20.Gathering of Packs

Since the treaty of the packs was signed, it was agreed that once a year, the packs would come together for one grand ball to honor the treaty. There was an old castle up in the mountains that was dedicated for the event. The old couple who lived there were more than willing and happy to host such an event. They were honored their home was chosen and thought it ridiculous that omegas were given to them to help them maintain the castle. The omegas were happy to help and loved living with them. The packs were so numerous and even kids were allowed to attend. Houses were built around the property to accommodate everyone. Each pack had their part of the property to settle on if anyone brought a tent for camping while they were there.

Crystal stood and watched everyone pack in the house. Everyone was coming except for the omegas. These next two weeks would be a vacation for them. They enjoyed the time off and thanked the Luna. Crystal walked through the town and saw everyone preparing for the trip. Buses were being loaded as well as large trucks. Carpooling was highly advised to avoid congestion. Other packs were advised the same and so far, it worked out well. She had everything packed for herself, the kids, and Killian. Other packs, she knew would be there already due to how far they lived from the castle. Killian found her in the town square and ran up to her.

"Hey, beautiful. You almost ready?"

"Yep. Just seeing everyone pack."

"Are we packed?"

"We have been packed, babe."

"That's why I love you."

She laughed and he kissed her forehead and they walked back to the house, hand in hand. Destiny, now almost seven, ran out to them. Killian picked her up and swung her around. Alex came out next and tugged on Killian's shirt. He reached down and picked him up and carried them both in. Monica was finishing loaded the cars. The alphas weren't required to ride with everyone else only because the alpha's family, the beta's family, and the delta's family all rode together. Monica and Bryan loaded everything and told them they were ready. Killian sent out a massive mind-link to everyone saying it was almost time to go. They finished loading things and everyone loaded the kids up. 

Six hours later, they drove up to the castle and saw that many packs were already there and settling in. They arrived at their section of the grounds and the pack unloaded. As she was seeing the last of bags go inside, Kellie came running up and hugged her.

"I've been waiting for this. I got this new dress that is to die for."

"I can't wait to see it. I also have a new dress."

"I'm so excited."

She laughed at her friend's excitement, not yet realizing why or what was to come. All the pack Luna's came over and welcomed her and hoped she had safe travels. As she walked the grounds with Destiny, she saw that a sparring mat had been brought and set up. She saw tents being put up and kiddy corners were being set up to contain the kids. Towards the back of the castle, a huge screen was being put up for movies. She couldn't help but smile and think that she had done this; not by herself, but she had a big part in it. She stopped and talk to a few others and made her way inside the castle where the ballroom was being set up. The older woman, Danica, came up to her.

"Luna, how are you?"

"I'm good, Mrs. Danica. How are you?"

"Oh, I always get better around this time of year. I love the company."

"That's good. How's Patrick?"

"Ah, he's busy trying to help set up. He says it makes him feel like part of a pack again."

"Whatever happened to your pack?"

"We were cast out long ago by Silver Thunder. Your old pack. We couldn't stand being with the rouges so we traveled. We were young when we found this place and took it for ourselves. It was abandoned then. We believe it belonged to the first royal werewolves."

"Royal werewolves?"

"Yes. There used to be a royal pack. The Alpha King and the Luna Queen kept harmony and peace amongst the packs for many years."

"What happened?"

"The packs wanted their own independence. To do as they pleased without permission. They ended killing the royal family and the royal pack broke apart to form their own packs or join other ones."

"That's awful."

"There hasn't been a royal pack of royal wolves in almost three hundred years."

"Wow. I had always heard stories of the royals but always assumed they were myths."

"Might as well be. It happened so long ago and probably will never happen again. The packs have lived independently for so long now."

"One Alpha and Luna to rule over all the packs as well as their own. I couldn't imagine it. What they should've done was worry about their own pack and just have the alpha's report to them if it was something major. Let the alphas have control of their own packs and basically rule over the alphas and lunas, not the whole packs."

"I couldn't agree more but they didn't see it that way."

They talked more on the history of the royals as she headed out to get everyone ready for the outside bar-b-cue that night. The first night was the bar-b-cue, then there was a strength competition for the next three days. After that, there was a two day rest period where everyone could heal. The next night was a movie night. After that, the ball lasted four days, The last two days were if a pack needed to head back early and outdoor games and festivities. The next two weeks were to be a blast and she couldn't wait to see everyone have fun. Today was all about settling in.

That night, she could smell all the fires and grills start-up on the main lawn. All the packs come together and cook together. Everyone was welcome to taste a little of each others cooking and everyone always had fun mingling with different packs and trying new things. Sometimes, a few of the cooks got into a little competition over who cooked the best. Nothing dangerous, only friendly competitions. There were ribs, burgers, pulled pork, salads, hot dogs, different macaroni, and potato salads. There were even chicken items for the kids and anyone else that wanted it. All the packs walked out with their own plates and chairs and gathered around the main lawn. Everyone talked, laughed, ate, and the kids ran around with each other. All the packs enjoyed each other's company and talked about the challenge coming up. As night fell and the moon rose, some of the pack members shifted into their wolves. Crystal was the only pure solid white wolf. They all went for a run in the nearby woods. Not everyone went and Killian didn't realize Crystal had. He looked around for her and found Jessica.

"Hey, Jes, have you seen Crystal?"

"No."

"Alpha Killian, I saw her."

"Jordan? Where?"

"She headed off towards the woods with the other wolves."

"She didn't tell me."

"It's mainly the other Lunas. They invited her."

