CHAPTER 343: HOMESICK

SAGE

The warmth of the fire filled the center hut, wrapping around me like an old memory. I leaned back against the soft sofa, a slow smile pulling at my lips as I let my gaze wander around the space that had once been my haven.

The walls were still etched with faint symbols Diana and I had drawn when we were being magically adventurous. The air smelled faintly of herbs and smoke, with the soft murmur of evening insects seeping through the cracks in the window slats.

Diana sat beside me, her eyes bright and questioning. "So?" she pressed, nudging my arm. "How’s the mission going? You’ve been gone for weeks. Did the queen make progress? Or—" she lowered her voice, eyes twinkling, "—do you need me to come help you deal with those Lycans?"

I laughed. "The last thing I need is you marching into the pack grounds and getting yourself caught," I said, leaning forward to flick her forehead. "Besides, you wouldn’t survive five minutes with their egos."

She pouted. "You’re underestimating me again."

"I’m saving your life again," I corrected, still laughing. "And the mission’s... going fine."

Diana’s face softened. "You look tired," she said quietly.

"I am," I admitted, then added, "but I needed this. Needed to come home for a bit."

She tilted her head. "You’re still competing tomorrow, right? That last fight?"

"Yeah." I sighed, rolling my shoulders. "My opponent’s... interesting. Met him in the forest today. He asked strange questions."

Diana perked up instantly. "Questions? What kind?"

"Nothing you need to worry about," I said too quickly, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear. I wasn’t about to tell her about the vampire. That encounter was mine to deal with. "Anyway, I’ll handle it. Just one more match and this part’s over."

"Still," she said, narrowing her eyes, "you always say that like you don’t plan to come back."

Her words caught something in my chest, but I only smiled. "Don’t be dramatic. You know me—I always come back."

Diana snorted. "You better." She sat back, crossing her arms, and I couldn’t help but laugh again. She looked so much older than I remembered, her once-round face now sharpened with womanhood at fifteen, successfully growing out of the stature that made one think she was younger than her age.

I reached out to ruffle her hair, out of habit.

She smacked my hand away. "Don’t! I just brushed it."

That only made me laugh harder.

The sound of footsteps drew our attention. Laura stepped in from the kitchen, carrying a tray that filled the hut with the scent of roasted spice and sweet butter.

"I knew you’d be here," she said, smiling as she set the tray down. "And I knew you’d be hungry."

My stomach growled in agreement, earning laughter from all sides.

"You haven’t changed," Peter said as he joined us from outside, ducking slightly under the doorway. His hair had gone greyer since the last time I saw him, his hands rougher from farm work. But his eyes were the same—warm, steady, the kind of eyes that could make you believe in family even when you knew you didn’t belong.

"I missed this," I said honestly, reaching for one of the steaming rolls Laura had made. "The smell. The laughter. All of it."

Laura smiled, wiping her hands on her apron before sitting. "Then stay a while. You don’t have to run off so quickly."

"I wish I could," I murmured. "But the mission doesn’t stop because I’m homesick."

Peter chuckled. "The queen still running you ragged?"

"You have no idea," I said, shaking my head. "She’s relentless."

I caught the way Laura’s eyes lingered on me then—curious, motherly, knowing more than she said. I let the moment pass, focusing on my food. The roasted meat melted in my mouth, the spicy stew warming me in a way nothing in the pack ever could.

We talked for hours—about the village, the new children born, the minor feuds between the elders. I told them what little I could about the mission, carefully skipping over anything involving vampires or ancient prophecies.

Diana wanted to know about the fights, though, so I indulged her with tales of the contests, how the warriors fought under moonlight, how the crowd roared when blood hit the sand.

"You make it sound like a festival," she said, wide-eyed.

"In a way, it is," I said. "Only with more broken bones."

She winced, but laughed anyway.

Peter leaned forward then, voice dropping. "Tell me, Sage. What’s the barren land like now?"

I blinked. "The barren land?"

He nodded. "The one beyond the eastern ridge. I heard rumors... that the queen’s soldiers have been exploring it again."

I hesitated before answering. Really? I wasn’t aware of it.

"It’s quiet," I said. "Too quiet. I didn’t stay long."

"That’s where the battle happened, you know," Peter said, his tone turning grave. "The great one between the witches and werewolves. Thousands died there. The soil’s never healed."

I nodded slowly, remembering something the Lycan King had once told me back when I was still Dora—about sacred lands, cursed battles, and how it was the Queen’s fault. I pushed the thought away. I’d never believe a word that came from their lips again.

Laura sighed. "That land should have been left alone. Some wounds don’t need reopening."

I said nothing. The night stretched long, filled with the comfortable hum of family. For a moment, I forgot the weight of my mission. I let myself laugh freely, eat greedily, tease Diana until she threw a cushion at me. It was dangerous, this feeling—too human, too soft—but I let it stay. Just for tonight.

When the clock in the corner struck eleven, I knew it was time. "I should go," I said quietly, setting down my cup. "It’s already past midnight in the pack."

"You just got here," Laura protested.

"I know," I said gently, "but I can’t stay."

Peter stood and offered his hand. "Then we’ll walk you to the point."

Outside, the night air was cool and sweet. We walked in silence, our steps crunching on the gravel path until we reached the teleportation stones. The runes carved into them glowed faintly as I approached, responding to my magic.

Laura hugged me tightly. "Be safe, Sage. Don’t take unnecessary risks."

"I’ll try," I said with a faint smile.

Peter clapped my shoulder. "We’re proud of you, no matter what. You’re still ours."

That hit harder than I expected. I nodded, my throat tight.

Diana, of course, looked ready to cry. "I hate when you leave," she mumbled, clutching my sleeve.

"I know," I said. "But you’ll see me again soon."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

She still didn’t let go, so I leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "You’re strong," I whispered. "Don’t forget that."

She sniffled, managing a small nod.

I stepped onto the runic stone, feeling the magic gather beneath my feet. The light rose in a circle around me, soft and warm. I looked at them one last time and raised a hand in farewell.

Then the light flared, and the world folded in on itself, again.