The Crystal Luna

Chapter 5: Camping Trip

~Saphyre's P. O. V~

I woke up the next morning to blinding sunlight. We partied most of the night and I got to take my first sip of alcohol. It was nasty. How can adults drink that crap? It was 7 in the morning and all I wanted to do was go back to sleep. My mind jolted awake as I remembered that we were going camping today. I had to shower and dress appropriately for the outdoors. I want to collect the water for the campfire. The rivers and other areas were always the best places. I made sure to brush my teeth and pack what would be needed for the next 48 hours. We own a campsite near Glide, Oregon. It's a 5 and a half hour trip by car, but by wolf? We can make it there in 3. We don't have traffic laws to follow or a specific road we need to be on. Another reason why I hate cars.

After getting myself dressed and my hair up, I pulled out a backpack for clothes. I put 2 sets in it; my hairbrush, my toothbrush, my toothpaste, my shampoo and conditioner are the last to be put in. I put the backpack on and ran down the stairs. Passing everyone that was in the pack house. I headed towards the kitchen where food was already being prepared.

"Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Quake." I bow to them.

"Good morning, Luna. Your plate is almost ready. Go sit with your mother and friends." Mrs. Quake told me.

"Thank you for your hard work." Waved and left the kitchen. Heading to the dining room. Mr. Quake was quiet as usual. But he's a kind soul. He cares about the diets of the wolves he feeds and makes sure that his dishes are balanced. He's a young chef from a super expensive restaurant. He is rather cute, with black hair and brown eyes. Could easily pass for a warrior. Mrs. Quake's really pretty too. She has sleek brown hair, green eyes and I could have sworn she was on America's Next Top Model. They are the same age and married earlier this year. She also makes the best apple pie.

"Good morning." Mom was sitting in her normal spot. On the left of the head of the table.

"Hi, mom." I sat down next to her.

"After we eat, we are leaving for the weekend. Are you excited?" Miranda asked me.

I smiled and nodded. "Of course, I am. I call canteen duty." Soral and Daktoa groaned.

"Really? You always get the water." Soral complained.

Dakota pouted her lips, "Yeah, meanie."

Mom put her hands firmly on the table. "Ladies. I have already selected duties for each of you." She pulls out a list. "Dakota, you are in charge of the water and chairs. Soral, you are in charge of the firewood and fire pit construction. Miranda, you are in charge of tents and sleeping bags. Saphyre, you are in charge of cooking and dishes. I will be hunting and skinning." No one argued with my mom.

"Yes Luna," They said.

I pouted a little, "Understood, mom."

The chefs came out and placed our food before us. "Good. Now let's dig in. Thank you, Lizanna. Thank you, Kirk." Mr. and Mrs. Quake bow to my mom.

"Thank you, chefs!" The rest of us shouted as we ate. Oregon is known for Blueberries, Huckleberries, Marionberries, Dungeonus Crab and Hazlenuts. The chefs use these ingredients in our foods. They personally hunt for them. Which I think is awesome. They utilize the land resources. Our food has berries, fresh bacon, eggs and yogurt. Along with orange juice, of course.

We finished eating, saying our goodbyes for the weekend and then mom shifted. I love seeing Fern. She's such a pretty wolf. She got on the ground so we could climb on her back. Werewolves are huge beings. Like a huge semi-truck. That's why we can make such long trips shorter.

Fern: Ready, girls?

"Ready!" I gripped her fur.

"Let's go!" Miranda laughed out.

Dakota grabbed my waist, "Y-Yes. I'm ready." She hates heights.

"Whoo! Camping trip!" Soral's yelling had my mom take up underneath us. We held on and laughed. This gave me time to think. Winter, Olive and Maddi haven't had kids yet. So, who is going to take over as beta, gamma and delta? I know Beta Philippe, Beta Female Kendra, Gamma Nicholas, Gamma Patrice, Delta Payton and Delta Female Bridgette have tried, but their battles from Fort something or other, left internal damage that would put Bridgette and Kendra in danger. Patrice didn't want kids to begin with. She would rather have pets. I look back at my best friends and realized something. They are who I need in my life. I will talk to them when we get to the campsite. I want them as my ranked wolves. Normally, it would be the Alpha's close friends to take over as ranking wolves with their mates, but without any boys that I know and like, I am 100% confident that Soral, Miranda and Dakota would be my ranked wolves when I take over. Even at Crystal Lake, the other kids stayed away from me. I don't blame them, though.

