Chapter Four Darius POV

I knew this time would come, the boys of age. Finally, the pact is broken  —time to sell a story that paints me as a hero. And finish off the Crimson Shadowś for good. Fenis and Fleki can never learn the truth about the extent of my betrayal and the despicable acts I performed to get us here.

"Twenty years ago, there was no Greysteel Pack. We all belonged to the Crimson Shadow pack".

I could see the blood run out of the twin's faces at this revelation. The room was dead silent, awaiting the story to unfold. Others were intrigued by what spin Darius would put on the truth to appeased his boys.

There were two types of people in the room, those as evil as Darius Grey and others blackmailed pawns in his vicious game.

"I was 25 years old and had been the packs beta for five years. Tobias Keneally, the alpha of the Crimsons, was my best friend." 

¨ Born within days off each other, we were inseparable, with a bond we thought could never be broken".

 "There are many a thing in this world that can destroy a brotherhood of men, but the most dangerous of all is a woman."

 "The lust for a woman can drive a man insane, turn brother against brother, pack member against pack member."

Fenis looked at Fleki in disbelief. What woman could their father be talking about? For their mother and father had been married 20 years. So is it their mother he is talking about?

I looked at Fenis and then directed my attention to Fleki. Even though becoming the alpha is Fenis's birthright. The darkness that flows through my veins also flows through the veins of my second-born son. So it will be Fleki that will do my bidding when the time comes. If I have to turn brother against brother to preserve Ironside, I will.

"The girl was Lillyarna Ulfred, and her mother was our packs Carmentis". "They had come to Crimsons scared and alone".

"Her father was the alpha, and he bore no sons. Sensing he was vulnerable, his beta challenged him for leadership. He lost and was swiftly killed. The beta wanted to make Lillyarna his wife, But instead, they fled".

Jackson looked down at the table, sad and ashamed. He had made a grave mistake in his youth. Falling in love with Bonnie Grey, Darius's sister would seal his destiny. He knew that his actions would tarnish his reputation and bring his family name to disrepute.

But, unfortunately, the urge was too strong. Bonnie was fated to Tobias Keneally, the alpha. 

If he caught them, Tobias would challenge Jackson to fight to the death. 

Jackson knew in his heart he was no match for the skill and strength of Tobias. Bonnie would be banished, left packless. There is no telling what hardships would come her way. It sickened him to think what she would have to do to survive.

They decided to end it before they got caught, sharing one last goodbye kiss. Darius walked in and saw them. Terrified of her brother and his cruel ways, Bonnie took off crying. But, Darius seized the moment. 

He had Jackson exactly where he needed him, in his debt.

He laid out his plans, and Darius and Jackson formed an allegiance.

 Jackson would get the girl, but he would lose himself by betraying his alpha and swearing loyalty to a man he did not respect and had come to despise.

"Tobias seen Lilly first, he raced to my house to tell me about the beautiful new pack member he encountered at the edge of the river"." I was wild with rage.  

I snapped, furious about the shame he would bring on my sister.

"And when he smirked and turned to walk away, I tackled him to the ground, fists flying". "I was blind with rage and would have fought him to the death".

"When other members of the pack pulled us apart"." I swore to Tobias that I would never follow an alpha with no honour or loyalty"." And that he would have to choose between Lillyarna or me".

 "How dare he talk about a woman he had just met like that". "He was fated to my sister Bonnie, and only should only have eyes for her".

"Bonnie was madly in love with Thomas, and I feared this would break her heart".

Fenis looked over at his Uncle Jackson as Jackson placed his head into his hands, the pain etched on his face. What the hell is going on? he pondered. Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Jackson had always seemed to be happy and very in love.

 They had a gentle love, affectionate and sweet. Bonnie and Jackson raised their son Johnra in a house of love. So many times as a small child, Fenis had wished on the wishing star that he could trade places with Johnra and feel the gentle love from a father.

"Lilly was the talk of all the boys in the village, who told tales of her long golden hair that cascaded in waves down her back. Her skin was a pale milky white pure as a snowflake. A smattering of freckles danced across her nose and cheeks, eyes as blue as a summer sky."

"She was smart and sassy, kind and strong with a wicked sense of humour". 

"But even worst than that, she has no idea how beautiful she was, and that made her irresistible". 

"Even though we were all fated to another, we all tried hard to woo Lillyarna Ulfred, to my shame myself included".

Fleki glared at his father. How dare he disrespect his mother this way. To him, Charlotte Grey was the most beautiful, kind woman in this world. 

She was too kind for the cruel, despicable man she would marry and borne three sons too. 

She did her absolute best to shelter her boys from the tyrant Darius Grey and took many a beating for her efforts. 

It was only now the boys were old enough to fight back that the beatings diminished. And more importantly, Atticus would never wear the scars of his father's abuse.

"You were all under the spell of that temptress", William spat vehemently, shaking his fist in rage. 

"Nothing but trouble, her and her damn grandmother, I rue the day the Keneallyś allowed rogue wolves into the pack".

" They brought everything they received unto themselves"." That is what happens when a boy is an alpha before he has become a man".

"Let it be a lesson to you two", he hissed as he glared at the boys. 

"Men think with their heads"... "Boys with their pricks".

Darius looked at his father. William was a cold, mean old bastard he'd learnt from the best.

"As the days went on, Tobias and Lilly became inseparable, and they would spend all their hours together". "Tobias seemed oblivious to the damage it was causing all around him".

"Bonnie was heartbroken, and in her moments of despair, she sought comfort in Jackson", I lied, staring directly into Jackson's eyes, challenging him to say otherwise, testing his loyalty.

Jackson raised his head slowly, pain and worry etched on his face.

"I fell in love with your Aunt Bonnie, boys," he said as he looked upon the faces of his nephews. 

"It would come at a cost, but it will always be a price I would pay". 

"We cannot help who we fall in love with, but we can make sure we keep our honour in the way we handle it".

I glared at Jackson if he wasn't cautious about how he proceeded. Then, of course, all hell would break loose, and he may have an accident on his way home. 

"The pack started to splinter, many members disgusted in their blatant disregard for tradition". "I soon saw the divide that it was causing".

"I did my duty and married Charlotte, ashamed that my lustful ways nearly made me break a vow".

"Damn right you did ", William shouted. "Charlotte is a fine wife and mother". "Unlike that little harlot that had Tobias in her spell". 

"See how honourable your father is, boys", James interjected. "Itś one of the reasons I would follow him to hell and back, And why many of the Crimsons decided he should be our alpha".

I looked at the face of my friend, nodding my head and smiled. James is fiercely loyal and unbelievably evil. The perfect right-hand man. He has been instrumental in the carnage that followed. There is no end to his depravity.

As I looked out the window, I realised night had fallen upon Ironside. The streets were dark and quiet. I was drained and needed to let off some steam. You cannot outrun the past no matter how hard you try. So I thought as I  looked at the tired faces around me.

"That is enough for one night, boys". "Let us continue tomorrow, as I have other business to attend to".

Little did they know there was a blonde-haired woman that I was dying to see.