I Claim Your Love
The First Instinct

After the episode with the Alpha, Callan was regretful. Being the only child of the Head warrior meant that Callan was supposed to be the next in line for the post and follow his father’s footsteps. Since the inception of the pack, the pure bloods had a distinct advantage over other members of the pack. Hence it was only logical to make the carrier of the bloodline be entrusted with the lineage of the respective positions. In this case it meant that Callan should prove himself as a warrior and take the job after his father which had a very less probability.

Callan was depressed.

For once he knew that even if he trains himself he will never be able to fight any wolf or any shifter for that matter. He would always be considered the weak-link of the pack.

’I am worthless′ Callan thought. ′It took centuries for my ancestors to build this legacy. Father has always proved his worth to the pack. People awed his valor, honor, stature and persona. He was always proud of it. Not anymore. How would I ever compete for the spot. Even if I am nominated how can I participate in any battles. I would be a weak leader. Only a burden. I am a disappointment to my father ’.

He was ascertain that even if everyone else saw him as a dead wood his mother would be deferent. He soon remembered the Alphas command and headed straightaway to the gardens. As soon as he reached the gardens he saw his mother and the Luna besides the Rose plantations plucking flowers. A wide grin made its way to Callan's face but he stopped midway when he saw beads of water flowing through the cheeks of his Mother. His mother had been crying.

“I don’t know what to do Luna. He is just a child, its not his fault if he can’t shift.” Mary was rubbing her alae with the back of her index finger trying to compose herself before the Luna. “His father is really harsh sometimes. He is pushing Callan beyond his limits; training him from dawn till dusk and sometimes even in the moonlight. Tagging him for life threatening expeditions. Giving him tasks that only experienced wolves can perform.” Mary could no longer hold herself, she had to pour it all. She could not see her son put to test over and over again. “He even gets censured and punished if he fails. He is just a thirteen year old boy.

My boy...My baby!”

Zelda was giving Mary comfort who was crying inconsolably in her arms.

“I am torn between the both of them. I can’t see my mate loosing this battle. It is destroying him from within. Neither can I watch the plight of my son who is doing everything in his power to please his father.” Mary wiped her tears and looked towards the Luna.

“I have to confront Justus. Make him realize that our child matters more than his enormous pride.”

“Everything will be alright Mary. Have faith in the goddess. She must have thought something for the boy, something good definitely. Believe in her. I will talk to Ragnar about this. Justus has to come to terms with the situation.”

With that words from the Luna, Callan could hear no more. He turned his back and started moving with deaf footsteps. To his dismay the memory from this afternoon and all the previous encounters with the Alpha added fuel to fire. He was angry at himself. Angry that he cannot be the son their parents want. Angry that he cannot fulfill their expectations. Angry that he made his mother cry. He would be the cause of embarrassment in the future when people would reject him as their leader - The head warrior.

A thought came to his mind. What if he could get rid off all this embarrassment his parents are facing, what if they can walk with pride in the pack. They would be always be happy. He quickly moved to the Alpha house. He gathered all his clothes and a Valise from his room, stashed all his belongings into it and threw it out of the window. He then sneakily made his way out. He reached the backside of the house to pick his bag and then walked for a distance before taking one last glance at the Alpha house; at his childhood, his entire life. He gripped his hand tightly around the bag and moved ahead into the woods, not knowing his destination.

He was running away.

Meanwhile Einar and Garrick were in the latter’s room. While Garrick was looking at the chains with curiosity, Einar was trying to figure out a way to get rid of the chains.

“It is fruitless to even try. The more we resist the harder the grip is going to be.” said Garrick

“I’m not waiting till sunrise tomorrow, these chains are bothersome. Now be a good friend and bring me an Axe or a Hammer.”

“Don’t you think we would get a more severe punishment for this. Father has already warned me to stay out of any more trouble while we are on our trial. If we try to break the chains we would be disobeying the Alpha. He would be very angry.”

“My Father would be angry only if he knew we broke the chain. He is busy with his pack work and has to go someplace tomorrow, so he won’t notice us. Of course uncle Umberto will also join him so you don’t have to worry on that account either. Even if he does notice us we’ll just say that the chains were faulty.” Einar said mischievously winking at Garrick.

As it happened always, Garrick was in two minds to consider the offer from Einar. Though he knew he could land in trouble the thought of getting rid of the chains was lucrative. Garrick brought an axe and a hammer from the storage room to culminate their plan into action. Both the boys tried to break the chains with hammer and axe. But with every stroke the metal glowed and tighten the grip around the boys wrists. Garrick was in agony and pain while Einar realized that these methods are futile.

“Lets go to the kitchen”

Garrick scratched his head "Why?”

“We will try to break it through Fire. It will definitely work”.

“I don’t know..” Garrick was unsure about this.

“Oh common! I promise if this doesn’t work we will do as you say”

Garrick was reluctant because whenever Einar said this they got in trouble, but he nodded with a sigh cause he knew Einar was stubborn and hot headed. The boys reached the cooking area and spotted the burner. They ignited fire for their experiment and slowly placed their hands horizontally above the fire. When the metal came in contact with fire, it glowed. It heated immensely and started spreading its warmth throughout its length slightly burning the wrists of both the boys.

" Oi..Oi..Oi..” Garrick was brushing air from his mouth to his wrists to soothe the burning effect while Einar pulled his hair in frustration. He did not knew that the metal was enchanted and only a greater power could destroy it. It felt like they were running out of options and so they stepped out of the house and decided to drop the idea. They headed for Arthur’s who was the son of the gamma and their friend.

But at this very moment Einar was feeling uneasy. He thought that it was because of the silver but he felt stressed and was on alert like something or someone was harming him; like he was in danger. His heart hammered in his chest while his every instinct pulled him to the forest. Even his Wolf was pacing within him.

“Lets go”

“Where?” Garrick looked confused.

“To the forest..” Einar was now determined to leave.

Garrick widened his eyes. “You know we are forbidden to go to the forest before we turn eighteen. Goddess knows what lies in those woods. We are not properly trained to face real danger. Have you even thought what the Alpha would do to you, hell have you thought what would happen if my father knows about our little adventure. My father would surely kill me!”

But Einar was having a hard time listening to any of the words from Garrick’s mouth. With every passing moment his anxiety was increasing. Garrick could feel the inner storm brewing inside his friend; like going to the woods is some sort of compulsion for him, like his life depended on it.

Garrick looked worried for his friend. He had never seen Einar this stressed before. He was behaving weird for his liking.

“Calm down Einar. Your heart is beating fast and you are sweating but we are away from the heat now. What’s the matter? Tell me please. Are the chains bothering you?”

Einar had no time to respond. He got hold of Garrick’s hand and ran into the forest with no clear destination.

Back in the forest Callan took a nap besides a tree in a little hideout very comfortably. He was exhausted from travelling such a long distance on foot. He opened his eyes to the sound of rustling and movement of bushes. He looked around and saw nobody in particular. He thought it would be wise to keep moving as his father had always warned him about the dangers one may face in this dense forest. He stood up, composed himself and picked up his bag.

Suddenly the ground beneath trembled with an enormous growling sound. Callan closed his grip more tightly, his hair on the back of his neck were risen towards the sky. He gulped and slowly turned his back wishing the creature should not be the one he was thinking it could be. But to his utmost horror Callan took a big gasp of air with wide eyes when he saw what he was about to encounter.

With sweat forming on his forehead he had only one thought in his mind

I shouldn’t have left the house

And gathering every ounce of his energy HE SCREAMED...

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