Framed

The scattered rays of the sun were not enough to illuminate the darkened depths of the dungeon. Though Callan had lit the flamboyant lamp on the outside, his weak self was not capable to hold onto it much longer. He kept staring at the fragile figure behind the steel bars who was indifferent to his visitor and kept munching the food eagerly. Callan was satisfied when he looked at the man feeding himself but his thoughts were unstable.

“It doesn’t make sense.”

“Why..? Because he killed someone for saving his own mate.” The middle aged man snorted and stashed another chunk of meat to his mouth.

“He killed his own father! The man who he loved so dearly.”

The prisnor lay aside the empty tray and took two steps towards the man “You are filled with sorrow.” he looked at the sad eyes of the handsome man.

Callan sighed “Somehow the blame lies on me. I was responsible for his death.”

The man shook his head in disagreement “It was all Einar.”

“He had to take such an extreme step because of me. If it hadn’t been for my life Einar would’ve never killed his father.”

The man rolled his eyes “As if the wolf has not gone to the extremes before.”

“What do you mean?” Callan asked in confusion.

“Forget it.” The man gritted his teeth and looked sideways to avoid the gaze of the Elemental “Where is your guard?” He asked abruptly to divert the topic.

Callan shrugged “Flying somewhere perhaps.”

“She should be with you. Leaving you unprotected as such is dangerous.”

“I will be fine by my own. Besides someone has to do the job.”

“That someone is you!” The man chided. It was becoming unbearable for him to control his angst for the poor behavior of the Elemental.

As a supreme leader Callan had some responsibilities to shoulder. His line of work was way different than what he did in the pack. He wasn’t meant for the pack and yet he never gave up the wolves. Though the man was irritated with Callan he knew the reason for Callan’s unwillingness.

“I cant leave Einar.” The handsome man spoke softly.

“He needs you but you don’t need him.”

“I need him too.”

“You want him. There is a difference.” the man lowered his voice as his anger had been on the rise and he didn’t want to further upset the Elemental. “The full moon will be here soon and before that you have to prepare yourself for your destiny.”

Callan scowled “I don’t want any of this.”

“It is not your choice. Everything you have gone through so far was all part of a plan. Destiny was trying to make you walk on your fated path. The more you try to change it the more you will suffer.”

“Einar is my destiny.” Callan stated as a matter of fact.

“He is a part of it.” the man nodded briefly “People are waiting for you. It is not Isadora’s job to do what was meant for you. Sooner or later your destiny will take its course even if you don’t wish for it.”

Callan wanted to say much more; so much more to the prisnor but he was out of time. More importantly whatever the prisoner said did make sense but his love torn heart wasn’t ready to accept the fact that he had to leave Einar. He side glanced at the entry way when he heard some footsteps. The guard outside was gesturing him to leave at once.

“I need to go.” He smiled “I will visit again soon.”

“Don’t. You should stop coming here Elemental.” The prisnor looked at him sternly “I don’t want you to be near me. Feeding me has already turned you into a criminal. I don’t want you to suffer because of me.”

“And who will stop me?” Callan snickered “The alpha knows me well.” he winked.

Callan took his steps back and turned his body towards the exit. The retreating figure of the Elemental saddened the prisnor for his own reasons “I wish you knew the true face of your alpha as well..” he sighed.

****

The death of Ragnar had shocked the entire pack. The news spread like wildfire in the entire werewolf world. The loss was felt by every single wolf in the pack. More so it was the shock of their life when they heard what had transpired.

No one could believe that Einar had killed his own father.

The fight for authority and supremacy was not new in the werewolf world. Every now and then the old alpha was replaced by his younger substitute by means they deemed fit. Either through deception or through a challenge. In this case however what surprised everyone was the sheer fact that Einar had never challenged his father traditionally to claim the title.

People knew that he was not interested to be the alpha after what he did to his own people. Yet the fact that he killed his own father became a new mystery, a dark secret whose accomplice were two men; Einar and Callan.

The death of Ragnar had created a void for the position of the alpha. Einar had to reluctantly step in to shoulder the responsibilities of his father. He was not interested to helm the mantle for he knew that the people never accepted him. He could see fear and distrust among the wolves, like they were unhappy to even look at Einar.

