Sins Among Royals
Chapter 23

Noah was furious.

How could she keep something like that from him? How could the entire pack keep something like that from his family when they knew the punishment would be death?

How stupid could the be? He was far too angry with Indie to stay around her but as he reached the other side of the lake and saw his security team with his aunt they had reached the wharf and were putting boats into the water.

“Noah! He heard his aunt Eliora call. “Is Indie with you?”

Shaking his head he shifted back to his human form and felt drained from the cold and wind.

“Well where is she?!” Eliora questioned him demandingly. “What have you done!”

Noah glared daggers at his aunt, “She’s on the island. The kayak hit the rocks. Send a boat to retrieve her.” His voice was dark, almost dangerous sounding as everyone looked at him with disbelief. “If you wish to keep your life aunt then you better watch how you speak to me.”

Without another word Noah started for the path that lead back up to the house while his security team rushed to get over to the island. Eliora looked on after her nephew with shame and a growing sense of resentment.

By the time Noah reached the top of the trail he glanced back at the island and saw lights floating in the water. At least she wouldn’t spend the night on the island.

Storming into the house he pulled on some dry clothes before heading out to one of the vehicles. Climbing inside he started the engine and took off. He needed to distance himself from Indie in order to calm himself.

He was so mad that he didn’t realise what leaving her on the island alone would do.

Speeding back up the long driveway to the main road he couldn’t help but grind his jaw at the memory of what Indie said.

‘She wasn’t always like us.’

It enraged him again as he pressed his foot to the floor and gripped the steering wheel tighter. Such insolence!

Their kind had been put to death for less and here he was dealing with the biggest taboo werewolves had over them. If she had of told someone werewolves existed maybe she would have received a slap on the wrist. If that human had of told others maybe a short jail term. But to turn a human and keep it secret from everyone was unforgivable. He needed to replace out what really happened. He needed to know the truth.

Rummaging through the center console and then the glove box he searched for a cell phone as he weaved back and forward across the road. His hand finally landed on a square object and as he pulled it out a flash of blue and red lights lit up his rear-view mirror.

All Noah could do was curse and pull over.

Killing the engine he waited and as the officer approached he sighed. “How could this night get any worse.”

As if tempting fate he wound the window down and smiled at the officer. “Good evening officer how may I help you?”

“You been on the grog boy?” The officers thick accent was typical of the area as Noah almost struggled to comprehend what he was saying.

“No sir I haven’t but I do believe I am suffering mild hypothermia.” He hadn’t meant to sound like he was getting cheeky or being smart but he couldn’t keep the condescending tone from his voice.

“You taking the mickey?” The officer asked gruffly. He didn’t seem like the type to take sass from anyone but Noah just couldn’t help himself.

“No sir definitely not,” Noah rolled his eyes as the officer stepped back and pulled a pad of paper from his pocket.

“Let me see your licence and registration there son.” Noah couldn’t concentrate on the man as his bristly beard held his attention as it moved from side to side with each word the officer said.

“I’m sorry my what?” Noah repeated.

“You a bit dense or what son? License and registration!” The officer demanded again as he instantly grew tired of Noah.

“Sorry sir but I don’t have either.” Before Noah could even finish his sentence the officer had taken a step back and had pulled out his taser.

“Get your hands up where I can see them son!” The officer yelled loudly.

Noah reached for the door handle and was about to exit the vehicle when the officer let off a round from his taser.

In his weakened state it was agony for Noah who writhed and convulsed in pain as electricity coursed through his body zapping what energy he had left. On the brink of passing out Noah felt himself pulled from the vehicle roughly and thrown to the ground before being handcuffed.

When he came to he was laying on a bench in a cell surrounded by others.

“Hi princess,” a man winked and waved as Noah groggily sat up.

His wrists were reddened from the tightness of the handcuffs. Looking around he noted that he was behind a thick pane of glass. The room reeked of humans in all states. From ones that had wet themselves to ones that had obviously not showered in days. The musky odor hit him like a ton of bricks and pulled him out of whatever grogginess was left.

Opening his eyes widely he inadvertently sucked in a deep breath and sputtered at how disgusting it tasted. Why was he locked up with common riff raff?

