I Claim Your Love

Chapter 29: Too Close Yet Too Far

In the bright early morning, Einar struggled to open his eyes. Today had been the most pleasant day in

his entire life. He felt content, he felt happy, overjoyed for he was not restless about a certain person

last night. His rhythmic heart beats were at a comforting slow pace. He breathed in deep and looked at

the welcoming rays of the early sun, scratching its way through the window. The curtains added an

orange glow to the morning light. He reached for the fabric beneath noticing the warmth of the material.

With the warmth came a faint mesmerising aroma which reeled his senses on a high alert. He looked

sideways and sucked in a lot of breath in astonishment.

Sleeping besides him was a shirtless Callan!

He frantically moved his head around and noticed that he was out of his place. He sniffed smells to

confirm that the house belonged to Ashtons. He could not come up with the explanation as to why he

was in Callan's house out of all the places. The more important question being; why was his mate

sleeping besides him partially naked?!

Unintentionally his eyes went to the torso of Callan. He noticed small amount of hair surrounding the

nipples to the the line of fine strands reaching from his chest to his belly button all the way to his groin

area. However when he looked at his perfectly sculpted abs his mouth went dry. Callan was beauty

personified! His flawless skin could put all the gods to shame. Though nudity was a norm in the

werewolf world still Einar was being all shy and nervous in the presence of his mate. The urge to touch

that physique was overwhelming. Einar in his own trance reached for Callan's rhythmic heart. He was

about to touch Callan's chest when the handsome man hummed in his sleep. The sleepy melodic voice

brought Einar out of his daze and he pulled his hand back.

He wanted to distract himself from the beautiful body and so his eyes went straight for his face. That

was even bigger a mistake..

The pure bliss of watching this beautiful man sleeping with him was making Einar nuts. The shallow

breaths Callan took increased Einar's palpitations. His perfect shiny black hair covered his temples

while his fluffy pink lips were inviting enough to make Einar crazy. He was thankful though that Callan's

eyes were closed. Had it been otherwise, the fire in Callan's eyes would have burnt Einar through and

through. Just a look and all of Einar's senses would have come crashing through. Before his heart lost

its control Einar decided to leave the place and head for his home.

He carefully landed on his feet. His head throbbed and his legs wobbled but he still managed to cross

the door with great difficulties. In his rush he did not realise that he had been on medication and so the

weakness. Moreover the fact that he was in his bare essentials lying with his half naked mate added to

his woes. He made his way down to the main hall and searched for the kitchen. All the sexiness of his

mate had made his mouth dry and accelerated his heartbeat. He opened the lid of a few water

containers but found it empty. He saw a jug of water lying near the burner and reached for it.

Unfortunately there was not a single drop of water in it. He tilited it upside down in hopes to quench his

thirst but it failed.

Einar was startled when a glass of water appeared in his line of sight right in front of his chest. He

gulped and sharply exhaled as a sexy half naked man was holding the glass with a smile.

"Here.. take it." Callan pushed forward the glass "You should have woken me up. There is no water in

the house currently. The one barrel which was left was used up in your medication and healing."

Einar just hummed and pretended to listen to what Callan had to say. When in reality his mind was

distracted by the sheer amount of flesh his mate was displaying. The disheveled hair of his mate were

dangling through his forehead while the beautiful forest green eyes were tempting Einar to kiss Callan.

His train of thoughts were put on hold when a hand was been waved in front of his eyes.

"Do you need more?"

"uh"

"I asked if you need more water."

"T-That will be all." He looked around in embarrassment and tried avoiding his mate. He could not take

the proximity anymore and uttered "I think I should leave." He marched his way to find the door when

suddenly his walk was interrupted by a hand.

Callan caught hold of Einar's arm "You cannot go right now. Your last decoction is yet to be consumed

by you. I have alerted Aurora and she must've been on her way."

Einar looked hesitant enough, like staying here for another minute would make him loose his sanity and

he would take his mate here and now.

Callan noticed the dilemma in Einar's face and thought that Einar must've been feeling out of place,

uncomfortable. Hence to aid him relax he offered him breakfast. "Why don't you wait here for some

time. I will freshen up and then we can have breakfast together."

