We finished our breakfast in relative silence after Gwen’s outburst and subsequent departure.
I could see the hurt and confusion on my fatherś face, doubt and guilt creeping in.
“Itś not you, father “. I placed my hand on his trying my best to reassure him.
“You have been an amazing father to Gwen and me, and there is something else going on”.
“Thank you, Dessa” he gave me a half-smile, and he slowly stood up, looking tired and defeated.
“You try and rest that ankle for the dance tonight”. “I know how much you have been looking forward to it”.
He walked out of the room, I tried to think of what was going on with Gwen to make her act this way. It had been building for months, and most of her anger was directed at me. I just figured she was pushing the boundaries as she figured out her place in the pack, but now I wasn’t sure.
The viciousness of her attacks seemed to make it more personal, and it was me she had a problem with.
Until she found the courage to tell me exactly what I had done to hurt her, we would not be able to resolve it. So, Unfortunately, I only prayed it happened before too much more distance came between us. Sometimes words leave wounds that cannot heal, no matter how hard you try.
Only one person could help me untangle this mess, and I must go and see my Grandmother.
The walk to her house usually took no time at all, but this morning, it was painfully slow on these crutches. As I hobbled down the street, I saw my best friend, Victoria Ramsey, leaving the general store.
Victoria is only 5ft 5 inches tall, but what she lacks in stature she more than makes up for in personality, bubbly and unapologetically loud. A thick black fringe sits above her brown eyes, and long straight black hair falls like a sheet of silk. Petite but muscular, Vicki is a fierce opponent in fight training and should never be underestimated.
“Vick, Wait”, I yelled, trying to get her attention.
She turned abruptly to see who was making all the commotion.
“Dessa, what have you done to yourself this time “? she asked, running towards me.
“I fell out of a damn tree, trying to collect herbs for Grandma” It is seriously a nightmare, Vick, I cannot dance tonight, Gwen is being ridiculous, and something else has happened that I have not told anyone”.
“Let us go somewhere quiet to talk, Des, it cannot be all bad”. “And I am dying to hear this secret of yours”.
We started to head towards the edge of the river, the sun was shining, and there was nois cloud in sight. The village was buzzing with activity as everyone prepared for the dance tonight. The dance was the year’s highlight, and the older girls had been making their dresses for months. They were gossiping and speculating on who would dance with who.
It is the perfect time to fall in love.
We sat on the large rocks that lined the weather, and Victoria placed a large stone in front of me to elevate my ankle.
“Start talking, Dessa, and I want to know everything”.
Vicki looked me in the eye. I was never going to lie or withhold anything from her, she was no fool, and somedays knew me better than I knew myself.
“What’s going on with Gwen?’
“I have no idea, she will not talk to me, and when she does, she is snippy and rude”.
“And I hear her late at night crying, and it is unlike her.”
“She is usually so happy and is always in my space, but lately, she doesn’t want to have anything to do with me.”
Tears started to fall down my cheeks. The distance between my sister and I was breaking my heart. We have had many fights over the years, petty squabbles that had ended as quickly as they had started. But nothing like this. Hatred filled her eyes, and there was a hardness to Gwen had never experienced before.
Victoria shifted her body from side to side, suddenly uncomfortable with where the conversation was going. She had been watching Gwen closely the last few months, noticing the changes in her appearance and personality. But, unfortunately, Tobias and Kodessa had not seen what was right under their noses. Gwendolyn was becoming a woman.
“She is not a baby anymore, Des, and she is no longer a little girl.”
“Do you think there is a boy involved, Vick?”, As I looked at Victoria, I noticed her eyes quickly look away. There was no awkward tension between us, and I had no idea why.
“I do not know for certain, but this I can guarantee, when girls are fighting, and emotions and hormones are running this hot, a boy has to be involved”.
“But who could causing this drama, I am fated to Lucian, and there is no way he would be interested in Gwen”.
The mere thought of it was unthinkable, Lucian had been in love with me all his life, and even though we have never been romantic with each other, we knew that we were to be married after the blood moon in the year we turned twenty-one.
“You need to confront Gwen, Dess”. “Now, what’s the big secret you need to tell me? “ Victoria asked, hoping that it would end the conversations about Gwen.
