Chapter 67: The Bleeding Heart
The sunny rays of the morning sun were shining bright at the house of the Ashtons. The gardens were
are all green while alternate shades of red and yellow beautified the lilies which were thriving in its
glow.
At this point of time however it was the mother in Mary who was the happiest. Her only son was sitting
besides her and enjoying her homemade food.
"Everything is amazing mother. I really missed this."
"Eat my son." Mary affectionately patted Can''s back as her heart was filled with joy "I will pack your
favorites for you to eat at home."
"I will have them when I visit next." Can bluntly said as he kept stashing the piece of meat in his
mouth.
Mary ufortably looked at her mate who reciprocated her with a dejected look of his own. It was
hard for them to say the words but they had to respect the decision of the pack "Don''t do this son."
Justus said in a low voice "You are breaking the rules. You will get yourself in trouble again."
"I have never cared and I never will."
"Don''t be stubborn Can. Thank the alpha for allowing you to visit us."
Can was quiet for a moment. He looked at his parents and then slowly looked outside the window.
He could see the middle aged man standing near one of the rose ntations and appreciating its
beauty.
It was strange.
Can had been visiting his parents for a long time without the knowledge of the pack or anyone else.
He never cared for the oue as his parents were more important to him than anyone else in the
world. Today was no exception. He stepped out of his house to visit his parents home. He was taken by
surprise when he saw the alphafortably sitting at the dining table, having a chat with his long time
He saw Can and was quiet for a moment. He wasn''t shocked. Like he was expecting him to make an
appearance. Ragnar excused himself to take a walk beside the beautiful ntations and let Can
have his family time which he needed the most at this time.
When it was finally time to leave the house, Can bid goodbye to his emotional parents. He kept
reassuring them that he would visit soon while Justus was trying hard to make his son realize that he
was asking for trouble. Just as Can was out of the main gate he saw the alpha standing right in front
of him as if waiting for him. They both agreed to walk to the alpha house together so that no one was
suspicious about Can''s visit to his parents.
"I am really thankful for what you have done for me today." Can spoke all of a sudden to break the
ufortable silence.
"I haven''t done anything out of the ordinary. Besides this isn''t the first time that you have visited your
parents." Ragnar raised one of his eye brow to which Can smiled at awkwardly "You have a knack to
go against us."
"I broke the rule I am sorry."
"That''s the thing." The alpha snickered "You are not."
Can was at a loss of words after that. Indeed he was not sorry for visiting the people he loved the
most in the world. The rules of the werewolf world never bothered him for he was never a part of it.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.
However at this moment he realized that the alpha knew about his hidden excursions to his parents
house which would have repercussionster on.
But why did the alpha keep that a secret from the pack?
Can concluded that it must be the good heart of the alpha whichpelled him to change his mind.
"Have you congratted Einar yet?"
Can faltered in his stance by the sudden urrence of his mates name. He kept his gaze low and
exhaled a long breath of sorrow "We haven''t met for a long time."
It had been weeks since Einarst came to see the the man he loved. When the news of Rosaline''s
pregnancy reached him, he was sad and at the same time he was happy for Einar that finally he could
have his own lineage; an heir.
He could have congratted him and assured him that nothing had changed between them but Einar
as always decided for the both of them. He kept himself aloof from Can for the longest while Can
recuperated alone in the midst of his longing.
The alpha decided to sit on the t rock which was besides therge mulberry tree. He offered Can
to sit with him and the handsome man obliged out of respect.
"I heard that he visited the human settlement with you."
"He was apanying me because of my pain."
"Both of you seem to have a goodpanionship for the past few weeks."
Can nodded awkwardly. The silence that followed was more of a necessity for Can. The constant
mention of Einar was making his heart heavy. He tried to walk away but he had topose himself so
as to not disrespect the alpha. He wished the time to pass by soon.
