Calliope - Book 3 - A collection of Short Stories

Calliope stood on the edge of a cliff, looking out to the ocean in the distance. The water was a deep blue, and she could barely make out the waves that formed. She closed her eyes as she listened to the breeze and the birds. She took in a deep breath, inhaling the scent of the salty air. It was the first time she had been this far south.

She and Theo had been traveling around, visiting the various packs that were scattered around their territories. They would stay a day or two with each pack, allowing them to meet with all of the members. Everyone was excited to be able to meet with the Great Alpha and Great Luna. But, it also gave Theo’s companion, Jace, an opportunity to search for his mate.

He would look around at the crowds that would gather around Theo and Calliope. His eyes would land on the women, waiting for a pull that never came. Pack after pack, woman after woman; no one stood out as his mate. It was almost disheartening for Jace. It left him questioning if he even had a mate out there waiting on him.

Calliope reopened her eyes and looked down at the homes by the water. It was a fishing village that primarily consisted of humans. In the furthest reaches of the regions and within the outer territories, humans and wolves tended to co-mingle together. This was due to the lack of resources and lack of labor on both sides. This particular village had invited her and Theo to join in their Full Moon Celebrations.

Though humans did not necessarily worship the Moon Goddess, this village prayed to the moon. Since they lived on the water, their food and goods for trading would come from its depths. They knew that the moon controlled the tides, controlling the migrations of the fish they hunted. So, every full moon, this fishing village would have a communal celebration, praising the moon and its ever-present benevolence.

Theo approached Calliope, wrapping his arms around her waist as he rested his head on her shoulder.

“There is so much water,” she remarked.

“It goes on for a very long time, or so they say,” Theo replied as he looked at the horizon. “I have never gone out in the ocean. But my Great Great Grandfather once traversed these waters. It was said that he traveled until the water froze and turned to ice.”

“Do you think we will ever get a chance to travel out there?” She questioned as she turned her head, looking up at Theo.

“Perhaps,” he shrugged as he looked into her eyes.

His heart had a twinge of pain as he looked into her bright blue eyes. She looked so hopeful, but he knew the future that his mother saw. The future that he hoped he could change, but the clock was ticking on the time that they had left.

He pulled back slightly from Calliope, but he did not take his hands off of her. During moments like this, when he was drowning in the thoughts of the future, he wanted to be near her. Her smell, the softness of her skin, and even the sound of her voice helped to ground him. It helped to remind him that she was still here, that Calliope was still alive with him.

Theo took one of his hands and slipped it into hers. He led her away from the cliff’s edge and back to the road. They walked it down to the shore, toward the village. They did not want to be in their wolf forms since the residents were primarily humans. The size of Amarok and Giizis would be frightening to look upon, especially when you are not expecting such giant wolves.

As they neared the sandy shores, people began to hurry in their direction. There was excitement in the air over the visitors. In the front of the crowd was a tall, human man with muscles rivaling any of the best wolf warriors. He was the chieftain of the village, the one person responsible for the well-being of everyone, man or wolf. He stepped forward, giving a quick bow to Theo and Calliope.

“Welcome to our humble fishing village, Great Alpha and Great Luna,” he greeted. “I am Chief Kai. I want to thank you for honoring us with your presence for our celebrations tonight.”

“We were excited to be invited,” Theo replied as he gave a courteous nod of his head. “I am Theo, and this is my mate, Calliope. And this is Riley and Jace, our companions. It is not often a village with so many humans would be willing to invite more wolves into their homes.”

“Wolves…humans…” Kai shrugged. “Once, we were all one and the same. Why, even now, as you stand before me, you look no different than my own flesh and blood! Except perhaps you are a bit pale compared to us.”

“Pale?” Calliope questioned as she smirked. “I’d like to think of myself as milky in color.”

“Of course!” Kai replied as he laughed loudly. “Why don't we talk in my home for a while? Protect that milky skin from this hot sun?”

The crowd separated, allowing the group to follow Kai. The homes were made of wood and mud, with palm leaves over the top for a roof. The largest of the houses was longer than it was wide. It had a round doorway in the center, which opened up the main room to the outside world.

