I Claim Your Love novel Chapter 67

The sunny rays of the morning sun were shining bright at the house of the Ashtons. The gardens were are all green while alternate shades of red and yellow beautified the lilies which were thriving in its glow.

At this point of time however it was the mother in Mary who was the happiest. Her only son was sitting besides her and enjoying her homemade food.

"Everything is amazing mother. I really missed this."

"Eat my son." Mary affectionately patted Callan's back as her heart was filled with joy "I will pack your favorites for you to eat at home."

"I will have them when I visit next." Callan bluntly said as he kept stashing the piece of meat in his mouth.

Mary uncomfortably looked at her mate who reciprocated her with a dejected look of his own. It was hard for them to say the words but they had to respect the decision of the pack "Don't do this son." Justus said in a low voice "You are breaking the rules. You will get yourself in trouble again."

"I have never cared and I never will."

"Don't be stubborn Callan. Thank the alpha for allowing you to visit us."

Callan was quiet for a moment. He looked at his parents and then slowly looked outside the window. He could see the middle aged man standing near one of the rose plantations and appreciating its beauty.

It was strange.

Callan had been visiting his parents for a long time without the knowledge of the pack or anyone else. He never cared for the outcome as his parents were more important to him than anyone else in the world. Today was no exception. He stepped out of his house to visit his parents home. He was taken by surprise when he saw the alpha comfortably sitting at the dining table, having a chat with his long time companions Justus and Mary.

He saw Callan and was quiet for a moment. He wasn't shocked. Like he was expecting him to make an appearance. Ragnar excused himself to take a walk beside the beautiful plantations and let Callan have his family time which he needed the most at this time.

When it was finally time to leave the house, Callan bid goodbye to his emotional parents. He kept reassuring them that he would visit soon while Justus was trying hard to make his son realize that he was asking for trouble. Just as Callan was out of the main gate he saw the alpha standing right in front of him as if waiting for him. They both agreed to walk to the alpha house together so that no one was suspicious about Callan's visit to his parents.

"I am really thankful for what you have done for me today." Callan spoke all of a sudden to break the uncomfortable silence.

"I haven't done anything out of the ordinary. Besides this isn't the first time that you have visited your parents." Ragnar raised one of his eye brow to which Callan smiled at awkwardly "You have a knack to go against us."

"I broke the rule I am sorry."

"That's the thing." The alpha snickered "You are not."

Callan was at a loss of words after that. Indeed he was not sorry for visiting the people he loved the most in the world. The rules of the werewolf world never bothered him for he was never a part of it. However at this moment he realized that the alpha knew about his hidden excursions to his parents house which would have repercussions later on.

But why did the alpha keep that a secret from the pack?

Callan concluded that it must be the good heart of the alpha which compelled him to change his mind.

"Have you congratulated Einar yet?"

Callan faltered in his stance by the sudden occurrence of his mates name. He kept his gaze low and exhaled a long breath of sorrow "We haven't met for a long time."

It had been weeks since Einar last came to see the the man he loved. When the news of Rosaline's pregnancy reached him, he was sad and at the same time he was happy for Einar that finally he could have his own lineage; an heir.

He could have congratulated him and assured him that nothing had changed between them but Einar as always decided for the both of them. He kept himself aloof from Callan for the longest while Callan recuperated alone in the midst of his longing.

The alpha decided to sit on the flat rock which was besides the large mulberry tree. He offered Callan to sit with him and the handsome man obliged out of respect.

"I heard that he visited the human settlement with you."

"He was accompanying me because of my pain."

"Both of you seem to have a good companionship for the past few weeks."

Callan nodded awkwardly. The silence that followed was more of a necessity for Callan. The constant mention of Einar was making his heart heavy. He tried to walk away but he had to compose himself so as to not disrespect the alpha. He wished the time to pass by soon.

"I have seen my son rise through all of the challenges." Ragnar uttered all of a sudden. "He has proven to be the best wolf, the best warrior, the best son any parent could have. Yet even after all of his accomplishments I couldn't see him in peace. Barring the past few days, he has always been tormented by something I couldn't figure out."

The context of the conversation was not something the alpha would discuss with Callan as often. The handsome man was confused for why the alpha was talking about his son. He presumed that maybe Ragnar was trying to take an outside view or have a random chat until they reach the alpha house.

"Maybe he found what he was looking for." Callan said nonchalantly.

"Maybe..." he shrugged "Since his return from the kings palace I could see the change in him. He looks at ease. He looks.. happy!"