"I have seen my son rise through all of the challenges." Ragnar uttered all of a sudden. "He has proven
to be the best wolf, the best warrior, the best son any parent could have. Yet even after all of his
aplishments I couldn''t see him in peace. Barring the past few days, he has always been
tormented by something I couldn''t figure out."
The context of the conversation was not something the alpha would discuss with Can as often. The
handsome man was confused for why the alpha was talking about his son. He presumed that maybe
Ragnar was trying to take an outside view or have a random chat until they reach the alpha house.
"Maybe he found what he was looking for." Can said nonchntly.
"Maybe..." he shrugged "Since his return from the kings pce I could see the change in him. He looks
at ease. He looks.. happy!"
Can agreed with Ragnar. In fact it was something that bothered the handsome man too. The sudden
hostility and resistance of the son of the alpha was all gone since his return from the kings manor.
Whatever happened there had made Einar change his stance about Can and eventually it brought
them closer.
"He smiles more often, doesn''t argue or retaliate on everything." The environment was tense all of a
sudden and the stretched lips of Ragnar came back to their original shape "But the reason for his
happiness is not Rosaline."
Can''s heart beat raced at a higher rate. This conversation was bing more than awkward for
him. It was the unknown fear of revtion which was making him uneasy "I think we should leave. It is
alreadyte."
The handsome man stood up in a jiffy and moved ahead "Sit down Can." The alpha ordered in a
stern voice "We have a lot to discuss."
The handsome man had no choice but to adhere to themand of the alpha of the pack. He
reluctantly sat on the bench and fidgeted his fingers in nervousness. Ragnar''s change in his features
was unweed and certainly not a good news for the Elemental.
"You are a special child." Ragnar spoke to break the silence "Although I couldn''t prove it, I always knew
there was something different about you. When you were this tiny, Lady Odile came up to me with he
news that you were born blind. A cursed child. Your parents were devastated for they knew what was
needed to be done."
Can acknowledged the information as it wasn''t much of a surprise for him. He knew the fate of every
cursed child that was ever born in the pack.
"As you grew up, the abnormalities you showed were baffling me to the core. I ordered elder Odulf to
follow you, know more about you."
The handsome man furrowed his brows "It was just a measure to be safe. When the olddy warned
us about you we knew that you were special. Good or bad that was undecided. Zelda was mesmerized
by your beauty and she forced me to keep the baby protected from all the evil."
"But you think I am the evil." Can said in conformity. He could deduce from the look of Ragnar that
the alpha was untrusting towards him.
"I don''t mean to but circumstances prove otherwise. Trouble always finds you. How is that possible? I
asked myself for years.."
Can sighed for he had no exnation.
"Elder Odulf came to me one day and said that he wont help me anymore. He knew something that I
didn''t. I wanted the safety of my pack and so I asked him just one question. Is the child fatal to my
people?"
Can''s breath hitched "What did he say?"
"He didn''t say anything." the alpha shrugged "Neither agreed neither denied."
Can could see the determination in the eyes of the Alpha like he already knew him "You don''t trust
me alpha. I can see it in your eyes."
Ragnar bit his lips and slowly nodded his head "There were things that were very unusual since your
birth. While their were catastrophes all around, ourrge pack was always out of harms way;
untouched by those cmities. No floods, no thunderstorms, no earthquakes. It all stopped since your
birth. It was as if mother nature nature was shielding us." He exhaled a long breath "On the other side
Einar''s mind was always upied by your thoughts. His mean side was to the fore only when it
concerned you."
Can understood what the alpha was trying to imply. However he thought that the reason for Ragnar''s
interpretation of the conclusion was his self believe that Can indeed was evil.
The birds chirped and the whooshing sound of the wind forced the trees to dance in motion. These
were the only two sounds that could be heard for the longest. Can was sure that Ragnar had
something in his mind but he was trying to resist himself. He wanted to give him time so that he was
himself again.
"My son is powerful, he is dominant, intelligent, wise. You know what else he is good at?"
"No."
Ragnar turned his face to Can in the eye "Hiding things."
