Chapter 16 - Sage

Was Auðr being serious? He looks serious. Yet, I’m still struggling to wrap my head around it. If our roles were reversed, would I be as calm as Auðr? Would I accept this massive life change with such ease and grace? Would I stick around to see if I could handle it? I don’t know. I don’t even know how to handle this in our current roles.

‘Auðr is right. I help ground you, but he’ll be that missing piece to the puzzle that is your soul. With our mate at our side, there’s nothing we can’t do.’ Eclipse assured me.

Eclipse was the only person I was letting communicate with me, and well, he’s my wolf, so I kind of can’t shut him out. I could feel the pack and family link banging on my head as everyone tried to reach me. Thankfully, by focusing on Auðr and our conversation, I could ignore everyone else.

“I wish I was as sure of things as you and my wolf.” I frowned.

“You don’t have to be sure of anything, Sage,” Auðr said. “I take that back. There is one thing you need to be sure about.”

“What’s that?” I asked.

“Me. You have to be sure about being with me. Steelcrest and that prophecy adds to the balance we still have to figure out to be together. But even if you tell them to fuck off, being with me has complications. My schedule, both for the band and that I’m a creature of the night, are things we’d need to work out.” Auðr explained.

“Yeah, but I could see ways to work around those. Your sleep schedule is fine by me. Mom has always said I’m a night owl. I would happily sleep all day, especially if it meant I’d be sleeping next to you and get to spend my nights with you.” I smiled.

“As for the band, I know it’s a tough sell, especially for Rune, but I’d be happy to travel with you when possible. I don’t have college plans or really any plans.” I frowned at the reality that if I hadn’t met Auðr, I’d face a life without direction.

How pathetic was that? Sure. I only graduated high school and had time to think more about my future. It doesn’t make me feel any less pathetic saying it out loud. I’m the only person in my family without a direction. Austin is continuing his education in physical therapy. Suzie is going into accounting. River, yes, my identical twin, has signed up to be a state trooper. Leo still has time to decide what they want to do but has already shown interest in being a social worker after what happened to them.

“What’s with the frown?” Auðr asked.

“Oh. Um, it’s just the realization that I’m the most pathetic person in my family. Everyone else has these life goals, and if I hadn’t met you, I’d just be a lump on a log.” I confessed.

“You’re eighteen, Sage. Few people know what they want out of life at that age.” Auðr shook his head.

“River does. Leo even does, and they’re younger than me.” I said.

“And what has River decided to do with their life?” He asked.

“He’s going to be a state trooper like Stripper David,” I explained.

“Stripper David? So, your twin wants to be a cop stripper? Or is that a weird nickname for a cop named David?” He asked.

“David is a state trooper and one of Luna Aurelia’s guards. He’s been super nice and helpful since we came to Bloodmoon. He even used his connections and led the search for Leo when they ran away from Silvermane.” I explained.

“Ok. So, River idolizes David and chose a career based on that. Why did you call him Stripper David?” Auðr asked.

“Oh, because the first time he showed up at our house, we kind of mistook him for a stripper. The guy may be pushing thirty, but he’s hot.” I waggled my eyebrows. “Does that make you jealous? That I think he’s hot?”

“Not really.” Auðr chuckled, shaking his head. “I don’t know him to judge if he’s hot. As for jealous, I’ve never been the type.”

“Hmm, ok.” I shrugged. “But you don’t think it’s pathetic that I don’t know what to do with my life? That doesn’t worry you that you’d be mates to someone without direction?” I asked.

“I told you it’s not pathetic. I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I was eighteen. I just liked playing music and going to clubs. That wasn’t considered a respectable profession in my day. My parents wanted me to go into business like my father. I was sent to Centenary College to major in business like my father had.” Auðr shrugged.

“So, you have business and psychology degrees?” I asked.

“Um, yeah. But I’m also over a hundred years old. I get bored. I love playing, but I need to take a break occasionally because people will think it’s weird that I don’t age.” He said.

“People are already starting to spread gossip about Immortal Eclipse. We’ve been a band for twenty years, but the only one who has aged is Léonel. It’s something people notice. Sure, they are jumping to immortal conclusions but are talking shit like plastic surgery and yadda.” He sighed.

“Wait, does that mean Immortal Eclipse will have to retire soon? How long have you and the rest of the band been together? I know Léonel joined later, but what about the others? Have you been in other bands?” I asked, interest piqued.