The hours went by quickly. We would have been talking if the wind wasn't so loud. We got to the campsite and I was super excited. Before we could talk, we got to our duties. I pulled out the camping dishes and water pot. Looking over the items to make sure they were clean. Mom left us to hunt. Miranda was in a groove getting the 4 tents up and ready to sleep in. We made sure we were next to the river so Dakota didn't have to carry the four 3 gallon troughs too far. Soral was collecting kindling and moss first before we chopped up the big logs around us.

With the logs chopped and the fire going, I prepped the veggies and set them aside in a cooler that I put up high so no animal gets to them. With our duties finished, I found the time to talk to my best friends. "Now that we have a minute. I want to ask you three something." We sat on a log we made for a bench.

"'Sup?" Soral spoke up.

"My real parents' betas, gammas and deltas don't have children. And I know Beta Kendra and Delta Bridgette can't due to their past battles. Gamma Patrice would rather have cats." They looked confused. "What I am asking is, will you three be my ranked wolves?" Their eyes held shock and happiness.

"Who is who, though?" Dakota asked me.

"I wish I could have all of you as my betas," I laughed a little. "But," I paused. "Dakota. Will you be my beta?" She squealed and jumped on me. Hugging me.

"Of course!" She laughed.

"Miranda?" I took her hand even with Dakota hugging me. "Will you be my Gamma?"

"Did you even have to ask?" She smiled and giggled.

"Soral. Will you be my Delta?" I used my other hand to pull her close.

"Duh." She glomphed me like Dakota did. "I will happily be your Delta."

"You are both okay with me being Beta?" Dakota let go and looked at them.

"Duh!" They laughed.

We group hugged, "Beta has the most responsibilities." Soral stuck her tongue out playfully. "Being Delta is the least with responsibilities."

"Gamma is in charge of less than what a Luna and Beta deal with. So, yeah. Have fun." Miranda teased. We all laughed and settled the matter.

A few more hours went by and mom showed up with 2 huge elks. Already skinned and drained of blood. We helped chop the meat and put it on the fire. I made sure to season it with rosemary and salt and pepper. I grilled the meat with the veggies, then plated the meal.

"So, what did you girls talk about while I was hunting?" Mom loved gossip. Especially from us.

"I asked them to be my ranked wolves." I don't like to lie to my mom.

"Really?" She was shocked but happy. "And?" Looking at them.

They exchanged looks and nodded. Soral answered for them. "We said yes." They nodded and giggled.

Miranda was the next to say something. "She asked me to be her gamma." Beaming a smile.

Dakota set down her plate and made herself comfortable. "I accepted the role of her Beta."

Mom looked at Soral, "Leaving you to be Delta, then?" Soral nodded. "Why not Beta?"

She swallowed her meat, "Beta has more duties than a Delta."

Mom laughed, almost out of her chair. "Oh, sweetie. That is not true. Delta Bridgette and Delta Payton are in charge of security, jobs for pack members, housing for new members and they are in charge of the orphanage." My mom explained. "Gamma's are in charge of the pack house decor, the hospital, the food and the Head Warrior." Miranda's eyes went wide.

"I get to be in charge of Danny?!" She strikes a victory. Mom only laughed harder.

"Yes, you do. When you get there." Then, she turned to Dakota. "A Beta's duties are to assist the Luna and Alpha. Travel with them. diplomacy with other packs. Meaning treaties and trade. Approving or denying job changes, which then go to the Delta. The Beta must also be the second line of defense if the Luna and Alpha are attacked while pregnant." They all gave 'Oh' faces but smiled anyway. "And all 3 work together for celebrations like a Luna Ceremony."

"Since we are next in line to be ranked wolves now, would that put our mates below us?" Dakota asked. She had a good question. Hoping my mom can answer.

She took a breath in and looked up. "You are neither above or below your mate. You are partners. Not competitors. You work as a team."

"What was it like, Luna Daisy? Meeting Alpha Orson, I mean." Miranda scooted to the edge of the log and looked at my mom.

"Alpha Orson saved my life. I will spare you the details until you are older. In short, our eyes met and we both said 1 word to each other, 'Mate', then he went into a rage and ended up saving me from a really bad situation." I felt terrible for mom. It must have been so bad to get dad into a rage. I don't think I have ever seen him with black eyes. He was always so calm and collective. "I am glad we decided to do this, girls. And I am certainly happy that you will be our next ranked wolves. Now brings me to our task."

We all looked at each other with confusion, "I thought this was just a camping trip." Looking back at my mom.

