The Shadow Howlers

Bianca stood still and pretended she didn't hear what her father had mindlinked to the pack. She knew the warriors from Shadow Howlers were already in place. Her father looked confused as he waited.

"What's wrong, Karl? You expected something to happen? We came prepared, and they have already taken your warriors down." As she finished speaking, they heard wolves coming from the surrounding forest, some in wolf form and some in human form. From the look on her dad's face, he knew his warriors weren't going to help him.

"Did you really think you would be able to defeat the Shadow Howlers? This is what we do. Now Karl and Anara, your daughter, and I have some questions for you." Gunnar said, stepping forward. Karl started backing up, but one of the warriors was there and stopped him. Bianca led everyone to her father's office, where Gunnar sat behind the desk with her on his lap. Karl looked ready to blow when he was forced to sit in a chair in front of his own desk.

"We don't have to say anything to you. You have no right to be here. I don't care what my little bitch of a daughter told you." He said angrily while glaring at Bianca. At one time, that may have frightened her, but not anymore.

"I beg to differ. We have evidence of all your crimes, which will be turned over to King Zaiden. We're here on his behalf to put an end to this pack. Everyone involved in these horrendous crimes will be placed in the dungeons until the king decides what to do with you." Karl looked at Gunnar, completely ignoring Bianca. Anara stared at her daughter. For the first time, Bianca saw how cold her mom's eyes were.

"Mom, why did you do it? Did you know they killed Trisha's parents and their whole pack?" When Anara looked away, Bianca had her answer. There was a piece of her hoping that her mother didn't know what was happening. Karl laughed loudly with no humor.

"You're asking if she knew? That's the wrong question. Why don't you ask her why we attached that pack?" Bianca and Gunnar looked at Anara for an answer.

"What's he talking about?" Bianca asked.

"I wanted a child and was unable to get pregnant, so I asked your father to get me one. Trisha was perfect, and I wanted her. He said the only way to do it was to kill the whole pack so no one would come looking for her. I didn't care as long as I got her. They didn't kill any of the other pups. They sold them." Bianca and Gunnar stared at Anara in disbelief. She spoke as though she asked Karl to take out the trash, not kill an entire pack, so she could have one of their pups.

"You're sick. Am I your daughter, or did you do the same thing with my family?" She asked. Karl answered this time.

"You're ours, but it would have been better if we killed you when you were born. You were always too nosy and didn't know your place. If everything had worked out like it was supposed to, I would have been able to have a son, but after she had you, we couldn't have any more pups. So I was stuck with a worthless daughter." Bianca felt Gunnar getting ready to go after Karl, so she put her hand on his arm and shook her head.

"The only pieces of worthless trash are sitting across from me. I think we're done here." She said, with hatred dripping off every word. Karl started laughing.

"Girl, you better watch your mouth. You don't have a say in anything done to me, and your mate doesn't take orders from you. You aren't good for anything other than spreading your legs and giving him pups." Gunnar was done listening to him disrespect his mate. He lifted her off his lap and kissed her forehead before going behind Karl's chair.

"No one will ever speak to my luna like that again. Do I make myself clear?" He asked, looking down at Karl, who rolled his eyes.

"She's got you whipped already, huh? Well, hopefully, she's a better breeder than her mother was," Anara gasped as Gunnar reached down and grabbed Karl by his hair. He lifted him straight out of the chair like he was a rag doll.

"I said no one would disrespect my luna again." Gunnar carried him outside by his hair and threw him off the porch. When he landed, there was a loud crack, and Karl screamed in pain. His wolf healing would fix whatever broke quickly, but the initial pain was still felt.

"Lock that bastard up and give him no food or water until we hear from the king. Put his mate in a cell as well." One of the warriors pushed Anara toward the dungeons. She didn't even have the audacity to cry. Bianca stopped them.

"Don't you feel guilty at all for what you've done?" She asked her mother. Anara laughed.

"Feel guilty for what? I got what I wanted. Who cares about anyone else. Humans have no value other than to be sold. Smaller packs are insignificant and should be eliminated." The warrior dragged her away as she laughed hysterically. Bianca felt sick watching her. Everything started falling into place. Little things that she'd noticed over the years but ignored.

"I can't believe she was just as bad if not worse than Karl," Bianca said as Gunnar came to her side.

"I'm sorry you had to be with them as long as you were." She turned around and wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his chest so she could take in his calming scent.

"Don't apologize. I'm just glad we were able to stop them, and we can protect Trisha. Can we return the omega, who witnessed what they were doing, to her pack?" Gunnar nodded.

Sorting out Last Moon's mess would take days if not weeks. Everyone was locked in the dungeons, with the exception of the pups and some of the women. Those who weren't locked up were allowed to stay in their homes, but they couldn't leave the pack lands until the king came and decided what to do with them.

"Let's go home. I'm leaving guards here to make sure no one comes in, and no one tries to leave. It's been a long day." Bianca smiled up at Gunnar.

"Yes, it's been a long day. It's time I show my mate just how much I appreciate him and everything he's done for me." Gunnar leaned down and kissed her. When he pulled away, they headed toward the jeep.

"I won't say no to that. As tired as we are, I think this is going to be an eventful night." Bianca couldn't help the giggle that escaped her lips. Despite everything that had happened today, she'd never felt better. At least they had put a stop to the disgusting deeds of the pack. She also knew the real work was only just beginning. They would need to track down those who were sold and hopefully reunite them with their families. They would focus on that tomorrow. Tonight was going to be a night to remember.