I Claim Your Love

The previous night of the punishment

Mary sobbed into Callan’s chest unceasingly as she wrapped herself around her boy. Fat tears rolled down her cheeks in succession. She was unable to control herself while Justus stood tall with his son and kept one hand on his shoulder to give him comfort.

“Shh.. it will be alrite mother. Don’t lose hope yet.”

Mary snivelled “Are you even listening to yourself right now.” She raised her head to look at her beloved son “How do I keep my hopes alive when I know I may not be able to see my child any more..”

Callan smiled at his mothers innocence “Nothing as such will happen.” He carefully held Mary’s arms and retracted them from his body. He looked at her lovingly “I have been in worse situations. I know how to keep myself alive.” He gestured his eyes towards Justus “Father taught me well. Have some trust in him.”

Mary composed herself a little as she looked helplessly at her mate. Justus on the other hand felt ashamed and he lowered his eyes “I wish I could do more for you.”

“You did everything right father.. I don’t blame you.” he sighed “There were limitations to your interference and I know you must have tried hard. You have nothing to feel bad about father.” The dejected look of his father broke his heart as in the next instant he gave a comforting hug to reassure Justus “I wont disappoint you father.”

Callan’s eyes roamed at the back of Mary’s shoulders where he could see a woman dressed in her favorite green gown visibly nervous while her eyes were sad. She carried a salver in one hand which contained some appetising food while her other hand was occupied by the bright lantern. She weakly smiled at the man and bowed her head.

“Mother; father.” Callan directed his gaze at his parents “I need to talk to Aurora and you both need to rest. Please take care of yourselves for me.”

Justus and Mary reluctantly agreed to the request. They kissed the man goodbye and made their way out of the cell. Aurora bowed her head in greeting before the Ashtons departed and she stepped inside.

She kept the salver and the lantern on the floor near the entrance of the cell and embraced the man “How are you holding up?”

“I am fine.” Callan looked curiously at the witch “Do you have any idea about tomorrow?”

Aurora shook her head “Everything is under wraps. Marden and Richard are personally taking care of the arrangements. By the looks of it..” she paused as she gulped in fear “It seems fatal..”

Callan gave an encouraging smile to the witch “Don’t worry Aurora I will be fine.”

Aurora smiled in response but her demeanour was only a façade to hide her worried self from the Elemental. She looked all around the dark cell and her anxiety grew. The place was a rotting hell. Strong putrid smell acclimatized to the environment while the only source of light was the window at the far back. However even if it hadn’t been the night, the window was hardly capable to lit up the room.

Aurora could no longer control her emotions as she wept profusely on the shoulders of the man. Her heart broke when she observed the condition of the room and also at Callan’s fate. The Elemental did not deserved the treatment which was meted out to him time and again. On the contrary he should have been bestowed the highest pedestal given his legacy.

After a few anxious moments she calmed herself and looked at her friend with determination “Don’t hold back on using your powers.”

Callan was taken aback “And let the entire world know who I am.. No!” he vigorously shook his head “You know why I am keeping it a secret Aurora.”

“I know but your life is more important right now. I wont be able to help you.”

Callan sighed deeply “I will figure a way out.” He kissed her forehead and assured her of his safety “Nothing bad will happen. You should leave before the guards show up.”

Aurora tightly hugged the man for a few moments more before parting ways with the Elemental.

Since admitting to his crime, Callan was put into the dungeon cell to spend the night before his punishment. He wanted to badly console his parents and drive away their worry, their fear but he could not reveal about his big secret. The time wasn’t right yet.

The prison cell had thick stone walls while a small window opened to the confined space in a far away corner. The window however was inefficient to throw even an ounce of light. Callan illuminated the space by clicking his finger as a brittle fire lit in the empty flambeau just outside of his cell. In the illumination of the light though Callan could see another prison cell right across his metal bars. His interest piqued when he saw a person lying on the ground probably in a sleeping position.

Callan moved his legs to take a closer look but his movements caused the food plate to displace its position making a screeching sound. The sudden noise caught the other person off guard as he hastily sat upright in caution and bewilderment. He frantically looked around everywhere when his eyes widened at the irradiating body. He stared at the wooden stick in amusement as a little smile formed on his face.

Callan was bemused by the reaction but he kept to himself. Soon the other man lowered his gaze as his nostrils flared and he searched the ground only to locate a food plate which was kept away from him. His mouth went dry and he gulped. Callan could deduce that the man was famished. His skinny bones and shrunken stomach indicated that he never had a proper meal in a long time. Callan sympathised with the man as he kneeled down and picked up the bread loaf, meat and berries from his plate. He slowly moved forward to the metal bars while the man in front kept staring at the food with intense eyes. He was indifferent by the presence of Callan. Like the Elemental was invisible to him.

