I Claim Your LOVE

Meeting The Ashtons

The old woman was short with a fair complexion. Her wrinkles and grey hair clearly showed that the woman had crossed her peak long ago. But still one could see the spirit and enthusiasm in her as it was a special day. Among the many grandchildren she had, she admired Callan the most and he was with her today. Not only was he kind and loving but also he would regularly visit the old couple every chance he got.

The old Ashton was not still; she baked and had conversation with her grandchild simultaneously. But what stood out most was the happiness and content which she was experiencing in her otherwise mundane life.

She served him a full meal of beef, pork and her famous muffins. Callan was surprised at how the old lady could still manage to perform her duties in the kitchen. He savored every bite of the meat with hunger, eagerness to consume it all. He moaned and rolled his eyes every now and then indicating how delicious the meal really was.

After the meal, both of them went straight to the garden where the old lady was eager to show the man her new plantations and the blossoming flowers when Callan suddenly asked.. "Why don't you come with us grandma? I miss you so much! I feel really bad when you can't visit me on my birthdays."

"I wish it was that easy my child. When your grandfather passed on the mantle to your father he really was not relieved from his duties." The old lady replied.

"How can that be possible?" Callan was puzzled as to what the old lady was referring to.

"The King invites people around the world who have relinquished their positions to their successors. Every couple of the esteemed high ranks has got to stay in his lands."

Callan sighed and said "I know about this grandma but father told me that it was your choice if you really want to go or not then why do you wish to stay here?"

The old lady chuckled "Believe me my child if it was really a choice we would have never chosen to be in this place. The King does not 'enforce' anyone to be a part of their land. Not directly though."

She snorted with her head hung low as if she remembered something unpleasant. "He wants the high ranks to join him so that he would always have an upper hand on their respective packs. The elders of the pack are a treasured lot due to their knowledge and experience and without them most of the packs would collapse."

She plucked some flowers and deposited them in her basket. She stepped ahead of a beautiful violet rose and closed her eyes smelling the divine essence of the flower. "When it came to the blue moon pack, Ragnar's father and Umberto's father, the then Alpha and beta were martyrs for their land as they died saving all of the pack. Both Ragnar and Umberto had to take the responsibility of being an Alpha and Beta at a very tender age. Thankfully he did not change the positions of the other ranks for quite a time until which he mastered himself on all accounts through administration and warfare."

She looked at her grandchild and smiled weakly. "The King was getting impatient because there were no representations from the blue moon pack as Ragnar refused to appoint new people as the successors of the respective jobs. The King deemed it as defiance to his laws and started creating problems for Ragnar. He forced other packs to revoke their treaties. The blue moon pack was disbanded from attending the royal palace. Means of livelihood and trade were disrupted systematically while the King refused any help to the pack in case of adversity."

She moved one step further and caressed the cheeks of Callan with admiration and love. She lowered her gaze, turned her back to pick out some more fresh flowers. "Ragnar was brave enough to overcome all the difficulties without any outside assistance. He successfully created a strong army and with the help of his shedim spirit he never lost any battle. He created job opportunities for his men in the pack itself. The pack was self sufficient and prosperous all on its own. It was strong enough to face any army; even the King's!"