Casting a glance around the room there were a dozen fully grown men milling about waiting to be released. The man that winked and called him princess tried to run his hand up Noah’s leg. ” If you want to keep that don’t touch me.” Noah growled at the man.

He watched as the man scowled and turned his lips downwards, “fine,” he pouted. “If you’re going to be a meanie i’ll take my business elsewhere.” The man flicked his hand and stood with all his weight leaned to one side. He placed a hand on his hip and turned to walk away dramatically leaving Noah more than a little stunned and uncomfortable.

Sitting on the opposite was an elderly man who had been watching Noah since he’d been dragged into the cell.

“Not from around here are you boy?” The old man asked curiously as he pushed himself up off of his seat and crossed the room.

“Don’t talk to me,” Noah huffed annoyedly.

“Well with an attitude like that it’s no wonder you ended up here kid,” he huffed at Noah gruffly. “What’s your problem boy? You this shitty with everyone you meet?”

Noah glared at the old man before answering, “I’m just like this with people I don’t like.” As he spoke he was forced to think about his words and as he did it made him realise that he was the same with everyone in his life. Everyone he encountered got the same treatment.

He didn’t always mean it but it was the way he was brought up. It was the way he was raised but he didn’t need to explain that to anyone let alone a bum in a cell.

As he sat quietly reflecting on his own thoughts one person stuck out above all and their relationship had been rocky right from the start. Reflecting on himself he realised he was being selfish and guarded but he didn’t want to be hurt again.In his position to hurt was to be weak and weakness left him open to challenges from those around.

“I apologise my lord,” the elderly man smiled knowingly. He and a few others in the cell knew who Noah was before he even woke. There was an air to him that made it obvious and though the old man wanted to keep to himself he was more than a little curious as to why a royal like their King was out wandering alone. Where was the rest of his people?

A tense quiet fell over the room for some hours as almost everyone shuffled about avoiding eye contact with fellow cell mates.

Muffled yelling could be heard outside the cell as everyone quietly paid attention. The officer that arrested Noah soon pulled the heavy iron door open in a huff. “Blackwood! You’re out!”

For a moment Noah sat silently staring at the man before pushing himself up and walking towards the door. “Thank you sir.” He mumbled quietly.

The officer blocked his path with a folder that had Noah’s name on it, “Whatever issues you got kid you better sort ’em out before they land you in real deep strife.”

Noah turned towards the officer slightly and studied his face. What did he know?

“You seem like a good kid is all. Wouldn’t want to see you take the wrong path in life.” the officer seemed genuinely concerned with Noah which seemed strange.

Tilting his head towards the officer he was soon free to go. Walking out into the car park he noticed the sun had risen on another day but his mood had only improved because of his release.

He saw his uncle standing next to their old beat up VW. He leaned against it casually with a slight frown. “Where’s aunt Eliora?” He questioned quickly. He’d expected the old woman to pick him up so that she could berate him about everything in his life. Like she always did.

“She’s with your mate.” He motioned to Noah to get into the car.

How bad could she have been? Surely after a while Indie would have shifted into her wolf form. He didn’t understand her when she said she couldn’t.

The pair climbed into the the car quickly and Noah bounced against the hard cushion on which he sat. The car was a throwback to a time that Noah didn’t much care for.

“She isn’t well you know.” His uncle started as the car’s engine sputtered to life. “When they got to her she was so frozen your aunt didn’t think she’d make it.”

His words struck deeply as Noah took in the severity of his words. She could have died? “Why didn’t she shift?” He almost demanded as his uncle pulled out often parking lot and sped down the road.

“I’m not sure but ask the healer when we get back to Craggy Bluff.” His uncle looked tense for a minute. “Whatever she’s done to you Noah you need to forgive her and move on. We are all granted one mate in this life and yours is dying.”

In an instant a wave of guilt washed over Noah as he fidgeted in his seat. Ever since Medea he’d found it hard to look at anyone else. He found it hard to trust anyone, “She’s done nothing to me,” he admitted even though he still needed to speak with his father about the halfling she’d created. “I’m the one with the problem.”