The Shadow Howlers

Lachlan walked up to the palace gates with uncertainty. Would they even want him there? It was early morning, and the sun was just beginning to rise. Lachlan was a rogue wolf who was once a great warrior. He came from a pack of warriors. While he was away helping another pack his pack was attacked. When he returned home everyone had been killed. Lachlan was determined to find out who was responsible, but so far he hadn’t found any trace. When he heard that the palace was going to be attacked he thought maybe it had something to do with what happened to his pack. Even if it wasn’t related he hoped if he helped them then they would help him get answers.

“Can I help you?” Sean, one of the Shadow Howler warriors asked as he looked at the large man.

“My name is Lachlan. I’m a warrior from the Sentinel Warriors pack. I came here to see if I could offer the palace some assistance.” Lachlan replied. Sean was a warrior, but next to Lachlan, he felt small. He saw the tattoo of bird wings making a circle around a wolf’s head. All the warriors of the Sentinel Warriors had the same tattoo.

“I’m from the Shadow Howlers, we’re here to help the King and Queen. Please come in. I mindlinked Alpha Gunnar to let him know you’re here.” Sean opened the gate, and Lachlan walked through. When they reached the palace despite the early hour, several people were waiting for them.

“Lachlan, it’s good to see you again.” Gunnar ran down the steps and shook his hand. “I heard what happened to your pack. I’m sorry.”

Lachlan nodded at his long-time friend. The two packs had often trained their warriors together. It was good practice to spar with others outside of their own packs.

“Thanks. I’m still trying to figure out what happened.” He replied, looking at the others who were watching him.

“Who are you?” Polly asked as she and Trisha pushed their way to the front.

“Everyone, this is Lachlan. He’s a warrior from theSentinel Warriors.” Gunnar introduced. Before anyone could respond, there was the sound of running footsteps from inside the palace.

“I’m glad you’re all together. Something has happened to Nyx,” Alani said as she reached them.

“What do you mean?” Selena asked with concern.

“Omar and I went back up to the room where the body was found to see if Nyx had seen anything. When we tried to call her there was no answer, so we went into the room and the body was gone as well as that creepy feeling and Nyx wasn’t there either.” Alani replied.

“How is that possible?” Bianca asked as they all ran inside. Lachlan had no idea what was going on but he ran inside with them. When they reached the second floor Omar was in the room where the body had been. Just like Alani had said the room was back to normal.

“Nyx?” Trisha said, looking around. Lachlan took a deep breath, and his eyes suddenly widened as his wolf howled in his head. He began looking around the room frantically.

“There’s a scent in here that I need to find. I believe it belongs to my mate.” He answered as he continued searching. The scent was strong but he couldn’t tell where it was coming from.

Everyone began searching the room, closet, and bathroom, but they couldn’t find Nyx anywhere. Lachlan could smell the scent so strong it was driving him wild.

“What’s this?” Trisha asked pointing to a small door in the back of the closet. Lachlan got on his knees and opened it. Once his eyes adjusted he saw a woman stuffed inside the small area. He gently pulled her out and noticed she was unconscious.

“That’s Nyx. She’s a goddess from the underworld.” Bianca said as Lachlan carefully laid her on the floor.

“She’s my mate,” He whispered. He brushed her hair away from her beautiful face.

“Who could make a goddess unconscious?” Selena asked Andrew as he, Hermes, and Daphne joined them.

“It had to be someone with dark magic. They can’t kill her but they can subdue her. Selena, touch Nyx on the head. You may be able to wake her up,” Andrew said. Selena knelt next to Nyx and gently touched her forehead. After a few seconds, Nyx’s eyes flutter open.

“Why do I feel all tingly? Am I dying?” She asked groggily. Lachlan smiled and shook his head.

“You’re not dying. Those are sparks you feel. I’m Lachlan and you’re my mate,” He said hoping she wouldn’t laugh in his face. She was a goddess, and he was a rogue. He didn’t know what she could possibly want with him. Nyx sat up and looked at Lachlan in disbelief. She was stunned that the large gorgeous man with thick black hair and dark blue eyes was her mate. She had hoped and dreamed she would have one but never thought it would happen.

