I Claim Your Love

It was a sunny day, perfect for a day at the fair. The entrance could be seen from a distance while long ques edged forward slowly. People were excited and impatient as they moved ahead. Faint music could be heard from beyond the gates while occasional screams of joy were a norm. It was once in a year event and everyone was looking forward to it.

Among the people standing in que were humans and different shifters from all around the vicinity. Einar stood awkwardly besides Rosaline for he was dragged to this event in the pretext of having fun. He initially had no plans to join Rosaline and Arthur but he was forced by his mind to pierce through this massive crowd to just have a glance at his beloved.

It had been almost a week since the competition and Callan had gone missing. Hardly anybody cared about his whereabouts but the alpha was getting insecure and more restless as the days passed. He did try for anonymous reasons to connect with the head warriors son but all the reply he got was that the handsome man was recuperating alone and did not want any disturbance.

As the wolves entered the gates, they were welcomed by a swarm of people spread in places where the eyes could roam. A number of stalls of all varieties conducting different activities were lined up on both the sides. From a distance in the crowd Einar could see a beautiful tall human girl waving her hands in the direction of the wolves. Rosaline imitated the gesture and responded with a smile.

Fayette came running towards the group and hugged the lady "I am really glad you showed up."

"Oh I had to. This place is amazing!" Rosaline said in wonderment.

Fayette looked at Arthur and bowed, welcoming him but when she saw Einar her face was sour and she diverted her attention to the lady wolf "Lets go quickly or it will start already."

With a confused look from the guests, the human compelled them to follow her within the depths of the fair. They stopped right besides a huge tent and Fayette urged them to enter the shelter.

They were taken by surprise by what they saw.

The aroma of berries and nuts wafted all around, tantalising their noses. People had gathered around a large circular table where a round savoury which resembled a bread was laid in a circular form. A single candle was lit in the middle of the sweet food while people had surrounded a certain individual. It looked like they were celebrating. But what exactly?

Just then Fayette cleared her way to reach the significant spot and hugged that individual. Einar was happy and relieved for the person in front of him was none other than his own mate.

"Where have you been?" Callan asked in surprise "People are waiting you know."

"I am really sorry. I had to attend some guests.''

Archer gave a small playful tap to Fayette and cleared his throat in a large voice "Attention everyone." He gestured to Fayette "Since the latecomer has finally arrived lets begin the celebrations." The people around cheered in unison.

"Don't just look, blow the candle stupid." Archer scolded a stunned Callan as everyone laughed.

Callan looked happily at his friends before bowing his spine to puff the candle. As he did the motion people clapped, cheered and congratulated him.

For the first time in his life, Einar could see his mate this happy. He now understood why Callan was always so adamant to visit his friends in the village for his birthday. He was acknowledged here. People loved him, cared for him and they actually celebrated his birthday!

Callan was all smiles. He occasionally hugged his friends while offering them the piece of the savory. He was carefree and was himself. He slowly made his way to the extreme end until his legs halted and his smile faltered. The grim look on his face made Einar more shameful and apologetic. Thankfully Rosaline came to his rescue when she hugged the man and diverted his attention "Happy birthday my saviour. Why didn't you tell me? I would have come prepared with a gift."

"It is not such a big deal actually." Callan said with an awkward smile.

"It is your birthday. It is a big deal! it is the most happiest day in one's life. if I had known earlier we would have celebrated happily." she looked gleefully at the alpha when she realised something. Her eyes widened in surprise when it finally occurred to her that both Callan and Einar shared their special day "On second thoughts, why don't we celebrate with Einar today."

This startled the men and both of them looked at each other uncomfortably "I don't celebrate my birthday in the pack."

"But why?"

"There are some.... unavoidable reasons." An awkward silence followed as Rosaline got the hint. People disliked Callan in the pack and hence he avoided them on his birthday "I hope you guys enjoy yourselves, I will just leave to attend to my other friends." Callan rushed his way to meet his human friend.