Though he was talking about his son Can could feel the usations in Ragnar''s tone "I was
suspicious about his connection with you from the start. The stares, the hisses, the growls, Einar''s
abrupt behavior out of nowhere. It was all a matter of concern for me. However I discerned that his
mood changes were apparent only when you were near him. At first I thought that you were
unknowingly messing up with his minds."
"I am not evil."
"That is debatable. My heart wants to trust you but my instincts somehow warn me to stay away from
you."
"I wont harm you or anyone else, I cannot even think about it!"
"Though unwillingly but you harmed my son." Ragnar narrowed his eyes "I was really proud when he
built a wall to keep his emotions at bay. This is a good character for a leader. But I failed to understand
that he was never interested to be the alpha. All he was doing was to build a barrier around himself to
avoid the inevitable."
And all of a sudden it clicked. Everything that Ragnar said, every of his cryptic talk just made sense.
Ragnar wasn''t just using Can of being evil he was implying much more. He had deduced
everything. He knew about the bond.
"You.. how?" Can whispered in a shocked tone.
"The day we went to the seers was when I confirmed that my suspicions were indeed true. I have never
seen love or affection for Rosaline in Einar. He respects her but he doesn''t treat her as a mate. He is
not jealous when other people try to mingle with her nor does he wants to spend his time when he has
the chance."Ragnar said nonchntly
"But when ites to you everything changes." He whispered
"I am not blind Can. I can see the way my son looks at you. I tried to fool myself for a long time for I
was afraid to ept the reality. I thought his mood swings were because he hated you but it was much
more than that." He sighed.
"I could see his urge, his resilience and at the same time his want for you. Like he would tear apart the
world so that no one stands between the two of you. I have seen what he can do for you. He has held
himself back." He snorted "But only Luna knows until when. He has hidden his true feelings from
everyone around and I really appreciate that. It must be really hard for him."
Can gathered his courage and said "We have not caused a problem for the pack."
"Not now." Ragnar exhaled a long breath "But are you sure that it would be the same in the future?
Einar wont be able to resist the urges of his beasts. His proximity to you will be the cause of the doom
for my pack."
"What possible threat do you reckon?" Can gritted his teeth in anger. This was beyond his capability
to absorb and endure. Since Can and Einar had been been together he was the happiest in his entire
existence. It was like his life had a meaning to it, like Einar was the missing part to make him whole.
Ragnar or the entire wolf pack would never understand what Einar meant for Can.
"We haven''t seen each other for days and yet everything is at its ce." he snapped "I have told Einar
and now I am telling you the same. I don''t want the pack, the throne or even acknowledgment from the
wolves; but I cannot leave Einar. I am ready to forgo it all for the sake of my bond."
His words of determination did not go unnoticed by the alpha of the pack. However Ragnar stood firm
on his stand. He was taken aback when Can said "If you so wish we would always remain hidden
from the world but please don''t make us fall apart. I cannot stand it. I cannot breathe without him. I love
him!"
"Stop this nonsense Can! He has a mate and is soon going to be a father himself. Rosaline is
carrying the future of the pack. Where do you think you fit in any of it? "
"I wonte in their way. I am truly happy for Einar. He always wanted a child and I know he will be a
great father. He deserves to have his own lineage and my rtionship with him wont take that away. I
will always be in the shadow and adhere to every rule that the pack so demands. Please let me have
my life. I wont be able to live without him. Please..!"
Ragnar could see the truth in the handsome man. He could see the promise in his eyes. Can had
always been the stubborn one. A man who would go to any lengths if he so decides. Ragnar''s face was
more stressed now for he remembered Einar. It wasn''t Can that he was worried about. It was his own
son.
