Lacking Humanity|Crescent Moon

Chapter Twenty-Three

In an effort of luck and knowing the pack territory well enough, he managed to intercept her and tackle her to the ground. A warning growl rallied and stilled her body as she stayed pinned within the grass for a moment. Remus did not want to risk getting shut out of her brain again, so he shifted right in front of her.

"Sage, I will never put you in a cage. Never. I want to protect you. There's no need to run away from—" His voice told lies, Sage trusted people, and look how she ended up!

She always was left to watch in awe as those around her spoke fluently and with personalities such as teasing and taunts. But all she could do was smile.

She would be forever grateful for being free from the scientists, but what she saw downstairs pulled up all her insecurities and demanded a test of trust.

Her jaw unhinged and locked onto Remus' arm as he held back a painful yell. Luckily he managed to shift before too much damage was done. Though he will admit, it hurt more since it was his mate's attacking him than any other wolf.

Had it been Eli or Jack, he wondered if their bites would create the same amount of damage.

Sage, please listen to me. Those wolves downstairs aren't getting hurt. They are safe. We don't hurt our own unless they are dangerous. They didn't listen to the rules.

Her wolf continued to circle in a predatorial state as she snapped her jaw towards him, only infuriating his wolf further.

He is the Alpha, and what he says should go.

No matter if this is his Luna, he makes the final decisions.

All those at the dinner party managed to form a circle surrounding Sage, while Casey was left in the care of Gigi off in the kitchens.

Leo could already smell the anxiety and stress radiating from her body.

And the appearance of more wolves had antagonized her further.

Sweetheart, listen to Remus. He's telling the truth. Not all wolves are good, but not all of them are bad. You trust us, you're family. Please, settle down.

Leo's voice was like a soothing glass of cold water, but like most things in Sage's life.

She had never had a refreshing drink of cold water after a torturous training and testing session.

The calmness that Leo shared was infuriating.

She wants answers.

She wants to understand.

But nothing about what they're saying made any sense. All she knew was that they were trying to stop her.

And Remus would be damned if his mate managed to run away.

Sage had been the first to attack. However, in the record of defending the Alpha, Eli had met her in the air and tumbled with her to the ground.

Leo claimed that the best approach would be to tire her out, but they weren't prepared for just how much stored away rage and suffering Sage was keeping bottled up.

Wave after wave of either Elwoods or the higher tiers, and still, all they could manage was a few cuts and scrapes.

Sage was growing smart, understanding their next moves even though they had excluded her in the conversation.

Luke was still on his way, and there seemed to be no end to Sage's rage. Instead, they were met with what the scientists had trained her to do.

And now?