Lacking Humanity | Moon Ridge

Chapter Thirty-Seven

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Sage didn't really know what to expect when she heard that Remus wanted to join her, so she offered a kind smile and bid everyone goodnight with him by her side.

"Nice to see everyone..." She whispered, but Remus didn't realize just how socially exhausted Sage must've been for the last few hours. But she wasn't one to complain, not when these were familiar faces that adored her.

That she could sense their excitement and determination to help was also another blessing that she caught without issue. "I think it's a tie between who was more excited. And it was nice for Kendal to throw us another party." Sage's smile started to grow, but clearly, the lack of sleep and being away from pack grounds were starting to affect her.

"Almost done, Munchkin. Then we're having a mini at-home vacation." Now that earned him her attention outright as she narrowed her gaze up toward him. "Home vacation?"

"Yep. Just us and the pups. Maybe we'll set up the little pool for them, or the hose. Just let them run around and play with the water. We'll relax on the chairs, just watching them...It'll be nice." Remus nearly felt his eyes roll back at the idea of laying flat out in the grass with his pups nearby and playing, maybe even getting burned by the sun and not worrying about a single damn issue.

But for Sage, she had a harder idea of grasping what was so relaxing about the little pool party. If anything, she thought he was missing a few guests, and even went up to mention that her dad would want to come.

"Maybe another time, but I do want to enjoy you and the pups. They're still pups right now, hun. Soon they will be going to school and doing their own thing. We need to enjoy it."

"I want pups to stay pups." Remus chuckled, knowing that Hayes would trade anything in the world for Sage to be a pup once again. To relive those memories and milestones the correct way.

"I want mini-vacation." She concluded, agreeing with his idea had his wolf howl and yelp in victory. But she seemed so much more awake and lively now that he instructed her to get the first shower in before he made his way in as well.

Granted, he was prepared to see Sage curled up under the covers and snoring away. But Luke had sent over a few videos and pictures that she couldn't wait for him to get out and watch them. So she turned her phone and sighed at hearing the audio again and again.

"We'll be home soon."

"Week. One week. Then vacation?"

"Depends what happens with this whole thing, what if we find more than we were planning to?... We'll plan for it once we get back to Crescent Moon." She nodded, knowing that she would want to visit and check on everyone before locking the doors for their vacation.

After a few more minutes of going through pictures, Sage's yawn had instigated her to hand Remus her phone and tuck herself further into the bed. Sighing in relief that she could finally shut her eyes and call it a day.

Unfortunately for her, Remus had other plans that included her being entirely awake and willing. So instead, he placed the phone behind him and on the counter as he encased Sage with his body heat.

A small hum had coursed through her body, but she hadn't bothered to check. Not when his scent was swirling around her like an absolute feast. "Remmy?" She whispered, peeking an eye open, still not entirely used to sleeping in such a foreign room.

Even if it was their third night.

"Right here...I just wanted to hold you. Is that okay?" Her blinks had started to count just how much time had passed between his question, and Sage could allow a small nod of acceptance before he locked his arms further around her.