Sins Among Royals

Noah stood rooted to the spot quietly contemplating the severity of the words in the note. After a short while Noah’s hand closed around the paper and crumpled it into a tight ball.

A new anger filled him quickly as he forgot about the issues he had with Indie.

“Leo!” He yelled loudly as he stormed towards the door quickly. A dark storm rolled in and threatened to take complete control of him. He was mad at his sister for being so vague, mad at her for not informing him that there a reason to doubt Raif. Mad that she would put their entire family at risk by not telling him a single thing. Taking the door handle he squeezed it so tight as he turned it that it took on a new shape.

He turned back to Indie who looked more than a little concerned, “I’m not mad at you,” Noah muttered quickly before walking out the door and slamming it shut behind him. “Leo!” He called again urgently as he disappeared off down the corridor towards aquatic the kitchen.

“What are you screaming for?!” He heard Poppy reply quickly before she entered hislp field of vision.

“Where’s Leo!” He growled at Poppy angrily. He wasn’t in the mood for her threats or her snide remarks. His eyes locked with hers and she held her hands up in defence.

“Woah settle down, he’s out there.” She pointed towards the outside and Noah turned and saw Leo with other members of his security team. “Where’s Indie? Is she alright?” She questioned him quickly as he turned to walk out.

“Go to her. She’ll want the company.” He mumbled before stalking out the door towards Leo.

“Were you calling out to me?” Leo turned to his Alpha with a lopsided smile. He soon turned serious when the surly look on Noah’s face registered with him. “What’s wrong?” He questioned him quickly as Noah forced the crumpled letter into Leo’s hands.

Stepping away he turned and began pacing three steps one way and three steps back as Leo unballed the piece of paper and scanned through it quickly. Noah heard his shocked intake of breath and the rapid increase of his heartbeat. It seemed the information in the letter had the same effect on both of them.

“We need to go back!” Leo demanded, “We need to arrest Raif and punish him for even thinking about doing this! He can’t be allowed to get away with it.” Leo now understood Noah’s foul mood and noted that his soured just as quickly.

“We leave now,” Noah nodded his head at his security team gathered and they quickly dispersed leaving just four of them standing there.

One of his security eyed Noah a little annoyed, “what about miss Indie?” He questioned cautiously.

Noah couldn’t help but glare at the man who had been driving one of the vehicles, “if you’re that concerned then you stay here.” He demanded quickly. “Just know that if anything happens while I’m gone it’s on your head!” Before dismissing the man he added, “if there is any suspicious activity or movement then call and let us know as soon as possible. We will return.”

Noah had no problem leaving Indie with his aunt and uncle. Though they were elderly they had been two of the best fighters in their area for many years. He knew that if either of them truly riled up there would be hell to pay for those responsible.

Returning to the room Noah and Leo were soon bombarded with a million questions. All from Poppy who sat next to Indies bed, “do you have to go?” She began. “Why not just send the security team?” She continued. “Are we gonna be safe cause I swear to the gypsies in the sky that if anything happens to Leo..”

Noah sighed and began walking away, “what? You’ll feed me Lego, make me walk through it? Make me shower in it or something worse perhaps?” Noah responded just as quickly with just as many questions. He had come to realise that Poppy and her threats were empty. For now.

“Poppy we’ll be fine,” Leo motioned for her to join him. “I promise.” Noah watched as Poppy walked to Leo and took his hand in hers. She stroked his arm gently and looked up at him lovingly. There was a sense of concern that passed through the pair silently.

Noah turned to look at Indie. She had a gentle smile on her face. “How long will you be gone?” She questioned him curiously. It seemed that it was a rather sudden and abrupt decision for them to leave but Noah seemed certain that it was the best move.

“We’ll return by tomorrow evening.” He replied quickly. It would take them the rest of the day to drive back to his sister’s home and he didn’t know what to expect. Did Raif know about the letter?

“What if something happens?” Indie questioned him again. What if it was a trap? What if Raif was expecting them? Part of her worried that she would never see Noah again and part of her was glad that he’d be gone for a short time. It would give her a chance to speak frankly with Poppy.

