Chapter 13: Mesmerised


    Einar stepped out once again into the sand and dust of the open arena which was heavily stained with


    the blood of his previous victims. The audience cheered wildly while Einar raised his hand skyward as


    a greeting to the gathered thousands. Another prisoner was pushed ahead in the centre of the ring to


    meet the same fate as his predecessors and fellow inmates. Einar had already executed more than a


    dozen of these ferals with no help from his beasts. Wild response arosed from the audience as Einar


    bowed his head to the king. The men inside the arena now circled each other with ferocity and an


    unreadable expression. Einar looked at his friend for a moment while the feral took this distraction as


    an opportunity and shifted mid air elerating towards his opponent. But the going to be Alpha was


    quick enough to move sideways and dodge the attack. He caught hold of his neck and squeezed it with


    his muscr arms until the body became motionless.


    "And the winner of this bout- Einar Ragnar Knight." The game master announced.


    The crowd erupted in cheers and thunderous apuse while Garrick looked at his friend with


    enormous joy and pride. Einar once again bowed to the King-Stanis and made his way through the


    exit of the arena. His friends and soon to be Alphas weed him with hoots and shouts while some


    even patted his back in encouragement and appreciation. He was the first in ages topete in this


    The people of Stanis''snd simply loved the strength and skill of the boy. He was seemingly younger


    than most of hispatriots but was morepetent and eligible than everyonebined. There


    were people who admired him and there were some who simply thought that he was overrated. Due to


    his adeptness, Stanis was mighty impressed with Einar and gave him a proposal to work under him


    as one of kings close guard, as one of the high ranks- The Enforcers.


    The women folks desperately wanted to be his mate. They turned their way to ogle him on every


    chance they got and why would they not. The man was sex on legs. His growing years had done


    wonders on him. He was taller than most of the men and had a well toned muscr body. His squared


    jaw and his mesmerizing eyes added to his good looks. He always returned a smile when he caught an


    admiring nce, but his heart had long been taken.


    "You did great today." Einar turned when a handnded on his shoulder and hugged his friend.


    "Father would have been so proud of you." Garrick shed a bead from his eye when he almost


    whispered the sentence. Umberto was a mentor, a teacher and a guide for Einar. He learnt many a


    things from him.1


    "I miss him." Einar said with glossy eyes and a disappointed heart when he patted his friends back


    lightly.


    "I miss him too."


    Garrick wiped his tears and lightly pushed his friend away. He took a scroll out of his bag and was


    about to hand it over to his friend when a knock intervened their conversation. It was one of the royal


    guards.


    "I apologize for the interference sire; the king has summoned you to his manor."


    Both the friends were quite amused with the sudden call of Stanis at this ungodly hour. Einar swiftly


    nodded to the guard and went right after him.


    Over the years Stanis had be very fond of Ragnar''s son. Not only he roared power but he was


    good in his learning as well. Stanis was so impressed with the man that he had consistently tried to


    persuade him to stay in his kingdom. Stanis knew that Einar was special because of his power and


    he would only prove be an asset to the royal army.


    Einar climbed the curved stairs to reach the balcony where he saw a man facing his back to him and


    looking at the bright blue sky. His shiny brown hair waved with the motion of the wind while his wrinkled


    cheeks gave way for his lips to expand when his nostrils caught a whiff.


    "My king." Einar bowed to the man in front of him "How can I be of your service today?"


    Stanis turned and hugged Einar with a smile. He held his arms with his hand and looked at him "You


    have made me and the entire werewolf n proud today."


    Einar did not have to be a genius to register what Stanis was talking about. The battle of the arena


    was not a small feat. Everyone knew that Einar had a spirit in him and even then he defeated all the


    rogues with his brute strength and skill without using his power. Not just that, no one has ever killed


    more than six rogues in the annual game but Einar outperformed himself when he killed almost all of


    the ferals in Stanis''s game. It was unbelievable!


    "I''m d I could please you my king." The man was expressionless in his tone.


    "If you really want to please me you know what you have to do. Just say yes to my offer." Stanis


    looked intently at Einar for his answer.


    "I wish I could be of any help here my king but my pack needs me. I am the sole heir to my father''s


    position, my people have expectations from me and I shall fulfill them." Einar was clear in his mind that


    he was not necessarily required in Stanis'' pce. The ce already had many proficient wolfs.


    "Don''t worry about Ragnar. I know him very well, he still has some more decades left in him and I''m


    sure he will be able to manage the pack just fine." Stanis returned to his position and was thoughtful


    about what he said.


    He knew about the stubborn nature of the blue moon''s Alpha. The pack became one of the strongest


    because of its leader. Though the Alpha was respectful about the throne but he was aware of the


    deceitful and conniving nature of the king. He once had also persuaded Ragnar to join his kingdom, but


    the Alpha had passed on the offer to his younger brother to avoid any conflict of interests.


    Stanis was convinced that with Einar on his side he would be able to challenge any supernatural


    kingdom and establish his supremacy in the entire world.


