Chapter 14 - Sage #2
"Summer," we had made our way to a short hiking trail that Summer said she enjoyed, but I stopped and turned to face her, "I didn't want to marry him at all. I didn't even want to stay here, so why would I want to have children? Why would I want to bring them into this situation?"
"Because it's not as bad as you think it is." "That's easy for you to say."
"Maybe. But Noah cares for you." She paused, biting her lip like she wasn't sure how much she should say.
She'd pulled her braid over her shoulder and was tugging at it nervously.
"He talked about you, you know. During those years, you were separated.
He probably won't ever admit it...But I think he missed you every day. "
My stomach flipped, and my throat went tight, "Even though he had no idea what sort of person I'd grown into?"
"He's not perfect, and he can be an ass sometimes.
He's also stubborn and has a temper. But he's not an idiot, and as far as Alphas go, he's one of the best I've ever seen.
He's also your mate." She looked up into the trees, where the sun was pushing through the branches, "He's family and I love him.
I just want him to be happy. I swear I'm not trying to push too hard, but just consider what I've said, okay?
We can drop the subject if you promise to at least think about it. "
I couldn't meet her eyes. "I promise." "Great. Let's go see the waterfalls."
After the seriousness of the last few minutes, I was grateful for the change of subject.
The hike was nice. The path was easy, and the scenery was beautiful. I'd always enjoyed being outdoors, and the walk gave me plenty of time to think and sort through my emotions.
Last week had been a roller coaster, and I wasn't sure how much more I could handle.
We were approaching a clearing that Summer said had a small waterfall, and just past the rolling hills, we could see one of the local farms. Crops were planted in even rows, but large swathes of them were brown.
Noah had mentioned the ways in which the pack land was turning on them, but this was the first time I'd seen it for myself.
"It's not going well, is it?"
Summer shook her head, "No. We try, but...it's like the soil itself is rejecting us. Nothing is growing, and what is, dies soon after. They're doing everything they can, and the pack has offered to buy seedlings and irrigation systems, but the cost is...insane."
"What can you even do at this point? What's the solution?"
"A new territory," she answered immediately, "None of the old wolves, especially Richard, want to hear it, but it's the truth. Something is wrong with this land, and it just gets harder each year."
Something somber fell over us then, and after looking at the tall, sparkling waterfall, Summer finally showed me the uglier parts of the pack territory.
We visited the border, where physical traps and surveillance equipment were stretched out over miles.
She showed me the river, and while it was pretty, it was obvious that the water was thin and murky.
There was trash scattered along the bank, and the fish swimming in the current were small and sluggish.
I was horrified, and I could only imagine what Noah was feeling. "This isn't right," I said, crouching by the water.
"No, it's not." The bright, happy woman had gone quiet. "Damn. It's worse than I remember. I haven't been out here in months."
"I'll tell Noah I'm ready to do whatever I can. I want to know everything." Summer turned, surprise on her face. "Really?"
"Yes, really."
I'd been avoiding the problem and focusing on the negative, and that was a mistake. I had a chance to make a difference, and I couldn't pass that up. I didn't tell her that I was sure my magic might be what made the difference, but I was sure she could read between the lines.
"Well, damn. Okay, then." She grinned, "Let's head back, then. I have a few books that you should read, and a map of the land. I'll bring it all tomorrow."
I stood, brushing the dirt off my pants, and returned her smile. "Thank you, Summer."
"No problem. Like I said, I want Noah to be happy. This will help."
I had two goals, and my magic could be the key to both of them—help Noah remember what happened to him, and heal the land. All I could hope was that I was up to the task.
***
Summer stayed with me until we made it back to Noah's, where we found him and a handful of other pack members in the front yard, stretching and getting ready for a pack hunt.
I'd forgotten about the pack tradition, and I tried not to look too closely at the group of half-naked men, but it was impossible.
Summer elbowed me and wiggled her eyebrows, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her.
"Luna, hello," Noah said, looking surprised and pleased that we'd shown up. He'd stripped down to a pair of dark gray sweatpants, and his broad chest shimmered with a sheen of sweat already.
I had no idea what the pack hunt entailed, but seeing him in such a state was unfair.
"Hello," I said, my cheeks pink, "I, um...I'm not hunting. I was just out with Summer. She showed me around the territory."
"I'm glad to hear that." He didn't say anything else, but he shot Summer a significant look.
She smiled, throwing an arm over my shoulder for a side hug, "I'm going to hit up the grocery and check up on Richard. Thanks for spending the day with me, Luna."
When she spoke, I heard her like she were underwater.
Noah was so close that I could have reached out and laid both of my hands on his bare skin easily, and his warm, masculine scent was making my head swim.
An ache in my core began to grow, and the scene around us—the other wolves, Summer, even the leaves falling from the nearby trees in the autumn breeze—all faded.
There was just Noah. My mate. The man who had taken away my pain with his fingers deep inside of me and his lips crushed to mine. My heat woke up like stoked embers, and I could feel the warmth in my cheeks and chest.
"Sage," Noah ran his knuckles across my cheekbone, and I almost pressed my face into his hand just to prolong the contact. "Are you okay?"
Oh. I was far from okay.
I desperately grasped for the last bits of my sanity and turned to Summer, who was looking at me with a mix of confusion and amusement.
Throwing myself into Noah's arms seemed like the best idea I'd ever had, but there was just enough self-awareness left in me to escape before I made a fool of myself.
"Can I go with you?" The words tumbled from my mouth in a rush. "To the grocery. I need to get some things, too." Summer looked conflicted, but I wasn't above begging. "Please?"
Noah's cousin looked between the two of us, and a cheshire grin bloomed on her face. "Are you sure, Luna? I'm sure the Alpha would love to spend some time with you."
"I really need to go with you," I insisted, and Summer couldn't stop a single giggle from escaping her lips before she covered her mouth with her hand.
"Well, okay! I definitely appreciate the company." Summer took my hand, grinning at her cousin, who was looking a lot less amused.
Noah tried one last time to keep me with him, "Are you sure you aren't in pain, Sage?"
"Oh, don't worry about her!" Summer chirped. "We're two peas in a pod. We'll be just fine."
"I'm sure," Noah grumbled, narrowing his eyes, "Go, then."
I had a feeling that I would be getting an earful the next time I saw Noah, but at least I would have some time to cool off and get my bearings.
"We'll see you later, Alpha!" Summer said cheerfully.
He watched us until we were out of sight, his dark, stormy gaze following me until the last possible moment.
"Wow, Sage," Summer said as soon as we were on the road.
"Don't," I mumbled, burying my face in my hands. "Don't say a single thing." "But—"
"Not one word."
"You've got it." Summer was obviously trying not to laugh, but I could hear the humor in her voice.
Each step away from Noah made it easier to breathe, but the ache I felt for him only grew. It wasn't painful yet, but the message from my body was clear—my heat was back for round two.