Chapter 23 - Sage

After we’d had our fun, including an exchange of blowjobs in the shower, we got dressed, and he called his band to his room. I sat anxiously in a chair as the band walked in and sat on the sectional sofa. Léonel was the only one with a smile for me, though he didn’t look happy otherwise. Was he going to be upset about the news, or was he unhappy about something else?

“All right. Let’s get to business. Immortal Eclipse has run its course.” Auðr started.

Rune opened his mouth but shut it when Auðr glared at him.

“We have been at this for twenty years. You all know how this goes. We aren’t aging, and people are noticing.” Auðr said, tossing a few gossip magazines about what surgeries they had to stay young. “We need to hang it up and step out of the limelight like before.”

“So when things settle, we’ll start a new band? Like before,” Rune asked.

“You are free to do that. However..” Auðr looked at me with a smile.

“Sage has a prophecy, one I’m part of. One that connects to my tattoos. It’s to be an Alpha in a small pack on Prince Edward Island. We have terms we’ll take to their elders, demanding we be given till the blood moon in December to take over. In that time, Sage will shadow Logan and his people while I wrap things up for Immortal Eclipse, and I will shadow Dani to see how a vampire functions in a pack.” He outlined.

“I knew it,” Rune shouted, standing up and knocking over the coffee table. “You’ve mated up, even if you aren’t marked, and are going to abandon us like everyone in our mortal lives did.”

“That’s not true!” I shouted, standing up.

“Auðr isn’t abandoning anyone. Sure, he won’t be able to font a new band like my Aleph. But he’s not ditching any of you. He’d never do that. He’d always be a phone call away.” I said, starting to rant.

“I’d be happy to ensure we have a place in Steelcrest for all of you. You could even join the pack and come and go as you need. Don’t you see? If we become Alpha and Aleph, you’ll have a permanent home. You’d have more than just Auðr and each other. You’d have me and the pack as your family.” I said.

Rune blinked, stunned back into his seat. Auðr smiled and took my hand.

“See. Finding Sage doesn’t make things worse for any of us. It can and will make things better for all of us.” Auðr said. “So? Are there any other outbursts? You don’t have to Sage’s offer to come to Steelcrest. You’re always free to do what you want, and I’ll always be there when you need me.”

“I won’t be going, Uncle,” Léonel said.

“If Immortal Eclipse ends, I’m going to retire. Maybe ask Logan if I can join Bloodmoon. Be closer to my kid. I want to get to know them and be around should they and River start a family.” He said, glancing cautiously at Rhapsody. “Even if it’ll be alone. I can handle alone if I get to be near my kid.”

“I can respect that. And we’re family; you’re stuck with me anyway. And since Leo is mated to River, you can’t escape seeing me at family events.” Auðr teased.

“I want to stay.” Rhapsody declared. “If Léonel will be okay with it. I want to stay with him. I don’t care if he ever wants to be marked as my mate. I want to stay with him. I may never give him a kid, but I can get to know his and offer what guidance I can from living as long as I have.”

Everyone looked stunned at her declaration: everyone but Auðr. Auðr smiled and nodded.

“You do what you need to, Rhapsody. I’ll let you and Léonel talk through the logistics of that.” He said. “What about you three?”

“I…” Zeke looked at the others.

“We’ll figure it out when we’ve closed out the band,” Zeidan said.

“That’s fine. Take the time you need.” Auðr said. “You can go do whatever you had planned for the night. And that doesn’t include partying in my room.”

“Come on, let’s leave Auðr and Sage to their business. We’re only the first stop on their list.” Léonel nudged the others to leave the room. “Good luck with Logan and the Steelcrest elders,” Léonel said, stopping at the door.

“Good look figuring things out with Rhapsody. She’s a good kid, and you are too.” Auðr smiled, patting Léonel’s shoulder before shutting the door.

“Check my band off the list. Let’s get you back home and see about a meeting with Logan and those Steelcrest guys.” Auðr said.

“I’ll text Alpha Logan so it’s in writing rather than just the pack link.” I nodded, grabbing my phone as we headed out.

Sage: Alpha Logan? Could we meet? Auðr and I have decided, but we have conditions I want to discuss with you before the Steelcrest elders.

I didn’t expect a fast reply, so I was surprised that he responded a few minutes later.

Alpha Logan: Are you heading to your family’s house now?

Sage: We’re driving there now. If you can’t meet tonight, that’s okay.

