EKA: Tale of a Wounded Heart

Living

Eka took his side of the bed. Kanwar sat down on the other side.

"You need to rest," said Eka.

Kanwar was looking at him. Eka moved closer to him feeling the agony his King was in. He held the man's head in his arms and Kanwar broke down crying.

Eka soothingly ran his hand down his back. They sat there like that for hours. Eka couldn't stop himself from being overjoyed in having Kannu in his arms again.

"I am a pathetic, weak King and even worse I am a useless mate. If I can't keep my mate happy, How will I take care of this Kingdom?," said Kanwar.

"You know what Uncle Avadh says, emotions, being able to feel makes you more powerful. Being vulnerable does not mean you are weak. It means you are strong enough to let someone have that power in your life. I- I should have come back long ago. You wouldn't be in this much pain now," said Eka.

"You were right in doing what you did. I did not deserve your forgiveness," said Kanwar.

"I have forgiven you long before now," said Eka and wiped the King's tears.

"You have a battle to fight tomorrow, you need sleep, please rest your body," said Eka.

Kanwar looked at him. Eka made the man lay down on his lap and then Kanwar fell asleep. He slept like never before. Eka took his time in learning the changes in Kannu's face. Eka blushed a bit as he looked at how much an Alpha male Kanwar has grown into. Eka remembered playing with Kanwar's long hair as a teen in this very room, when this very man was asleep in his lap. They were 15 then.

The hair was still long and there was more facial hair. He had loved the roughness of Kanwar's facial hair when they started sprouting when they slept near each other. They were not lovers. They were friends and cousins and there was nothing Kanwar would not have done for him. And then, one fine day, Kanwar was not his.

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Kanwar woke up and felt at peace. He opened his eyes and saw Eka, asleep against the bed mast. He smiled. His Eka was here. He will beg and grovel for the rest of his life, if he must. Kanwar admired Eka. Eka has grown hotter. His hair reached his neck now and there was facial hair.

Eka opened his eyes and saw Kanwar looking. A pink tinge appeared on Eka's face as they sat there for some time.

"Kanwar," they heard Magnus' voice outside. He got up.

"Right there, brother," called Kanwar and scrambled to get fresh before leaving. Jana was waiting.

"He has gone down. There seems to be something wrong with the Lapis pack in the edge of the wood," said Jana.

Eka was worried.

Kanwar looked at him.

"I will be fine," he said and ran down. Sure enough the chief of the pack was being examined by the healers. He seems to have lost his hold on the pack and their bodies looked red. It was nothing painful or immediately harmful which is why Kanwar remained unaware of it.

"This looks like rogue poisoning. They have somehow poisoned the food of the festival feast with their blood, something that everyone eats," said the Healer.

"The wine. A drop of the blood is enough," said Kanwar.

All fell silent.

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The Alpha's of Manowar, both sons and son in laws, were quick to rid the borders of rogues.

Eka was worried. Their bond is new and it was vulnerable after being away from Kanwar for so long was hard. Eka looked through the window facing the woods. He used to watch the window when Kanwar was being trained to be a King.

It has been two hours since he left and somehow, the pain was intensifying. Being away had hurt in the past. It was unbearable now.
Eka rushed down. He felt the need to go into the woods.

Meanwhile Kanwar was growing weak. Samuel caught him on time and he and Pran carried him back while Magnus led the fight.

Eka was about to run out when Avadh and Iker held him back.

"They are bringing him back," said Avadh, holding his son in law who he and Iker considers as their own son, close as Iker ruffles his hair.

"What happened?" asked Eka panicking.

"He is fine. Don't panic," said Samuel as he and Pran entered with Kanwar.

Eka rushed forward and got hold of Kanwar who sagged into his arm. The Healer checked him over.

"You both really shouldn't leave each other's side till mating," said Healer.

Eka nodded. They got Kanwar upstairs to their bedroom. Eka sat at his side, praying to the moon goddess that the man would be alright. He is not new to prayers. He has prayed everyday in the past years to keep his Alpha healthy and well.

Kanwar stirred.

"What happened?" asked Kanwar.

Eka explained.

Eka ran his hand through Kanwar's hair.

"Healer said we need proximity," said Eka.
Kanwar nodded.

"I never realised we will- that you will face these many consequences," said Eka.

"It's because the demands from a King are high. You couldn't have known the intensity of it. I think we have stretched it thin,"said Kanwar.

"I don't know what you did, but to be honest, even when the colour appeared there was no real pain," said Kanwar.

Eka flushed.

"Your food," said Eka

"I know," said Kanwar.

Eka glared at him, not really angry.

"I just wanted to hear it from you," said Kanwar.

Eka pulled at his hair and Kanwar laughed, a hearty laugh which made Eka want to hug him and cry. He did just that.

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Jeev wanted to do something for Clement. He knew the man was doing a lot including curbing his natural instincts for his sake. Clement is funny. He makes Jeev smile. He makes Jeev want to live. He makes it hard not to trust him. He makes it impossible to not love him. Jeev was waiting because when he will finally give himself, he wanted it to be complete and perfect! He wanted to give his purest self to Clement.

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