12. Are You Willing?

A few days later...

Clarice was sitting on a wooden chair outside the house, under the shade of a tree sheltered from sunlight. Today is her 28th birthday, and she prefers to celebrate her birthday out in the open, basking in the sunshine and admiring the beauty of nature around her.

She looked heavenward. The blue sky was mesmerizing to watch. She longed to visit the beach or the lake and frolicked in the water for hours. But she can't swim in the lake because of her condition.

She looked at the crutches that Callum had bought for her so she could practice walking again. A smiled curled up in her lips. She was thankful that Callum still cared deeply for her, maybe not in a romantic way, but more in a friendly way.

Grandpa Eliezer told her that Callum had visited the farm house several times to bring groceries and stuff, but he didn't come to see her in her room.

Sigh, maybe he's still mad at her for hiding the truth about their son.

Tears shimmered in her eyes. She felt sad and empty inside.

Nothing good has happened to her lately. Her life is pretty boring and tragic.

Alpha Callum suddenly appeared in the middle of the clearing and, to her surprise, he was holding a pretty looking cake box in his right hand and a restaurant bag in his left hand.

He smiled when their eyes met. "There you are. Happy birthday to you, my dear," he said in a singsong voice and proceeded to sing her a birthday song. She burst into tears.

"Why are you crying?" he asked worriedly, putting the box and the bags on the ground. "Are you hurt?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

Clarice shook her head. "No. I'm fine. I'm surprised that you still remember my birthday. Honestly, I didn't expect this..."

"Of course, I always remember your birthday," Alpha Callum said, smiling.

Grandpa Eliezer came out of the house. "What's going on here?" he asked, looking at the box of cake and bags on the ground. "What's the occasion, son?" he inquired.

"It's Clarice's 28th birthday today. We're going to celebrate it," Alpha Callum answered.

Grandpa Eliezer smiled brightly. "Wow, let's have a celebration! I'll get the table and the chairs," he said, stepping back into the house.

"I'll help you, Pops." Alpha Callum followed his grandfather into the house.

A few minutes later, the men returned with a table and chairs.

Lorey brought with her the utensils and then transferred the food to a serving plate.

Clarice watched the flurry of activities around her with tears of happiness and gratitude shining in her eyes.

Alpha Callum looked at her meaningfully. "Let's sing a birthday song, guys."

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, happy birthday. Happy birthday to you!"

The trio repeated the song three times, warming Clarice's heart, bringing tears into her eyes.

Lorey lit the candle. "Luna, make a wish and blow the candle now!" she squealed in delight.

Clarice closed her eyes, made a wish and then blew the candle.

"Alright, let's party!" Grandpa Eliezer shouted merrily.

They picked up their plates and filled them with savory beef steak, crispy fried chicken, ham and cheese pizza and Caesar salad.

Clarice ate the delicious dishes in moderation to avoid upsetting her stomach. She loved the strawberry cake. It melted in her mouth. The jolly atmosphere enveloped her heart with gladness, brought happiness to her heart.

Alpha Callum smiled. He felt deep satisfaction that his efforts had not been wasted. The people around him enjoyed the food he had specifically chosen for the occasion. The strawberry cake elicited a happy smile on Clarice's lips and his satisfaction skyrocketed.

She was radiating happiness, and he couldn't take his eyes off her.

He asked the birthday girl, "Today is your birthday. Do you want to go somewhere?"

Clarice smiled. "I would like to see the lake," she said wistfully.

"Wish granted. I will bring you to the lake right at this very moment," he offered.

Clarice's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Yeah, sure," Alpha Callum replied with a grin.

"Alright, since there are still lots of food left, we shall bring the leftovers to the lake and have a picnic there. What do you think, guys?" Grandpa Eliezer suggested.

"I love it!" Lorey squealed in delight.

"Perfect!" Clarice clapped her hands in glee, excited to see the lake.

"Son, go ahead, bring Clarice to the lake now. Lorey and I will pack the food for the picnic," Grandpa Eliezer said, rising to his feet.

"Okie dokie," Alpha Callum replied and picked up the chair effortlessly with Clarice still sitting comfortably on it. "Close your eyes and I'll take you to the lake," he ordered softly.

Clarice obeyed and closed her eyes.

Alpha Callum initiated the teleportation in his mind, and they disappeared from the clearing in the blink of an eye.

A moment later.

"We're now in the lake," he said.

When Clarice opened her eyes, she was already in the lake's vicinity, still sitting on the same chair. She was currently under the shade of a tree, facing the lake. "Wow, the lake looks so beautiful," she gushed in awe, amazed by the picturesque scenery surrounding the tranquil lake.