“I’ve been playing in bands since the 1930s—we’ve had to take time away from the limelight every few decades. We’d come back, reinventing ourselves with a new name and different genre. So, in almost a hundred years…” Auðr cocked his head in thought

“In the 1930s, we were Velvet, a jazz band. In the 1950s, we were Pantheon, a rock ‘n roll band. In the 1970s, we were Stellar Awakening, a glam rock band. In the 1990s, we were Exiles a grunge band. And now we’re Immortal Eclipse, a punk jazz band. So we’re on our fourth iteration.” He shrugged.

“Hold on…” I shifted to get my phone out. “Velvet… Pantheon… what was the glam rock band? I need to see pictures of this.” I asked as I started to search the band names.

I ignored the flood of missed calls and texts when I opened my phone. My family could wait a bit longer. Finding photographic proof of Auðr throughout the ages was more important. I didn’t want to face the reality that I had just eclipsed my family and, worse, Alpha Logan and ran away. I’d deal with that much later if I could help it.

“That is NOT necessary,” Auðr said, reaching for my phone.

“Oooo, but it totally is. What’s the point of a mate who’s got over a hundred years on me than to find pictures of him through the decades.” I laughed, leaning away and holding my phone to the ceiling so he couldn’t take it.

“Nope. It was before the internet. I doubt there are even any pictures that would be out there for you to find.” Auðr shook his head.

“HOLY SHIT!” I exclaimed as my image search results populated. “How… how can you look fucking hot as hell in a sequin shirt like that.” I blinked.

My jaw was justifiably hanging open at the image result. Auðr, with his hair still shaggy but fluffed out, eyes closed, mic in hand as he sang, wearing a black open sequin top and an ankh chain around his neck. This man was stunning in every era. I tabbed over to the next results. Auðr, in his grunge period, looked scrumdiddlyumptious with his unwashed hair, wearing a tank top showing a blurry and hard-to-see tattoo on his right arm. I wondered what the tatttoo was of and if it was real as I glanced at him.

“What? What did you find?” Auðr asked.

“That you look hot in every era and may or may not have ink. Was the ink from your grunge real or fake?” I asked, turning the phone to show him.

He sighed, pulling off the road. I furrowed my brow, looking around. I hadn’t paid any attention to where he’d been driving. I didn’t recognize where we were. We were in a pull-off area just off the road. So, a place where people either pulled over because they broke down or just needed to stretch their legs.

“You should reply to your family. I’m sure they’ve been trying to contact you through your link, and I just saw several texts pop up when you showed me your phone.” Auðr sighed.

“Do I have to?” I pouted.

“Yes. They are your family, and they are worried about you. They’re all on your side.” Auðr assured me.

I sighed and switched to my messages. I started to scan the missed texts.

Mom: Sage. Where are you?

Dad: Are you somewhere safe?

River: WTF dude? I had to light up to counter your shit.

Leo: Are you ok?

Austin: Let Dad and your mom know you’re safe

Suzie: I hope you’re ok.

Unknown Number: I’m not mad. I don’t blame you for running from the situation. There is a lot of pressure when someone chooses you to be their new alpha. I’ve made the Steelcrest Elders leave. They are staying in one of the other cities under the watchful eye of the Delaney family. You don’t need to decide today or any time soon. Take your time, but let your mother know you are safe while you do that.

I blinked tears back as I looked at the messages, especially that last one. It had to be Alpha Logan. Alpha Logan cared enough about me to send me a text and to keep those elders away so that I could make decisions without pressure. Damn, that guy is awesome. If I did accept the alpha offer, I’d want to be an alpha like him. I shot a quick text in the family chat.

Sage: I’m fine. Auðr is with me and got me out of panic mode. We’re going for a drive, so I’ll be home later.

Then, I sent a reply to Alpha Logan.

Sage: Alpha Logan. Thank you. I’m not good enough with words to express it better. I’m safe with my mate, and my family knows now.

“There. I let everyone know I’m safe and will be home later.” I nodded. “Now, about that tattoo?” I smiled.

I needed a distraction. I didn’t want to start getting all in my head and emotional about the offer and how much my family and alpha cared about me. Auðr was the perfect distraction. I only hoped he’d be willing to continue to be my distraction.