He could smell it on the air—some may say he could even sense it—as soon as he and Kisla had arrived and settled into their home. Perhaps the River wolves hadn't picked up on it simply because it was a gradual change or masked by other scents but one thing was for sure; after spending so much time with his mate alone, Maksim knew what had happened, knew he had been lied to. Somebody was pregnant, and the agouti king was sure he knew who. It infuriated him to know he had been taken advantage of, that his generosity had been abused. First, Aeolus and Athena had eloped off to somewhere and now … now this? Insult to injury.

“DATURA!”

Maksim roared the young male's name, obvious tones of anger spat with the harsh syllables. He stomped forwards, large paws crashing down to the ground, his tail held high over his back. Like a bull preparing to charge, the agouti wolf snorted, shaking his head once before bellowing the golden coated male's name again. “Datura! Where the Hell are you?!” The two males needed to have a chat, so that the River leader could get the answers he demanded and deserved. A sharp inhale and the goldenrod wolf's scent hit Maksim's nose. It didn't take long for Maksim to find his target, who was now trapped between the River king and a worn, sheer cliff. Verdant eyes locked onto Datura, top lip peeling back to reveal the yellowed teeth of a practised guardian and fighter. If the golden subordinate decided to run, then Maksim would chase. The patriarch was furious, and nothing would stop him from getting an explanation to why the two young wolves had deceived him. If Maksim had to grab him by the scruff and hold him down like a pup, then so be it.

The pack would need to be matrifocal with Kisla, to ensure the Baranski offspring that would soon be born were in the hands of capable hunters. The fact that the younger wolves, barely adults, would try and birth within his pack lands was throwing coal into the fire in Maksim's belly, something he was ready to spit out full force.

“I don't like to be lied to, boy,” Maksim growled, his voice uncomfortably level and low as he took a step forward, “so it would be wise for you to tell me exactly what the situation with you and Taima Lyall is.” He snapped his jaw. “And be quick about it.”

As Maksim had demanded answers, Datura stumbled to give them. He begged and the River king's harsh gaze remained fixed on the golden boy's coiled, fearful figure. The little shit pleaded ignorance, that he didn't know. He didn't know? What, had his mother and father never taught him about sexual acts? About courtship? Was he raised by pigs; was he a little lost shoat instead of a wolf?

Datura flung himself down to the ground, trembling like the last leaf of winter before the fury of the agouti king. Maksim stepped forward. He was ready to scruff the lad and drag him through Hell and throw him from the territory when the liar desperately whined.

“I'm just a boy, we're just kids.”

Maksim suddenly stopped. An epiphany struck him and he realised just how terrifying this must have been for a wolf barely past their adolescent stage. This did not quell his anger, though. Datura was clearly distraught, continuing to plead his ignorance, stumbling awkwardly over his words. He admitted that Taima was pregnant, that he and the girl were mates—had been since they were pups.

The River king's lip raised and a snarl rumbled in his throat, his fur bristling with anger. He had been lied to by the pair, damn it! He should just gut the boy and line Kisla's birthing den with his coat, give the cubs something soft to lie on. But no, he was not maleficent. Angered, yes. But inherently cruel to the point of murderous desires? No. Never that.

Datura spoke of his mistakes, ones that would compromise sons and daughters growing inside Taima. He sobbed, requested that Maksim take his rage out on him instead of the pups. The leader grit his teeth, his lip curled back. He remained silent for a while, processing what exactly he was going to do about this. Finally he spoke, his voice low and threatening. “You have lied to me and my mate, to the whole pack. You have dirtied your name with deceit. No wolf will look at you with respect in their eyes for a long, long time. You have brought this upon yourself.” The last sentence was spat, almost with disgust.

“As a man, I will speak the punishment for you, boy. I will discuss with @Kisla of Taima's—she can decide her fate. But you?” Maksim snarled. “You may remain in my lands … as our lowest. Even the yearlings and our cubs will rank higher than you.” But that was not all.

“You will take no food from the caches to your mate or child. Your family is not a part of this pack unless my mate says otherwise. You chose to become a man by sowing your seed, so you can supply for them yourself. Do you understand me, Datura?”