Alpha Logan: It’s fine. I’ll have to bring Rose and CJ. Aurelia is helping at the ranch.

Sage: I’m sure my parents will happily host you and the heirs.

Alpha Logan: Very well. I’ll see you there. I’ll also have Kevin bring the Steelcrest elders from his city to meet you.

Sage: Thank you, Alpha Logan.

“Okay. We’re all set. Alpha Logan will meet us at my parents’ house and have Mr. Delaney bring Steelcrest down.” I said, pocketing my phone.

“Remember, if they don’t agree, it’s not the end of the world. Same with if they do agree.” Auðr smiled, squeezing my hand.

“True. Either way, we’ll be fine.” I agreed, turning some music on for the drive.

When we arrived, I wasn’t surprised to see a red SUV in the driveway. It must be Alpha Logan’s. Peering through the backseat window confirmed that. I could see the booster seats for the heirs and a mess of snacks, juice boxes, and toys. I love how normal our heirs are raised. While kids aren’t something I’ll have to worry about with a male mate, the normalcy Alpha Logan creates is part of why I’d want to learn to be an alpha from him.

“Sage!” Mom rushed me, pulling me into a hug the moment we were inside. “Alpha Logan is here and says you made your decision. You weren’t going to talk it over with us?”

“Erin…” Dad sighed, pulling her back a little. “Sage is all grown up. They even have a mate now. Sage will be making decisions with Auðr from now on.”

“I know. I just… Austin and River’s life choices didn’t mean possibly moving across the country from me.” Mom frowned.

“Miss Carlisle, let’s all sit down, and we can explain our decision,” Auðr suggested.

“Sounds like a good plan. The kids can only occupy little Rose and CJ for so long in the yard.” Dad smiled, guiding Mom to the living room, where Alpha Logan was waiting.

I looked out the patio doors and smiled. I’d miss my family if we moved, especially in such moments. Watching Austin and River in their wolves being chased around the yard by Rose and CJ, with Suzie and Leo encouraging the heirs. It was cute and wholesome. I’m sure Suzie and Leo will have pups sooner rather than later, and it’ll be my nibblings out there playing and filling the house with laughter.

“So? What’s the decision?” Logan asked, getting straight to it.

“We’ll do it. But on our terms.” I said, turning to face him.

“And your terms?” Logan arched his brow.

“First, they have to wait till the December blood moon. Neither of us is at a point where we’re ready to mark, let alone lead a pack.” I said.

“Reasonable.” Logan nodded. “What else?”

My train of thought was interrupted by the door. Dad smiled and quietly excused himself to get the door. My anxiety jumped ten notches as he led the Steelcrest elder and Sub-Beta Kevin into the living room.

“What have we missed?” Joar asked.

“Sage and Auðr were detailing their terms for accepting their part in the prophecy to be your new Alpha and Aleph. So shut your mouths and open your ears.” Logan stated. “What else do you want beyond to wait till the December blood moon?”

“December, but…” Elton started to protest but shut up quickly when Logan turned red eyes at him.

“Waiting till December is key for both of us,” Auðr said. “I need to handle things with my band. We were already at our twenty-year mark, so we’ve discussed retiring Immortal Eclipse after this tour.”

“And we need to learn how to function in these new roles,” I said.

“We will, of course, train you.” Svein nodded.

“I don’t want you to train me. You may be elders, but you are not alphas. And the prophecy said we would unite Steelcrest like never before. We can’t do that if we follow the old ways you’d want to teach me.” I shook my head.

“Then what was your plan, Sage?” Logan asked.

It probably wasn’t necessary, but I bowed to him and put my hands together.

“I would greatly appreciate it if you would train me, Alpha Logan. If I must become an alpha, I want to be one like you. I want to be an alpha my pack can approach, an alpha they can depend on,” I said.

“Steelcrest elders, can you agree to your future Alpha and Aleph’s terms?” Logan asked.

“I… we…” Joar stammered before nodding. “If it is the will of our next Alpha, then we accept.”

“Good. Then looks like I’ll have a purple-haired shadow for the next few months.” Logan declared. “Rule one, kid, stand up straight. You don’t need to bow to me.”

I grinned, standing up. It was all coming together. The band accepted Auðr’s plans for life after Immortal Eclipse. And now Steelcrest and Alpha Logan have accepted our terms for becoming Alpha and Aleph. I know it’s going to be hard work. It will be harder work than I’ve ever faced, but I’ll have Auðr and many others rooting for me and helping me through it all. So, I knew I’d manage.