Chapter 50

The drive tooka little over an hour, and we used the time well. We were giving Sage ideas and instructions regarding what to expect.

"Introductions, speak only when spoken to," Sig instructed. "Some respect the old ways."

"I don't want to be rude," Sage said.

"He's extra uptight because we don't know what we are walking into," Talia shared. "Nobody has made a move against us, but that doesn't mean they won't."

Sage frowned. "I don't understand. They sent their healers. Why would they want to hurt us now?"

I had much to teach my mate. "There is always a chance. Our world is violent. Sides change, and we should always be on guard."

"The Redds aren't exactly admired," Talia added dryly.

"I think I've just lost my appetite," Sage said, leaning back against her seat. "That's too much to worry about."

"When they learn you are newly mated, expect teasing," Sig continued. "It is common. Because we are strangers and guests, it should be over quickly."

"It is none of their business," I told her.

"Wolves are super nosey," Talia added. "We can't help ourselves."

Sig parked the SUV, and we followed a few other new arrivals along a path that had a few lights along the way toward a footbridge. The land had a canal running through it.

"Alligators," Sage mumbled.

"What?"

"There could be alligators in the water." She had remained glued to my side since we left the SUV.

"I doubt there is an alligator nearby; it would enrage the wolves," Sig told her.

"I have a thing about alligators," she whispered. "They can climb fences and are deceptively fast."

I had decided that I would not be joining in the run. My mate had to be protected. "I will make sure no alligator approaches."

Her gaze met mine, and then she looked toward where others were gathering by a large bonfire. "The moon is bright, as is the fire, but I keep looking for them. I know there are alligators out there." She took my hand.

The Packleader and his mate welcomed us. Bernice made sure that we were introduced to the other couples not participating in the run.

"Sage, Quinn, and Ellie are newly changed. They both work in IT, and I can't begin to explain what they do. Their mates, Ian and Barry, grew up with us." Bernice left us to talk with the others.

"Where are you from?" Ellie asked, her gaze bouncing between Sage and me. "Grab a chair. You might as well get comfortable."

I followed Sage to the chairs on the far side of the fire. "I am from northern Canada, and Sage is from Chicago." I didn't want to have to discuss the Redds. It was a welcome change not to be introduced as the Second and as the mate to a newly mated.

"Is this your honeymoon?" Quinn asked. "I don't know what the Lycan equivalent is called." She glanced at the male who was sitting beside her.

"In a way, this is our honeymoon," Sage answered.

"Welcome," Ian, the male mated to Ellie, greeted us. "We will eat soon, and then the run begins."

"It's our first time participating," Ellie explained.

"I'm nervous," Quinn shared. "My change isn't fast."

Her mate wrapped his arm around her. "It will be fine. I will be with you."

The small talk continued. We shared stories of runs.

I noticed that Sage was quiet. "Are you hungry?" I asked after the others had gone to line up for the food.

"No." Then she shook her head. "Yes."

Since our mating, she had been eating almost as much as Talia.

"I feel…jumpy and like my insides itch."

"I can find Simon or Theresa," I offered.

"No. I'm fine." She looked up at the sky. "Maybe it's being out here?"

I vowed to keep a close watch on her.

We ate and chatted with others. Sig and Talia found us and checked in before the run began.

Sage stood beside me and was switching her weight from side to side.

Sig noticed but said nothing.

A howl sounded, and we stopped talking.

Instructions were given. The run would begin in a few minutes.

Quinn and her mate joined us.

"We will hang back here until you are ready to go," her mate told her.

"We won't be gone long," Sig told us.

Talia grinned. "Don't make promises like that. You might lose track of time."

Sig met her gaze with a challenging look. "Stay near so you can redirect me when it is time."

Talia rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

Sage was watching Quinn.

The female was sweating and was rolling onto the balls of her feet.

Another howl and the others were off.

Sig and Talia stayed back with us.

Although I was not running, I enjoyed the energy surrounding us.

"Concentrate, Quinny," her mate said. "You can do this."

I took a step to my left to give the couple more privacy.

Talia stared at Sage. "Why are you doing that? It's like you cannot say still."

"I can't stay still." Sage was scratching her arm and then ran her palm over her belly.

The Packleader and his mate approached. Bernice hugged Quinn. "You are tying yourself up in knots. Our second son went through the same thing."

The Packleader rested his palm on her shoulder. "Child, calm."

I could feel his magic. It was like a comforting warmth spread over us.

He continued," Trust your wolf. She knows what to do."

Quinn nodded and then closed her eyes.