But the muscular man felt indebted to his father. He concluded that it was his duty to carry on the legacy of his forefathers.

In all of these events he constantly maintained a distance between himself and the handsome man. For some reasons he was avoiding every possible connection which could bring them together. Surprisingly he was even controlling his wolf so that his inner beast would adhere to his demands and not go against his wishes to meet his mate.

Callan on the other hand was devastated.

Einar was doing it again. Callan knew that Einar had his own reasons for keeping himself aloof from the handsome man but it was hurting him.

However like the early birds who waited patiently for the first rays of the morning sun to spread its wings in joy, Callan too was calm. He knew that Einar would eventually come back to him. He just needed some time and Callan wasn’t going to force him.

He carried out his regular activities throughout the day as was his job. Rosaline was in a critical stage of her pregnancy and hence she needed extra care and attention. Zelda was supposed to look after Rosaline but the demise of Ragnar had left her completely shattered. She had locked herself in her room refusing to meet anyone, suffering in her own grief.

Callan had taken the responsibility of Rosaline and her unborn. He did everything that was possible for an expecting mother and her child. Rosaline too was beholden by Callan’s selfless act and she thanked the goddess above for his company.

“How is the luna?” Callan asked as he kept the glass of juice on the table besides Rosaline’s bed.

“The same.” Rosaline forced her smile as she leaned sideways “Doesn’t talk or respond to anything. She lives a soulless existence.”

“Maybe Einar should talk to her.” Callan pursed his lips.

Rosaline sipped the liquid and shook her head “He doesn’t have the power to face his mother. He hasn’t talked to her since that fateful day.” Her face fell as a tiny drop rolled down through the sides of her cheek.

Callan felt apologetic towards the lady as she was caught in the middle of a storm. She had a family for namesake as neither Einar nor luna Zelda were present for her in this crucial period.

“Everything will be fine.” Callan consoled the lady “We should talk about something else.”

Rosaline sniveled “Yes we should.”

“How is the baby?”

“It has been six months already. Aurora says that the baby is healthy and now I should do things more carefully.” she exhaled “Becoming a mother is challenging but Einar helps a lot.” she tried her best to force her smile but Callan knew the truth.

“Sure he does.”

“The child is the only thing that makes him smile these days. The constant pressure to be the head of the pack and be the alpha what people deserve has made him into a mess really.”

Perhaps his deeds had led him to his tragedy Callan thought. However he was happy that even through these stressful times Einar had not forgotten about the little life growing inside of Rosaline.

“You should spend more time with him.”

“I try to be with him as much as possible.”

Rosaline bit her lips and Callan understood the hidden meaning behind her unspoken words. Einar had been distancing himself from Rosaline for quite a while. It was a gradual shift up until the time they were separated. He was even about to reveal his relationship with Callan but his mouth was shut with the news of Rosaline’s pregnancy.

Callan encouragingly smiled at the lady “Everything will be fine.” He felt sorry for the lady for in a way she was being dragged to a loveless mating by Einar. He did not want to imagine the day when Rosaline was aware of the truth. It would be devastating.

“Don’t stress yourself too much. It is not good for the child.”

“Sometimes I feel like the child is the only thing which is keeping Einar sane.”

Indeed it was true. Callan was aware of the fact the only binding factor in Einar and Rosaline’s relationship was the child. Something that Callan could never provide the man. This made him sad but he was happy for Einar for at least he would have the chance to call himself a father.

“You should focus on the road ahead. Einar will be a good parent. The child will help him change.”

Callan palmed Rosaline’s hands. The gesture was palliative to the sorrow she was experiencing right now. She genuinely smiled at the man “I really appreciate you being here Callan. Your words somehow sooth my disturbed mind. You are really a gem of a person.”

“We are friends after all.”

“You have been with me throughout.” she nodded with eyes full of emotion “Even though it was Einar who should’ve been responsible, you have taken the responsibility and have been on the forefront. I could never thank you enough.”

“The child means something to me as well..”

Callan’s words were left hanging mid sentence when he saw the contorted face of the Luna. It looked as if she was in pain. “What’s wrong..?” Callan asked out of great concern.

