" Blake said with a growing smirk, only to step aside when Remus started to growl.

But Blake spoke from experience as he walked directly through the pack and towards Sage's designated tent. Her brothers doing their best to hold it open and allow Blake to get her settled, but it was Remus who tucked her in and shifted to remain stationary just outside the zippered entrance.

And he wasn't the only one, considering Andrew came over and huffed to see that Remus was already stationed and perked just beside her.

There was nothing said between the two Alphas, not a word, not a whisper. Nothing but a cold stare threatening one another for the mere thought of reacting to what they couldn't finish.

But they wouldn't finish it here, either. Not when Blake was desperate for a task to keep his aching heart from driving him mad. Sure, the prayer helped him find a bit of peace, but not enough to sleep through the night without the chance of worry building up.

So he stuck beside his Alpha and Luna, knowing that another fight would break Sage's heart.

______

Date: 06/26/23

Time: 9:26

Words: 4350

Author's Note:

Another Monday, another chapter!
This one is a little more direct in terms of where Andrew and Remus are in terms of fighting, but sharing Sage?

What do we think of that?

I personally may or may not have written a scene involving both of them for my own personal collection, but I don't think I'm going to share it anytime soon. It's not at all canon to the story. 
We'll call it a one-shot.

What's going to happen with Grey and Laura if Andrew decides to head to Grey Hallow?

Or better yet, is Blake okay?

Anywhoooo, I would like to introduce you all to my new friend--

This here is Ozzy.
He (not sure if they're male or female but just a guess) is a Barred Owl. I actually met him a few years ago when he was just a lil baby. This is his second time coming around to live here and I absolutely love him!

The squirrels on the property, not so much. But he's perfect inspiration, and as you can see, a lovely distraction from what I have on my screen. Sorry to blur it and crop things, I can't have any spoilers!

Alrighty then, I hope you all have a fantastic week and I will see you on Friday for an update!
Or Wednesday/Thursday for TBHM🫶