Callan agreed with Ragnar. In fact it was something that bothered the handsome man too. The sudden hostility and resistance of the son of the alpha was all gone since his return from the kings manor. Whatever happened there had made Einar change his stance about Callan and eventually it brought them closer.

"He smiles more often, doesn't argue or retaliate on everything." The environment was tense all of a sudden and the stretched lips of Ragnar came back to their original shape "But the reason for his happiness is not Rosaline."

Callan's heart beat raced at a higher rate. This conversation was becoming more than awkward for him. It was the unknown fear of revelation which was making him uneasy "I think we should leave. It is already late."

The handsome man stood up in a jiffy and moved ahead "Sit down Callan." The alpha ordered in a stern voice "We have a lot to discuss."

The handsome man had no choice but to adhere to the command of the alpha of the pack. He reluctantly sat on the bench and fidgeted his fingers in nervousness. Ragnar's change in his features was unwelcomed and certainly not a good news for the Elemental.

"You are a special child." Ragnar spoke to break the silence "Although I couldn't prove it, I always knew there was something different about you. When you were this tiny, Lady Odile came up to me with he news that you were born blind. A cursed child. Your parents were devastated for they knew what was needed to be done."

Callan acknowledged the information as it wasn't much of a surprise for him. He knew the fate of every cursed child that was ever born in the pack.

"As you grew up, the abnormalities you showed were baffling me to the core. I ordered elder Odulf to follow you, know more about you."

The handsome man furrowed his brows "It was just a measure to be safe. When the old lady warned us about you we knew that you were special. Good or bad that was undecided. Zelda was mesmerized by your beauty and she forced me to keep the baby protected from all the evil."

"But you think I am the evil." Callan said in conformity. He could deduce from the look of Ragnar that the alpha was untrusting towards him.

"I don't mean to but circumstances prove otherwise. Trouble always finds you. How is that possible? I asked myself for years.."

Callan sighed for he had no explanation.

"Elder Odulf came to me one day and said that he wont help me anymore. He knew something that I didn't. I wanted the safety of my pack and so I asked him just one question. Is the child fatal to my people?"

Callan's breath hitched "What did he say?"

"He didn't say anything." the alpha shrugged "Neither agreed neither denied."

Callan could see the determination in the eyes of the Alpha like he already knew him "You don't trust me alpha. I can see it in your eyes."

Ragnar bit his lips and slowly nodded his head "There were things that were very unusual since your birth. While their were catastrophes all around, our large pack was always out of harms way; untouched by those calamities. No floods, no thunderstorms, no earthquakes. It all stopped since your birth. It was as if mother nature nature was shielding us." He exhaled a long breath "On the other side Einar's mind was always occupied by your thoughts. His mean side was to the fore only when it concerned you."

Callan understood what the alpha was trying to imply. However he thought that the reason for Ragnar's interpretation of the conclusion was his self believe that Callan indeed was evil.

The birds chirped and the whooshing sound of the wind forced the trees to dance in motion. These were the only two sounds that could be heard for the longest. Callan was sure that Ragnar had something in his mind but he was trying to resist himself. He wanted to give him time so that he was himself again.

"My son is powerful, he is dominant, intelligent, wise. You know what else he is good at?"

"No."

Ragnar turned his face to Callan in the eye "Hiding things."

Though he was talking about his son Callan could feel the accusations in Ragnar's tone "I was suspicious about his connection with you from the start. The stares, the hisses, the growls, Einar's abrupt behavior out of nowhere. It was all a matter of concern for me. However I discerned that his mood changes were apparent only when you were near him. At first I thought that you were unknowingly messing up with his minds."

"I am not evil."

"That is debatable. My heart wants to trust you but my instincts somehow warn me to stay away from you."

"I wont harm you or anyone else, I cannot even think about it!"

"Though unwillingly but you harmed my son." Ragnar narrowed his eyes "I was really proud when he built a wall to keep his emotions at bay. This is a good character for a leader. But I failed to understand that he was never interested to be the alpha. All he was doing was to build a barrier around himself to avoid the inevitable."

And all of a sudden it clicked. Everything that Ragnar said, every of his cryptic talk just made sense. Ragnar wasn't just accusing Callan of being evil he was implying much more. He had deduced everything. He knew about the bond.

"You.. how?" Callan whispered in a shocked tone.

"The day we went to the seers was when I confirmed that my suspicions were indeed true. I have never seen love or affection for Rosaline in Einar. He respects her but he doesn't treat her as a mate. He is not jealous when other people try to mingle with her nor does he wants to spend his time when he has the chance."Ragnar said nonchalantly