"I'm glad you like the beauty of the lake. This is also one of my favorite places on earth," he said, gazing at her glowing face, oozing with happiness.

Clarice flashed him a grateful smile. "Thank you for making my birthday memorable," she said. Her eyes shone with gratitude.

"My pleasure, ba..." He was about to call her babe, but he was quick to remind himself that he was a married man, and they were no longer in a relationship.

Clarice's heart skipped a bit as she waited for him to finish calling her babe, but he did not. Then she burst into tears, hugging him tightly. "I'm sorry for hurting you. I'm sorry for abandoning you and breaking your heart. I regret everything," she said between tears.

Alpha Callum winced in pain as he remembered the pain he had gone through. He rubbed her back gently. "Shh, please stop crying. I have already forgiven you. We can start anew..." he said, his tone soft with affection.

Hope sprang from her heart. Clarice raised her tear-stricken face and looked into his eyes. "Start anew? What do you mean?"

"We can start being friends for the sake of our son," he offered casually, but deep inside he wanted more than friendship from her. Too bad he already had a wife.

Clarice was disappointed that he friendzoned her, but since she owed him a lot, she had no right to complain. Right now, in her current hopeless state, she will accept everything he offers her. "Yes, I can be your anything..." she murmured.

Alpha Callum smiled. He leaned closer and whispered in her ear, "Really? If I want you to be my mistress, would you agree to my indecent proposal?" he asked, teasing her.

Her heart skipped a beat for a moment. She looked straight into his eyes. "I'm ready anytime," she whispered. Her eyes spoke volumes, promising him a lifetime of love and devotion.

Time was frozen for a moment as the couple gazed into each other's eyes. Passion, longing and lust shimmered in their eyes, consuming their sanity.

"Don't tempt me," he said, warning her.

"I'm not trying to seduce you. I'm just trying to tell you that breaking your heart is a big mistake and I truly regret it. But I can't change what happened between us in the past. I can only make it up to you if you allow me. If you are willing to give me a second chance, I can be your everything," she said, offering herself to him shamelessly.

Alpha Callum groaned as his heart was beating rapidly in his ribcage. He was trying to resist Clarice's bewitching charm.

'What are you waiting for? Claim her again! After all, she is our mate!' His reclusive wolf, Cole shouted excitedly.

'Oh, you're still alive! Where have you been?' Alpha Callum asked his wolf.

'You are so capable. You don't need me. I spend my time daydreaming about a beautiful world where I can finally be separated from you. I want to have my own identity and enjoy life in the mortal world. Unfortunately, I can't do that. I'm a prisoner of your world," he said grumpily.

Alpha Callum grinned. 'Go back to your world then. Let me handle our mate my way,' he ordered.

'Whatever!' Cole retreated back to his cave to continue his daydreaming.

Alpha Callum patted Clarice's head gently. "Are you seducing me now? And then one day, will you leave me again?" he asked in a cold tone.

Clarice shook her head. "No. This time I will stay by your side as long as you want. You don't have to make me your mistress if you don't want to. As long as I can be with my son every day, I'm a happy woman."

"Alright, your wish is granted. You can take care of our son and stay with him as much as you like," he said, wanting his son to enjoy his young life pampered by his mother and father's love.

"Thank you for granting all my wishes. I promise you I won't be a burden to you," she said solemnly.

Silence fell upon them.

A few minutes later, Grandpa Eliezer and Lorey arrived at the lake.

"Pops, where is the table and chairs?" Alpha Callum asked.

Grandpa Eliezer smiled. "Those stuff is heavy to carry on my back, son. You have to go back to the house and bring them all here," he responded cheekily.

"No problem." Alpha Callum grinned. He disappeared from the lake and returned to the house in the blink of an eye.

Lorey placed the picnic blanket on the grass and put the bags of food in the corner.

Alpha Callum returned a moment later with the table and chairs.

They smiled at each other, intending to have a fun-filled picnic on the lake.

Clarice enjoyed the breathtaking scenery around her, loving the fresh air and the cool wind caressing her skin. She stared at the majestic mountains looming in the distance, feeling free for the first time after being bedridden for a long time. She felt at peace with herself, serenaded by the sounds of insects and the chirping of birds lurking nearby.

It's a wise decision to spend precious time with mother nature, healing her wounded soul in the process, giving her a new perspective on life.

Today she had her most memorable birthday ever and the only one missing from the picture was her son. She will be reunited with him soon. She's looking forward to their reunion.

A few hours later...

Evening finally came. They returned to the farm house, wearing bright smiles on their faces.