Einar was a wolf after all. It was only a matter of time that he broke all of his walls and go against the
pack to be with his lover. Einar could never withstand the pressure, the urge, the strength of the bond
which his wolf would bring to the fore just to be with Can
Ragnar looked to the sky as a silent tear rolled down through the sides of his eyes. He tightly closed his
eyes and sighed deeply "A great father; a great alpha; a mighty wolf.. It all seems good. Just one
hindrance to the n." he slowly turned his face to look at a confused Can "You."
"I am not.."
"Your parents didn''t believe it neither did Zelda but I could see the truth in the seers eyes. She told us
the future. Your future."
"What future?"
"You are not meant for the pack. Your presence will cause infinite misery to Einar and Rosaline''s life.
You would influence Einar and his powers and finally... you would be the reason for the death for his
child."
Can''s breath stuck in his throat. He was speechless for the longest of time. He couldn''t imagine a
scenario where he was to hurt an innocent person let alone an unborn child. He remembered the days
when his parents and Einar''s parents behaved strange when they returned from the seers. Now he
knew the reason why.
Though the seers were not to be trusted they were obligated to serve the people thate to them.
Their foretelling had a twisted truth to it. What if the seers words were true? What if Can was really
the reason for the death of Einar''s child?
"This is impossible." Can choked
The atmosphere around had been eerily silent. "I know you mean well Can. You have been a son to
me but I don''t have a choice."
The words confused Can at first but when he saw the sharp ws descending from the alpha he was
taken aback. The handsome man raised in eyes in pure horror. This was not going down down well for
him.
"Please don''t do this." he begged the alpha.
"To safeguard the interest of my people" Ragnar sniveled "And to make Einar the rightful alpha of the
pack, I have to make him forget you."
"Please just listen to me. Einar is not what you think. He will create havoc if he witnesses my death. He
will stop at nothing!"
The warning seemed to follow on deaf ears as the alpha just overlooked Can "It happens to every
wolf." He was firm on his decision "He would be angry, upset and ultimately filled with sorrow." he
sighed "But time will heal all his wounds and he would learn to live a life without you."
"You are mistaking in recognizing your own son! What you are saying will never happen. Please try to
understand Einar is not like other wolves."
"I am sorry Can." Ragnar took a deep breath and apologetically looked at the handsome man "I will
make it less painful for you."
Soon enough the muscr strength of the wolf held the human neck of the Elemental and gripped it
firmly. Can resisted with all his strength but the power of the alpha was too much from him to endure.
He screamed and begged Ragnar but the alpha did not budge.
Can understood that he had little time left to act. So on instinct and the limited amount of power he
had left in him, he circled his thumbs and a solid tapering body of stones stood right above Ragnar''s
head in no mean time.
The alpha was confused at first but he was shocked when he realized what he saw. His eyes were
wide open as he looked at Can with anger and disbelief.
Can had powers!
Indeed the people of the pack were right. Can was mysterious and dangerous. The fact cemented
even more that Can was not right for his son, that he had to leave the pack, leave this world for good.
However even before he could react, the storm of stones barged the aura of the stronger man. One
after the other, the stones relentlessly attacked the man until he gave up on Can. The handsome
man on the other hand took advantage of this situation and ran with his might. He wanted to escape to
a ce where he could gather himself and take the next course of action.
His ns hanged in the bnce when a growl stopped his footsteps. This wasn''t good. He knew what
was supposed to be followed and hence he tookrge strides with a panting breath and never looked
back. He could feel the approaching footsteps, he could feel the presence behind him but he had to be
calm.
His efforts were in vain when the wolf pounced on him on all his fours rendering the handsome man
defenseless. Can fell t on his chest while the heavier body was crushing his fragile figure.
"Please don''t do this." He begged "You don''t realize the aftermath of it. Please just listen to me once."
The wolf bared his teeth and raised his paw. He thumped his paw again and opened his mouth wide to
insert his canines to Can''s neck.
An earth shattering growl halted the alpha in his actions. Standing at a distance was his own son and
around him was the red aura. Ragnar was astonished. The wolf had taken over Einar in his human
form. This had never happened before!
