Lacking Humanity|Crescent Moon

Chapter Twenty-One

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It was getting late, and Remus promised to bring Sage back before dinner. The female beside him was rightly exhausted from the run and hunting. But the Alpha had the right amount of stamina that would match hers, another reason he thought the Moon Goddess made them mates.

Returning to their skin, a smile graced Sage's face as she flashed it in Remus' direction. His heart instantly grew fuzzy as he wanted to pounce and know what exactly was making her smile.

The number of possibilities was endless. Even a reminder of being free seemingly made Sage glow bright.

Remus had knocked at the Elwood's door, only to be greeted by Liam. And although he smiled at his little sister, she rightly didn't look him in the eyes. She could feel that he disapproved of Remus.

Causing her smile to begin to fall.

"You okay, Sage?" She blinked back to her brother, but it was a drastic shift to what Remus was picking up from their bond.

"Sleep?" The she-wolf was still getting used to the idea of not having a set bedtime, and it led her to ask when it was time. "Dinner first. What'd you two do all afternoon?" The brother was eyeing the Alpha with a skeptical side-eye, but the light shined bright as the female beamed at how she spent the last few hours.

"Run." Liam chuckled as he looked to the Alpha, silently hoping that something happened and he could have an excuse.

"Hope Alpha kept up with you alright..."

"I managed just fine." Sage knew that the tension was growing, and she shrunk far too quickly for Remus' likings.

Liam had attempted to reach an arm out, but she flinched away. Even doing the same when Remus had attempted to try. Her eyes didn't connect to either of theirs as she felt the looming threat of a fight.

It was far too difficult to ignore.

In remedy to the situation, Liam called for his mom, and the woman rushed to see the issue. Not daring or hesitating on crossing either the Alpha or her own son as she pulled Sage's head up to greet her properly.

A struggling smile formed on the daughter's face as she looked far too damned with her emotions.

"How about you join us for dinner tomorrow, Alpha? It would give Sage a chance to get to know you better in skin setting." The idea was tempting, but Liam was hoping that the Alpha was too busy.

And he withheld the frown when the Alpha agreed.

"I was thinking about a pack introduction on Friday. I don't know if Sage understood me entirely, but—"

"Party." She whispered, causing Camilla to nod. "Yes, darling, you get to meet everyone in the pack. I'm sure they're excited to meet you. And very well informed." The mother turned to the Alpha in question, who nodded.

"Of course, and if she feels uncomfortable in any way, we'll end it. Unless you feel she's not ready for that." Liam rolled his eyes under his lids. He did not want to have an ongoing issue with his sister's mate.

The protective side of Sage has yet to be unlocked, though Zoe was just a pack member she met perhaps twice before the attack.

That was simply acquaintance protection along with what Luke had ordered her to do, but this was her mate. If Kelly hadn't called a proper challenge for the Luna on the spot, then the Alpha would've had no trouble in attacking anyone who hurts his mate.

"I think she's ready." Liam offered, knowing that underestimating her again would just be shameful on their part once again.

"Mrs. Elwood, I wouldn't leave her side for even a moment with the pack in attendance, nor would I put her in any danger." At that moment, Remus discovered a trigger word, having the hairs of his little mate stand up straight, pairing with her dilated eyes.