"No. I need to start training you and now the three of you, how to be ranked wolves. Hunting is crucial and you will be doing it a lot. Tomorrow, wear something you don't mind getting blood on, we will be hunting together." Mom put down her plate. "You have the rest of the day to yourselves. I will clean the dishes." She stood and took our plates. We are near a beautiful large pond and we packed our swimsuits.

"Swimming?" I asked with a mischievous smile.

"Count me in!" Miranda stood up.

Dakota rushed to her tent, "I didn't bring my suit for nothing."

Soral was already making her tent rustle as she grunted. "I'm getting mine on! I'll beat you there!" Oh, she just made it a competition.

We all rushed to get our bathing suits on. Laughing as we ran into the water. Sadly, it was Soral who won. The water was cold but it was so refreshing. We all knew how to swim, of course. Competing with each other left and right. Skipping rocks, some flutter kicks, who can hold their breath longer under water. It was just a day of fun. When the sun was starting to set, we got out of the water. To say we were beet red was a vast understatement.

"So, what now?" Dakota asked us. We were getting dried and dressed again.

I thought about it for a moment, "Scary stories at the fire?"

"Hell yeah!" They cheered. We finished getting dressed and sat next to the fire where it was warmer.

"Scary stories, huh? I remember you girls doing this in a blanket fort at home." We giggled at the memory.

Miranda pointed at me, "Speaking of that day, you never got to share yours." All eyes turned on me. I smiled evily.

Rubbing my hands together, "You asked for it." I cleared my throat. "Long ago, there was a hunter. He was pale, had red eyes and decaying hair. People who come across this hunter would end up missing or dead. Those that were found, had their hearts and brains removed. The people he took? Were only men. Every so often, a new stranger would come into town. He was handsome and would flirt with the local women. It was the same hunter. He would hunt the husbands of women who were married. Then, he would scalp them. The hearts and brains? Came from the women who refused his advances. To this day, he romes Oregon looking for another woman to claim as his. If she is married? He will kill the husband. If she says no? She will die..." I looked behind them and screamed, "Ah! He's here!" They all turn and scream, but I just laugh. I even got my mom. "Got ya," Marshmellows were thrown at me.

"That was too creepy, Saph." Dakota shivered, "But it was good."

Soral cleared her throat and sat up straight, she was shivering too. "That didn't scare me at all." She was looking everywhere but my eyes.

"Oh, please, Sol. She got you good." Miranda laughed, "Got me too. Good job."

Mom shook her head while still smiling at me, "You get wood duty tomorrow, young lady." I only snickered at my victory.

"Your turn, Mira." She cleared her throat and sat straight.

"This is the legend of the Ghost who haunts the caves of Mount Hood. She is said to have no head, but if you look directly at her? She'll freeze you in ice. Some climbers are still missing in those deep caverns. Those that got away say she's holding a butcher's knife. No one knows if she killed herself in those caves or if she was killed by another. She chases you down and if you don't get away, the glow of her neck is the last thing you see before BOOM!" She yelled, we jumped a little, "You're incased in ice forever."

My body felt the cold upon my skin, "I wouldn't want to run into her, that's for sure." I laughed a little as I rubbed myself. "Sol? Your next up."

She grabbed her marshmallow stick and pointed up towards the sky, "Eons ago, when the world was new and still had so much magic in it, there was an evil that loomed over the skies. The first people claimed that they saw red eyes in pitch black clouds. It would howl and scream in the night as people were trying to sleep. One person in the village tried to stand up to this monster of the night. Try as he may have, he was defeated. The black cloud was angry that someone tried to stop it, so angry that a bolt of fire like lightning struck him and killed him. The body was torn of flesh and muscle, all that was left were his bones. Even then, they were pitch black like charcoal. Though he died, his bones remain ever on the move. Hunting the pitch black cloud." Just then, thunder and lightning struck. Making us all scream. Suddenly, the rain began to pour over us.

"I think this is nature's way of telling us that we need to say good night!" I yelled over the downpour of water.

"I agree! Good night, Saph! Good night, Mira! Good night, Luna Daisy!" Soral practically screamed.

"Night, Sol!" Mira quickly went into her tent. "Night, Saph! Good night, Luna!"

"Night, everyone!" Mom went inside her tent.

"Good night, ladies!" I went inside of mine and turned on my battery-powered lantern. I dried off again. The thunder was loud and lasted a while. I hated thunder. It hurt my ears. I grabbed a book that I brought with me and just read for the rest of the night until I fell asleep.

