Sins Among Royals

The howling went on for a few minutes as Indie held the sword for Noah. It soon died off but whoever sent the warning began again as soon as silence rang out.

Noah stared at Indie intently and noticed the color drain from her face, “Is it Ebony?” She muttered quickly, her voice quivering, not with fear but with expectation.

The moon had just risen over the horizon, the second howl fell silent suddenly and without warning.

“What’s going on?” A voice called from the crowd.

Noah broke contact with Indie and turned to face those that had gathered for the ceremony “Unfortunately it seems we are under attack,” Noah admitted quickly as his father stepped towards him and took him by the arm. Gasps of shock and despair rang out through the air.

“What are you talking about,” Victor whispered harshly.

All Noah could manage was a sigh, “it’s Ebony. She’s come to claim the crown and throne for herself. I didn’t want to believe it myself but she’s crazy and she’s completely lost her shit. She wants to destroy us all and take everything for herself.” He admitted as he turned his attention from his flabbergasted father. In an instant Wade rushed to the stage closely followed by Fletcher.

“Master Noah, we must protect you and miss Indie. We need to get you to safety.” Wade muttered quickly.

“No!” Indie yelled loudly. “I am not going anywhere. If Ebony wants to pull a dirty move and try this then we need to teach her a lesson.” She was adamant that she would not be removed.

“It isn’t really up for discussion Indie,” Wade answered quickly. “You two are the future of the crown, we can’t put you in danger.” Wade tried to desperately reason with her but to no avail.

“No! I said no! If you’re insistent on keeping anyone safe then take the children and the elderly. I’m not going anywhere,” she stood defiantly against Wade who looked towards Noah for help. “Make sure those that need protection get it. All guards need to shift five minutes ago!” Indie demanded of them quickly. Two or three guards take the guests that are unable to fight.” She walked towards the lectern and microphone quickly, “for those off you who think you would like to help then begin shifting. We don’t know how far Ebony is and we don’t know who she has with her.” Indie addressed the crowd quickly and saw in their eyes fear and terror.

Aloha Christiansen stood with anger seething in every feature of his face. “Let me call the rest of my guards. They’ll drive as quickly as possible and should the worst happen they’ll get here, hopefully just when we need them most.” He excused himself and walked off towards the patio to make a quick phone call.

It was then they heard gunshots ring out through the already tense surrounds.

Indie looked for Poppy and found her in the front row with her parents, “where’s Kade?!” Indie demanded of her best friend quickly.

The trio looked at each other and shrugged, “I’m sure he’s around somewhere,” Poppy grinned innocently.

“Poppy!” Indie growled in annoyance, “Your brother is a hunter! And if my hunch is correct then those gunshots were from a hunter’s gun meaning your brother was intending to attack us as well.” Indies accusations were serious but after encountering him for the first time in a long time she just knew something about him was off.

“What!” Poppy stood from her seat, outraged at what her best friend was saying. “You don’t know what he is! You don’t know anything!” She screamed back.

Willow, Naira and the triplets soon interrupted, “listen! You two can fight about this after we sort out the current situation were in,” Naira frowned, this was not how she imagined her ceremony would.go. On her list of potential screw ups being attacked was not one of them.

“She’s right!” Luna muttered. As she looked towards her sisters and friends. “So what are we doing?” She asked as they heard a scream.

Everyone looked towards the edges of the grounds expecting to see wolves creeping in but as they all scanned the horizon before them there was nothing.

They all turned towards the crowd and Indie saw made her blood run cold. Verena held Chase by the throat so tightly that his eyes were rolling back in their sockets. It was Madeline that screamed as Rita rushed towards her son and a seemingly happy Verena.

“Get your hands off of my son you little bitch!” Rita screamed as Verena dropped Chase and threw a hit at Rita.

Indie was so distracted by her little brother choking and gasping for air that she failed to see the person rushing the stage. Many of the guests that had gathered for the ceremony began scattering as chaos descended across everyone.

Things instantly started moving in slow motion as Indie felt herself being shoved roughly from the stage. She turned her head as she saw a set of hands spread wide and to her surprise they belonged to Noah. The look of concern and worry on his face quickly gripped her heart as a sense of dread filled her completely.

From the corner of her eye Indie saw movement as the dread she felt materialised in the form of Felix who somehow managed to fight his way passed Fletcher and Wade. Indie landed on the damp grass with a heavy thump, the ceremonial sword she’d been holding landed on top of her, the scabbard loosening itself from the sword.

Everyone gathered in front of the stage watched in horror as Felix ran at Noah. At first sight everyone thought that Noah would have fought him off but as a howl of pain ripped through the air and everyone noted Felix thrusting his fist at Noah’s abdomen, it soon became apparent that Felix was up to no good.

When Wade and Fletcher finally tackled him away from Noah the smell of blood filled the air around them. Indie was in shock as she took in the scene before her. With the sword in her hand she managed to pull herself back up onto the stage and saw Noah lying there groaning in agony.

“Noah,” she breathed helplessly as she knelt at his side. Tears sprang to her eyes when she saw the pain he was in. He clutched one wound but Indie could see blood staining his suit from various other wounds. “Please don’t die,” Indie pleaded softly as she leaned over him.

He smiled, trying to reassure her that everything was alright. He felt it deep inside himself. It wasn’t alright and he wasn’t alright. “I’m sorry for everything I’ve put you through,” he struggled as he tried desperately to convey his sorrow. “If I never forced you into coming,” he coughed and sputtered as blood trickled from his mouth. “If you never came this wouldn’t have happened, you would have been safe.”

