Lacking Humanity|Half Crescent

Chapter Forty-Two (Rewritten)

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There most certainly was a bear in that direction. Not only did it supply fresh meat for the rest of their journey to Crescent Moon. But Andy thought it hilarious that it matched Sage's cloak in fur color.

What had started as a few hard days of traveling to gain more ground had ultimately turned into a good portion of the day spent moving, while the rest focused on Torin's promise.

Training long and hard with their gifted supplies of mined silver ore was strenuous and long, but Sage started to favor using the duel blades. Andy thought it best to give her two halves as a whole if she started to get tired.

Learning either formation required more work, but it was worth it—especially when Sage found herself leaving the makeshift shelter all dressed up in her bear fur and ready to return home.

"Hey, maybe if we're lucky. We'll make it in time for Christmas!" Grey cheered, and Sage's smile turned wide. It wouldn't be the pup's first Christmas, but returning in time for the festivities would still be a blessing.

It was hard not to think kindly of the memories she'd made since arriving at Crescent Moon, Christmas night being one of the biggest that came to the forefront of the rest.

It was when Sage and Remus had finally accepted the bond and mated for the first time.

Bite and all.

It had caused her to stare aimlessly down into the remains of the fire pit just by her boots. The tips of her fingers ran delicately across the outline of the flickering fire, rejoicing in what had happened that night.

If she dug deep, she could remember the phantom pulse of feeling Remus on the other end of it, but it had been silent for so long that Sage wondered if it could ever be revived.

Amid her disappointment, Torin had eyed Sage closely, knowing full well that the she-wolf was nervous. And with proper cause.

If anything, the newcomer didn't mask his confusion about her situation. But after hearing out the finer details, he understood that Alpha Andy had left her in a bit of a bind, though that didn't escape the feelings either had for the other.

You know...I don't think Alpha Andy's taken a good look at your tattoo.

My tattoo? Yes, he has. He said it's nice.

That's the symbol of a high-ranking pack member, specifically those markings claiming that you're Luna.

The surrounding wolves were currently working on packing the bags and pouches to already shifted wolves, but Sage stood her ground—Her nose twitching underneath the bear's head.

Be prepared for a fight.

Sage had initially turned away, thinking the conversation had been done with, but Torin's haunting words had pulled her back.

That's what Luna Alanna said in Oak Woods. I'm worried.

As you should be. I've never met Remus Moon, but I've heard plenty about the family—I'm surprised Andy hasn't figured it out yet.

I told him my adopted last name. He doesn't know about me, Half Crescent was Rogue pack. Not connected with packs in America or Canada.

From then on, Torin had sworn that he would attempt to stop any doubt brewing a fight. Even if he didn't know the extent of what Sage had promised Andy and vice versa, their united front did not come without some risks to their image.

Yet the foreign male could smell a blood pact miles away, and the two reeked of it—He hoped it wouldn't turn out as horrific as his Wolf was foreseeing it to be.