"Uh." Einar looked puzzled.

"Don't worry. I am not a bad cook." Callan chuckled on the startled look of Einar and leaved for the

door. He came back after some time with a bucket of water and a clean pair of clothes. "Your wounds

have almost healed but still if you feel any discomfort don't apply water to it." He then kept the clothes

to a nearby table. "I guessed that since we are of the same height the clothes would fit you. I am sorry

but I have no new washed pair. My mother usually does the laundry and since you can see she is not

here I have no choice but to hand you these." Einar fidgeted his fingers as he kept looking at the

clothes intently. The unwashed clothes where the scent of his mate was lingering.

When he looked at Einar's face Callan thought that he had insulted him or made him angry. Einar's

face was stoic and glued to the clothes. "I am sorry if I have insulted you in any way. Don't worry about

the clothes. You can call Garrick and..."

"NO! The clothes will do." Einar quickly snatched the fabric and turned his back. He leaned his head

and breathed in the mesmerising aroma of the clothes.

Callan was confused for a moment but he recovered quickly and went to do his morning chores. After

some time when he came back to the kitchen he saw that Einar had taken his seat on the food table

already. He was wearing the clothes Callan had provided him while he admiringly glared at the fabric

from its cuffs to the shoulders. Callan smiled that the alpha had liked his clothes and went straight to

the kitchen table. He laid down the water container he had filled on his way to the house and looked at

Einar. "So what would you like to eat?"

'I..I don't know. Surprise me."

Callan smiled and started picking up the utensils to make a dish. All this time Einar just focused solely

on the bare back of his mate. The sheer amount of muscles, the perfect skin and the curved bottom.

These were making it difficult for the alpha to think straight. He wanted to distract himself from the

vulgar thoughts he had for his mate but his manhood had a mind of its own. It was struggling to

maintain its position and tried to sneak out of the now tightened pants. Einar breathed heavily to calm

himself but nothing seemed to be working right now. He could not stand from his place as it would

show his arousal and embarrass him even further. He clenched and unclenched his fists and took deep

breaths.

Callan was all smiles when he returned soon with a platter full of food. Eggs, pork cuts, piles of fried

potatoes were all decorated in the short space of the container. He kept it on a side of the table and

returned again with a teapot and muffins sprinkled with strawberry sugar cubes. There was a joy in how

Callan plated the food. There was a feeling of love in his subtle smile and soft gaze. For the first time

ever Einar could see every day of his future he desired. He wanted this happiness; he wanted this

contentment. Most importantly; he wanted Callan.

These thoughts brought so much joy in him that Einar's eyes could no longer control his emotions as it

freely flew.

"What happened? Are you hurt?"

Einar blinked his eyes rapidly and composed himself. "Don't worry. Its just the wounds. It will subside

soon."

To cry on a healing wound was not the Einar he knew. Callan thought that probably Einar had recalled

the moments from his attack which got him emotionally weak. "Do you remember anything from the

attack?" he asked cautiously.

Einar nodded "I remember everything. By the way, how long have I been out and why am I in your novelbin

place rather the pack house?"

"It has been four days. To bring you here was my idea. We thought that you must recuperate

somewhere aloof so that the pack does not know of your attack."

"That was a wise decision." Einar smirked. "And why are you not wearing any shirt?''

Callan instinctively looked at his bare self and chuckled "It is an old habit of mine. I usually sleep naked

in my bed but since I was sleeping with you, I had to make a compromise and cover myself partially."

"You should not change your habits for someone." These words halted Callan's action. His mind

suggested that Einar's words had a different meaning. He just rebuffed the thought as he looked

intently at the alpha.

They glared at each other awkwardly for a few moments before Callan cleared his throat "Have some

food. Some sugar in your system will do you good.''

Einar coyly smiled and nodded at his mate. He then shyly dug in to the food and when the first bite

entered his mouth; he moaned in ecstasy. He had never tasted delicacy as such. The food was more

than delicious. Einar just forgot the world and started eating the food as if there was no tomorrow.