Within a minute, her change began. It felt like a slight buzz against my skin. I wrapped my arm around Sage. "We should give them privacy." I did not want to upset her mate. We were vulnerable during our change of forms. I knew that during a slow change, the cracking and popping sounds of the body being reshaped would upset Sage.

Sage nodded, grasped her belly, and fell to her knees with an anguished cry.

I dropped to my knees beside her.

Sig did the same. "What is happening?"

With a screech that would cause my ears to ring for hours, Sage dropped to the ground, and then her back arched sharply as another screech sounded. Her clothes dissolved as fur covered her body as it changed into a wolf form.

"What the fuck?" Sig bellowed in surprise.

The wolf stood on shaky legs. It was as if she was learning how to use her appendages. Then she sat back on her haunches and panted with her tongue hanging to the side.

Enraptured, I couldn't help but stare. "You are beautiful," I told my mate as my wolf howled with pride.

"How did this happen?" Talia's eyes were huge.

I didn't want to spend time explaining. My wolf wanted to change and run with our mate.

"Yes, Bredon, I would like an explanation," the Packleader demanded.

"The Lady." I was trying to recall her exact words. "When I asked for her guidance to cure Sage's sickness, she must have decided during our mating to allow her to change. She must be responsible for this." Nothing else made sense.

"It is a blessing." Bernice placed her hand on her mate's forearm. "The Lady must have great plans for this female." Her smile softened her demeanor. "We are lucky to have witnessed a miracle wrought by our Goddess."

"You believe that is true?" The Packleader asked his wife.

Bernice covered her heart with the same hand. "I feel it."

The Packleader bowed at his waist. "We are honored, Sage, to witness your first change."

Her wolf let out a short yip.

The Packleader looked toward the moon. "Thank you, Goddess, for this blessing."

Those remaining in human form joined in, looking at the moon.

"Do you want to run, or should we try to help her return to her human form?" Bernice asked me.

So much was happening that I didn't know the answer.

"Why not ask Sage?" Talia offered. "She appears to be in control."

I went to my knees in front of her. "It is your decision. We can run, or you can attempt to change into your human form."

Her wolf's eyes were clear and focused as she listened to my offerings.

I'd witnessed many first changes throughout my life. They were chaotic—the scent of fear and frustration stinking the air surrounding the novice.

Sage exhibited neither of those emotions.

"Picture your human form in your head. Ask your wolf to change," I told her softly. I felt her change before my brain processed the images. It was like the spike of surprise after a loud clap of thunder. It was over before I even realized it had happened.

Sage was lying on her back in jeans and a T-shirt.

"Remarkable," the Packleader declared.

"You forgot your shoes." Talia knelt beside her. "It's okay. Most times, everybody forgets clothes."

Sage combed her hair back from her face. "Tell me that somebody spiked my drink because that was crazy."

I chuckled and pulled her into my arms. "No, darling wolf, you are now like us."

"Bossy?" She grinned.

"Beautiful." I kissed her.

In the background, Bernice suggested others run or move away to give us privacy.

"How did you know how to change?" I asked in a quiet voice.

"I don't know." She rested her forehead against my shoulder and sighed.

"We can talk about it later."

She lifted her head. "I'm trying to sort through my thoughts."

I waited patiently.

"I've felt weird since the night on the roof. Something was talking to me inside my head when I was alone."

"That was your wolf."

She nodded. "When we arrived, it was like my insides were itching." She chewed on her lower lip. "Honestly, I thought about grabbing a knife and slicing open my stomach to see if whatever was in there would escape."

"Sage…"

"I wouldn't have done that." She squeezed my hand. "When I was listening to what they were saying to Quinn, it felt like they were talking to me." She drew her eyebrows together. "One minute, I was standing here, feeling like my stomach was going to explode, and then next…it was like I was tumbling, and I was looking up at you." She shrugged.

"I've never seen anything like this," I admitted.

"I got that when Sig looked like he didn't know whether to hug or shoot me."

"He would never…."

She let go of my hand. "I know that. I trust Sig. When I was a wolf, I could understand your words and read your feelings more easily."

"Go on." There was so much to teach her.

"Bernice wasn't freaking out. She was…happy."

"She is well-respected and knowledgeable."

"She's nurturing," Sage said slowly. "That is her superpower." She looked around the area. "That is why the wolves we met were okay with having us here. She has made them feel secure and confident."

After all she had gone through, I didn't want to argue with my mate. I would not stop her if she needed to assign talents to others. "What am I?" It was safer to discuss me than the members of the Pack.

"You have a strong sense of right and wrong. You are the balance."

I'd have to think about that later.

"I'm thirsty. Let's get a drink while we wait." She took my hand as we walked toward the row of tables as if nothing had happened.