Chapter Seven, Holding Them Together

What do You Mean by Justin Bieber.

A Silent Night is currently ranked at 775 in Adventure; Yesterday, when I checked, it was 921 so it is now 146 ranks higher! Thanks for the support guys!

     Scorch and I had just worked out our plan when we heard voices approaching. "Nick, they've lived out here all their lives. They won't understand our ways, they don't know what half the stuff we see on a regular basis is! If we take them back-"

     "Look, they're coming back and that's that. Now shut up before they hear you!"

     To late, I scoffed before their voices hushed to loud murmurings then finally, everything fell silent. Scorch and I waited for them, leaning against my wooden table with stone engraved at the corners and on the underside of the supports.

     The door burst open and Nick ducked in, instantly followed by Damian and two others who I didn't recognize.

     "I hope you've decided what you're going to announce to your pack." Nick glared at me coldly.

     "I have."

     "Good. Now, Jake and Ron here will be guarding you 24/7 to ensure you don't try anything."

     The two unknowns smirked stupidly like they were the cleverest people I'd ever witness in my pathetic life. Have fun thinking that.

     "Now that you're done with your speech, can we get on with it? I have a pack to tend to." I eyed him impatiently, trying to hide the fact my heart was pounding.

"Not quite. We need a map of your territory to see if you have anything that's worth returning here some time for," he spoke flatly but his mouth turned upward smugly as if he were trying not to smile.

"Fine, but I need to know where we're going so I can inform my pack. We aren't walking blindly." Scorch nodded in confirmation of my demands.

Nick scowled at me but my gaze didn't waver. "Whatever, I'll show you once I have the map."

I stepped away from the table and proceeded to the rickety cupboards that lined a portion of the wall in front of a window. I sat crisscrossing my legs on the ground as I rummaged through the overstuffed cavities for paper and the mixing powder.

While I was searching for a quill, having found the rest of my materials, I paused and looked up, "Beta Scorch, I'm going to require water for the powder."

He looked between me and the four intruders who were currently idling in front of the doorway, clearly not wanting to leave me with them. I snorted, "I'll be fine. You'll be what, ten wolf lengths away?" I cast him a bored look I often gave my mother when she was lecturing me about something childish.

Grumbling, he grabbed a small bucket I'd thrown aside in my persistent search, and left for the spring.

Suddenly, I was wishing I had bossed one of my unwelcomed guests to retrieve it instead. In an attempt to distract myself from the loneliness that was currently bombarding my brain, I went back to scavenging through my family's random belongings. Dried vegetables, furs, my sparkly rock collection from a younger age, and other even more random things now littered the floor.

"Uh ha!" I yipped when my hand found a shaft with soft bristles coming off it. I pulled myself out of the cupboard which I'd shoved my head and shoulders in, even though it was to dark to see anything. In my hand shown a hawk's feather; rusty brown with a black tip.

I looked up to see Scorch reappearing through the doorway with half a bucket of murky water. He eyed me disapprovingly, and I looked down to see my hair was covered in leaves and cobwebs. Quickly, I ran my long fingers through it and pulled the debris out.

When I got up, I noticed the five guys staring at me in amusement. They seriously think this is funny?! How else was I gonna get a stupid quill?

Ignoring them, I eyed the piece of paper I had. It was yellowish but a surprisingly good piece; large and even. In my experience, it's miserable trying to cut off a thin enough layer from a tree, whoever got this one had some serious skills in my book.

I snapped myself out of my thoughts and returned to deciding where to put our current location on the map. Eventually, I decided to place it below the middle and to the right so I'd have enough space for the mountains.

I quickly went to work mixing the black powder, contained in a corn husk bag, with the spring water until it made a fine liquid. I moved on to drawing with the feather and was soon finishing up, putting letters along each side of the paper symbolizing the North, South, East, and West.

This piece of paper held everything that is my home; all that I've ever known. Except, for the other three rendezvous sites! I thought to myself cockily. In order for the plan to work, they can't know the location of the other seasonal camps.

After one last careful inspection, I pushed the map to the center of the table. "Now, where are we going?" I demanded.

We had yet another staring contest before he leaned over the table and pointed towards the map, "We will move South before looping around," he paused to decipher my upside down hand writing, "Eagles Cleft. We will then continue in this direction and eventually we'll get to the harbor, there we'll board a ship which will sail down the coast to California where we will be picked up by several chauffeurs who will bring us to our pack territory in Tennessee," he finished with his signature smirk still plastered on his face.

