Chapter 60 - 59. Choices

Greg's eyes were locked on the Soul Healer's as she scanned him to see his reaction. The doctor let nothing show what he was feeling and the old woman smiled when she saw that he wasn't the kind of man to be easily unsettled. She broke the eye contact when she realized she wouldn't win their little battle, then turned to Connor who also had greeted the news with coolness even though she felt he was restraining himself not to explode.

"Why would they try to hurt my man? I'm not interested in their clan. My grandmother never told me anything. I doubt she ever told my father anything about that either. At least, he never mentioned that his mother was anything other than just a human. We have always lived as civilians. "

"It looked like the Autumn that I knew, indeed. She was determined to cut all ties with her family and her clan. However, it doesn't matter. You are the last descendant of the real leader's lineage.

The one who, according to their belief, helps ensure the sustainability of the clan."

"You say that, but, if I got it right, despite my grandmother's disappearance, the clan survived. It proves that their belief was just some bullshit. They did well without me, they will continue like this. Why make such a big deal out of my existence? Whether I am here or not, the clan survives. "

"Barely. Since Autumn's escape, the clan has had to rethink the way they take over the succession. When your grandmother fled her clan, they chose the strongest of the members to marry him with a wizard in the hope of renewing the blessing received from the Moon Goddess and they were successful. "

"Good! Problem solved! " The agent commented.

"Unfortunately, when the last successor came to power, the renewal of the blessing ceremony didn't go as planned. Not all members of the clan received the blessing, only the most powerful ones and now the clan dreads the next succession. "

"When you say that not all members of the clan received a blessing, what does it mean?"

"It means that the clan members who have the lowest amounts of spiritual energy can no longer transform. The clan is dying. If the next renewal ceremony failed, they might disappear."

"It's unfortunate, but it still doesn't concern me. I don't intend to play the saviors and give up on my own life. I have no connection with them."

This time, it was Eden who intervened and cut the agent off.

"But according to the Elder, only the clan can save Glen and lift the curse."

"What?"

"Glen's curse is a powerful spell. Extremely powerful. However, even weakened, I think the

Skinwalkers will be able to lift it. Of course, the odds would increase dramatically if they had access to the blessing your powers can offer them. "

The agent rubbed his temples and sighed before looking at the silver-haired werewolf. He felt like he was being manipulated into embracing a destiny he didn't want to. His life suited him perfectly as it was. Moreover, his man suited him perfectly! Why should he change and become the leader of a wizarding clan just because he's a descendant of their true leader? There might be a way to avoid the whole heir thing.

"Just to find out what I'm stepping into. If I chose to do their renewal ceremony or whatever, would he let me go back to my life as the free man that I am? "

The woman's expression answered his question and Connor groaned in frustration. The man was annoyed. He knew he couldn't let Glen down, but the prospect of becoming the head of a wizards and witches clan meant nothing to him at all.

"Why can't I just give them the blessing in return for helping Glen and we say goodbye like civilized people?" Connor asked, his arms crossed. He was more and more annoyed by what he heard and didn't try to hide it.

"I'm afraid they'll try to force you to stay in order to marry a witch to ensure a lineage." The werewolf answered him sincerely and Connor's reaction was more explosive than she had imagined.

"What the… Fuck no! There is no way in hell! I won't leave my man! Ever! I won't marry some chick. Let alone put my dick in some witch's hole. "

Astonished by the intensity of his response Greg turned his head towards him before quickly redirecting his attention to the werewolf, silent.

"In that case, I'm afraid we're at an impasse. The next moon is in less than three days. Your friend must have lifted the curse by then if he wants to be able to mark his omega. "

"Not to mention that the curse will kill Glen," Eden added in a small voice.

Silence filled the room. Greg, who had just observed the conversation between the old healer and the others, was thoughtful and even quieter than usual. He was racking his brain, and looking at the problem from any perspective available, but he couldn't see any way out. It has to be done first then they would think about the outcomes. If anything happened to Glen because Connor had hesitated to rescue him, he knew his lover would never recover. He had known him and Glen long enough to know that.

"If you say that Connor has an aura even more powerful than that of his grandmother means that their theory on the lineage is obsolete, why not just explain that to them? " The doctor even asked if he suspected the answer.

"It's an option, but I'm not sure they're listening. Your partner is a hope they were no longer expecting. If hanging on to the tradition of the leader's lineage allows them to ensure the sustainability of the clan, then they will do so, even if it means killing you for that. "

"Wait. Why would they go so far as to kill me? I understand their frustration that Connor is with a man and a civilian at that, but this is not a reason reasonable enough for them to hurt me or kill me. "

Greg spoke jadedly, but the man was curious as to why his death would be an option considered by the Blue Moon clan.

"Killing you would be the most effective way to break the claiming mark Connor left on you. This mark could cause the ritual of union with a witch to fail."

"Did you just tell 'claiming mark '?" Greg's eyes widened.

"I indeed said so. You have a claiming mark on you."

"Oh, that thing on his neck? I was wondering what it could be." Eden shouted as he finally got the answer to his silent question.

"Yes, that's right." She said with a smile and turned back to the doctor to resume her speech. "Your lover is a Skinwalker, it's a given that he's able to mark you. It's not the same as the werewolves mark, but the purpose is the same. He marked you as his partner. "

Connor was listening to the werewolf and the shock was too great. He had no way of pretending to be indifferent. His mouth was gape opened and his mind was completely blank.

"How does it work?" Greg, who was back to his emotionless demeanor, spoke in a flat voice. However, something had changed in the doctor who had crossed his arms over his chest and was scrutinizing the silver-haired healer with an indecipherable gaze.

"The Skinwalkers mark is made of spiritual energy. They use it to create a unique seal that appears on the person they've chosen as their life partner. Since Connor was unaware of his nature and his powers, I guess it was something he did subconsciously when your relationship reached a certain point. "

"Can it be removed?"

When the doctor spoke, this time it was the woman who was surprised. From what she had seen of their dynamics, the doctor seemed to be the most openly attached. His overprotective behavior was sweet and refreshing to see and hint who has the upper hand in their relationship. However, the existence of the mark was proof that Connor's feelings were as intense as those of his man. At least that's what she thought. Could it be that the prospect of his life being in danger scared him? She squinted her eyes which started to shine with interest.

"Do you want to remove my mark?" Connor spoke in a cold voice.

"I just asked if it was possible for the mark to be erased."

The agent watched his lover for a moment, scanning his eyes for a reason behind his question. He gritted his teeth and broke their eye contact.

"Well, whatever. It's not like I did it on purpose. I'll help Glen. " Connor had made up his mind then pulled away from Greg. The man gestured to help him put his clothes back on, but the agent shied away from his contact.

"We'll think about the consequences after," Connor continued. "And while we're at it, we'll look for a way to free you from my mark. That way, everyone will be happy." He put his clothes over the compresses, closed his coat, and walked to the door. "I'll be waiting for you in the car."

The door snapped shut behind the man who strode away towards the front door. His feet stomped the wooden floor with each step. Connor was upset.

This journey he had started to help his childhood friend had turned into a revelation of insane secrets that turned his life upside down. And as if it wasn't enough, the man he had shared five years of his life with and who hadn't stopped bothering him with wedding proposals, had casually asked if it was possible to get rid of the claiming mark he had unknowingly done.

This was the absolute worst.