As Killian looked around, he saw the other alphas searching for their lunas. He relaxed a bit knowing she was okay. He talked to her about it that night as the bar-b-cue wrapped up and fires were put out. Everyone went to bed, looking forward to the challenges. Alphas were encouraged to participate against each other. Killian won last year and is the current champion of the overall challenge. She looked forward to watching it again. During the challenge, the lunas sat and spectated. 

Day one of the challenge.

Rings were set up where the bar-b-cue was just held. One ring was for regular pack members, one was for guardians, one was for deltas, one was for betas, and the biggest ring was for alphas. There would be one regular pack member to win in their ring who would face the winner of the guardians. The winner of that round would face off against the delta winner. Then they would face the beats winner and finally, they would face off against the alpha winner. 

This year there were sixty who competed in the regular member ring. There's started first due to so many competing. The guardians were the same way and took as long. It why the challenge took three days. 

Today was only regular wolves and guardians. The challenge started as soon as all the lunas took their place. Crystal sat in the middle and they all nodded for the competition to begin. 

By lunch, twenty of the regulars had been eliminated and fifteen had been eliminated out of the guardians. Bryan was still in the running for guardian and she cheered him on. Killian came over to her bring her dinner as well as the other alphas and asked how it was going. 

By the end of the day a man named Pete from the Crest Moon Pack was the victor of the regulars and Bryan had come out as the champion of the guardians. Monica was thrilled and Alex had this air about him saying that was his guardian. He was so prideful of him and Bryan was honored to have the young alpha boast about him. Everyone got rest, for tomorrow, the big ones competed.

Day two of the challenge

There were twenty-eight packs that arrived. Which meant there were twenty-eight deltas, beats, and alphas. Delta's competed first and got through quickly, before lunch. Some tapped or forfeited not wanting to compete but everyone had to put their in for their pack. At the end, Delta Mason of Sea Cave Pack won for the deltas. Sam was like a proud alpha and Kellie stood and cheered him. 

Next, the betas competed. It drug on as no beta forfeited or tapped. It was a mess watching them fight but all the lunas held their cool. After about six hours, it finally cam down between Beta Carter of River Run Pack and Beta Jake of Blood Moon Pack. Both were highly skilled fighters and it was an even toss up. As they fought and the blood ran between them, Crystal saw Brandy and Valerie, Carter's mate. Both looked horrified as neither man slowed down. Valerie began to pale more and more and her luna went to comfort her while Crystal went to Brandy's side.

"He won't tap. He talked about Carter beating him last year and only tapped for my sake. He said he won't do it this year."

"He'll be okay. Some of the best doctors are here."

"I know, but Carter is the same as him."

All of sudden, Valerie emptied the contents of her stomach and both men noticed. They both haulted and it was the look in his eyes and Crystal knew.

"Carter will forfiet."

"How do you know?"

"She's pregnant."

Sure enough, Carter walked over and shook Jake's hand and lifted it up, deaming him the winner of betas. The crowd cheered and Carter and Valerie walked to the doctor's place. Jake walked over to Brandy and Crystal.

"Luna."

"Next time, don't let her think you;ll be beat to death in front of her. That's an order."

"Yes, Luna."

Brandy took his hand and led him Dr. Browning. Then she heard the announcement for the alohas to gather around. She turned and saw Killian walking up to her. He gathered her in his arms and kissed her passionately.

"Don't worry. I'll be okay."

"You better."

He chuckled as he walked to the ring. Watching the alphas was harder for the lunas as the cringed at every punch. You could tell which luna went with which alpha as the challenge progressed. When it was Killian's turn, he easily bested Ronald of Clear Water Pack. He advanced, giving Crystal a small wink. She shook her head and watched as went through alpha after alpha. Once again, it looked like he would be the victor of alphas. Until, he came up against Samuel. Kellie sucked in her breath next to her and she held her friends hand.

"It'll be okay. I promise."

"Killian is ruthless."

"And Sam is one of his closest friends."

She nodded her head and watched as two men progressed. The fight between them lasted an hour and a half. Sam fell and didn't get back up and tapped Killian on his ankle. Killian bent down and lifted his friend up and helped him to the doctor. They all laughed that night as Crystal heard something she had never heard before. She heard someone call him a demon wolf or that he may be the last of the royal line and that's why he never lost a fight. She shook her head, thinking it impossible.

Day three of the challenge.

Pete and Bryan went first. Pete told him at the beginning to be easy for he was no match fr a guardian. Bryan laughed and agreed, liking the man's honesty. Sure enough, Pete ended up tapping to Bryan. Pete was rewarded and praised for his strength and bravery for getting as far as he did. 

Bryan then faced off against Mason. The fight was fair and long and it kept going on. Both men gav it their all and in the end, Bryan came out the victor again. Bryan started off as just a boarder guard and the more Bryan won, the more Alex praised him. 

Bryan faced off against Jake next. Jake told him win or lose, he whipped a delats ass. He would be praised and forever have his respect. Bryan and jake squared off and jake hated to do it, but after two hours, ended up having to pick up Bryan and help him off. 

They rested for a bit and to make sure Bryan was alright. Just before dinner, it was now time for the beta and alpha. Jake versus Killian. Killian tapped his hand and told him he'll go easy on him. 

Jake knew he wouldn't win but he gave it his all. Three hours later, Jake had no choice but to tap. As expected, Killian came out the over-all winner yet again. Crystal got up and celebrated his victory. The next two days where for resting and recovering before the ball.