On the other hand all Callan could see was the scant flesh and the rugged silhouette appearance of the prisoner. Though he wanted to have a closer look, he felt dubious about invading someone’s privacy.

The handsome man threw the food right across the cell “Go ahead. Have it.”

The other prisoner wet his lips but he intently looked at Callan in guardedness. He cautiously moved ahead and stretched his hands out of the bar to grab his sustenance. When the poor man was unable to reach for the bread loaf, Callan swayed his hand to use his powers and push it further towards the man.

tears Callan was shedding. After he was done eating, the prisoner finally took a moment to study his new neighbour. He vigilantly gazed at the man for a few moments with his stern features.

his

man gestured to the metal Callan was wearing on his wrist “It will save

took moments for Callan to realise that the person in front had deduced his true identity. But how was he able to discern the truth so easily? Callan’s use of power wasn’t obvious besides no one knew about the Elementals in the werewolf world. The faint illumination which spread through the opposite prison was not enough to shed light on the whole being. It wasn’t as if Callan could not see him but the vision he had was blurred; incoherent. However he could take

When Callan didn’t utter a word for a very long time the prisoner cleared his throat “My mate was an Elemental. I don’t know much about

then again at the prisoner “Did

a few but all of them had

“Where is she now?”

a long breath and sucked in his lower lip

as if a part of him had died. Moments ago he was happy that finally he would be able to meet someone like him. Someone who had the same traits, someone belonging to the same family, someone who could understand him..! But his hopes were crashed as his fate had played its cruel game

shrugged “Besides it was a long

thoughts again diverted to the man in front for he was unable to assert the character of the being. Though the prisoner was serving his term in the deepest part of the dungeons, he did not seemed like a person who could do anything wrong. Then again Callan hardly knew

I loved someone

his eyes “I

for tomorrow will be a big day for you.” In the next moment itself, the prisoner slowly closed his eyes. He made a low steady continuous sound before lowering his torso to kiss the ground and depart for the land of

****

exhausted to say the least. He was thankful that he heeded the advice of the stranger for it definitely worked. However the downside of it all was that the people of the pack were suspicious. They found it difficult to understand why a feeble human like him was saved by an army

but the incident which took place a couple of days back only cemented peoples beliefs. He could see the look of fright in their eyes whenever he crossed them.

alpha house. Callan slowly lifted himself off the couch and took measured steps towards the head warrior.

a reply. Aldous refused to address the handsome man as he slowly made his way

have to talk about it some day or the other.” The words halted the head warrior “You cannot

“I don’t know how it is any of your concern Ashton. It was already rough and now you meddling in the way has made it even

“Look Aldous, since everything is out in the open I am but of little help to that girl. If someone can make this right; it has to be you. Peter believes in the

you think I would go against

you to go against the wishes of your father, your pack and even your friend.” Callan took a pregnant

own unwanted journey of guilt. The stubborn exterior he portrayed was melting because he knew that his beloved was in danger. He knew he had to act, he knew he had to save the

from someone he hated. He opened his mouth to speak when his gaze locked at the person standing right behind Callan. Aldous’

said.. Because you don’t want to lose someone dear to

and swiftly made his way to the exit. Callan on the other hand was aware

to

and shifted his steps sideways to circumvent the man. However the man in front stretched one his arms parallel to the chest of the Elemental, blocking

of anger was surging within him “Leave my

hands upwards and with his strength

of his arms and turned Callan

“I only listen to the orders of the alpha..” His nostrils

in frustration before taking long breaths to calm himself “Listen here Ashton” he lowered his voice “I am not out here to create any trouble. I am here to remind you

“What promise?”

stance. Like he wanted to say something but was embarrassed to talk about. Garrick gathered

now understood what the fuss was all about “But I am

he could not believe the audacity of the man to betray him. A mixture of emotions soared through his body. He felt angry, he felt deceived, most importantly he felt worried because Callan was the only one to help him reach his

you go back on your word.. YOU PROMISED!” He whisper shouted at

confusion “You are not the Garrick I promised back in the lake. Your sudden hostility to me is

close to begin with.

if Callan was not used to this side of the beta but the situation back then was different. At this point of time Garrick knew what Callan meant to Einar, to the entire pack. Yet the man was

whispered “A lot has

you

as he swallowed the anger, the angst within him “I remember my promise..” He crossed his hands to his chest “But my

I need to

focused eyes Callan said “I need assurance for Fayette’s

am ready to accept her whole