Callan was dumbfounded by the appetite Einar possessed and kept looking at him in amusement.

When Einar was about to finish the food, Callan offered his own plate and the alpha happily obliged.

The childlike behaviour of Einar brought a smile to Callan's face.

In his hurry to consume it all, Einar had spilled some of the food on the table while some of it was

smeared on his lips slightly outwards towards the chin. Callan could no longer control himself and he

laughed from his heart.

"What?" Einar asked confused. His focus had been shifted from the food he was eating to the

captivating laugh of his mate. Einar grinned from ear to ear without any reason.

Callan picked up a napkin from the table and went over the other side. He started cleaning Einar's face

with the cloth but the closeness was making it difficult to breathe for the alpha. He could take no more

as he grasped Callan's cleaning hand with his own. There faces were now inches away as their eyes

bored into each other. The forest green eyes were making the alpha fall to his knees while all Callan

did was to stare at Einar in bewilderment.

The moment of blissful frenzy was disturbed when Einar smelled a familiar but unwanted smell at this

time. He reluctantly jerked Callan's hand away and looked to the other side in annoyance.

Callan still confused looked at the incoming shadows piercing through the door. He saw a worried

looking Rosaline followed by a relieved Garrick and Arthur. She quickly ran towards the alpha and

embraced him in a tight hug "You cant even begin to comprehend how much worried I was for you.

Thank Luna you are safe." She kissed Einar's cheeks much to his dislike. Einar on the other hand just

hummed and caught Rosaline from the arm to make her stand in front of him. "Are you all right? Did

that bastard of an alpha hurt you?"

"I escaped in time."

Einar weakly smiled at her and asked her to take a seat on the dining table. Then it was the time for his

best friend to greet him. Even before he could touch Einar, Garrick sobbed his heart out and clung to

his best friend like he would loose him should he let him go. Both of them cried in each others embrace

with no words spoken.

Seeing the emotional reunion made Callan's eyes glossy and he decided to cheer them up. "Who is

ready for a breakfast? I have made plenty of food today."

"Than I will have it all." All heads jerked to the door as a smiling Archer entered through the doors

followed by Fayette and Aurora. Archer quickly held Callan's waist and hugged him. He picked him up

and swirled him around. This made Einar burn with jealousy.

Aurora approached the alpha "How are you feeling?"

"I think I will survive. How long will the medications take to bring me back to my original self?"

"You would be back to normal before sunrise tomorrow." she put her hand in her bag and retreated a

small bottle. "Take it. This is the last of your doses."

"Thank you so much. Garrick told me the efforts you all people did to heal me." Einar looked around

everyone in the room as all of them nodded in acknowledegment.

****

After a few chitchats food was served again to the table. This time Fayette and Archer helped Callan to

serve the dishes. The wolves sat with the healer on the dining table while Callan and his friends sat on

the couch nearby as there was no more space on the table. The food was appreciated by everyone.

Callan smiled and thanked his guests for their compliments.

Einar had his eyes to the food but his ears were perking up to hear what Callan was talking with his

friends. By the looks of it all, the three of them looked pretty excited and elated. However the constant

touching of both of his friends to Callan's naked torso was agitating Einar. He huffed in annoyance and

looked at Callan "Why don't you put on some shirt. You are making the ladies uncomfortable."

"Which ladies?" Archer asked bluntly. "Ohh them.." he looked at Fayette and Aurora. "Dont worry about

them. This is not the first time they are witnessing him without a shirt. In fact they have seen the naked

god in his full glory many a times." All the people laughed at this statement but Einar growled in

agitation. Soon the devilish part of him was coming to the fore. He wanted to kill everyone present in

this room to even think of seeing his mate bare.

Garrick realised his cause of frustration and linked him Control yourself Einar. There are people here.

Breath in his scent, It will calm your nerves he then looked at the beautiful man. "We have the Luna

here Callan. It is of basic decency that you should be presentable In front of her. I hope you know how

jealous a mate can get."

Callan nodded for he understood that right now Einar was thinking him of as a rival who had his eyes

on his mate. It was a basic animal instinct. He quickly went inside his room and wore the first piece of

fabric that came to his sight- The white shirt.

