Chapter Three Fenis POV

My legs tired as I raced to catch up to Fleki. The howls faded as we ran through the undergrowth back to our side of the boundary line. I could not believe we had been so careless. The banks of the River Lethe were just in front of us. As I crossed the icy cold waters, a wave of relief crossed over me. We had made it back safely and, more importantly, undiscovered.

Fleki stood nervously waiting for his brother, terrified that he would not make it back to Ironside.

Dreading how he would have to explain the day’s events to his father.

He heard a splash in the river below, as he turned around, and saw Fenis sprinting into Greysteel territory.

 I collapsed, exhausted, as I reached Fleki.

“About time you got here”, he scoffed as he extended his hand to help me get back onto my feet.

“Thanks, we need to keep moving. We cannot let anyone spot us...”

I grabbed his hand as he helped pull me to my feet. Relief washed over me. 

 “We cannot tell anyone about today - Fenis”, “If father finds out we crossed the boundary, we will be banished.”

“I know … But I fear it's a secret I will be unable to keep”

“You must Fenis, for both of our sake and for the sake of the pack”.

We began the long journey home, and I could sense Fleki was frustrated with my response. But I have never before kept something from my father.

"Do you think the stories are true Fenis?", "I mean they cannot be right".

"I do not know, but we know that the Crimsonś are the pack over the boundary line"." And there has to be a reason that both packs are never to cross it".

"I always just thought Father was being a pain in the arse".

"Don't let Father hear you stay that Fleki, He will beat you within an inch of your life".

Both brothers bore the scars from the so-called discipline handed out by Darius Grey, whose temper was short and patience was nonexistent. They had learnt from a very young age to avoid being in his way or upsetting him. He showed no mercy when it came to his wife or sons.

The forest between the river and Ironside is dense and lush. In many places, it is trackless and impenetrable. The ancient trees stretched away from the floor, and the twigs crunched underfoot. A pair of blue jays screeched high up in the trees. Beams of sunlight danced through the leafy canopy, and the wind carried the sweet scent of wild strawberries. I stopped and picked a few filling my pockets. I could almost taste the strawberry pie that my mother would make.

Our mother is everything our father is lacking, kind and sweet. She has showered us with love and affection and tried to shelter us from the cruelness of our father. But as much as she tries she is no match for the hand of our father when he was on the warpath. He will attack anyone or anything that gets in his way.

As we reached the clearing, The main gates of Ironside came into view. They were an imposing sight. Thick wooden doors reinforced by metal plates and long spikes, with a latticed metal grille. Flanking towers that control access stand on either side guarded by the sentinels, and a 30ft high and 10ft thick stone wall encases the village. I often wondered who or what my father was trying to keep out.

My mind wandered to Kodessa, the way her fiery red hair plunged over her, she had a comely figure, and her waist tapered. A pair of slender eyebrows looked down upon long velvety eyelashes. Her eyes were as blue as a cool stream. Delicate ears framed a button nose, and white teeth gleamed when she opened her pouty pink lips. Long tanned arms and legs and a soothing sweet voice, her nose wrinkled and forehead furrowed when she was mad.

No girl in Ironside had captured my attention like Kodessa, and I was drawn to her by force I did not understand. 

As we entered the village gates, we heard a commotion. Our three-year brother Atticus came into view with our mother trailing behind. Atticus was completely nude, holding his beloved bear Tubbs in his left hand.

“Atticus Grey, you stop right there”, Mother scolded as she bent down, trying to catch her breath.

“Ha, gotcha “shrieked Fleki as he grabbed Atticus by the shoulder as swung him up onto hip.

Tears flowed down Atticusś cheeks, and his bottom lip dropped, devastated by the fact his brother had captured and betrayed him.

“What is wrong Addy? Why are you running from Mother? I asked him gently.

“I don’t want a bath…I don’t like it.”

“You must have a bath Addy, and you don't wish to smell like Fleki, right!”

Atticus sniffled and started giggling and squirming in Flekiś arms.

“Put me down, Leki, you are smelly like old George...”

“Old George, the giant fat pig, How dare you, Addy “

 Fleki teased as he swung Atticus between his legs and placed him on the ground in front of our mother. Atticus giggled as he took his mother’s hand. 

“I am sorry ... Mama, I will have a bath”.

“It is okay, Addy, let us go get you all clean” Mother looked at Fleki and me, smiled and mouthed thank you. 

“Mother, before I forget, I picked these for you,” I said as I handed her the ruby red strawberries.

“For me”? She exclaimed as she winked at me.

“Or for my Strawberry Pie that you devour until you make yourself ill”.

“Oh, by the way, boys”, she said as she turned around “, your father is looking for you¨.” He is in the Council Chambers”.

I looked over at Fleki and could see the concern on his face. Our father is a complex, unrelenting man. He has high expectations of his children, and if he knew we broke the rule and breached the boundary, we would be banished from the pack. The life of a rogue wolf is terrifying and one I do not wish to live. Packless and alone, never to marry, with no family or home. I inadvertently sighed at the prospect of having to be deceitful to my father. He is an astute man who can sniff a lie a mile away. Even though we are his blood, He will not show us any mercy.

Darius Grey was seated at the old oak table, and the Greysteel pack council were having their monthly meeting, To his right sat James Cooper, his Beta. He was a formidable man, and his unwavering loyalty to our father was resolute. To his left sat Jackson Thompson, the pack’s Delta. He is a just kind man and balances out the ferocity of his alpha and beta.

The other members of the council have taken their respective seats.

William Grey, our Grandfather The Elder, Frederick Barnes leader of The Sentinels, Darcy Johnson leader of The Hunters.

No women were permitted to sit on the council, Even Ada Maloney the packs Carmentis was forbidden to do so.,

I knocked on the door, Fleki by my side wondering why his father had summoned us here. We had only been in the Council Chambers one time before as small boys. Never while a meeting was in progress.

“Enter” my father commanded,” and close the door behind you both “

I entered the room first, with Fleki following nervously behind. Jackson looked up and gave us a reassuring smile. 

“Fenis, Fleki you have been called here today because we believe there was a breach of the boundaries between us and The Crimson Shadows.”It is time for you both to hear the truth”, You are both nearly of age, and I fear danger is imminent”

It is time you learn of war and then later a pact that has maintained the peace between us. My blood ran cold, I looked at Fleki whoś eyes were as wide as saucers.

Had our carelessness just inadvertently started a war? And why was I suddenly terrified for what this may mean for an auburn hair girl, that I could not get off my mind.