The village was rife with rumours, and she had heard snippets of them. Never one to believe gossiping girls and women, Victoria had started to keep watch on Gwen and Lucian. Much to her dismay, she had seen their flirty interactions and discreet touching as the other walked by—the sneaky looks and smiles. Victoria prayed for the Keneally family’s sake. She was dead wrong. But generally, as the saying goes, there is no smoke without fire. And if it were confirmed, the consequences would be dire.
“You know when I fell out of the tree, Vick, something happened, but you must swear that you will not tell a soul.”
I trusted Victoria with my life, and I knew she would never betray me. But I was still so scared of revealing what happened that day. Even to one of the people I loved most in this world.
“Of course, you can trust me, Kodessa Keneally.” We have had each other’s backs since we could walk, and always will,” Victoria scoffed, thinking what a silly thing it was for Kodessa even to say.
“ I know, I’m sorry, it’s just I am so afraid of anyone finding out”.
Here goes nothing, I thought to myself as I started to tell my best friend about my encounter with the Grey Twins, leaving out nothing.
I told her of the compassion and kindness Fenis had shown me in my time of need, how I sensed tension between the brothers, how Flecki was more abrasive than his brother.
I describe their relationship, their rugged good looks.
“The strangest thing happened, Vicki, when Fenis caught me as I was falling, we both felt an electric shock as we touched and…
“Stop right there, Dessa”! “Are you telling me that you felt electricity when you touched” ? she questioned, her excitement building and her voice high pitched.
“That can only mean one thing, Dessa”! “Fenis Grey is your twin flame, and he is your soulmate¨
“For it is Fenis, not Lucian, that you are fated too.”
Her words hit me like a bucket of cold water.
“No, it cannot be Vicki. It is Lucian. I am fated too”.
“Have you ever felt this when Lucian has touched you, Des?”
I thought back to all the times I had been casually touched by Lucian. I didn’t need to consider for long. I knew in my heart that I had never felt anything like his touch before.
“No,” I sighed. “I have never felt anything like it before”. I shook my head., I was starting to get a headache. Everything was now suddenly confusing and overwhelming.
“See … “That’s your answer. Next, you need to find Fenis Grey and see if it happens again”.
“That’s just it, Vick. “I will never see Fenis again, “The strangest thing happened when I told him my name”.
Victoria looked at me quizzically, “What do you mean” she asked while shrugging her shoulders.
“They got scared, Vick, both of them, I mean, they were terrified”.
“And when they heard my father coming, they took off as if their lives were in danger”.
“That is so strange”.
Victoria could not understand why anyone would be fearful of the Keneallyś. Even though Tobias was the alpha, he was a kind, decent well-respected wolf. But in the same token, he was a robust and fearless leader the pack shouldn’t underestimate. It would be a naive wolf that would ever mistake his kindness for weakness.
“I fear we will not solve your problems today, Kodessa Keneally”, Victoria exclaimed, jumping to her feet.
“Come on, let us get you home hop along”, she teased. “We have a dance to get ready for”.
I slowly got to my feet, ready to make the walk back home and get ready for the dance. But, unfortunately, I would have to postpone my visit with my Grandmother. At this rate, I needed all the help I could get.
Little did I know, at the same time, I was heading home. Gwendolyn and Lucian were doing the same thing. Except they were excited about the Regency Dance, they were going to let the whole of Briarwood know what they felt for each other. And they made a pact that no matter what happens, they will be together.
If that means leaving the Crimson Shadow pack, then so be it ...
As we opened the doors, the cool night air hit me in the face, and my stomach rumbled.“I’m starving. Let’s go home, Leki.”“What did you think of Father’s story, Fenis?” Fleki asked, looking at his brother. The whole thing did not any sense at all. Perhaps when his father finished, the pieces would fit together.“I don’t know what to think, but we all know father. He will not tell us the whole story”.“Especially anything that paints him in a bad light”.“Uncle Jackson looked defeated. There is more to that part of it”.
