Motorcycles and Moonlight — Maxine Keith

The bar was old and grungy and Sage normally wouldn't have come, but she had promised a co-worker that she would be there for his birthday celebration. The group of teachers she recognized, and a few people she didn't, had gathered in the far corner of the room, pulling tables together to form an uneven line. They were in a celebrating spirit that she could feel all the way across the room. Sage took in a deep breath and started across to them. She wasn't much of a partier these days. She had been told that, in her youth, Sage had been quite a wild child and had run with a rowdy group, but now her life was much more quiet and peaceful. She had become use to it, living simply and easily, but every so often, she did miss those days of adventure. A shutter ran down her arm causing a slight throb in the small circle scars, and Sage was reminded why she didn't live that kind of life anymore. It took its toll. “Sage?” A deep, rough voice pulled her attention from the group. Sage looked over startled making eye contact with a large silver belt buckle that was at eye level. Her mind didn't really see what the décor was on it, as she recognized what else her eyes were fixed on. She grew red with embarrassment as she heard him chuckle. Sage forced her eyes to move slowly up from the dark jeans to a dark t-shirt that was pulled taunt over a broad chest. Muscular arms covered with a few tattoos ended with strong, callused hands. His jaw was strong, like the rest of him, with a day's growth of stubble. A perfect nose rested on rounded cheeks that were dusted with pink from the sun. His hair was shaggy and a dirty blonde color. Something in her brain told Sage that it shouldn't have been that long. But it was his eyes, golden brown with a bright gold ring around the black pupil that made a shutter of recognition roll through her. Without thought, she leaped to her feet, arms reaching out to him, “Thane!” Sage's mind brought back the last time she'd seem him. He turned her and nudged her to her aunt's car. Opening the door, she climbed in and he closed it once she was clear. He stepped back and she pulled her knees up to her chest. She laid her cheek down on her knee and looked at him out the window. Tears flowed freely for her. Aunt Maggie pulled away from the run down farmhouse, but Sage kept her eyes on Thane as long as she could. When he wasn't visible anymore, Sage closed her eyes and pictured him in her mind. The only sound in the car was Sage's sniffles and the grind of gravel under the tires. As the car had pulled to a stop at the end of the drive, preparing to make a left to head back to the city, Sage swore she heard the howl of a wolf, and her heart shattered into a thousand pieces. Now here he was, chuckling as he wrapped his arms around her and lifting Sage easily off the floor. “I wasn't sure you'd recognize me. It's been a long time.” A long time …. A lot of unanswered questions …. But was Sage ready to open that can of worms? She wasn't going to have much of a choice …