    Stanis'' thoughts were distracted by amotion which he could hear from downstairs. Einar and


    Stanis quickly made their way to the main hall. The king took his rightful ce on therge oversized


    bejeweled chair while Einar was standing at a few distances away from the closest pir to the stairs.


    Arge crowd of people had gathered around the main hall where the centre of attraction were two


    youngds around Einar''s age bounded in shackles. One was taller, muscr with brown hair while the


    other was submissive and shorter with blonde hair. Einar noticed that these youngsters were beaten


    and bruised while their movements were restricted with the metal around their legs. Some part of their


    skin was red and was even discharging the crimson liquid.


    Even in these brutal conditions Einar noticed that the youngds were smiling. But Einar''s eyes


    widened like saucers when he saw the boys holding each others hand.


    They were mates.


    Themotion was gaining momentum as the people around were trying to separate the two while the


    guards were trying to control the crowd.


    "SILENCE." The king roared throughout the throne room. Everybody bowed their heads in submission.


    Stanis ordered his men to exin what was going on.


    "Sire, the young boys here are from the Ravencrow pack. T-They... They im to be mates."


    The people around gasped in shock and the room suddenly sounded like a swarm of bees murmuring


    around its nest. Soon the murmuring turned into shouts and curses while the atmosphere became


    tensed. The people showed no sympathy to the duo while they cursed and demanded that they should


    be punished.


    Einar was now more or less habitual of these proceedings. Every month one or two such cases would


    arise before the king. Individuals of the same gender iming to be mates, aspiring of a life where


    there is no fear or hatred among their peers. But once you are in the clutches of the kings judiciary you


    have no escape. Every one of them suffered the same fate. Death.


    However death did not deterred those individuals to step back or regret their decisions, on the contrary


    they preferred to die together than live a life estranged with their other half. It was painful to be away


    from your beloved.


    "What are your names boys?" The king was cool in his stature.


    "I am Octavious Redwood and he is my mate Lucius Cardin."


    The king raised his eyes in anger and annoyance at the word mate. "Do you even know what you are


    saying? " he hissed "You have the audacity to stand in front me and confess your crime like you''ve won


    a war. How dare you!"


    The boy had a smug look on his face while his mate was looking at the king intently.


    "I said what I know and what is right." The brte said with confidence and defiance.


    "You seem to be from a royal blood line and higher ranks in your pack perhaps. Don''t waste your life


    this way. You have plenty of bright years ahead of you."


    Octavious nced at his mate and said "I have no life without him."


    "Don''t you know that same gender pairs are cursed? Moreover He cannot give you an heir! There


    would be no one to carry your blood line forward. He is an omega for Lunas sake! You are a smart and


    a handsome man, any girl would love to be your mate. Just think about it." The king tried to manipte


    the man.


    "The Luna paired us with a beautiful bond. I don''t want any children if it means I have to stay away from


    my mate. I''d rather be childless my entire life." He tightened the hold of his palms.


    "You are saying these words under the influence of the bond. You have the option to sever the bond


    and once it is done you will be free from this curse and live a new life afresh."


    "The only curse around here is YOU oh almighty king!" The sarcastic tone did not go unnoticed by the


    king while the entire room gasped. "And remember, you are going against the wishes of the Luna and


    she won''t stay quiet for long."


    The entire room buzzed again with the defiant nature of the man. Even Einar was amused by the


    confidence the man possessed in this adverse situation. "That''s enough..! I tried to make you see


    reason but you are an adamant man. This stubbornness of yours will cost you dearly."


    The king knew that this couple had to be made an example of otherwise the people would lose trust in


    him as also it would create fear among the other werewolf packs to not allow such pairings to exist or


    they would face severe consequences.


    "I Stanis Grimoir, king of the werewolf world hereby announce that these two individuals who are


    iming to be mates would be hanged till death on the first rays of sunlight falling on the giant gong


    tomorrow morning. Until then lock them up in different dungeons."


    The screaming and groaning of the men took the hall by storm as their pain was ignored and people


    around could only feel hatred towards them.


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    Aloof from everyone else Einar was reying the scene before him and instead of the two boys he


    imagined himself and Can standing there. Had Einar acknowledged his bond he would have suffered


    the same fate as these men. People would have hated him, his own family and pack would have


    looked at him differently, and moreover he would have let down histe mentor.


    But the most torturous moment for Einar would have been to see Can in pain. His beautiful body in


    shackles would havepletely broken his heart.


    Just the thought of Can in pain made the beasts ufortable as they were growling and


    screeching inside of Einar to let them out. Einar held tight his locket which was now glowing and


    hanging around his neck trying to calm himself and reign above his beasts. Finally the pendant did its


    job as Einar heaved a sigh of relief and dashed his way out of the royal pce to get some fresh air.


    On the outskirts of a beautiful garden Einar was in a deep thought when his beasts started pacing


    inside him restlessly. Even he felt a need to release his beasts to calm his growing anxiety within him.