Rosaline put both of her hands to her stomach and clutched it tightly. A loud moan of pain escaped her lips “It hurts...” she breathed heavily “It hurts.” As if this wasn’t enough, a piercing scream shrilled through the room as Rosaline’s back arched and she opened her mouth wide.

“Rosaline..!” Callan immediately rushed to the lady “Rosaline.” He hurriedly went towards the door and boomed his voice “Is anybody out there? Somebody help!”

****

Patience was something that was too difficult to hold onto at the moment. The clan of elites were all arranged outside of the room were Rosaline was being treated. The signs of worry on every other face were visible. Most importantly it was Einar who couldn’t station his feet on a single spot. He moved in oscillations looking at the door for any news regarding the development of his unborn child and the luna of the pack.

“Don’t worry Einar they will be fine.” Garrick sympathized with his friend and looked at him with utter concern.

On the other side of the room it was Callan who was the most disturbed person. He couldn’t fathom the reason behind Rosaline’s situation or why she was unconscious all of a sudden. All he knew that he was talking to her merrily and at the next moment itself she felt this sudden immense pain.

He looked at Einar with the corner of his eyes for he was worried about him. He couldn’t imagine the flurry of emotions the man might’ve been going through right now. He just wanted to reach him and hold his hands to assure him that everything was going to be alright; but he couldn’t do it. He sighed and looked at the door, waiting for Aurora to come with a positive note.

The anxious moments soon died when the wolves heard the sound of the latch being opened from the inside. Every one of them stood on their feet while Einar and Garrick rushed to the door hurriedly. Aurora came out with measured steps and took a survey of the people waiting impatiently for her verdict. Her eyes caught the attention of Callan and she shook her head dejectedly. Callan grew more and more despondent from the look Aurora gave him.

The silent conversation between the healer and the beautiful man agitated Einar and he growled “How are they?”

Aurora was startled for a moment as she looked at the angry face of the alpha. She willed her lips to move but she couldn’t think of a way to deliver her words in a subtle manner.

“Say it.” Einar looked stern “That’s an order.”

Aurora gulped and took a deep breath of confidence “Rosaline is fine but the baby..” she sighed as a drop of water rolled down her eye “The baby could not survive the trauma”

The room was filled with simultaneous gasps and moans of shock. Callan was hurt the most as he bit his lips while his eyes washed away his happiness, his calm.

“What do you mean?” Einar asked in disbelief. It was just a whisper of a sound that he could utter.

“It was a deliberate attempt to hurt the both of them.” The witch paused “She was poisoned.”

The room was again buzzed with shock and grief but it was mostly a surprise as to how a heavily guarded alpha house was infiltrated. The murmurs were mocking Einar in the face. He couldn’t protect his luna, he couldn’t protect his child. He let the shock absorb him and he mind linked every wolf to stand in silence.

“Garrick arrange a meeting in the hall.” he broadened his shoulders while his face was hard to read “I want every servant and wolf of every rank who is working at the alpha house present here.” he sighed and diverted his gaze to Aurora. The witch silently nodded and both of them went ahead to discuss the current situation of the luna.

In a matter of a few moments the main room in the alpha house was filled with people. The wolves were standing according to their ranks and waiting for their alpha to arrive. Callan as usual took his position aloof from the rest of them. He was shattered to say the least. His heartfelt condolence was surely not enough to imagine the pain his mate might’ve been going through right now. Against all odds he decided that it was high time he intervened. He had made up his mind to go and talk to Einar, to be with him in his apathy.

The chattering soon came to a halt as the alpha arrived at the scene with Garrick and Arthur.

Einar stood firm on his position as he watched his fellow wolves standing in respect of the alpha with their heads bowed down “My child is dead.” Einar said at once “That’s not the part I am here to discuss with you all. I am agitated and this anger needs release. Someone among you is the traitor behind this conspiracy. I am giving you one final chance to confess otherwise I will show no leniency when I kill you.”

Every wolf looked at each other for they were worriedly clueless of the aftermath that would be caused by an irked alpha.

Einar waited for a few more moments but when no response came he snarled “So no ones speaking.” he flared his nose “Fine then... You are forcing me to bring my wolf to the fore.”

Simultaneous gasps echoed the main hall. Einar’s wolf was a death sentence in itself.

