Lacking Humanity|Half Crescent

Chapter Thirty

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Sage found herself aiding Alanna in taking inventory of the stock room, it was Half Crescent's final night—As the fight certainly brought an unsettling feeling among both packs that it was best to move along the processes. And while Julian wouldn't have cared either way, it was clear that his pack member's opinions would be unavoidable.

Alanna herself was feeling guilty, she loved Hera and Andy—The three extra days would've been alright, but the desperation of meeting the deadline of winter truly starting to snow them in. It was all-around safer for them to start traveling sooner.

"You can always come to visit, I would love to meet your pups." It was clear that her voice startled the young Luna and a light smile formed, though it was clear that she was having mixed feelings about the invitation.

Though Alanna had to get it out in the open.

"You know, Sage, we're not angry at all...Julian is just—When his mate died, he almost lost the pack due to neglect. It's natural to fall into a spiral, especially in the higher tiers when the relationship is also a job. When this pack lost their Luna, they lost their Alpha as well." She stood frozen, unable to think rationally as she looked up with tears in her eyes.

"Sweetheart, no it's—"
"I don't have a mate mark, my mate thinks I'm dead...He—Pack's at war..." Sage had begun to hyperventilate at the mere suggestion that her pack could've been neglected, but Alanna refused to allow her to spiral.

"No, your mate is just fine. Remus is just fine, your pups are waiting for you to come home. You just have to hold out a little longer." Sage nodded, however, she had another reason to panic. Especially when she found herself trapped against the wall.

"You know my name."
"It's hard not to when Andy shouted it when you collapsed, it's alright. Your secret's safe with me, Julian isn't the...Isn't the biggest fan of Remus." Sage didn't push the topic and instead felt her body uplift at the idea that Alanna knew who she was.

"I'm sorry for lying, I don't like lying."
"To who? Me or Andy?" Once again, guilt had layered the conversation between these two Lunas—Well, if anything, Sage/Hera was Luna twice over and Alpha in her own right.

"The Moon Goddess has special plans for you, and when you do find Remus, he'll understand. Andy will too. Those two are a lot stronger than anyone wants to give them credit for."
"I have Luna money. I'll pay you and Alpha Julian back when I get home and—"
"Take your time, sweetheart. Cuddle with those pups...They only stay small for so long." Sage had taken note of the advice, and the two finished up their tasks side by side, mostly silent, considering the tables had been turned.

Alanna knew that the switch from Hera to Sage was much too coincidental, and while she might not be neck-deep in the drama happening across the border. Julian was, for the most part, at least. The story lined up as well. Sage had been missing and labeled as dead. Other than that, it was difficult to search for any more relevant information without her Beta or Delta finding out.

However, Sage was a very powerful she-wolf. To have the backings of half of America willing to pay for her safe return, that was something that Alanna couldn't wrap her head around. Not only Mystic Grimm was her birth pack, but Crescent Moon as her mate and White Paw's Luna as a sister? 

In addition of how intertwined her Beta and Delta's mate are.

Crescent Moon was restoring what the norm of pack relations was meant to look like. Unity in all, but it crumbled right alongside the council, and Alanna did not speak about it anymore.

Nor did Sage ask. It seemed like they both agreed that the mission was to get back to Crescent Moon, not think about what issues lay in wait.

However, the easier idea would've been to just send her to Mystic Grimm, though that required identification—And Alanna worried what her mate would do.