He growled andmanded his son to stay back and not meddle in between but all Einar could see
was the helpless state of his mate and the person who was behind it.
Einar was defiant to everymand of his father. He paced his way ahead and without giving any
more thought he thrashed the wolf to a nearest tree and stood defensively in front of Can.
The handsome man was relived that he had been saved but the situation had taken an ugly turn.
Einar''s body was taken over by Orcus who was barbaric when it came to his mate. At this moment he
was seeing Ragnar as the enemy.
"There has to be a way." Can tried to pacify Orcus "Just listen to my voice. You don''t have to do this."
but the man was still keeping an eye on the faltering wolf.
"Orcus!" Can cried.
Einar looked at his mate and his anger was dwindling. He moved closer to his beloved. His mind was
bing calm and he was about to embrace Can when suddenly the Elemental was being dragged
by the alpha wolf.
The sharp canines on his feet had punctured Cans flesh and blood oozed from the legs of the
handsome man.
Einar saw all red.
He quickly made his way to the wolf and threw him back at a distance. The pain his beloved suffered
was only fueling the rage in Einar. Without thinking about the consequences he looked at the sky and
howled.
The alpha wolf stood on his fours. He scowled at Einar and retaliated with a howl of his own. The stage
had been set. Einar had challenged Ragnar for a fight.
Both of them circled each other for a while, baring their teeth, trying to intimidate the other. Ragnar was
forcing his alpha powers to make Einar submit but his efforts were fruitless. The aura he projected was
overshadowed by the one being presented by his own son. It was too much for Ragnar to handle.
Both of them increased their pace and ran at each other. Thus a fearsome battle ensued.
The wolf was biting and scratching Einar all over but the muscr man wasn''t really affected by it. He
constantly tried to create a distance between the two so that he could he have a leverage on the wolf.
The wolf was pissed. It was the sheer stubbornness of the muscr man which was blinding him and
the wolf was finding it difficult to surpass him. Einar at this moment was exuding such a power that he
was forcing the wolf to submit.
The aura which Einar projected was soon beginning to affect the alpha. He tried to resist but his knees
were wobbly and he was forced to kneel partially. At this moment he could clearly see his defeat, his
submission would eventually mean the end of the pack. Ragnar had to fight for his people and protect
them from the mysterious evil hiding behind Einar.
Just as he was about to bow down, he bared his teeth and snarled. With all the energy left in him, he
stood on his fours and mightily growled for onest time. He shook his head vigorously and ran
towards Einar. However just as he reached the muscr man he changed his trajectory and focused
on the injured human. He went ahead and aimed for Can''s throat. The handsome man saw this
Can was writhing in agonizing pain. His screams of difort was agitating the muscr man and
he could take it no more. There was no mercy now.
Einar was besides his mate in the very next moment and held the wolf by his mane. He tried to release
his grip from Can but he was finding it difficult.
With no other choice left Einar snaked his arms around the neck of the wolf and squeezed his elbow.
The alpha was forced to separate from the handsome man. The wolf tired to escape the grip but the
more he struggled the more firm Einar''s grip was on him.
Can could see the desperate attempts of the alpha to be out of the clutches of his own son. He
gulped in fear for his mate wasn''t ready to stop "Please just let him go." he begged Einar.
The plea fell on deaf ears as every drop of blood in his body was boiling in rage. He did not look at
Can neither did he loosened his grip over the wolf. Just as the Elemental was about to intervene,
Einar flexed his muscles tightly breaking the jugr of the wolf.
The wolf could not blink his eyes for the life in him was snatched away whereas the Elemental could
not blink for he witnessed the horror with his own naked eyes. He could utter no words as he saw the
lifeless body of the alpha lying on the floor while his own mate was snarling and howling mightily.
The rage had not left him yet. He protectively stood in front of Can as if to challenge someone to
darey a finger on his beloved. Can on the other hand could notprehend this madness, he
could not believe that to save the life of his mate Einar killed the man he loved.
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