"Yes, so we shall join you."
Indianna stopped in her tracks. "Join us?"
Rogue nodded. "Yes. I'm sure they'll be enough food for two more people seeing as so many people are going to be there."
"I really don't know what his parents have planned-"
"I love surprises," Rogue smirked. "Shall we say 8? I assume that all of your little friends and family will be joining too? No one should miss out on Christmas. I expect everyone to be there."
"I... Um-"
"Brilliant. Stacey will be thrilled," Rogue said.
"Great," Indianna forced out, attempting to smile.
"I better go and let her know of our change of plans," Rogue said. "I'll see you tonight, little sister."
Indianna watched as Rogue left and she stood still in the woods, trying to think of any way to fix what had just happened.
*Are you fucking kidding me, sugar,* Greyson's voice filled her mind.
*This is a problem,* she groaned and started to make her way back to the house. *But it's not like he was going to take no for an answer!*
*We're not even having Christmas dinner tonight!*
*Yeah, I'm aware of that!*
Greyson sighed. *Well, it looks like we are now.*
*I'm sorry-*
*It's not your fault, sugar. We better go and tell my mother that she needs to start cooking.*
*
"Fuck off! I'm not having dinner with that psychopath! He probably has his Christmas dinner without gravy like the loony he is!"
"I will kill him as soon as he glances in Brooklyn's direction!"
"How the hell did this get planned?"
"Oh gosh, I've got so much food to cook-"
"Enough!" Greyson yelled. "It's happening. We can't change it!"
Indianna cringed as she descended the stairs, hearing the shouts of protests coming from the lounge. Greyson had just finished telling everyone of the evening's dinner plans. Indianna walked into the kitchen where Lily was waiting for her, sat at the dining table.
"Have you got it?" Lily demanded. "I've spent far too long here already."
Indianna placed the children's book in front of her. "What sort of key are you looking for?"
"I have no idea," Lily muttered and opened the door, her eyes darting back and forth and she scanned the pages.
"Where did you hear about this?" Indianna wondered as Lily turned another page. "I'd never even heard of the Royals until Laura gave me this book."
"It's because they're a fairytale. Or that's what most people have come to think. The Royals are old, really old, so no one even knows if they were real or just stories. But, there are whispers of a cave where they disappeared. Rumour is that they've never left that cave."
"Lily, they would no longer be alive," Indianna said gently.
"They weren't like normal werewolves," Lily said dismissively, keeping her eyes on the book as she turned more pages. "If they are real then they are alive. The stories say that once the werewolf world was at peace and under control, the Royals didn't see any need for them to be in control anymore, so they created the pack system to maintain peace and they disappeared, but it was always said that if they were needed again to restore order then they could be awoken, specifically by a girl. If I can find this cave then they might be there. I might be able to wake them up and they can finally put an end to Rogue. I might be the girl that the stories talk about."
Indianna let out a long breath. "Lily, it's a nice thought but-"
Lily had reached the final page of the book and her face dropped. "No, there has to be something!"
"Maybe it is just a fairytale-"
"Wait." Lily had let the last page of the book fall and she frowned, staring at the back leather cover. "I need a knife," she murmured to herself and searched her pockets, pulling out a small blade. She then gently sliced along the edge of the back cover, creating an opening. "Fuck me," she whispered and pulled out what looked like an old piece of parchment.
"Oh my gosh," Indianna said as Lily unfolded it and laid it out on the dining table. "It's a map."
"This is the key," Lily said and suddenly jumped up from the table. "I have to go-"
"Lily, wait," Indianna protested as Lily grabbed the map and folded it up, placing it in her back pocket. "We need to show this to the others."
"No, this is for me to do on my own. I've spent far too long here already, I don't want to risk Rogue catching me," Lily said and headed for the kitchen door just as Harry walked in, closely followed by Brooke whose eyes were red and she looked close to tears.
"Were you going to tell me that you were here?" Harry asked, leaning against the doorframe and blocking Lily's exit. Indianna noticed how Brooke reached for Harry's hand, squeezing it tightly. He immediately pulled her closer to him and wrapped his arm protectively around her.
"What's wrong?" Lily asked, ignoring Harry and focusing on Brooke.
"Wrong? Nothing's wrong," Brooke said quickly and shook her head. "I'm fine."
Lily slowly turned her gaze to Harry. "What's wrong with her?" She demanded, finally acknowledging him.
"I'm fine," Brooke said. "In fact, I think I'm just going to go-"
"Rogue," Harry said. "Rogue is what's wrong."
"Brooke, I'm so sorry," Indianna apologised, her heart breaking as she looked at her best friend. "I never wanted this to happen."
"Indie, it's no one's fault," Brooke said softly. "I just never thought I would be spending Christmas with the man that has caused me so much pain."
"Just don't go," Lily said sharply. "Don't put yourself through that!"
"He said he wanted everyone to be there," Indianna whispered. "I wish there was a way to get out of this-"
"It's okay," Brooke said. "It's fine. We all just have to get on with it. It's one evening. I can manage that. No problem."
"Brooke-"
"It's fine!" Brooke said, her voice rising, and pulled away from Harry. "Just give me some space for a moment, Harry."
"Babe-"
"Not now, Harry!" Brooke snapped and she turned on her heel and walked away. Harry's expression darkened as he looked after her, debating whether to follow or not. Eventually, he sighed and turned back to his sister, raising his eyebrows at her.
"What's going on here?"
"Nothing, I have to go."
"Tell him," Indianna called. "This involves all of us. I know you want to do this alone but that's not how we do things here."
Lily narrowed her eyes and sighed, pulling out the map from her pocket and passing it to Harry. "What's this?" He asked.
"It's a map."
"Yeah, I've figured that much out myself," Harry muttered. "What for?"
Lily glared at her brother. "It's a map that should lead me to the Royals."
Harry raised a single eyebrow. "Tell me you're joking?"
"I am not."