Morning came quickly, and I felt like my head only just hit the pillow as my eyes opened to the morning light. My head was still spinning after yesterdays events. Between meeting Kodessa and then the revelations, I didn't know what to think. My gut instinct was telling me that there was more to the story. Questioning my father was not an option. Instead, I must visit my Uncle. Maybe he could help unravel the pieces.I quickly dressed and headed down the stairs bumping into Fleki on the way down."Move out of the way, Brother."He gave me a hard shove in the ribs as he bustled past, laughing."OUCH"A sharp pain shot up my ribcage from where Lekiś elbow had connected. He is becoming quite the pain, I thought to myself. Luckily for him, he is at the bottom of my list with everything else I have going on.The kitchen was bustling as everyone sat down for the morning meal. I was shocked
I felt a weight had lifted off my shoulders. Finally, tonight was the night Lucian and I would declare our love for each other to the rest of the pack. I was apprehensive and nervous at how the pack would receive the news. I know that Kodessa will be upset and feel betrayed. And my father will be furious, and he would be even more enraged if he found out that we had been intimate.And I cannot wait until we are married and have children together. But, if we have to leave the pack, so be it ...Pulling my dress out of the wardrobe, I heard a knock on the door."Come in". Kodessa sheepishly entered the room."Hi Gwen, thatś a pretty dress" "Is that what you are wearing tonight?"My dress was a light blue that brought out the blue in my eyes. It had delicate white lace fringing on the collar and sleeves. It corseted tightly across the back and accentuated my waist and breasts.I decided to cut Kodessa some slack, and
There was excitement in the air as we walked to the town square. The roadway was alight with hundreds of lanterns, and the flames danced in the night air. And people filled the street. Mouthwatering aromas tantalised as the food carts served up bowls of rich, hearty meals. My stomach rumbled as the scent hit my nostrils. Since I could not dance ... I might as well eat."Is anyone else hungry?"I could eat¨ my father replied."I'm not, father.""Nor am I, thanks for asking Kodessa".My Grandmother put her arms around Gwen's shoulder, "Come on, Gwen, let us have a look at the dancefloor"."Gwen seems in a better mood tonight, father"."Yes, But for how long"? He let out a loud laugh.I smiled and spooned another mouthful of lamb stew, and the meat was tender. Potatoes and vegetables floated around in the rich gravy. And it was the comfort food I needed to get through the evening
Chapter Eleven Fenis POVAs we walked into the kitchen, I saw my mother sitting at the table, her eyes red and puffy from the tears she had shed. She had a significant red mark on her cheek courtesy of my father and his never-ending savagery. On the other hand, Atticus was perched on her lap, his chubby hands holding half a scone each. Dripping with butter and strawberry jam, he took turns raising them to his mouth and licking the tops. The jam smeared across his mouth and nose in a sticky mess. He was oblivious to the sadness around him.Uncle Jackson stood up and gave us a weary smile."Come and see me out the back, boys". "After you have had a chat with your mother".I gave him a no
My head was reeling, and I felt the rage building up inside me. It was getting almost impossible to push it back down. I feared any day now, and I would reach my boiling point. Spending time with Martha would only add to that. I found her an obnoxious brat, and being in her service today will be a nightmare. I pity my brother doomed to spend a lifetime with such a hideous girl.When we arrived home, our housekeeper had prepared a feast for the picnic. Bertha placed fresh bread with ham, cheese and mothers homemade relish, cheese and crackers, fresh fruit, and two bottles of lemonade inside the wicker basket, a red and white checkered blanket sat on top.Atticus was sleeping soundly on the chair next to our mother. She was sitting in her armchair sewing buttons on one of fathers shirts. There was a sadness
Oh no, I frantically started looking around for an exit, wondering how I would get out of this. Lucian looked nervous as he slowly made his way across the dancefloor. He looked nervous as he approached us. Grandma Ulfred squeezed my arm."Stay", she whispered," you need to hear this". She gave me a reassuring smile.I felt physically sick, and I do love Lucian. I am just not in love with him. After meeting Fenis, I knew I never was. How do you say to break the heart of someone you care so deeply about?Lucian looked striking in his navy blue suit, his fair hair slicked to one side. The blues in his suit brought out the blue in his eyes. He looked nervous as he approached my family. Looking at the faces of my family, I was confused to see that only Gwen was excited.
Running down the road as fast as my legs could carry me, I shivered. The night air was crisp, and the wind was starting to blow a gale. Panic began to set in, and I was struggling to breathe. The thought of Lucian leaving without me was too much even to consider. I knew I didn’t have much time before my father discovered me missing. My head was foggy, and my left eye was swollen shut. My face just ached, but not as much as my heart did.Seeing Kodessa realise the depths of my betrayal is something I will never forget. I hoped one day, in time, I could explain everything to her. Running from my family was the hardest thing I have ever had to do.Lucian slung a sizeable brown canvas bag across his shoulder. As he closed his front door behind him, his hunting knife sat in its sheath attached to hi