I Claim Your Love novel Chapter 68

The scattered rays of the sun were not enough to illuminate the darkened depths of the dungeon. Though Callan had lit the flamboyant lamp on the outside, his weak self was not capable to hold onto it much longer. He kept staring at the fragile figure behind the steel bars who was indifferent to his visitor and kept munching the food eagerly. Callan was satisfied when he looked at the man feeding himself but his thoughts were unstable.

"It doesn't make sense."

"Why..? Because he killed someone for saving his own mate." The middle aged man snorted and stashed another chunk of meat to his mouth.

"He killed his own father! The man who he loved so dearly."

The prisnor lay aside the empty tray and took two steps towards the man "You are filled with sorrow." he looked at the sad eyes of the handsome man.

Callan sighed "Somehow the blame lies on me. I was responsible for his death."

The man shook his head in disagreement "It was all Einar."

"He had to take such an extreme step because of me. If it hadn't been for my life Einar would've never killed his father."

The man rolled his eyes "As if the wolf has not gone to the extremes before."

"What do you mean?" Callan asked in confusion.

"Forget it." The man gritted his teeth and looked sideways to avoid the gaze of the Elemental "Where is your guard?" He asked abruptly to divert the topic.

Callan shrugged "Flying somewhere perhaps."

"She should be with you. Leaving you unprotected as such is dangerous."

"I will be fine by my own. Besides someone has to do the job."

"That someone is you!" The man chided. It was becoming unbearable for him to control his angst for the poor behavior of the Elemental.

As a supreme leader Callan had some responsibilities to shoulder. His line of work was way different than what he did in the pack. He wasn't meant for the pack and yet he never gave up the wolves. Though the man was irritated with Callan he knew the reason for Callan's unwillingness.

"I cant leave Einar." The handsome man spoke softly.

"He needs you but you don't need him."

"I need him too."

"You want him. There is a difference." the man lowered his voice as his anger had been on the rise and he didn't want to further upset the Elemental. "The full moon will be here soon and before that you have to prepare yourself for your destiny."

Callan scowled "I don't want any of this."

"It is not your choice. Everything you have gone through so far was all part of a plan. Destiny was trying to make you walk on your fated path. The more you try to change it the more you will suffer."

"Einar is my destiny." Callan stated as a matter of fact.

"He is a part of it." the man nodded briefly "People are waiting for you. It is not Isadora's job to do what was meant for you. Sooner or later your destiny will take its course even if you don't wish for it."

Callan wanted to say much more; so much more to the prisnor but he was out of time. More importantly whatever the prisoner said did make sense but his love torn heart wasn't ready to accept the fact that he had to leave Einar. He side glanced at the entry way when he heard some footsteps. The guard outside was gesturing him to leave at once.

"I need to go." He smiled "I will visit again soon."

"Don't. You should stop coming here Elemental." The prisnor looked at him sternly "I don't want you to be near me. Feeding me has already turned you into a criminal. I don't want you to suffer because of me."

"And who will stop me?" Callan snickered "The alpha knows me well." he winked.

Callan took his steps back and turned his body towards the exit. The retreating figure of the Elemental saddened the prisnor for his own reasons "I wish you knew the true face of your alpha as well.." he sighed.

****

The death of Ragnar had shocked the entire pack. The news spread like wildfire in the entire werewolf world. The loss was felt by every single wolf in the pack. More so it was the shock of their life when they heard what had transpired.

No one could believe that Einar had killed his own father.

The fight for authority and supremacy was not new in the werewolf world. Every now and then the old alpha was replaced by his younger substitute by means they deemed fit. Either through deception or through a challenge. In this case however what surprised everyone was the sheer fact that Einar had never challenged his father traditionally to claim the title.

People knew that he was not interested to be the alpha after what he did to his own people. Yet the fact that he killed his own father became a new mystery, a dark secret whose accomplice were two men; Einar and Callan.

The death of Ragnar had created a void for the position of the alpha. Einar had to reluctantly step in to shoulder the responsibilities of his father. He was not interested to helm the mantle for he knew that the people never accepted him. He could see fear and distrust among the wolves, like they were unhappy to even look at Einar.

But the muscular man felt indebted to his father. He concluded that it was his duty to carry on the legacy of his forefathers.

In all of these events he constantly maintained a distance between himself and the handsome man. For some reasons he was avoiding every possible connection which could bring them together. Surprisingly he was even controlling his wolf so that his inner beast would adhere to his demands and not go against his wishes to meet his mate.

Callan on the other hand was devastated.

Einar was doing it again. Callan knew that Einar had his own reasons for keeping himself aloof from the handsome man but it was hurting him.

However like the early birds who waited patiently for the first rays of the morning sun to spread its wings in joy, Callan too was calm. He knew that Einar would eventually come back to him. He just needed some time and Callan wasn't going to force him.

He carried out his regular activities throughout the day as was his job. Rosaline was in a critical stage of her pregnancy and hence she needed extra care and attention. Zelda was supposed to look after Rosaline but the demise of Ragnar had left her completely shattered. She had locked herself in her room refusing to meet anyone, suffering in her own grief.

Callan had taken the responsibility of Rosaline and her unborn. He did everything that was possible for an expecting mother and her child. Rosaline too was beholden by Callan's selfless act and she thanked the goddess above for his company.

"How is the luna?" Callan asked as he kept the glass of juice on the table besides Rosaline's bed.

"The same." Rosaline forced her smile as she leaned sideways "Doesn't talk or respond to anything. She lives a soulless existence."

"Maybe Einar should talk to her." Callan pursed his lips.

Rosaline sipped the liquid and shook her head "He doesn't have the power to face his mother. He hasn't talked to her since that fateful day." Her face fell as a tiny drop rolled down through the sides of her cheek.

Callan felt apologetic towards the lady as she was caught in the middle of a storm. She had a family for namesake as neither Einar nor luna Zelda were present for her in this crucial period.

"Everything will be fine." Callan consoled the lady "We should talk about something else."

Rosaline sniveled "Yes we should."

"How is the baby?"

"It has been six months already. Aurora says that the baby is healthy and now I should do things more carefully." she exhaled "Becoming a mother is challenging but Einar helps a lot." she tried her best to force her smile but Callan knew the truth.

"Sure he does."

"The child is the only thing that makes him smile these days. The constant pressure to be the head of the pack and be the alpha what people deserve has made him into a mess really."

Perhaps his deeds had led him to his tragedy Callan thought. However he was happy that even through these stressful times Einar had not forgotten about the little life growing inside of Rosaline.

"You should spend more time with him."

"I try to be with him as much as possible."

Rosaline bit her lips and Callan understood the hidden meaning behind her unspoken words. Einar had been distancing himself from Rosaline for quite a while. It was a gradual shift up until the time they were separated. He was even about to reveal his relationship with Callan but his mouth was shut with the news of Rosaline's pregnancy.

Callan encouragingly smiled at the lady "Everything will be fine." He felt sorry for the lady for in a way she was being dragged to a loveless mating by Einar. He did not want to imagine the day when Rosaline was aware of the truth. It would be devastating.

"Don't stress yourself too much. It is not good for the child."