Kai motioned for Theo and Calliope to sit on reed mats at the head of the room. He sat to their left while Riley and Jace sat to their right. Calliope smiled as she noticed children peeking into the home. A young woman walked into the room, holding a tray with glasses.

“Everyone, this is my daughter, Tegan.” He announced as she went up to Theo and Calliope.

“Coconut water?” She asked as she held up her tray.

Calliope and Theo took a glass, intrigued by its contents. Tegan then moved to her father, offering him a drink. She went to Riley next before going to Jace last. She smiled at him, and rather than letting Jace reach for the glass himself, she took it, handing it to him. When he reached for the glass, their hands touched one another.

He sheepishly smiled at Tegan but averted his gaze quickly to the ground. She was a beautiful young woman. Her skin was bronze, and she wore gold bands on her arms. Her hair was black, with waves throughout. As she walked away, Jace could not help but glance at her one last time.

“Do you have other children?” Calliope inquired of Kai.

“I have three sons,” he answered as he sat up proudly. “They are out in the water, hunting for animals and fish that we will feast upon tonight.”

“Forgive my ignorance, but how many members of your village are wolves?” Theo questioned as he drank the coconut water. The flavor was slightly sour on his tongue, but he continued to drink it to avoid being rude.

“We have about a dozen wolves who reside here,” Kai replied as he glanced to the doorway, looking outside. “Then there are about three dozen, perhaps a few more humans.”

“It is interesting to see humans and wolves cohabitating together,” Theo remarked. “We do not see that in the interior regions. There are human towns, but they tend to shy away from wolves.”

“To us, it is natural,” Kai shrugged. “For those that live here, all I ask is that they pull their weight. If they wish to eat, then they must help out in whatever way they can. It does not matter if they can turn into a creature or not.”

“Are there any wolves who perhaps are with a human?” Calliope inquired with a smile.

“We have three couples here like that. We know that it is frowned upon, but what they do behind closed doors does not hurt me.”

“Well, I ask because I wish it not to be frowned upon,” Calliope stated. “I have a gift that allows me to create mate bonds for wolves who choose to be with someone not their mate. I’d love to be able to offer this to the wolves who are with humans. I know it does nothing for the human, but it would allow the pairing to be closer.”

“I cannot lie; the idea of mates baffles me. Humans have been around longer than wolves, with men sowing their seed in any willing woman. Why have that one person who is destined to you?”

“For Theo and I, it is to pair a Great with a Great,” Calliope answered as she thought to herself. She thought back to the stories she had read and the histories she was taught. “The wolves of the Greats were the first to ever exist in this world. The Moon Goddess fated them together so that way her wolves would stay together. But I guess as generations passed, as Greats had children, the pairing of wolves continued.”

“I suppose that would make sense,” Kai said as he scratched his bare chin. “But it is still a foreign concept to me. Nevertheless, I shall approach the wolf and human couples, and I shall offer them the chance to be a mated pair. Should they agree, perhaps tomorrow you can do whatever it is you do?”

“Thank you,” Calliope smiled.

“Though I do have a silly request that I would like to make?”

“Anything.”

“Many of us would love to see your wolves,” he grinned. “We have been told that your wolves are some of the biggest ever seen. Would you two feel up to doing a little demonstration tomorrow, too?”

“I don’t see why not,” Theo responded as he took Calliope’s hand.

Calliope had worked hard the last several decades on her relationship with her wolf. Though Giizis still maintained total control while in wolf form, she would listen occasionally to Calliope. Or, at the very least, take Calliope’s wants into consideration.

That evening, everyone gathered outside around a large fire pit. On the pit was a shark, skewered and roasting over the fire. As the food cooked, several women gathered around the fire to dance. Jace quickly noticed that one of the women was Tegan. She wore a skirt made of dried grass that shook in waves as she danced. She had a simple yellow cloth wrapped around her chest with bits of shells adorning it. Upon her head was a crown of flowers, something only a few of the dancers had.

All watched as the women danced and sang of the moon's blessings. Their hips swayed, and the bracelets on their wrists jingled with the dancing. But Jace's eyes stayed on one person, and it seemed as if her eyes did not leave him either. Calliope and Theo exchanged glances as they noticed the chemistry that seemed to form with each passing second.