“Pardon me alpha.” Arthur courageously spoke his mind “There should be a fair trial for the killer should not be the reason to annihilate your trusted men.”

“He has a point.” Garrick added “Your wolf will have no mercy on any of us. His barbaric nature is beyond right and wrong.”

“Fine.” Einar exhaled in defeat “What do you suggest?”

Garrick furrowed his brows as he got thinking “The healer says that Rosaline was poisoned. It must have been something that she consumed.”

“Bettany was responsible for her food but she says that the luna hasn’t eaten anything this morning.” Arthur said nonchalantly

“Perhaps it must have been something she drank.” Einar concluded in a whisper. He slowly swept his gaze to his best friend “Who was with her this morning?”

The wolf gulped at the question and looked sideways to avoid Einar’s gaze. Einar growled “I ASKED YOU A QUESTION GARRICK.”

The hall was silenced once again. Garrick closed his eyes and gritted his teeth before uttering the words he dreaded “It was Callan.”

It was just a whisper. However the sound was enough to cause shock waves across the hall. Every eye looked at the confused human with suspicion. Callan on the other hand was taken by surprise by the allegation. Though it was true that he was with Rosaline when the incident occurred but calling him the perpetrator was utterly absurd. He tried to reason and raise his voice but someone broke the silence.

“The lunas guard.” Marden’s eye sparkled “Of course we should have seen this coming.” he smirked “We let our guards down and look what this filthy human has brought upon us.”

Callan’s lips moved randomly to speak but he could not gather his thoughts. The shock was too much for him.

“I could not..” He looked at everyone around. Though it was expected, he felt betrayed by being cornered. He looked at Einar when the same emotions reflected in him “How could you even think that!” Callan pleaded as he stared at Marden in defense.

Marden’s words fueled the outrage among the other wolves present. They readily agreed to what Marden was trying to imply. The resentment was such that they had presumed the man guilty of the crime just like that. The murmurs rose in scale as people were not holding back while lashing at the Elemental.

“We always knew that you would be the doom to our pack and you’ve proved that yourself.”

“You are truly wicked!”

“This appearance of yours was always a façade.”

“Luna will have no mercy on you. You will rot in hell!”

The closed fists and irked snarls were increasing more and more. The cursed slurs were jumbled into each other as every wolf spoke his mind. They were hellishly angry at the man. The environment around was tense soon enough. The wolves now demanded that the human be beheaded for his horrid crime. They wanted justice for the unborn.

The only silent members present at the moment were the head warrior, beta and the gamma. Arthur and Aldous looked at the man with sympathy while Garrick looked at him with helplessness in his eyes.

“Silence!” the alpha roared at once and every wolf present bowed his head.

The tears that flowed through Callan’s eyes were overlooked by everyone. The handsome man was stunned for a moment but he realized that his mum would be misinterpreted as his acceptance of crime.

He bravely steadied his quivered breaths and calmly spoke “I have been with the luna for more than any one in the pack. I have cared for her, nurtured her and the baby for weeks in their times of need. The unborn child had became a part of my life. An unsolicited bond has developed between us. I have always loved him as my own. Rosaline is like my sister and I cannot imagine to hurt her in anyway. Then why would I try to kill someone who is dear to me? I would never...”

His words were cut short when the alpha roared. “YOU KILLED MY CHILD!”

The pain that exploded within Callan had left him numb. The beads that erupted through his eyes were not proportionate with the immense pain his heart felt right now. How on earth did Einar even think of it! Why didn’t his tongue shiver before uttering those words? Rosaline was dear to him. Even if it wasn’t her, Callan had never laid his hands on women or children. Then why was Einar convinced that Callan was at fault? It was like he didn’t know him at all!

The treacherous tears that rolled down though his cheeks were more of the betrayal he faced at the moment. Had it been anyone in the pack saying those words, Callan would have rebutted them but when it came to his own loved one, the man he trusted so much.. his heart just sank!

He fluttered his eyes as he gasped occasionally in shock “Do you.. Do you even realize what you are saying!” he spoke in a hushed voice.

Einar on the contrary kept his position firm and gritted his teeth. He was barely holding the brim of water waiting to liberate from him. He swiftly moved his eyes to Marden and ordered him. “Put him to the deepest arc of the dungeons.”

********