AT THE END OF THE NIGHT

Tim and Angela's dad finally got here, but instead of taking Delta Felicity home, he decided to go up and play her a love song.

"This next song is for my lovely and beautiful mate and my two monster kids." He said.

The crowd cheered him on, well mostly the adults because you needed to be a certain age to appreciate songs like that. And when his turn was over, Macey went on to play the keyboard and sing for us. It was the first time I heard her sing, really. Her music was rather different from ours, very relaxing. Henry said it was jazz and quite popular in the Gold Packlands.

And then the adults got into an argument with their kids about who had the best guitarist. Maybe everyone had too much punch in our system. Now there was a guitar-off.

"Go Harvey!" Jasmine cheered when Harvey took to stage. The cool girls whooped. Krystal wolf-whistled.

The adults put up Angela's dad.

"Go daddy!" Angela shouted.

"What the hell is a guitar-off?" Marcus wanted to know. He tried to sound cool about it, but he couldn't hide his immediate interest.

"It's like a dance off." I explained to my friends, "They take turns. One plays and then the other has to play the exact same thing."

Someone tossed a coin. Harvey went first.

"They're taking it pretty seriously." Henry observed, "What instrument do you play?"

I shook my head, "I'm only good for fighting."

Harvey had started with something easy, so Angela's dad didn't have any problems.

"Harvey, don't let him win!" Someone yelled.

My good beta was his usual calm, "Relax, That was just the warm up."

"Right then," Angela's daddy said, "Let's see what you've got, beta."

The guitar-off got intense from there.

"Wow, the old guy's really putting the pressure on Harv." Marcus gave running commentary. We were probably in the fifth round. Next would be Harvey's turn.

Harvey used the 6th round to unleash some kind of fast and furious rift.

There was a silence after that. Everyone looked at Angela's daddy, "Wow, I'm starting to feel the pressure now."

He took a deep breath and nailed it. The adults cheered. One of them shouted, "You kids still have a long way to go!"

Harvey raised a hand, "I request to tag out."

I'm not sure who Harvey wanted to take over him. The other kids were saying he was the best we had.

And then someone in the crowded realised, (I think it might have been Nix), "Oh right! Our Luna is here!"

Mum? But mum didn't play the guitar...

"Luna! Luna! Luna!" The guys started chanting.

Mate got onto the stage and Harvey passed the guitar over. Oh, you guys meant MY LUNA.

"You must be Luna Bell." Angela's daddy said, "You're good at the guitar?"

The correct response here would've have been, "Yes, sir."

But of course Rebel didn't own such a response. He shrugged, "I'm just a little better than you."

"Oooohhhh...." The guys catcalled.

Angela's dad continued smiling, "Pride comes before a fall, young man."

"I was just humbly stating a fact." Rebel smirked.

Angela's daddy decided to let his guitar do the rest of the talking.

Rebel's guitar answered without missing a beat.

It escalated quickly, by the third round I couldn't hear the individual notes any longer. It's not like anyone would be able to catch the mistakes anymore, right?

I looked at Marcus, he shrugged at me. No more commentary.

And then on the fourth round, Angela's Dad gave up, "You win, Luna."

He patted Bell on the shoulder and took off his guitar.

"Whoot!" The guys cheered, "Luna! Luna! Luna!"

Idiots.

Then Ben shouted over the din, "Forfeit!"

And the guys started chanting, "Forfeit! Forfeit! Forfeit!"

The adults sent out Delta Felicity to negotiate the terms. We sent out Killion and got ourselves free bowling tomorrow afternoon at Gate City. Delta Felicity herself will sponsor it.

So everyone was happy. Delta Felicity was happy to treat us. The other adults were happy not to treat us. And we were happy because we got something cool like that for free.

"Thank you Delta Felicity!" We shouted at the top of our lungs, because we were polite kids overall, and it was fun to watch their reaction when the thanks was painfully loud.

"I remembered a time when they were happy just to get bubble gum." Beta Lucas shook his head, "The market rate these days are unbelievable."

To be honest, I would still have been happy if we had gotten bubble gum. But everyone's happy now so I wasn't going to complain.

"Awww... We're going to miss the bowling." Leia sighed.

"I want to stay in your pack forever." Zara said.

"Then you need to mate a werewolf." Krystal told her.

"More specifically, you'd need to mate a wolf from Night Leaf." Henry smirked, "Sam, your pack is crazy."

"My pack is normal!" I insisted.

Jasmine shook her head, "Your pack is really nice, but I don't think it's normal."

Liam smiled his usual lopsided smile.

Marcus sighed, "Sam, how can I put this nicely? Your pack is crazy."

And then Henry and Marcus laughed and exchanged fives.

Oh yeah? If my pack was so crazy, why were you exchanging fives and behaving like any of the other guys here? They're just jealous their pack wasn't as much fun. Humph.

My pack was normal!

And as any normal pack event, we cleaned up together after it was over. Harvey volunteered to show our guests back to their rooms. The rest of us brought down pails, cloths, trashbags, and disposable food boxes and started cleaning up.

I was just about to help move the bar tables to the side when Ki came over with Mate. Dad wanted to see us in his office.

It was late. I'm not sure what time it was by now, but I could feel it in my bones that it was late. I wouldn't be surprised if dawn popped up at any time.

"Okay" I stifled a yawn and Mate and Ki led me upstairs.

"Alpha Princess and Luna Bell are here." Ki announced when we entered Dad's office.

Beta Lucas, Gamma Harry, Harvey, Ben, and Fluffy were already there.