The more he spoke the more Indie cried, it wasn’t his fault. None of it was his fault. Maybe her almost dying was his fault but there was no way anyone could have predicted anything that happened. The series of events leading to the ceremony was frightening to someone like Indie who had come from such a sheltered place but as she saw Noah weaken before her very eyes she felt an intensely strong and forceful hold on her upper arm and when she turned she spied Felix’s deranged face standing there smiling wickedly down at her.

“I told you that I would get you as my wife. You can come willingly or I will force you.” A sick going clung to the corner of his lips, “if I have to force you then I will force you every single night for the rest your your miserable life.”

Indie had no idea what made him think he could and would get away with it. She heard growling come from those around them, “He’s mine,” she warned as Wade backed quickly away. He pulled Fletcher along with him and as they retreated so too did the group of girls. “I warned you not to touch me again Felix.” Indie lost all emotion as she was quickly taken over by rage. She yanked her arm from his grip but as she did so his nails dug four parallel lines into her arm, the sting of pain only adding fuel to the fire.

Indie stood on her feet and dropped the sword, she stared up at Felix who didn’t seem too sure of himself. “Good! Your coming willingly,” he was so blind to his want and desire that he failed to see the transformation in Indie.

She was not scared of him, she was not concerned for her well being. Felix had hurt her mate. It was now time to hurt him and make sure he never hurt anyone again.

Indie growled ferociously as she concentrated on the hatred she held for Felix. She focused on the words he’d spoken to her and how he’d treated her, on the first time she met him and on the feeling she got from him. She focused on his attack and on the betrayal of their king and in the blink of an eye her human form became a shadow as it was suppressed and covered in the rage, covered in the beastly form of her Loup-garou. Those that had been watching and those that had been waiting quickly made themselves scarce. Willow, Naira and the others ran for the safety of the castle as the first of Ebony’s ragtag pack emerged from the tree line near the old security quarters.

A sour stench filled the ear as Indies beast like form was revealed to all. The stench was fear and the one that radiated most fear stood before her.

His mouth hung open as he turned and jumped off of the stage. Felix knew now what Indie meant about never touching her again and he instantly regretted everything he had ever done.

For a moment the beast stood there watching the coward run. Indies human brain was largely suppressed but the beast knelt and took the scabbard in its hands, the sword slipped from its embrace and sat glistening in the moonlight. The beast tossed the scabbard to the side and picked up the sword by the blade. The stinging sensation as the blade marked it’s skin did little to make it feel anything but rage.

The beast launched the sword towards Felix who had now run quite a distance. It whistled and flew through the air and soon hit its mark. Felix immediately dropped to his knees as the beast jumped from the stage and ran off towards its target.

As soon as Felix was in range Indies beast launched itself at the dying man by taking the sword and pulling it roughly from his back. Felix dropped to the ground and curled into the foetal position. He laughed nervously before his face crumpled in pain. “Fuck you, you asshole,” he spat venomously as Indies beast held the sword above Felix’s head. “You will die,” His tears seemed to stop as he began laughing again. Indie and her beast let the sword fall, tip first towards Felix. The blade buried itself in the side of his skull as his laughter fell silent.

As one fell silent she heard others around her. Whining wolves were everywhere and many were interrupted by the sounds gunfire. Taking off towards the old guard houses the beast puts its nose to the air and took in many short breaths. The scent of wolves was thick.

Dashing off in one direction the bipedal monster dashed beneath the trees, the ground trembled in its wake and trees shook fiercely as it passed by. Soon it came upon half a dozen or so wolves fighting. The beast couldn’t differentiate between those that fought for Noah and those that had come to destroy him. Without a second thought the wolf howled and sent everyone scattering but o e wolf stood it’s ground and ran head first at the beast. It jumped and attempted to come down on top of the animal but with one swoop of its gigantic palm and elongated claws it got the better of the wolf and sent it flying into a tree. The wolf, tiny in comparison to Indies beast, did not move as it whimpered and yelped for help.

The beast again took off dashing through the undergrowth, it’s mind lusting for death and destruction but it was searching for something. For someone.

Circling the back of the castle the beast soon came to the edge of the giant granite boulder the castle sat atop and as it tried to descend the massive rock it left deep gouges in its wake.

Soon it came face to face with a human who looked beyond horrified at the sight of such a beast. The human trembled so much that it had trouble loading it’s gun and firing a straight shot. The beast growled at the man and watched as it dropped it’s gun and took off running through the undergrowth at the edge of town.

A massive howl sounded through the night sky and again caught the beast’s attention. It came from the castle.

Turning on its heel the beast took off running back up towards the castle. Instead of running around the curve in the road the beast ran right over the tops of the gardens and retaining walls till it reached the long stretch of road outside the front of the castle. Jumping again it landed on top of one of the guests vehicles. The metal gave way beneath its feet and crumpled into a jumbled mess. Jumping off of the other side it landed in one of the gardens.

More howling from the area the beast had been before. Dashing off to one side of the castle it soon ran off down the side and emerged out onto the back lawn. There stood the person it had been searching for.

Ebony had arrived and was pleased to see the carnage that had already been caused. She noted her brother who was close to death, everyone else cowered in fear within the walls of the castle she once called home. Felix’s lifeless, worthless body lay near the tree line. Ebony didn’t know how he died but she was glad that it was one less worm to take care of.

Before long Ebony spotted a massive beast drag itself around the corner of the castle. It ran for her as she took in the sight of the terrible thing. Ebony gasped in shock, “Loup-garou.”

Anger seethed within the beast as Ebony screamed.

A sudden drowsiness overcame the beast as a man’s voice echoed in its head, “That’s enough child.” It was the last thing Indies beast heard as it suddenly lost balance and toppled sideways. Everything grew dark as the beast slipped back into its human prison.