    He started taking heavy breathes for a rhythmic rise and fall of his chest. On the fourth breath however


    his nostrils were assaulted by a very faint but intoxicating smell. He made his way to the source of it


    and ran as fast as he could. The smell brought him towards the main gate of thend where he could


    see his fellow pack mates being greeted by his best friend. It was the head warrior and a few pack


    warriors who apanied him. Justus saw the future Alpha and went ahead to greet him. He bowed


    on one knee with his warriors following suit.


    "Greetings Son of Ragnar. We are here on the orders of our Alpha to escort you to ournd."


    "It would have been fine this way Justus. I had already told father that we were going to be visiting all


    on our own but he never listens." He exhaled in defeat. "I think we should carry our talks in my


    chamber." Einar gestured the men to follow him.


    "My apologies Einar. But we are still short of one member." One among the warriors said with concern.


    "Who is...."


    Before Einar could even finish his sentence he heard neighing of a horse which a man was riding. The


    man looked familiar yet totally unrecognizable. He stepped down from the horse and motioned his


    hands back and forth to the mane of the horse. A sudden pang of jealousy erupted inside of Einar


    where now his myriads of emotions were making him loose control. He was about to confront the man


    but what he saw next made his feet glued to the ground as he was astounded and appalled by the


    sheer beauty of this being.


    There were no words to describe the man ahead of him. His face was strong and defined. His lips were


    pale and thin while his nose was slender. A prominent jaw curved gracefully around. He had dark


    eyebrows which perfectly matched his shiny thick ck hair. His entire body was lean yet muscr.


    The man was almost as tall as him. But the one thing which stood out from the rest were the deep


    green forest eyes. Just a look into those beautiful eyes and Einar''s entire world was swept away. He


    was transported into another universe. How can he ever forget those eyes!


    It was his mate Can.


    Can''s beauty was such that one look and both women and men swooned at the sight of him no


    matter their sexual preferences. Just the thought of other beings seeing his mate made Einar furious


    and he growled in anger. His sudden outrage confused his best friend but brought terror to the ones


    who were nearby.


    "What happened Einar? Is something bothering you?" Garrick who was now standing beside him was


    concerned for his friend.


    "N-Nothing." Einar gained hisposure and looked every now and then to the handsome man in front


    of him. He continued "Now can we go to our chambers." He retorted sarcastically.


    "Yes Einar."


    "Actually father I wanted to visit someone first." Can interrupted the talk.


    "Where do you want to go at this hour Cally." Even Einar wanted to know the answer for this.


    "You know where father." Can rolled his eyes a bit and said shyly. "Please permit me to go?" he said


    in a soft voice.


    "Alright, but make sure you are here before the intended time. Do you promise?"


    "Yes father."


    Can jumped excitedly. He looked sideways towards the buff man and made his way to the other side


    of the open area with his horse.


    Einar could not believe that even after so many years he still yearned for a nce, a smile, or just an


    approval from Can. He could not believe how a simple human could influence his emotions so much.


    At this moment his every intent was to chase his mate, embrace him and never let go but he knew well


    that he cannot do as he pleased. He sighed heavily and signaled his men to follow him.


    On the other side Can visited the town area of the pce. As it happened he was met with curious


    nces. Both men and women could simply note to terms with his beauty.


    He came to a halt near an old cottage and knocked on its door thrice. The moment the person was


    about to open the door Can glued his back to the wall besides the door. The person who came out of


    the door was an old woman with curls and a bit hunched in her stature. She looked around but found


    no one in particr and assumed that it would have been her age doing tricks on her. She was about to


    turn her back when Can stood in front of her out of nowhere and shouted.


    "Grandma!"


    The olddy was surprised and astounded with the sudden visit from her grandchild. Her lips curved a


    smile while her eyes had be glossy with happiness. The joy in her face was priceless.


    "My boy." She embraced Can with all her strength. "What a wonderful surprise! Come inside."


    ****


    Back in Einar''s chamber everyone were discussing about the awaited return of the future Alpha.


    Garrick was busy telling stories about their years to hispanions while Justus was discussing legal


    matters with the counselor of the pce. Einar was trying very hard to concentrate on the matter in


    hand but his mind wandered only to a single person. His mate.


    "We have to leave before sunset tomorrow if we intend to visit our pack in time. Will Can make it in


    time tomorrow?" a fellow warrior asked the head of the warriors. Einar''s ears perked after hearing the


    question.


    "He will join us before we leave. In fact he will be here with us in the afternoon before we meet the


    king." But why is he not here at this moment ? thought Einar.


    "Head warrior, don''t you think he should have joined us as of now. I mean he did not even meet Einar


    for whom the trip was arranged." Now to think of it even Einar did not like the fact that Can did not


    greet or spoke any word with him. Though he was not the alpha yet, the action felt like a disrespect


    towards the high ranks.


    "Believe me Zinadine if it was possible he could have been here. He was here in thisnd for a purpose


    and the person he is meeting is very beloved to him. Can cannot resist meeting her."


    This did not go too well with Einar. The thought that Can had someone else in his life made him


    furious. He gripped the hands of his chairs to try and pacify himself as his beasts were wanting out and


    eliminate everypetition to im his mate.


    With a snort he growled and dashed his way out of the chamber to find Cans lover and KILL


    her.