Calliope's Wolf - Book 1

Another year passes, and another Moon Festival is here. Calliope, now 8, has grown stronger with her gifts and wolf. Now, when she meditates, she sees her white wolf. The wolf still doesn't speak, but Calliope has learned to communicate silently with her. Though there are still some struggles, Calliope does not internally fight her wolf anymore but defers to her wolf.

Calliope was impatient, holding the stuffed black wolf as her pack stood outside the palace. There was currently another pack inside, speaking with Theo. The sound of wood and metal creaking filled the air. The doors to the palace had opened.

Calliope looked up and saw a group of people exit, happily talking amongst each other. The Alpha, Luna, and their two sons stepped over to Calliope's parents. She recognized them. They were from the pack closest to her own: the Moon Valley pack.

"Alpha Wyatt and Luna Evelyn!" The Alpha exclaimed as he shook Wyatt's hand. "Great to see you two! I noticed our camps are next to each other this year! Won't you and your pack join us for dinner? We caught several deer on the way here and are on our way now to prepare them."

"Sounds like a plan, Alpha Jason!" Wyatt accepted with a smile. "When we finish with the Great Alpha, we will head that way. I'll bring some of the wine we brought!"

The two Alphas laughed, patting each other on the back. They had been friends since their own childhoods. Both took over their packs mere months apart. Alpha Jason walked Wyatt to the door and rejoined his family and pack. Wyatt led the way inside for his pack. Calliope held her mother's hand and looked to the room where she met the Grand Luna. The door was closed this time, and she frowned, wondering where Gianna was.

The halls were becoming familiar now. She also recognized many people, though she didn't know their names. Evelyn tightened her grip on Calliope's hand. Calliope looked up and realized she was pulling away from her mom. She stepped back in pace with Evelyn, paying more attention to where they were going.

Once the doors to the throne room shut, and Calliope knew no one unfamiliar was there, she walked up to Theo.

"Still got the toy?" he teased. He had been told in reports that she no longer played. Her room was now devoid of toys, and books were all she cared for.

"I don't play with it," she said with a shrug. She offered the animal to Theo. "Will you please put your scent back on it?"

"Of course," he said with a smile as he took the wolf. "Tell me about your studies. I've been told you have made improvements, but you have forbidden Asher and Nova from telling me what they are."

"I wanted to be the one to tell you about my gift," Calliope answered as she sat beside Theo. "I can control my visions."

"What do you see? The future?"

"I don't see the future nor the past," she answered vaguely.

"Oh?" he questioned with confusion. He couldn't think what else she could see.

"I can see what you see," Calliope answered excitedly. "At any time, I can see things through your eyes."

"At any time?" Theo asked as he frowned. There were things he didn't want her to see, didn't want her to hear. Not yet. "Can you hear?"

"No," she sighed.

"How often do you look?" he continued his questions. His frown lessened. Her not being able to hear meetings or conversations eases him.

"Once a day," she answered. "It makes me tired when I do it. So I can't do it more than once a day, and I can't do it for long. Maybe a minute, max."

"It is probably because you are still young?" he reassured her.

Calliope looked away from him. She was tired of hearing those words. No one seemed to understand; yes, she looked young, but nothing inside did. She felt older, ancient even. But everyone excuses her perceived weaknesses because she was simply a child.

Theo noticed her disapproval of his words. Asher and Nova relayed to him often how she could be upset, sometimes even angry. He could empathize with her. He experienced it once, too, many years ago. But he experienced it more in the year leading up to his shifting. Was she going to shift this early?

Theo patted her hand gently and turned to the group before him.

"How are things back home?" Theo asked Wyatt. "I heard the harvests in your lands were abundant. I hope you stored a bit away?"

"We stored away a quarter of everything. Just because this year was good doesn't mean next year will be." Wyatt answered. "I did want to appeal to you, though. We have a bridge that is in disrepair. But we lack someone with any knowledge of fixing or even rebuilding it. Do you have anyone in your pack that can help us?"

Theo rubbed his jaw, thinking to himself. "I do; I'll send him out to your pack. But, Alpha Wyatt, I am surprised. I would think a pack with river in the name would have a bridge master?"

"I admit my fault in this," Wyatt confessed. "Our old bridge master had an apprentice who died some time ago. And then our bridge master died, and our bridges were fine at the time."

"And now they're not," Theo interrupted.

"Why not send one or two of our young wolves to be apprentices to your bridge master?" Calliope asked as she looked at Theo.

"I was thinking something similar, little wolf," Theo nodded as he smiled at her. "What better way to learn than on the job? Alpha Wyatt, when my bridge master comes, have 2 of your pack accompany him and learn. Once your bridge is fixed, my bridge master will survey the rest of your bridges. At the end of his trip, if he deems your wolves great learners, they should continue to stay with my bridge master. I believe it takes a few years to learn the trade."