"Why did you invite them!?" he whispered accusingly.

"Rosaline said she never went to a carnival so I thought I should invite her. I never thought that the alpha would show up too. I was just being polite."

Callan hatefully sighed "Since you have created this mess; you will entertain them." and he left, leaving the girl bewildered and glued to the spot.

It was already difficult for Callan to come out of the trauma. Einar had killed his bird, crushed his dream and demeaned him in front of the entire pack! He did not had the heart to forgive him. On the contrary he did not want to share the same space as the alpha.

Fayette did as she was told and she parted ways with Callan to play the host for the wolves.

handed some flat disc metals to every wolf "These are coins we need to trade at the booths. Every gold coin is worth fifty bronze coins. Use it when you feel like doing anything interesting. Eating, playing, chit chats, entertaining yourself; anything." She played a good host and enthusiastically showed them the stalls which were in exhibition. Arthur and Rosaline were awed by what they were seeing. Though the humans were ranked low in species

mate standing with his wolf buddies. He greeted everyone and

being the beta. I heard it was quite a fight." Fayette

pride for his mate had appreciated his valor "I wish you were there to witness the match." Fayette smiled awkwardly before shifting her body towards the luna. Garrick than

You think.

you should have stayed home and enjoyed

but I couldn't. He took a long deep breath How are

is going as planned but we need to leave early for

with a bunch of other females standing, enjoying some mass of fluffy pink substance near a stall. Callan was cheerful while his laughs boomed the ears of the alpha. It was all he could hear; it was all he

try this."

strange.

is an item of sweet food made

buds as all of them ate in delight. Rosaline was happy to consume it all when suddenly her eyes roamed around to see a bunch of ladies and a few men staring in their direction

of them staring? Is something wrong with

staring at the

explained that the people who were nearby Callan were considered as people of importance because the man keeps

must be overwhelming for him." Rosaline whispered in

initially but now he is used to

intrude. The admiration and lust for his mate was making Einar

another booth just behind Callan and Archer. All this while Einar sent death glares

alpha was getting agitated every now and then. He was thankful that for some reason his wolf was quite but at

my wolf

just the defence mechanism of the humans. The place is protected

your mind or else you will struggle

As you say alpha.

suddenly showed up before Fayette "I need more

her small bag and shrugged "I don't have any left. Ask

coins in food and is shamelessly asking for more." Annoyed by him Callan

an idea popped up in his mind and

banter which Callan shared with the werebear. She had never seen Callan so childlike and playful with anyone in the pack. In fact she had seen him happy for only the number of times which she could count by her

close

best friends for a very long time now.

can see." Rosaline nodded with

know that they celebrate

exclaimed in

with the heaps of shame. Einar had never acknowledged his mate in

making Callan more presentable by brushing his hair and cleaning his face of any residual food. His actions perturbed Callan "What are

his voice "Ladies and gentlemen and all the beautiful females. It is a chance of a lifetime for you all." He gestured his hand to a confused looking Callan "We have with us the most attractive; the most handsome; the man crafted by the deities themselves - CALLAN!" Archer clapped as the audience mimicked his action and rooted for the handsome man while Callan stood their awkwardly, smiling

heart and miserably failed. But worry not. We give you a chance to make it right today. Hold your breath people because we are going to auction

breath got stuck and his eyes widened in shock. He pulled Archer

thoughts in your minds cause we are going to auction a kiss from the very man." The excitement in the crowd was overwhelming. All the young girls were exhilarated with the thought

starts at one

imagined the werebear's head on a platter. He was hating him with all the blood in his body. He was fumingly mad at the so called friend. He was already finding it difficult to contain his emotions. The jealousy which flooded his

with several suitors raising their bids.

"Three gold

"Five gold coins."

long curls on her forehead and a beautiful smile appeared from the crowd. Her apparel looked exotic while

gaze holding the eyes of Callan. The entire crowd lay stunned at the amount of bid put forward by