~Alpha Orson's P. O. V~

With the girls gone for the weekend, I can relax a bit. Saphyre being on the move makes it harder for her would-be kidnapers or assassins to track her down. I told Daisy that taking her on a camping trip would be an awesome idea so I could make adjustments to the battle plan. Alpha Mason and Luna Tayla keep getting worse and worse with each visit. My dad is even getting hurt by these mongrels. The only thing that can hurt an elder is a witch. My dad was right. They are working with powers beyond that of Werewolf kind. I need Gilgamesh to sniff this witch or perhaps witches down. Maybe I need to ask someone who is more powerful than a witch to help Mason and Tayla. I can't let them die. They have become like my own siblings. Not to mention, they are Saphyre's birth parents.

Making up my mind, I mind link Danny. Hey. I need you in my office. Alpha's orders.

Of course, Alpha. I cut the mind link off and waited. A knock on my door told me he was here.

"Come in." Danny opened the door and saw the mess on my office desk.

"Alpha." He bowed to me.

"Danny. I need you to do something for me. A secret task if you will." He gave me a puzzled look. "Do you know any magical beings stronger than a witch?" He thought about it for a long moment.

"There is one. But he's rather difficult to find. Ever been to Scandinavia before?" Danny is of Scandinavian blood. Once a year, he visits his late father's grave there.

"I have not had the pleasure to." I gave him a sad smile.

"This being is old, older than Gilgamesh, Alpha. He is not known for kindness. Or his tolerance of werewolves, vampires and fairies." I nodded and understood what he meant. This being might try to kill me.

"I want to seek his help." I admitted to my head trainer. His eyes went wide.

"Alpha. I do not suggest it. He can be cruel to those he does not like."

I gave him a sigh, "Dan. I am sure that the mega-pack hired witches to kidnap Saphyre. How else would my father be harmed?" Danny knew that an Elder cannot be harmed by our kind since the goddess herself laid claim on their souls. They are physically and spiritually protected by her grace. But that also comes with a price. Any non-werewolf can still harm an elder. But she has to be a witch of high level; otherwise, an Elder will just be bruised.

He let out a disappointed sigh and crossed his arms, "The being you are looking for is a dark elf. Or what he prefers, a Dökkálfar. I only saw him once in Scandinavia. Do not get your hopes up about his help on this matter. He may hate the winches, but he hates us too."

"Thank you, Dan, for warning me of the risks. I will leave Nicholas and Payton in charge of the pack. I will take Phillipe with me to Scandinavia. I wish I could bring you, but the pack needs most of its strength here if they dare attack." He gave me a salute and bowed to me.

"Yes, Alpha." Saluting me again before leaving my office.

I needed Phillipe here and now. Beta Phillipe. Report to my office immediately.

His wolf, Garrek, answered me, Apologies, Alpha. Phillipe is unavailable.

I do not care! Alpha's orders!

Very well, Alpha. The mind link was cut. About 10 minutes later, Beta Phillipe came to my office smelling of s*x. I had to hold my nose.

"Really?!" He came to my desk. "I was in the middle of... Ya know!" He gave me a disapproving look.

I had to open my window. "It's during the day, Phillipe. Anyway, I need you to pack a bag and make sure your passport is up to date. We are going to Scandinavia."

His silence told me that this was not what he expected. "I-I'm sorry? Where?"

"Scandinavia. You and I are going to seek out a Dark Elf. Gilgamesh protects Saphyre. But not her pack. And we need a way to counter the witch or witches the Mega-Pack may have hired to kidnap Saphyre." I explained. I don't want Daisy or Saphyre to know what we are doing. "To anyone who asks, we are going away on a business trip. A new contract, so to speak."

"Why a Dark Elf? Wouldn't another witch to help us be more than enough?" He sat in my chair. I shook my head.

"My father was injured in this last attack at Crystal Lake. I want to appeal to this Dark Elf and see if he can't provide a counter-measure for the witch." I sat in my chair and rubbed my head.

"How bad did Alpha Mason and Luna Tayla look this time?" His words were slow and held concern for them.

"Bad. Appendages are missing. I worry about them." Phillipe nodded, then stood.

Turning his back to me, "I will be ready within the hour. Meet you by the car?"

"Yes. Thank you, Phillipe." With that settled, I went to my own bedroom to pack what I could. I promised myself that I wouldn't let them die without a fight. And well, here we are. I am fighting to keep my newfound brother in arms and sister in arms alive. I don't want this knowledge getting out to everyone, but I did pull aside my Gamma and Delta. Nicholas and Payton will be there to run the pack. Danny being here will help the pack stay on guard. No surprises.