"As you wish, Great Alpha and Great Luna," Wyatt said, placing a hand over his heart and bowed.

Owen stepped up to Theo, and Theo knew their time was up. As Calliope returned to her parents, Theo looked to Nova.

"Nova is not to participate in the games. And no one will receive a blessing from Calliope before the games either!" Theo commanded. "I will not have cheats."

Wyatt and Evelyn looked at Nova, confused, and then at Calliope. They didn't understand the sudden command; they were unaware of any cheating from last year.

"As you command," Wyatt said with a nod.

Nova was embarrassed. She tried to mind link Theo, but the pathway was closed. He didn't chastise her last year, so why wait now? She sulked as she walked behind everyone else.

Calliope knew what Theo was referring to, but she was confused about why she could not give a blessing. It wasn't something Asher or Nova ever discussed with her. She made a mental note to ask when lessons continued upon their return home.

Calliope looked up and saw Gianna's companion waiting by the side door. Calliope smiled and pulled her mother to the side. Evelyn knew where she wanted to go, mind-linking Wyatt to let him know.

When Calliope entered the room, there were three chairs instead of two like last time. But Calliope stood by the door, waiting for Gianna to beckon to her. There was something about this older Great that Calliope felt compelled to respect. Not that she didn't respect Theo, but she respected Theo as a mate. But this respect was more of a ruler to its subject.

"Come, child," Gianna finally said. "Come and sit, Luna Evelyn."

Calliope went and stood in front of Gianna. The older woman's hair was now all gray. There is no brown left in it. Her face had more wrinkles, and she looked thinner.

"My child, you have gotten taller," Gianna commented as she looked Calliope over. "Though you seem rather thin. Are you eating enough?"

"I think so."

"Eat more meat," Gianna ordered. Not a command. It wouldn't work on Calliope. But she knew the child would listen nonetheless.

"Any specific meat?" Evelyn asked.

"Fish and birds. Nothing too fatty, but lean and meaty." The older woman answered as she nodded to herself. "Sit, child, tell me about your studies."

"I've been working on memorizing maps," Calliope answered as she sat down. "And the packs and human villages in them."

"That's good. You should know where everyone is and how to get there. Learn who is friendly to the Greats."

"But aren't all of these packs friendly to the Royal Moon pack?" Calliope asked.

"Loyal and friendly are not the same thing," Gianna answered with a frown. "Once you know where the packs are, who the Alphas and Lunas are, have your teachers teach you about loyalties and who you can trust."

"Is that important to learn now?" Evelyn inquired. "There are still so many years before she will even need to rule."

"I think knowing who to trust is a good skill children should learn," the old woman answered as she gave Evelyn a hard stare. "Yes, it may instill fear in them, but it gives them someone they can turn to and trust with whatever information they have. If something ever happens, I want Calliope to know where she can turn, assuming you nor my son are near."

"I understand," Calliope responded before Evelyn could speak again. "I will do as you instruct."

"Good," Gianna said as she patted Calliope's hand. "Now, child, it is getting dark out. Go on with your mother and enjoy your evening."

Evelyn gave Gianna a quick bow and led Calliope back outside. They walked through the woods, passing another pack as they made their way to the palace. When she got to their small tent city, Evelyn saw only a few people there. Oh, right, she thought to herself. Everyone went to the Moon Valley's area.

Evelyn changed course and went into the next campground. They went to the center, where a large fire was lit. She saw Wyatt sitting next to Alpha Jason and his mate.

Calliope looked around and saw Riley sitting next to a boy, the youngest son of Alpha Jason and his mate. His name was Jaxson, and he was a year older than Calliope. She had met him before and felt comfortable enough to sit beside him.

As the night went on, food and alcohol was passed around. Everyone was merry. They spoke of the games and how a few wolves have found their mates since they arrived at the festival.

Luna Allison, the Luna of the Moon Valley pack, watched her children. Calliope, Riley, and Jaxson spent most of the night talking and laughing.

"Look at those two," she said to Wyatt, Jason, and Evelyn as she pointed to Calliope and Jaxson. "They get along so well. Poor Jaxson is a born Alpha but won't inherit his family pack. Your daughter is a born Luna; perhaps our children will be mates?"

Wyatt and Evelyn eyed each other, but Evelyn quickly smiled and nodded. "Perhaps you are right!"

Don't let your expression say too much, Evelyn mind linked to Wyatt. Wyatt returned a smile and nodded like Evelyn.

"Let's see what the Moon Goddess has in store for them."