“You’re my mate? Are you sure?” She asked softly. Lachlan took her hand and the sparks flooded her body.

“Yes, I’m sure. How did you get into that space inside the closet?” He asked gently. Nyx looked around at the others and suddenly remembered what happened.

“I had used my powers to make myself invisible and was standing outside the room when a young woman showed up. At first, I thought she was the woman who had shown me my room. However, she wasn’t. I’m not completely sure but I believe she was Eris. She’s the goddess of discord who loves to cause chaos. She’s like a chameleon and she can change her form as needed. I believe she made herself look like the young woman who works here.” Nyx tried to stand but felt weak so Lachlan lifted her into his strong arms.

“Is she the one who made this room look like a scene from a horror movie and then changed it back to normal?” Alani asked. Nyx looked around the room and nodded.

“Most likely yes. She’s a bit of a troublemaker who likes to play games. Aglaura and Cidippe are probably using her to help them down here. She spends a lot of time in the underworld because the people in her realm don’t tolerate her games.” Nyx laid her head on Lachlan’s shoulder and felt a sense of peace wash over her.

“How can we find her or know when she’s here?” Bianca asked looking at Nyx, Andrew, and Hermes.

“That’s the problem with Eris, she can be anywhere at any time. She could make herself look like any one of us, and we would never know. We have to stay together as much as possible.” Andrew explained.

“How will we find her if she can pretend to be one of us?” Trisha asked. Lachlan looked at the two pups with interest. He’d never seen pups so involved with the adults, but they both seemed mature for their young age.

“It won’t be easy. Don’t trust anyone who’s not in this room, and even then be careful. You two are really good at picking up on devious people so keep doing that.” Nyx smiled at them from Lachlan’s arms. No one had ever held her so gently. She snuggled closer to him.

"There’s a man at the front door who says he’s the God of the Sun.”One of the guards mindlinked everyone.

“It looks like Helios has arrived,” Andrew said. Nyx groaned.

“Lachlan and I will be in my room while you take care of him. Trust me, men, keep your women away from Helios. He knows no boundaries.” Nyx said as she directed Lachlan to her room down the hall. Gunnar, Zaiden, and Omar took protective holds on their mates.

“You’re the goddess of night. What does that mean exactly?” Lachlan asked as he shut the door to Nyx’s room. He carried her to the bed and laid her down. When he started to walk away Nyx grabbed his hand.

“It means that I get my strength at night. I can make it dark at any time. I know I’m not a typical type of mate for a wolf. I’ve been around for centuries, and I’m no virgin. I promise you if you want me as a mate I will be loyal to only you.” Nyx was terrified that he wouldn’t want her, but Lachlan quickly calmed her fears. He sat on the side of her bed and stroked her face.

“I don’t think any of us are angels. Does a goddess like you want a rogue warrior like me? I’m rough and not very civilized.” Lachlan rubbed his thumb over her lips. Nyx sat up so they were face to face.

“You’re perfect. I feel gross after being stuffed in that room. Will you take a shower with me? I promise I will make it worth your while.” She took her finger and rubbed it up his arm. Lachlan smiled as he leaned forward.

“Seeing you naked with water running down your gorgeous body. How can I say no to that?” When his mouth touched hers Nyx moaned from the sparks that ran wild. She had never imagined they would have such an impact on her if she was lucky enough to feel them. When Lachlan pulled away she bit his bottom lip slightly making his erection painfully hard.

“Well, come on my mighty warrior. Let me see your sword.” Nyx said against his lips. Lachlan lifted her into his arms when suddenly the bedroom door burst open. Helios stared angrily at Nyx and Lachlan.

“What the hell, Helios?” Nyx asked.

“I demand you put her down now. Nyx, you’re my woman, and you are to be with me and only me,” Helios yelled. Nyx looked between the two men. She had Lachlan put her down. His heart broke as she walked over to Helios. He felt like crying when his mate smiled at the god standing in the doorway.

“Helios, Lachlan is my mate, and if you don’t get your sun-shining ass out of our room I will bring so much darkness on you that the sun will never rise again.” The sky outside suddenly turned black, and Lachlan realized there was more to Nyx than he thought. He smiled as he leaned against the wall. At that moment he knew he was already falling in love with her.