I Claim Your Love novel Chapter 8

The ground was soaked with the incessant rains. The rains had become a killjoy in the otherwise happy environment. The abrupt arrival of rainwater was unforeseen as the sky had been clear the entire time. But soon the sound of music was replaced by spine-chilling noise of thunder and lightning. The entire ground was turned into a pool of water. The pack was appalled with the sudden disappearance of the rains as well. It was as if the rains wanted to make its presence felt; like a warning.

Einar could not concentrate on his surroundings. His mind was wandering.

He was remorseful.

He knew that he owned his behavior, that he trigged the flicker of his emotions. It seemed unfair that no matter how much he strived to be the man his conscience wanted him to be, he still would have to carry the burden on his shoulders and kill his heart.

He wanted forgiveness otherwise the memory of Callan's hurt face would haunt his memories tomorrow and the days which followed.

On the other hand, the pack had now assembled around the large open space. It was time for the celebrants to ask for longevity, prosperity and wisdom to Luna. As per the traditions the chief would be honored the duty to lit the bonfire. But the rains proved spoilsport here, the entire substance of heat had been wet due to the sudden downpour. Ragnar tried to ignite the bonfire but he failed miserably every time. The tradition was an offering to the Luna and if it could not be finished than as per the beliefs of the people, bad omen would follow the pack.

"Why don't you let Einar try? After all it's his birthday today; the Luna would definitely accept his offering." Ragnar agreed with Umberto.

"Come here son. Hold this torch and incinerate the bonfire. This would be your first step to reign in as the next Alpha." Ragnar's smug look said it all. He was happy that his son could finally carry his legacy forward.

Einar cautiously marched forward and held the torch in his hand with Garrick behind him. He was stiff and uninterested with the procedures that were going on. He gave the torch to Garrick while Garrick lit the torch and handed it back to Einar. When he reached the bonfire the illumination of the torch displayed a beauty; Callan was standing a few distances from the bonfire across the Alpha's son. Einar was mesmerized with Callan at the moment; his wet clothes hugged him tightly while his white shirt was transparent enough to show his beautiful skin.

Einar was turned on by the beautiful boy.

The beast inside him wanted to come out and be near Callan. Sniff him; taste him; devour him.

A slow tap on his shoulders brought him out of his trance.

"What are you waiting for? Light it up." Ragnar ordered his son.

Einar cleared his throat and concentrated on the task in hand. The moment the torch touched the bonfire, it doused off. The material was heavily wet and hence could not hold any fire. He tried once again but the result did not change. The pack members around were now tensed, the lighting of the bonfire was necessary for their procession to begin.

Aurora was standing near Callan and observed the situation. She knew that in order to light the bonfire her intervention was necessary. She quickly stood behind Callan's ears and whispered. "This may sound uncanny but I want you to concentrate on the bonfire. You were angry sometime before. Right?"

Callan nodded curtly.

"Channelize your anger at the bonfire. This will be your redemption."

Callan did what Aurora said. He focused his sight on the wet substance and remembered all the wrong that had happened to him today. He remembered all the pain, the suffering and the agony he had to endure because of Einar.

He was enraged.

Moments later, beads of water were flowing upwards as the bonfire made a whoosh sound. The people around were astounded with the glimpse of the miracle in front of them. The water in the substance was detaching itself, while it looked like it was raining in an upward direction, in a reverse fashion. The people had not recovered from the instance when the woods crackled and ignited a huge amount of fire to blur everyones vision for a moment.

Everyone around gasped in shock.

"That's enough Callan. Calm down now." Aurora kept one hand on his shoulder.

The people around were happy that the miracle did happen in the first place. They gave all the credit to Einar as they believed it was he who had been blessed by the Luna. That the Luna had accepted Einar's offering. How wrong could they be! Ragnar was swelled with pride for his son.

"Your magic definitely works Aurora. This wristlet is convenient indeed. I was in two minds to wear it initially but now I think I will keep it. Thank you for the gift." Callan hugged Aurora who returned his embrace with a curt smile.

Aurora had been gifting Callan a piece of ornament for his birthday every year. This was to keep his powers under control and make sure he is safe always. While Callan thought that all the strange happenings around him was because of Aurora's magical jewellery, it was actually the ornament which used to keep track of Callans powers and contain his emotions which he himself did not knew.

"But remember Cally. You are to tell no one."

"I know I know. I haven't even said anything to Archer, though I am dying to tell him."

"No Cally, you have to keep it a secret. Or you can to give it back to me."Aurora raised one eyebrow. Callan forcefully pulled his hand back, hiding his wristlet with the other hand.

"I promise I won't tell anyone. Please don't take it back. Besides it's a gift, you don't take your gift back. Once it is given it is the sole property of the recipient."

Aurora ruffled his hair and kissed his cheeks.

"That's the reason I love you."

Callan turned back when he heard a growl from Einar who was meticulously staring at Callan and the witch. He was completely miffed with Einar's behavior. "What is wrong with him? I always try to keep my distance but somehow he keeps meddling in my business. He must surely hate me to do this."

"He must've been stressed today. Don't hold any anger against him dear. I'm sure he must feel regretful for what happened earlier. Give the boy a chance." Aurora tried to pacify Callan.

Callan rolled his eyes "As you say Aurora."

Meanwhile Zelda was besides her son when she felt his anger.

"What happened son? Are you not feeling well?" Zelda asked with concern.

Einar frowned and answered "I'm feeling a bit tired mother. Can we just finish with this please."

"Of course my love."

Everyone gathered around the bonfire. People swayed to the music of the large drums while they sang their songs of glory and merriment, all to please the Luna.

Callan stood alone at a distance from everything. He was uninterested; standing there with nothing to stare at but distorting flames of fire was excruciatingly dull. He wanted go home and have some rest.

"Hi Callan. Happy birthday."

He was surprised to see a young girl with black curls and beautiful blue eyes standing behind him. Her lips were carefully tinted red and her skin was flawless. She was beautiful.

"You remembered! Thank you so much Meredith." Callan smiled in appreciation. He was smitten by the girl.

"Of course I do. By the way you are looking gorgeous!" Callan blushed at the compliment.

"Says the beauty herself." The girl's cheeks were red as she was giggling at what Callan had just said.

This was not going too well for Einar who had been watching Callan the entire time. He arched his back with his head to the moon and howled in a strong voice. The sound was of authority. The sound was of a raging fire burning inside him.

The entire pack was on a standstill with their heads bowed in submission. Except for Einar's parents and surprisingly Callan. Ragnar felt the conflicting emotions inside his son and realized that his beast was taking control. This could have been because of the full moon he thought. He commanded Einar to cool down but all Einar did was he glared at his father more fiercely like he was challenging his dominion.