The Shadow Howlers

Bianca looked back at Gunnar and saw a lycan holding him back so he couldn’t follow her. She had spoken bravely to the king but couldn’t help the ripple of fear that went down her spine as he pulled her toward the dungeons. When they were far enough away from everyone else, he stopped and looked at her.

“So, do you want to tell me why you spoke to me like that? Was it because you were in front of your mate? I saw the way you stared at me when I first got here. I know you’re attracted to me. We’re all alone now. You can tell me the truth.” Zaiden stepped close to her so his body was flush with hers and looked down into her eyes. Bianca refused to back down.

“You’re an attractive man, I’m not going to lie, but no one compares to Gunnar. I’ve heard about you and your lack of morals when it comes to women. Do you really think that’s what a woman wants? To be used as a man’s plaything and sent away. It’s disgusting.” She looked up at him, speaking with a calm voice. The smirk on his face fell, and he looked down at his feet.

“Don’t believe everything you hear. I flirt a lot, but I really just want to find my mate. I let people think it doesn’t bother me and that I sleep around, but I don’t. No one’s ever called me out on it like you have. They’re usually too scared to speak up. I’m thirty-eight, and I know that’s not old, but it’s a long time to be waiting for my other half.” Bianca suddenly felt sorry for him. When he let his true self show, there was a lot more to him than he let on. She reached over and took his hand.

“You’ll find her when you least expect it. That’s what happened to me and Gunnar. He’s twenty-six, and I’m eighteen. Your mate is probably out there looking for you. Just be patient and don’t give up. The Moon Goddess has the perfect queen for you. I’m sure of it.” She smiled at him, and she saw a light in his eyes.

“Thanks, Bianca. I hope Gunnar realizes how lucky he is,” he said before hugging her.

“I do, and you better get your hands off her.” Gunnar approached Bianca’s side, and Zaiden stepped away with his hands up.

“No problem. Trust me, I have no interest in taking your mate, but if you ever hurt her, I swear I will tear you into so many pieces even the vultures won’t find you.” Gunnar looked from the king to Bianca and back again. He didn’t understand what happened, but whatever it was, he could tell the king’s demeanor had changed toward his mate. He didn’t look at her with lust or desire. It was more protective, like a big brother.

“You won’t have to worry about that.” He replied as they silently walked the rest of the way to the dungeons. Bianca didn’t really want to see her parents again, but she wanted to show a united front with Gunnar.

The king had the lycans bring everyone outside in chains. She couldn’t believe how many were involved. People that she’d known her entire life. They all made her sick. The king looked at every one of them coldly.

“You have betrayed your pack, species, and the entire shifter world. The one cardinal rule we have is to not interfere with the human way of life unless necessary. You have broken that law many times in the worst possible way. I hereby order the death of everyone involved in the murder of the humans and the murders of those of the Sycamore Pack. Take them into the dungeons and set them on fire. This entire pack will be eliminated. Those who are in the houses and have no connection with the deeds of this pack will be sent to other packs. Take note: The Last Moon Pack will be no more.” Zaiden turned away as the lycans and warriors put the crying pack members back into the dungeons.

“Bianca, you are luna of the Shadow Howlers; I demand you help us. We’re your parents. You can’t let them kill us.” Karl looked at his daughter as a lycan pushed him away.

“I see no one here that I care about. I have no family in this pack. You are dead to me even before you take your last breath,” Gunnar walked with her behind the king. No matter how tough she was, he knew she was hurt by what they had done.

When they returned to the Last Moon’s pack house, it was already being torn down along with the other houses and buildings on the grounds. Bianca watched, knowing she and Trisha still had things inside, but they were tainted. It was time to start over fresh.

Once the last building was destroyed, the other pack members had been taken away, and the cries of those in the dungeons were gone; everyone was ready to leave. King Zaiden looked sad, so Bianca asked him to go with them to Shadow Howlers for dinner. He agreed eagerly.

“Why did you ask him to come?” Gunnar pouted in the jeep. He could see a change in the king, but that didn’t mean he wanted him around longer than necessary.

“Be nice. He’s lonely. He told me that he was desperate to find his mate. He doesn’t mess around with women like his reputation may indicate. He pretends to be okay, but he’s not. I think he needs to be around people who can show him he can be himself. Can you mindlink the pack and tell the unmated she-wolves not to throw themselves at him? He needs space.” Bianca looked at Gunnar, who nodded. He didn’t know all that was said between her and the king, but he’d do what she asked.

“Fine, but I’m still going to keep my eye on him,” Gunnar said, making Bianca giggle.

When they arrived at the pack house, the king’s vehicles stopped behind them. After getting out of the jeep, they waited for Zaiden to join them.

“Who are these people, and why are they here?” Polly demanded as they approached the steps of the pack house. She stared at the king and his men with her hands on her hips. Trisha stood beside her, doing the same thing.

“Polly, Trisha, this is King Zaiden,” Bianca said. The two girls looked him up and down with a scowl.

“Why is he here?” Polly asked. Zaiden chuckled as he approached the two pups.

“I’m sorry ladies, I have come at the request of your luna to join you for dinner. I hope that’s okay. I don’t want to cause you any trouble.” Zaiden bowed slightly to the girls, and they started giggling. Gunnar rolled his eyes; he couldn’t believe the king’s charms even worked on Polly and Trisha.

“Okay, you can eat with us,” Polly said.

“Bianca, there’s someone here to see you,” Marisa said, stepping onto the porch. Everyone looked up and saw the omega, who was deaf and mute, walk out. She was beautiful, with long blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She was looking at Bianca but suddenly froze.

Zaiden looked up and saw the young blonde woman staring at him. When he caught her scent, his eyes widened. He ran up the steps and stopped in front of her. She looked up at him, not moving. Zaiden closed his eyes as he took in her scent. When he opened them, he smiled.

“Mate.” She nodded but didn’t say anything. He was confused. Why wasn’t she talking?

“King, she’s deaf and mute. We rescued her from Last Moon. They were keeping her because she was a witness to some of their crimes.” Gunnar explained to Zaiden. He looked back at his mate and saw her looking down with tears.

“What’s her name?” He asked.

“We don’t know,” Bianca answered. Zaiden lifted her face so she could read his lips.

“What’s your name?” He asked, and she pulled out a small notebook from her pocket. She wrote something and then showed it to him.

“It’s nice to meet you, Selena. You’re my mate. Do you know who I am?” He asked, and she started writing again.

You’re the king.

“Yes, I am, and that means you’re my queen. After we eat dinner, would you like to go to the palace with me?” Zaiden asked nervously. He didn’t care that she was deaf and mute. She was his mate, and he’d been waiting for her for a long time. When Selena nodded eagerly, he held his hand out to her, which she accepted.

Bianca and Gunnar looked at each other, smiling. Zaiden had found his mate, and everything was coming together. In a few days, they’ll mark each other. The future was looking bright for everyone.