"What's up, Dad?" I asked as I went to my usual seat at the bay window. Mate came and sat with me. Ki remained by the door after shutting it quietly."

"We had a meeting with your Uncle Louis earlier." Dad looked tired, "As we expected, he would like us to extend them an interest free loan, or return my mother's ring. I've offered him a small loan on the condition that he drops the infrastructure contract, and allow us to come in and restructure Night Forest's economy and administration. He's not happy, but your Aunt Jade wants him to consider it for little Eddy's future."

Dad was looking out of his office window as he spoke now, "A mother's love is a powerful emotion."

Then Dad looked at me, "If your Uncle Louis decides to enlist our help, I'd like you to bring a team over one weekend with Delta Felicity.

With who now?

"Delta Felicity will lead a team of experts into the field to conduct a GAP Analysis of the situation." Beta Lucas said, "You may bring two others with you."

"So this is like a learning field trip?" I asked. I was a little afraid of what I'd learn going with Delta Felicity.

"Well, not exactly." Dad admited, "While it's a good case study to learn from, the situation might become quite volatile..."

When Dad looked over, Beta Lucas was happy to share the details, "You see, no one likes an outsider to come in and tell you what to do. We also have to factor in the fear that the unknown changes would threaten many of the wolves in Night Forest, especially those in power. We have reason to believe that Alpha Louis in not quite as in control of the leadership of his pack as he wants to believe. On top of that, Alpha Louis himself is known to be quite a volatile wolf. Sending a team in would be taking a risk that your presence will alleviate."

Was it just me regressing into a puppy or was Beta Lucas using a lot of big words suddenly? I stifled another yawn. Maybe I should let Boo do the thinking.

"Your uncle has always doted on you and his pack knows and respect you as my daughter." Dad said, "And even if my brother was tempted to disrespect me or the help I'm extending to him in good faith, I believe he would think twice before attacking a team with you and your betas around."

"If he does, you can just shift and show them your wolves! Your wolves are huge! Even Ben's wolf is larger than Alpha Louis', three of you together would make him think twice - no thrice!" Gamma Harry declared. "Good! That's a good plan! I think we should do it this way."

"Wait, but I can choose whoever I want to go with me, right?" I asked.

There was a pause, and then Beta Lucas allowed, "Yes, technically you may choose anyone to assist you on this mission. But I would advise you to choose wisely. Due to logistical constraints, Delta Felicity's team would only be able to travel with three of you."

"Who else is there to choose from?" Gamma Harry asked, "Your betas are huge! They would be a BIG asset to you."

He chuckled at his own pun.

I nodded, pun aside, what he said was true but...

"I was thinking of Lola." I said. "I'll bring one beta and Lola."

Now all the men were frowning.

"Why Lola?" Dad asked finally.

I shrugged, I don't know, I just felt like it.

"Secretary." I said, "She makes good notes. And Ben. He's on good terms with Oscar and we can all do with more experience."

"Well, it may not happen at all. Alpha Louis might not want our help." Beta Lucas said.

Dad was still frowning in thought, "I will talk to Endo. You may take Lola if her family allows it."

"Yes. She's still a minor." Beta Lucas remembered suddenly, "She still needs parental consent."

"Ben and I are even younger." I protested.

"Meh." Beta Lucas shook his head, "You have my consent to do whatever you want with that boy."

Hahaha.

"Why don't you take Harvey or Ki?" Gamma Harry seemed unable to accept it at all, "They can protect you and they can handle things if it goes bad."

"No offence, Sam, but the wolves in Night Forest don't show respect without fear. Neither Lola or you are very scary on your own, and there would be times I would be forced to leave your side. It'll be better if Harv or Ki comes along." Ben said.

"Because I'm too cute to be scary right?" Grrr.

"Yeah, since you know that..." Ben started but I flared and pretty much yelled, "I'M NOT CUTE!"

Ben froze and then deadpanned, "Yeah, exactly, you're terrifying."

Harvey coughed into his hand. It was a very discreet cough except that I had seen Marcus do it often enough (and much less discretely) to know he was "not laughing".

Ki continued smiling, reminding me how well he used his brilliant smile as a mask.

Mate didn't bother to hide his amusement at all. He wore a smirk on his handsome face. You know how I hated guys who smirked, right?

I flared. Stoopid! They were all stoopid.

"Fine! I'm not taking any of you! I'm taking Lola and..." I wrecked my mind for the cutest girl I knew, "Carlie."

"Not Carlie!" Ben groaned.

"Alright, not Carlie." I had to agree. I mean, Carlie was too much, "But I'm not bringing any of you."

"Sam..." Ben tried.

"No, Ben." I huffed, "I don't need you guys to babysit."

"I'll go with her." Bell decided.

"NO!" I stood up and flared, "Especially, not you. You're the worst!"

The room went silent. Mate raised a brow.

"You're worse than the three of them combined!" I clarified quickly and then went back to my argument, "I'm the alpha! I don't need three big bad betas or my bigger badder Luna..."

For some reason this just pleased the guys terribly. If they were in wolf form, I swear they would have puffed up twice their size.

"I'm not complimenting you! Stop being so happy about it! I..." Grrr... I was too mad to speak anymore.

Stoopid! They were all stoopid!

"Perhaps we can decide at a later time." Dad decided, "We will await Louis' answer first."

Everyone else in the room nodded their agreement respectfully, "Yes, alpha."

Because Dad was not cute, and yes because he was making sense, and he was the alpha. But what if I stayed cute forever and never get any respect around here?

Grrr....