* * *

The scent had been the first thing that abruptly assaulted Sage's nose, and when she peeked open a single eye, she had instantly scanned the room—It had been the same, for the most part.

The television still elected the same fake fireplace she had previously commented on.

Was that yesterday? 

Or the day before?

Sage couldn't tell, not when her body was aching with every twist and crack, allowing her to have a satisfying groan leave her lips before she even realized it.

Yet this time, it was met with the same tempting octave as an arm snaked behind her, leaving her to feel the entirety of her male's nude body rub up against her.

In snuggling further into the pillow, she was greeted with the combined scent of what she and Remus had created.

Remus' smile spiked up at the base of her tattoo as he kissed it gently. "How're you feeling?" He asked, and she hummed while turning to look at him with a thankful huff to settle the question. Again, he laughed at her positive attitude in the morning. "I guess that answers that. Nothing hurts? Are you sore?"

"No. I feel good...How long?"

"How long was your heat? Two days, two and a half. But you've been asleep for almost another full day. Are you hungry?" At the mention of food, her stomach made its decision to agree. However, Sage frowned at the thought of her Heat in Half Crescent being longer than it was here.

As if fate knew that there would be no record of relief. Here, perhaps Remus' presence does more than provide that and comfort.

Or rather, perhaps it feels longer due to the agony of it all.

"I think...A grilled cheese with some tomato soup will be perfect for you right now. Do you want to take a bath?" It was meant to be a kind offering, but once Sage took to sniffing the air, she nodded.

Sure, it caused Remus to laugh, as he wasn't bothered at all by the scent. For Sage, it was completely different. As Sage surveyed the room and began to rub her eyes, Remus decided that tea was the first step to start their day.

He had silently placed another kiss on her shoulder before throwing on the nearest pair of shorts to go and get things ready.

However, at the prospect of being alone, Sage managed to rise and take in the state of the room. There were ripped pillowcases and feathers scattered around, even a random few strips of fabric that no doubt had been a blanket at one point.

Another smile had grown on her face as she considered just how much damage had been done. Even as she took a glance at the headboard, three brutal claw marks were now a signature piece to add to their bedroom.

However, a frustrated sigh escaped Sage when she attempted to move just a bit further—And given just how sore her body felt, she didn't dare venture to the bathroom.

Even if she craved nothing more than the relief of the promised bath.

Thankfully, Remus returned, carrying both their morning drinks of choice and a small snack to hold Sage over until after the bath. He placed it right on his side of the bed as he sat back down, yet her smile never faltered.

It concerned her; she wanted to know what was making him beam with happiness.

"Gigi is making us another few meals. I think we'll keep the house on lockdown for the rest of the night before inviting everyone back...If they even want to come back." Remus chuckled as he took a cautious sip of his coffee, but Sage hugged the pillow and smiled lightly.

"The pups okay?"

"We can call and check in on them when you're in the bath." His offer had caused another smile to form on her face, as her eyes moved towards the bathroom once more, and she tried to figure out if it was worth her pride not to have to ask Remus for help.

But he seemed to have gotten it with ease, "Hun, it's alright. Let me carry you."

"Cocky male." She mumbled, but he threw his head back and laughed.

"I think I have the right to be a cocky male. Do you know how many times we've Mated?...Made it even harder when I could mark you or the level of precaution. I thought we were going to run out." Sage perked her lips for a moment, then held up her hands. It had been an honest guess, but he had managed to add just a few more fingers before she gasped—"No..."

"Hmm, so the least I can do is carry you to the bathroom. You need to take it easy."

"I don't smell like Heat anymore?"

"Nah, and I have windows airing out downstairs. Hopefully, it won't enrage your brother and father when they come back." Sage nodded eagerly as she raised her hands, and he carried her straight to the large bathtub.

One she missed and dreamed of so vividly for the past year.

Keeping her propped up and lavishing her with soap was fairly easy. Granted, he didn't leave room for her Heat to really fester after enacting it the first time.