Looking at Callan wearing his favorite shirt eased Einar's mind "I am really sorry for what I did. I

apologise."

"You should apologise. Cause had it not been for my best friend the blue moon pack alpha would have

been dead by now." Archer spitted his words in distaste as he glared at Einar.

Einar gulped this brazen disrespect as Archer was one of the people who helped save his life. "I

understand and I will always be grateful for that."

Even after expressing his regret Einar could not back down from the hateful stares which were directed

at him by the friends of his mate. The spiteful looks in their demeanor clearly indicated that Callan had

denigrated his alphas image in the minds of the non-wolves. Einar was agitated and slightly hurt for he

himself had created an image to be despised of. However this was always what he wanted. He wanted

Callan to hate him, detest him and stay at a distance. Then why did it hurt so bad? Why did Einar's

image in Callan's mind mattered above all else?

Einar gently put his spoon down and dejectedly sighed. He faked his smile when Rosaline looked at

him with concern. Above the shoulder of his Luna, he could see that the friends had resumed their

joyous chitchat. By the looks of it they seemed to be excited about something. Even though it was of no

business of Einar still he wanted to know what they were talking about. He wanted to know what was

making his mate all cheerful and happy. He lost to his insecure mind and connected with Garrick.

Garrick

Hmm

Do you know what they are talking about?

Yes

Einar raised his brow in annoyance indicating Garrick to speak up what he knows.

It is bad to intrude. Besides why don't you use your own hearing to know what they are talking about.

My senses are weak right now and I desperately want to know what they are talking about. Einar

pleaded with his eyes.

Garrick sighed in amusement They are talking about visiting some place. Maybe it is some kind of

occasion. They are saying that they will have more fun than last year.

This is not helping Garrick.

I am sorry but I have told you what they are talking about. I could hear as much.

Are you really not impatient to know where your mate is going? What is making her so excited?

This sowed seeds of curiosity in Garrick's mind. Since Einar had talked about it, he was impatient all of

a sudden. He took a long pause, cleared his throat and smiled at the three of them. "You guys seem

really excited. May we know the reason?"

"And why do you want to know anything?" Archer replied annoyingly.

"J-Just because we can join in the fun."

"You may not know. Besides it is the secret of our three friends."

Both Garrick and Einar were agitated by Archer's response. Garrick even wanted to reply his snark

comment when the sweet voice of his mate fell on his ears. "Don't mind him. He is sometimes difficult

to deal with." she smiled embarrassingly.

"It is all right if you don't want to share your secret with us. I was just curious that's all." Garrick replied.

Einar angrily glared at his best friend because the purpose of this conversation was to know their

secret.

"It is not a big deal as such. We were talking about the carnival that occurs every year in our village.

There are people from all over, foods of various kinds and different booths holding various events.

People cheer and meet each other and have fun all day long. Archer, Callan and I have been attending

this carnival on a regular basis. This time our settlement is going to be the host." Garrick could see the

gleam of excitement in his mate's eyes as she explained herself.

"So the carnival happening in your place is the big news?" Arthur questioned all of a sudden.

"No. The big news is that it is decided to be organized on the full moon day this month." she gleefully

looked at Callan.

Einar widened his eyes. The full moon day! It held a special meaning because it was the day when

both him and his mate were born. The day when both of their souls were bonded as one.

"Would you all like to join us this year?" Fayette asked in her innocence much to the dismay of

everyone around. Only Arthur and Rosaline seemed to be excited about the event. Rest everyones

face fell for their own reasons. Einar was not very excited about the idea of Callan and him being

together or even in proximity on that fateful day. He remembered his sixteenth birthday when

everything went fine until Callan had showed up. He messed up with his mind and his beasts became

out of control. What if his monsters overpower him this time? What if they crave their mate and hurt the

people he loved?

Einar thought to himself that it was better if he stayed away from Callan for good. He opened his mouth

to reject the proposal when Rosaline beat him to it. "We will definitely come to the carnival with you all."

Garrick looked at a worried Einar for he knew that he was completely doomed.

********