“We’ll deal with it as it happens.” He turned his attention back to Leo and saw he and Poppy embracing each other. As much as he wanted a send off like that from Indie he did not want to push his luck.

As soon as Leo released Poppy the two men left to face uncertainty.

Emerging back out on to the front verandah Noah informed his aunt of what they were doing and Heidi ran to join them thinking she would be going.

“Unkie Noah I wanna come too,” she smiled up at him brightly as she clung to his leg.

Noah stooped to her level and took her by the hand, “I need you to stay here Heidi. I have a very important job for you.” He smiled gently down at the little girl as her eyes filled with wonder.

“Oooh,” she squealed and jumped about, “what I can do Unkie Noah?” She questioned with great enthusiasm and excitement. “I can help cause I’m a big girl!” She placed her hands on her hips and puffed up her chest.

All Noah could do was smile broadly.it was difficult to be in a foul mood with Heidi about. She seemed to chase away the grey clouds that had gathered with just a smile. “I need you to look after Indie. She’s very sick and needs someone very special to make sure she gets better. Can you do that for me?” He informed his little niece gently and watched as she sucked in a deep breath and let out a gigantic squeal.

“Unkie Noah I get to be doctor?!” She asked as she clapped her hands together and turned from him.

Her little legs began carrying her towards the door as Noah frowned playfully. “Hey!” He called to her, “Where’s my hug?” He tried to hide a smile from his face but failed miserably.

Heidi ran back to him and haphazardly threw her arms around him, “love you Unkie Noah.” She didn’t even give him a chance to reply before she released him and ran back to the door. The two guys watched as she tripped and tumbled through the door. She didn’t let that stop her as she ran off squealing with delight down the corridor.

“There’s no way Indie is getting out of bed with nurse Heidi around.” Leo chuckled from behind him.

“Be safe nephew,” Eliora smiled at him. “If something seems amiss don’t try and save the day. Call Alpha Christiansen and wait.”

Noah nodded his head and bade a quick farewell to his aunt. “Expect us to return by tomorrow evening. At the latest it should be early morning.” Noah was hoping it was a quick check up but the pit of his stomach felt like it was about to drop out.

There were three vehicles that were exactly the same lined up around the circular driveway. It was a very small security team of eight. With the addition of Noah and Leo it was an elite team.

Everyone climbed into the vehicles and they all sped off one after the other. A tense silence fell over the four people in Noah’s vehicle as he drove quickly. The memory of the policeman that arrested him did not bother him. He was now in the right frame of mind and knew how to drive quite well.

After a few hours Leo finally spoke. “Why would anyone want to stop the appointment of female Alpha’s?” He questioned curiously. It seemed it was more him speaking his thoughts rather than seeking answers to his questions. “Especially Naira and Willow. Especially Willow. She’s the daughter of a very powerful man!” Leo exclaimed.

Through his friends ramblings Noah found himself thinking. “He is a powerful man so why take the chance?” Noah asked wondering who was stupid enough to try and test his patience.

“If i may sir?” Came a voice from the back seat as Noah looked up and into the rear view mirror while Leo turned to look at one of two burly men in the back. “It is my belief that from the limited information I’ve heard that by disrupting the peace and creating doubt over the appointment of female Alpha’s it would cause unrest and possible disharmony within your inner circle and thus make it easier to gain power and potentially overthrow you and your family.” The man sat looking at both Leo and Noah before shrugging his broad shoulders. “I was a psychologist before joining your team sir.” He replied as Noah looked on in complete surprise.

Leo chuckled, “that sounds about right.” Though he found it amusing that one of the security team would put it into words it was still a serious situation and as the sun set in the sky and the moon took its place they arrived at the driveway to his sister’s home.

There were no lights on and though it was late at night they always left the patio lights on out the front just for late night visitors.

Winding their way up the driveway they came to a stop outside and saw that the front door was open. In an instant Noah felt terror grip his heart. In the hallway he could see a light flickering. Something serious had happened.