Sins Among Royals

Leo and Noah made themselves at home in Rogans hospital room. The doctor that showed them in was instructed to not permit anyone else. Guests were not welcome.

At first Noah couldn’t help but apologise profusely, over and over again. The feeling deep in the pit of his stomach was that of guilt and sorrow. Ebony had put him through so much and though he was co-operating and answering as many of Noah’s questions as possible both men could see that his forced incarceration had had a profound affect on him.

It also became obvious that Rogan absolutely detested his mate for what she had put him through.

“So how did she fool everyone into thinking her and Raif were mates?” Noah asked quickly. There was no way to spare feelings in this and he knew Rogan was well beyond that.

“Your sister was still young when she met Raif and she was scared that your parents would not approve so she kept it hidden. She kept him hidden.” A slight frown marked Rogan’s brow as he remembered the painful memories he had tried to keep suppressed. As soon as he remembered one thing he found that his mind became foggy with many more. “Your sister was always jealous Lori.”

Noah frowned. He’d never understood Ebony’s jealous heart. It made her dark and now he found out, dangerous.

“Why jealous?” Leo’s voice sounded through the sudden silence.

A loud sigh left Rogans lips as he shifted in his bed, more memories that he didn’t want to acknowledge. “Lori was beautiful and she didn’t have to try. She had a kind heart and a strong mind, a beautiful personality and she was easy to get along with,” Rogan and Noah smiled at her memory. She was the single most beautiful woman in the whole pack. “She would have made a great and fair leader.” Rogan nodded gently.

It was a sad day when Lori died. Heidi had barely survived birth and doctors struggled to stabilise both of them. It was a few days later that Lori’s heart finally gave out devastating everyone.

“Unfortunately,” Rogan began again, “Ebony had something to do with Lori’s death. Her jealousy of your sister drove her to commit murder.”

The news floored Noah who felt his heart break instantly. He could never have imagined his older sister was the reason for his little sister’s death. “How?” His voice cracked and tears formed at the corners of his eyes. His hands trembled but as sorrow threatened to invade his whole body he soon felt anger seed and grow. Ebony had a lot to answer for and he would make sure she would pay.

“Poison,” was the only word that tumbled from Rogans lips as be noted the sorrow Noah felt. It was hard talking about it but it needed to be shared. Everyone thought Lori had succumb to the rigours of birth but her death as not so innocent. “Ebony injected her with liquid wolfsbane mixed with silver. I tried getting word to your parents but your sister put a stop to that,” the immense feeling of regret shook Rogan to the core. He should have tried harder.

“I still don’t get it,” Leo muttered again. “That doesn’t explain how she fooled everyone.....isn’t one of her son’s older than Heidi? Are either of the boys yours?” Leo wanted the truth on everything. He knew Noah was in a difficult state of mind hearing of the real cause of Lori’s death so he knew it was up to him to get all the information he could.

“None of the children are mine,” Rogan responded somewhat bitterly. “Raif was unfaithful. He thought Lori keeping him secret meant that she didn’t love him. Ebony being the snake that she is used it to her advantage.” He couldn’t help but shake his head, he had never met anyone quite as deceptive as Ebony and he hoped he never would again. “Timothy is the result of that affair. Lori and Raif eventually fixed things and though he was still kept hidden they conceived Heidi.”

Leo saw where Rogan was going with the story but he hoped it wasn’t true, he hoped there would be a twist or turn somewhere along the way. How could someone be so selfish?

“Unbeknownst to Lori, Ebony had claimed Raif for herself. They would have been bonded for life if Lori and Raif didn’t sleep together beforehand. Ebony was jealous of Lori’s ability to take Raif from her and that jealousy grew to hatred when they found out they were having a girl.” It was all falling into place and everything was making sense. The tragic love triangle and broad impacts on everyone. Once everyone knew the truth Ebony would have nowhere to hide and no allies among wolves. “Your sister wanted to destroy Lori and she did.” Rogan was filled with bitter resentment for the woman that had made his life hell.

“Did Raif know you were imprisoned?” Leo pressed Rogan for more answers. He needed to show Noah that he was better than third in command. He wanted more responsibility and he wanted to better serve the Alpha King.

Rogan shook his head quickly. A frown settled over his features as he cast a thought to Raif. “That poor bastard didn’t know what he was getting himself in to. Ebony had him blinded with sweet words and ego boosting compliments. He had no idea of what your sister had done or how she was manipulating him.”

“But my parents knew about you!” Noah growled suddenly. How did Ebony make them forget about him?

“That is true,” Rogan grinned a little. “She never actually introduced me as her mate. To them I was her personal assistant. Her guard. Nothing more.” His grin faded a little as he became lost in thought again, “Your sister really is an evil bitch Noah and when you find her I want you to let her know that I am alive and well and I will live my life while she suffers at your hands.” Rogans words were completely malicious but it was warranted. Neither Leo nor Noah could comprehend what Rogan had been through, what pain he had been subjected to and neither of them wanted to experience it.

“What about this,” Noah threw the diary down onto the bed. He remembered at that point that Andrew had brought bits and pieces of paper with him to Indies new apartment but he had forgotten to grab them in his haste to get to the cells. “What can you tell me?”

At first Rogan looked confused. A sign to Noah that he knew nothing.

Before long he frowned and traced his fingers across the covers, “I brought this for Ebony a year after we met.” The recognition in his eyes clouded the rest of his thoughts as he remembered happy times with his mate. Though she had been completely obsessed with Lori’s demise he and Ebony has shared some wonderful moments together, moments he would cherish secretly. Rogan flicked through a few pages before slamming it shut.

“Did she ever speak to you about what she out into it?” Noah pressed him again for answers.

It took a moment for Rogan to respond. He thought back to the many conversations they’d had, to what could be useful and what could help the situation. “She bragged about resurrection. That she would take the immortality of a vampire or a fairy.” He laughed at his own words. “I told her she was a crazy bitch but she really believed it.”

Rogan noted the sideways glances both Leo and Noah had. It was in no way comforting.

“She is crazy right?” He quizzed the pair as he looked from one side of the room to the other.

“Technically,” Noah began as he stepped towards Rogan. Taking a seat next to his bed he thought quickly of the best way to say it, “as far as we know there are no more fairies or vampires,” he immediately saw the shock in Rogans eyes as it quickly resonated through the rest of him. “We do have the only known vampire and fairy employed at the castle. It was how she learned the language written in that diary.”

“Don’t suppose I can be sent to the other side of the country now?” Rogan question with a slight look of amusement on his face. “This whole thing is crazy. You know that right?”

All Noah could do was shrug his shoulders and lean back in his seat. “You have to hang around till we catch Ebony. After that you can do whatever you want.”

Rogan laughed as he raked his fingers down his face. “This place, your family is going to be the death of me.” He couldn’t help but feel that was the honest truth. Rogan felt that he would die in Blackwood. He hoped it was just paranoia.

“We should leave you.l to rest. I’ve a lot to prepare for the Alpha ceremony in a couple of days.” Noah took the diary and headed for the door. “Thank you for your time Rogan. I’ll have someone sort something for your departure.”

“Hey! Why not get Grace to do it. She’s always been good at that kind of thing.” Rogan asked happily. Completely unaware of what had happened.

“She’s dead,” Noah replied bluntly. “Killed by Loup-garou.” He didn’t want to dwell too much on the thought. His emotions were all over the place and he was barely holding himself together. Life was cruel

“Well fuck. Sorry to hear that mate.” Rogan replied genuinely. Grace had always treated him like a son, she had always been kind, caring and considerate.

Things in Blackwood were tricky. Everything needed to be handled with great care in the coming days.