~Beta Phillipe's P. O. V~

From what Alpha Orson has told me, Luna Saphyre's parents are worse by the day. He's not wrong to worry about them. But going after a Dark Elf? Is that wise? Don't get me wrong, Beta Tanner and Beta Female Winter have also become like family to me and Kendra. Just as Alpha Mason and Luna Tayla have. Gamma's Nicholas and Patrice have also bonded with Gamma's Anthony and Olive. While Delta's Payton and Bridgette absolutely adore Gamma's Elliot and Maddi. To see them die would put a hole in our hearts. We would mourn for days. This may not be wise, but I would follow my alpha to the ends of the world if he asked. For Luna Saphyre, I will endure the consequences ahead.

Back when Orson told us of what happened to Saphyre and her family, to say we were all disgusted would be a massive understatement. They wanted to mess with the mate bond. No one in their right mind would ever think of messing with it. Even those that experienced it first hand like I did. Kendra wasn't my first mate. I was lucky enough to have found her. Given a second chance mate, if you will. My first was a she-wolf named Euphoria. She and I met at the gathering for this pack. We locked eyes and said 'Mate.' To each other. It was a week later that I caught her having s*x in my bed with another wolf. She broke the bond first. I didn't want to break it. She was my mate after all. But she told me that she felt like I was lacking in certain areas of our intimacy. And that this other wolf was better than I was. I took the loss and Orson kicked her, along with the other male, out of the newly formed pack. It wasn't until a year later that I found Kendra. Kendra reassured me that at least Euphoria wasn't after my title. I found out later that she didn't want to be Beta Female and the responsibility of the title scared her. So, she chose to leave me for an omega.

Which is why I cannot fathom their audacity to want Saphyre to choose one of their sons. A chosen mate isn't bad, but it's not recommended. They can become resentful of not only being optional, but that they regret not having stayed with their destined mate. I packed what I needed and gave Kendra a long kiss goodbye. She was my everything. Even if we can't have pups of our own, she still means the world to me. And with Saphyre here, we can spoil her like she's our niece. Her and her friends. I do wonder what will become of them when they are older. I am sure Orson will handle it.

The trip to Scandinavia was long and tiring. Alpha Orson called its packs, packs with a plural, and told them that we are only here for research purposes and that no pack law would be broken. I knew Orson had to take several languages in school because he was an Elder's son, but just how many? I don't know. I took Spanish and a little bit of Scottish, so I only caught words that were similar to what I knew.

"That was unpleasant." My alpha laid his head back on the seat. "It took a lot of convincing for Alpha Aksel to not attack us as we landed. Otherwise, with that, we are free to do what we need to do." Thank the goddess. Being in Danny's home nation was making me a little nervous. Why was Danny a part of our pack in North America? Elder Gunner saved him when he visited here to speak with another Elder. Danny's father fell ill and his mother was MIA throughout his life. Elder Gunner suggested to Danny that he live with an Elder in Minnesota. Where no pack had been formed yet. Then came Orson. Orson and his mate Daisy lived there to start a new life away from Oregon because of her pack falling to another pack. Sad to say that challenges are legal when both Alpha's consent. What Alpha Hues did to Luna Daisy was unthinkable. She was 19 years old at the time. An alpha forcing himself on a ranked wolf, I couldn't wait to tear his head off the next time we crossed paths. Now, I have 2 women I am fighting him for. My current Luna and my future Luna. He wants Saphyre to be mated to his son. Disgraceful. Disgusting. Horrifying. All of the worst words possible are what I would describe as Alpha Hues.

We got out of the car and headed to the forest area where Danny said he first saw this Dark Elf. The scents were all new to us. Even the animals here were not the ones we are used to. I hope we find this Dark Elf soon. I hate being away from home for a time.

With the sun setting, we decided to make camp, "We are not making a fire. I suggest we camp in wolf form. Anubis has been itching to hunt."

Garrek: Hunting?! I want to hunt too! Let me out!

Calm down, dude. Yikes.

I shift to Garrek and take a back seat to the mind we share. I see him chase down food for our Alpha. Anubis was taller than Garrek and cannot hunt as easily. What are we hunting, G?

Garrek: Giant Elk. Smells tasty. Now shush. I am concentrating, Phil. He knows I hate that nickname. He uses it when I irritate or distract him. Before we could catch the elk, a pair of glowing purple eyes shone in the dark.

"That was mine, wolf." This newcomer stepped out from the dark. I stood frozen in fear. This was him.