Not when the ego of an Alpha played in—Even with the guests downstairs and their scents too close for comfort, it had made him quite possessive.

He, too, needed a gentle awakening of the warm water to soothe his aching muscles and perhaps even ease his mind into leveling down his passive nature.

After taking the extra step, washing Sage's hair and wrapping her into a towel, Remus sat her on the tub's side and ensured she had no scratches that needed special attention. But all that he could find were pained love marks and blotches that made her smile upon seeing herself in the mirror on the wall across from her.

Remus then spent the time drying her hair and even brushing through it. Something that he had only done a few times before, but after witnessing the witches do it so often, he had attempted to braid it.

And Sage couldn't contain the wiggle as she smiled up to him with pure adoration.

Once he was done, Sage tried to get to her feet, but Remus had been one step ahead of her and picked her up—But not to place her in bed.

No, he settled her down into one of the recliners at the corner of the room. The one that Jade had gifted to act as a place for Sage to breastfeed comfortably.

There, she watched Remus scramble to get the bed cleaned and ready for her once again.

Even if they had gone through a previous Heat before, Remus wished there had been some sort of preparation when this sort of thing happens. The first time, Sage was not only blindsided by her gift from the Goddess, but it also baffled the Healers of the pack.

Much like now.

After Remus fixed up their bed, he aided Sage back into bed, presenting her tea and bowl of fruit once again. It was enough to distract her for a moment while he took to getting the delivery from Gigi.

And, of course, there was much more than he had first thought.

Upon making another massive place, he returned to Sage's side—And took the pleasure of feeding his mate as they soaked in the quiet and calmness they were both coming down from.

After he had made sure she'd eaten more than enough, he took it a step further. Setting the tone by lighting up a few blessed candles to try and keep the atmosphere safe as they returned to normal.

"I think I eat too much." She grumbled, holding her stomach that seemed to grow bloated at the thought of so much carbs and protein she'd just inhaled.

"Well, I think you look like a healthy and happy she-wolf. Nothing wrong with that." Remus defended without hesitation, and she grinned as she rolled to face him further. Her eyes followed after him, but realistically, he was watching her all the same.

"Do you think the Goddess will be angry that we don't try for a pup?" Sage questioned, and Remus' face fell as he returned to her side, his hand resting on her hip as he shook his head. "I don't think she'll be angry. She knows that this is a dangerous time for us. We can't add a baby to this."

"I do want another pup..."

"We have plenty of time for that, Sage. Plenty of time. Right now, we have a tournament to think about." Her smile grew to a squeal when Remus pounced on her yet again. It wasn't a heated kiss, more playful than anything they'd experienced in the last few days, but not anymore accepted.

By the end of the afternoon, however, Sage had felt the unmistakable urge to have the pups close. And when Remus had shared his concern with Camilla over the phone, the woman hadn't hesitated to return the twins back to their home. Hell, it sounded like she was already herding them into the truck while still on the phone with him.

All her explanation was when she appeared at the front door with Rae in her arms and held tightly to Ronan in the other—"When a mother says she wants her pups, she'll get them. Believe me, Alpha. Stability is the most important way to return after a Heat. Especially one as unexpected as this one...Call me if you need anything!"

Thus, Remus decided that this free time from pack responsibilities would allow him to get a head start on cleaning.

Even if Sage offered to help, nothing was more satisfying than seeing her and the twins downstairs and curled up on the couch by the fireplace.

It certainly helped Sage feel comfortable, and it was as if the pups themselves knew what had happened between their parents—As they were heavily clingy to both their parents. More so their mother, but Remus could deny them only so many times before he ventured to join them.

Thankfully, Gigi provided yet another meal, and the Alpha was able to pamper his mate for the final hours of their spontaneous Heat vacation.

Tomorrow will undoubtedly bring a plethora of issues, some of which Beta and Delta couldn't assist in without their Alpha's support.

___

Date: 03/04/25

Time: 11:39 AM

Words: 1720