I looked up to Scorch who had an equally confused expression as I, "Okay," I tried to sound like I understood the words that just came out of his putrid mouth, but judging by the look on everyones' faces, they knew I didn't have a clue.

The important thing is, I knew where we were going through our territory. Only now could I explain the plan to the pack without Blood Moon catching on.

"Anything else you want to know?" I asked in a dull tone.

"No. C'mon, time to talk to the newest Blood Moon addition," cold crept into his voice and I had to force myself not to shiver.

     He smiled before turning and striding out of my den. Damian stepped beside me despite the growls Scorch and I gave him as we left. After we passed through the doorway Scorch came, then last, and definitely least, the dunderheads.

     They were heading towards the center of the clearing but Scorch and I veered towards the ledge.

     I felt a hand tightly grip my wrist as I was turned around to face Nick, nose to nose.

     "And where do you think you're going?" He growled menacingly; Although, I wasn't afraid of this coward.

     "I'm going to speak to my pack. If you want to come then come, but don't hinder my progress." I chastised him as if I were speaking to a child.

     "Don't speak to me like that. Why are you going that way?" He nodded in the direction I was heading.

     "Because that is where pack meetings are held. And I will speak to you in whatever way I want." I turned on my heel and stalked away before he could say anything else. I could hear footsteps and knew they were following behind me.

     I continued past the groups my pack were in, pausing at each one to announce the meeting at the ledge and that everyone is required. At the first one, I glanced behind me to get a nod of approval from Nick before passing to the next group.

     I can't let him hurt them because of my folly, I repeat solemnly. I knew that being my hot-headed self, I'll mess things up. I'm lucky he didn't do anything already. I need to remember that I represent my pack, and that if I don't hold my tongue, he'll likely take it out on them...

     I neared the tunnel and turned to see most of my pack was already here, a few staggered behind, hosting more serious injuries.

     My heart stung at how few were left, maybe twenty from the previous fifty something wolves.

     I caught Scorch's eye and moved back to the tunnel, the plan was about to be put into action. The mind link was so unstable from the death of both our alpha and luna, that the only way it could be used was if we were in wolf form. Despite this, mates are so in sync, that they can still use the link to speak with each other; so Winter, Scorch's mate, was already aware of what we were doing and would help ensure the message made it to everyone.

Trudging up the tunnel and onto the ledge, overlooking my pack who huddled at the base surrounded by probably seventy imposters.

The Blood Moon warriors sneered at me and my companions, causing an indignant rage to course through me. I took in a deep breath and calmed myself down, a slight breeze blowing my hair to the left as I lifted my head to all that remained.

I stepped forward, Scorch held out a hand to signal for the brothers and two guards to stop at the base of the rock wall with him.

"As the sun sets, I, Luna Crystal, summon you o' Silver Moon. Welcome to this meeting."

They nod their heads in reply and I continue. "This, as you know, is not like our normal meetings, but these are not normal circumstances.

     "Today, we lost the ones we love most. All of them were more than friends, they were family. We are family. We will get through this, and I swear to you all, I will do the best that I possibly can as your Luna. I always have a plan."

     I paused to survey each of their faces. Sadness, fear, hatred, anger. All of these emotions were displayed on each pack mate I looked to, but I also saw courage, determination, passion, and most of all, a burning love for one another.

     "The reason you have been called here is for me to tell you as Nick, the one who led these imposters," I gestured to him and could feel the tension in the air, coming from both packs. "has ordered me to lead you down the path that the Blood Moon pack wishes."

At this, I was met with a cacophony of protests; moaning and whimpers which ruffly blended together into a horrific sound that stung my keen ears. I raised two fingers to my lips and the pack fell silent, shifting around restlessly and quietly murmuring amongst each other before complete silence broke through.

"We will be departing soon. Stay sharp, stay alert. Most of all, assist one another; mind your elders and the weak." They looked dismayed at my command as I dipped my head to them. I felt my heart tug and I desperately hoped they would understand.

My thoughts drifted to one of our rendezvous sites, the one that houses our pack in the summer. Everyone knew it's name, even the youngest pack member.

I lifted my chin, my long brown hair that had collected around my face blew out of my eyes as a ferocious gust of wind tugged it away. The sun's last rays slowly disappearing and clouds blew towards the waning moon while the forest whispered to welcome its arrival. "We will be gone by the Summer's Peak and I promise to keep you safe." I stressed its title and key words, my eyes pleading for them to understand. A few looked like they grasped what I was saying, their expressions clouding with thought; while the rest were barely holding on to their self control.