Those with flower crowns stepped toward the crowd as the drums and singing died down. The young women placed the crowns upon the heads of men, upon the heads of those they found handsome or strong. Tegan walked around the fire, her eyes searching through her options. But then, she stopped in front of Jace. She leaned over, placing the crown upon his brown hair. He could not hold back his smile as he gazed up at her.

Calliope and Theo mind-linked to one another as they watched. Tegan showed interest in Jace; even as she went to sit by her father, her eyes were glancing at him. But Jace was more sheepish, not daring to stare too long at her. She was definitely bolder than he was, which Calliope seemed to enjoy. Jace had always been a timid child, meek and quiet. He was a strong fighter, but the brutish nature that he would exude remained on the training grounds. Perhaps a strong-willed woman is what he needed.

The celebration continued until the full moon was nearly overhead in the sky. People slowly left the central fire, going to their homes to sleep off the drinks and hearty food. After the fire had been extinguished, the beach began to clear. All that remained was Jace. He sat close to the water, watching the waves lapping against the sand. His eyes looked at the moon and its light reflecting off the ocean.

"Hello, wolf," Tegan said as she approached him. She could see that he held the flower crown in his hands. It made her smile as she sat in the sand beside him.

"Hello, Tegan," he replied as he kept his gaze on the water.

"Did you enjoy the celebration?"

"The dancing was nice," he smiled as he turned slightly to her.

"Just the dancing?" She teased.

"Everything else was a blur," he shrugged as he looked down at the sand between his feet.

"You're an odd wolf," she stated.

"How so?"

"I've never known a man as shy as you," she remarked as she looked him over. "Most wolves I know are arrogant. They cannot stop boasting about their strength or their prowess. And yet you have not said more than ten words to me. Why?"

"It is hard to be arrogant when around the Great Alpha," he replied as he held out his hand, showing her his oath scar. "I was born under Theo's shadow, as was my father, and his father, and his, and on and on. When you grow up being taught how to serve one man who is powerful beyond all reason or imagination, there is no room for arrogance. There is not even room for individuality. I have to be similar to my father, similar to my grandfather."

"Why do that? Why serve one man?" She questioned as she felt the scar across his palm.

"Because it is the highest honor any wolf can ever receive," he answered. "I was born in a palace, given the best education and training imaginable. My status means that I stand above other Alphas and Lunas. All so I can be a small blip in the life of the Great Alpha."

"And do you think that what you do matters? Do you think that you will be remembered when you are gone from this world?"

"I'd like to think so," he nodded as he chuckled. "But it is not my life that matters. It is Theo's. It is Calliope's. They have a purpose here, some big destiny designed by the Moon Goddess. But even if I am not remembered, even if all I have ever done is gone to history, I wouldn't regret it."

"You sound like my father," she scoffed as she stood. "He, too, lives his life as if he serves some bigger purpose. He says that I have a purpose, too. But when will any of you allow yourselves the right to decide your own destiny? Or are you just a prisoner under the choices of others?"

Jace quickly stood to his feet, reaching for her wrist to keep her from walking away. He gently pulled her back to him. He took a moment to admire her dark brown eyes as they sparkled in the moonlight. His free hand went to her cheek, caressing it as his gaze stayed firm on her. He leaned closer to her and gently pressed his lips to hers. Tegan closed her eyes as she kissed him back, her lips parting so he could taste her and she him. After a moment, Jace pulled his lips from hers to look back into her eyes.

"You say that I am a prisoner because of the choices of others, and you are not wrong. But I, too, can make choices; I, too, can affect the life that I have. Fate... destiny... whatever any of this is, it's not just black and white. There is room for mistakes, for growth, happiness, sorrow, and everything in between."

He let go of her wrist as he stepped back. He bent over and scooped up the flower crown from the sand. He smiled as he walked past her, heading to the hut where he was to sleep. As he laid down on the reed mat that was to be his bed, he could not help but think about her. About her lips, the honey taste that they held. He did not have a mate pull to her, but there was an attraction. Something he had never felt before, or perhaps, it was something he had not allowed himself to feel. He had held out hope, waiting for his mate to show up. He covered his face at the realization. The realization that she was right, he was a prisoner. Should he continue to wait for someone who may never come? Or should he make his own choices? Should he give in to the things that he felt?