Tangled Hearts - The Alpha's Baby Mama-Chapter 236: How far was the conspiracy?

Noah POV

The morning sun streamed through the window of my office as I sat behind my desk, fingers crossed in front of me. I had left the bed before the first morning light. I couldn’t sleep the entire night because I kept thinking of my sister and Brooke. I had asked them to come see me this morning and I was ready to serve them their first punishment if they fail to come on time.

My jaw was set, eyes hard as steel as I waited. I wanted to make sure to keep my baby and Selene safe. That was the most important thing for me now. A soft knock at the door of my office broke the tense silence.

"Enter," I called out, my voice firm and authoritative.

The door opened to reveal Brooke and Nora, both looking demure and contrite as they stepped into the room. Nora wore a simple black dress; her usual flashy style had been toned down. Even Brooke had opted for a modest blouse and skirt combo, her hair pulled back in a simple ponytail. They approached my desk, cautiously, keeping their eyes lowered.

"Your Majesty," Brooke said softly, offering a small curtsy. "Thank you for granting us this audience and we want to apologize for taking you by surprise at the party yesterday. Everything had happened so suddenly and we didn’t have time to inform you sufficiently before the event,".

I didn’t respond immediately as I studied both of them. If not that they weren’t such experienced liars and from the past, I knew their words were never their bound, I would have sworn that they meant everything they said. After a long moment, I finally spoke.

"I hope you understand the gravity of your situation. The only reason you’re standing here instead of behind bars or in exile is because of my father’s intervention but that doesn’t mean I trust either of you,".

Nora stepped forward, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Brother, please. I’ve had time to reflect on my actions, to understand the pain I’ve caused to both you and Selene and what I said yesterday," a tear rolled down her cheek "I didn’t mean any of it. I was just angry that you didn’t give me a benefit of doubt. I only want a chance to make amends, to prove that I can change. So, please...".

My expression remained impassive. "Pretty words, Nora. But actions speak louder and your track record especially when you were planning to kill my Luna a few weeks ago doesn’t inspire confidence. So, forgive me, if I am not eager to accept you with open arms. The same goes for you, Brooke ... you tried to implicate my Luna and have you forgotten how you lied about being pregnant and nearly destroyed my family?"

Brooke spoke up, her voice trembling slightly. "Your majesty, we know we’ve made terrible mistakes. But everyone deserves a second chance, don’t they? We’re – I am prepared to do whatever it takes to earn your trust again,".

I leaned back in my chair, regarding them both coolly. "You say that, but are you truly prepared for what that entails? I am not inclined to simply take you at your word because everything you open your mouth to speak, I hear nothing but lies,".

I reached into a drawer and pulled out two sleek, metallic bracelets that came in pairs with two anklets. "These are restraining bracelets. They’ll limit your abilities..." My eyes went to Nora who had a mortified look on her face "To use your wolf and allow me to monitor your movements and activities in real-time. If you’re sincere about wanting to prove yourselves, you’ll agree to wear those without complaint,".

Nora looked like a cat backed into a corner for a minute as something flickered in her eyes. Resistance? Fear? Before she smoothed her expression. "Of course, brother. Whatever you deem necessary,".

Brooke also nodded in agreement, though I noticed her hands clenched by her sides.

"Understand this," I continued, my voice hard. "These aren’t get-out-of-jail-free cards. You’ll still face consequences for your actions. The bracelets are a simple way for us to ensure the safety of others while giving you a chance to demonstrate real change. If you violate any rules or cause any trouble, you’ll be right back where you started – jail for you, Nora and permanent exile for you, Brooke. Is that clear?"

Both women nodded solemnly.

I stood, circling my desk to stand before them. "You have a choice to make. Option one: accept these bracelets and the strict monitoring that comes with them. You’ll have unlimited freedom within Moon Whisper but you’ll be watched constantly. One misstep and it’s over until infinity. You’ll never be granted pardon no matter how good you are or how sick you are. The only time your case might be reviewed would be in case of death. Option two: You can go back to serving your original punishments and stand a chance to be granted pardon with good behaviour and signs of real change. What’s it going to be?"

The duo exchanged worried glances before Nora spoke up. "We chose the bracelets, Your Majesty. We want to prove ourselves to you and the pack,".

I nodded my head curtly. "Very well," I said and went back to my desk to pick up the devices. What they didn’t know was this would never come out. I had interacted with a warlock from outside the pack and asked him to create a spell that binds them forever until the day they die to the device. The only person that can redeem however would be me. Only I could unlock it and if they tried to unlock it by any other means, it’d sink deeper into their skin and the deeper it sank, the more poison would be released.

Slowly, I fastened the anklets first, muttering under my breath the words the warlock had told me to use. Then I moved to the bracelets, fastening it onto each woman but I couldn’t help but notice the slight tremor in Nora’s hand, the way Brooke’s breath hitched when the cool metal touched her skin. Were they truly nervous about their redemption, or was it something else?

And I noticed that they’ve been speaking on behalf of the order. Since when did they get so close that they felt they needed to be each other’s pillar?

"These are now active," I explained as I stepped back. "They’ll prevent you from shifting and will alert us to any attempt to remove them or leave designated areas. You’ll each be assigned a shadow who you’ll never see but will report directly to me on your activities and progress,".

Just then, a knock at the door interrupted them. Reid entered; his expression grim. "Your Majesty, I apologize for the intrusion, but there’s an urgent matter that requires your attention,".

My brows furrowed. "What is it, Reid?"

He glanced warily at Nora and Brooke before continuing. "There’s been an incident at the borders facing the East. A group of rogue werewolves attempted to breach our defences. They were stopped but... he hesitated glancing at the women again.

"Go on!" I prompted; tension evident in my voice.

"We discovered something peculiar. They had details about our patrol schedules, weak points in our security... it was as if someone has been feeding them intelligence,".

My gaze snapped to my sister, Nora who looked shocked but was it genuine, or just another act? Not much has changed since she was thrown into jail and aside from me and Reid in the room, she was the only one who knew the ins and outs of our security at Moon Whisper.

"I see," I said calmly. "Thank you, Reid. Please gather the security council immediately. We need to address this,".

As Reid left, I turned back to the women. "It seems we have a spy in our midst. How convenient that this happens just as you two return,".

Nora’s eyes widened. "Noah, surely you don’t think – we’ve only just returned and have been under surveillance since our return. We couldn’t possibly -,".

"I’ve heard enough!" I cut her off. "I don’t know what to think right now. But be rest assured, we will get to the bottom of this. In the meantime, you two are confined to your quarters. Guards will be posted outside your doors. If I find out either of you had anything to do with this breach, the consequences will be severe,".

"But I have to go see my husband," Nora whined "He doesn’t even know I got out and I need to...".

"If you want to see how short-tempered I have become, please leave Moon Whispered," I said quietly. "Both of you are dismissed,".

As they were escorted out, I sank back into my chair, my mind racing. The timing was too perfect to be a coincidence. But if Nora and Brooke weren’t’ behind it, who was? And how deep was this conspiracy?