EKA: Tale of a Wounded Heart

Trouble

Kanwar felt the unease through the bond. Eka, Ili, Jeev, Carles and Arth had gone to get a gift for Antony's birthday from the Ovinon pack land which is a bit far south. They should be back by now. Antony walked in and did not see Ili. He always gets irritated when Ili is around, however, his absence always stood out like a sore thumb.

"Where is the annoying idiot?" asked Antony to Ahem who raised an eyebrow.

"Antony De Russe, you better treat that kid well. Why are you so nasty to him. I have never seen you behave this bad to anyone," said Ahem.

"He is my student," said Antony.

"He is family, Antony, you have also taught everyone else here too," said Cristian helpfully, throwing Antony under the train. 

"He is just irritating," said Antony.

"I hope you won't be offended if our brothers in law said the same about me or treated me the way you treat Ili," said Ivory, snappish. Ivory liked Ili like their own sibling. Everyone in the family did.

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Kanwar was in a meeting. Magnus was also with him along with Samuel, Clement, Pran, Vir, Ethan and Tim. Magnus was a bit worried as they were yet to be back. Both his boys and his brother in law were yet to get home. He can feel the discomfort in his heart.

"I don't feel good. Something is off," said Samuel.

"Yeah," said Kanwar and got up and they all ran into the woods.

A wolf came running.

"What is it?" asked Kanwar to the beta Paret.

"The guards were killed, the west pack took them. They have the King and the princes," said Paret. Paret looked half dead and the palace guards took him to healers.

Magnus let out a roar. No one touches his kids, his family. Jana came running, followed by Antony. They all ran through the woods onto the west side.

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Jeev tried to set atleast Arth free of the silver chains. Eka growled as he and Ili also tried to do the same. Arth was not crying even though he looked sad.

"Don't worry, we will get out of here okay?" said Jeev.

"I am not worried Uncle, Dad and Papa will come for us," said Arth.

"Does it hurt?" asked Ili nodding to the silver chains.

"No," said Arth leaning back on Eka who was closer.

Eka tried to send as many positive vibes to their boy.

Carles smiled at Arth whose little hand was touching his stomach.

"Is brother scared?" asked Arth.

"No kiddo, how can he be scared when his big brother is so brave," smiled Carles.

Arth nodded.

"I will protect him," said Arth vehemently making all the adults smile.

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Samuel cursed himself. He and Carles had a fight before he left. he had been trying to protect Carles a bit too much by not letting him out of his sight. Things came to a head in the morning. He growls as he imagines never apologising, never holding Carles in his arm again, never seeing their son. The healer had confirmed the day before. He thought of his Ili and Arth, his boys. He thought of Eka, the kid was kind and like his own brother. He closed his eyes as the memory of his fight with Carles surfaced again.

Carles was getting ready to go with Jeev and the others to get the gift for Antony.

"Are you going somewhere?" asked Samuel.

"Yes, I was going to tell you as soon as I came down. It is Antony's birthday in a week. We are getting him something special," said Carles, excited.

Samuel was furious.

"You know there is threat! Don't go," said Samuel.

"Come on, I have been locked in here for almost two months now! I need some air and I need to get the gift for my older brother, " said Carles.

"You are not going. Whatever you want, just let me know and I will get it," said Samuel.

"I want to choose and above all, I want to breathe. Stop trying to stifle me. I am not glass," snapped Carles.

"Well, you are being irresponsible. What if something happens to our kid," said Samuel.

"Your precious kid will be fine," snapped Carles and stormed out. 

Samuel wanted to correct him and tell him that it was not just about their kid but his anger and ego did not let him say a word other  than, "Shows how much you respect your Alpha."

"You utter bastard. How dare you! I will go and I am capable of taking care of myself. Avadh Alwar and Iker De Russe Alwar did not bring up me as a wuss! Don't you dare talk down to me like that! I am pregnant, not disabled! ," said Carles, the hormones working overtime in making him angry.

"Well, go and fuck off. Do I look like I care? Just don't end up killing the child," snapped Samuel.

"Don't you worry and I don't doubt that you wouldn't be bothered with me dying. It is not like you are even holding me these days," said Carles.

"Get out," Samuel bit out furious.

Carles left and Samuel sat on the bed.

It was true that he was not touching Carles a lot. He had been a very harsh man. He is scared of hurting Carles even with a touch these days. What if something goes wrong! He did not realise that Carles was reading it all wrong. He was worried every second of the day that something could go wrong with the pregnancy and he would lose Carles! Of course the baby too, but Carles, he- Samuel would simply die if something happened to Carles.

He got up and looked through the window and saw them leaving. Carles' tummy looked beautiful and cute at five months now. He was too angry to run down and apologise!

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Magnus had talked Jana into letting Ili and Arth go. Jana had been reluctant and thought they could all go on a different day, but Ili wanted to go before the fair ends in the pack land when traders from across the world come there.

Jeev and Eka agreed to take them and Carles also joined. He can see Samuel was actually looking shocked and furious. He knew they had a fight. The whole family heard the argument because the door was open. He felt his son's fear and he could feel his family's pull including Ili.

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Clement felt ill. Jana placed a hand on his shoulder like Clement thinks his mother would have and said "We will find them. Don't worry and curse yourself," said Jana and even though his own son was missing, Jana seemed to care about the family as a whole, not just the kidnapped. Clement realise that is what that makes him the submissive Alpha that commanded the respect of the Kingdom and his own brother who never bowed before anyone or anything. Clement wishes he is born as the son of Magnus and Jana in next birth at that moment. Jeev always says that his brothers are unique and he understands it now. They were respectable and honourable and strong and kind. He can see why Jeev respects them as his own parents.

Magnus ruffles his hair to calm him down on the other side. Jana is then looking at Samuel and shakes him.

"His hormones had been on a very high level for some time now. Trust me, he knows he was spouting stupidities and I know you did the same. We will find them," said Jana.

Samuel looked at him.

"Who the fuck asked you to be so perceptive ?" growled Samuel.

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