"We will make it out of this together. Talk to each other, it will help more than you think. Alone, we are nothing, scatter" I purposely left off the 'ed' ending, "across the fields, never to be heard from again. Together, we could build a forest thick enough to hide the largest of secrets in." More faces were starting to show recognition as I spoke. Now I had to lay off on it or else the wrong werewolves would figure it out.

"Remember what I've said, I believe this is the best path to take and I will do anything to keep you safe.

"When we depart, we'll leave camp, follow the red canyons, then loop around Eagle's Cleft through the Poppy Fields and we'll from there leave the territory heading South.

"What are your opinions?" I asked as custom. Despite being the Luna, all major decisions are made as a pack.

As soon as I had finished half the pack rose and started yelling questions and accusations before I could calm them.

The only one that I really heard, was one of our huntresses screaming, "How could you let this happen?! We can't leave, I'll never leave! I will always stay here where my mate's bones now lie!"

My heart twisted and tears stung my eyes as I yet again silenced them through the signal of my two raised fingers on my lips.

Once they were again silent, I tried to discretely wipe the one traitorous tear that slid down my cheek before bringing order, "This is not the way meetings are run. Our Alpha and Luna may be with our ancestors now, but that does not change the order of things.

"As always, please stand one at a time and not all at once so we may hear you out," I surveyed them all, my voice calm and steady but my mind was running wild.

Deep breaths, just take deep breaths.

I met Thunder, Geyser's father's, eyes and nodded for him to start.

"Thank you, Luna Crystal. I understand your reasoning, but I do not agree with it. I think we should stay or die trying."

Many members of the pack murmured in agreement but before I could reply, Summer rose. "May I Luna?"

"You may" I took a small step back.

"Thunder, think of Geyser. Would you want him to die for a cause that would gain nothing? Or would you want him to live and one day find his mate?" She gazed square into his eyes and he ducked his head away, that's when I noticed Lightning his mate wasn't beside him.

Don't think like that, they're looking up to you right now. I distracted myself and went back to listening to what was being said.

"Yes, we have all lost those who are important to us but that doesn't mean we stop fighting for our lives! I believe in everything Luna Crystal has said and I will be accompanying her," with that she went back to sitting on one of the wooden benches.

Thunder, who was still standing, slowly agreed with her at the thought of Geyser then sat down.

In his place, Daisy rose. After ensuring she was the only one, she declared, "I will not be going. I would never give these dung eaters the satisfaction of my defeat. I'm sorry Crystal, but I'd never be able to forgive myself if I were to disrespect Dusk in such a way. I've already disposed of his murderer, this is the only way left for me to respect his memory," she met my eyes defiantly.

"Daisy, I hope you reconsider. I know for a fact that Dusk would want you to live on and personally, I think throwing your life away in his name is a poor way to repay his service to the pack; however, I also know that they're is no way for me to imagine the pain you must be going through at the loss of your mate.

"Please heed the words of our pack and don't do anything that you'll regret in this life, or the next," I referred to the time after death when we would either be reunited with our ancestors or isolated for all eternity.

She nodded, respect and rage fighting each other for dominance in her eyes as she sat down on her stump again.

One by one, my pack mates rose and expressed their thoughts, and with each attempt at starting another meaningless fight it was shot down with a good bit of reasoning.

In the end, there were probably four or five who remained rooted in their stubbornness to fight; however, that is about twenty five percent of my remaining pack.

Hopefully the plan will reach their ears and they'll be willing to listen. I pondered before turning away from my pack and stepping away from the ledge.

Holding Nick's dark gaze, I asked "Is there anything you wish to add?"

He paused before shaking his head and I turned and went back towards the ledge. "It is now moon high. If anyone here opposes the end of this meeting speak now or not be heard." I was met with silence. "This meeting is adjourned, return to your dens. You may stay with other pack mates if you wish. May the light guide your paths."

"May it guide yours as well," they echoed back before moving towards the housing district.

I turned around as well to be met with a hand pulling my arm, "You'll be sleeping under surveillance."

Glancing up I momentarily felt frozen as my eyes met a pair of brown ones.

He smiled with a knowing look before I shook my head a little, and once the emotional fog cleared asked, "Whose surveillance?"

Much to my dislike and Brook's delight, he leaned down and his warm breath fanned my ear as he murmured, "Mine."

Thoughts?

Later, when I have a corn husk 😆, I'm gonna to draw a map and add a picture with it and the needed supplies to make it.

I would love for you guys to make me covers for this book! Although warning, I don't know how you give it to me. I'm still kinda new to watt pad.

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