Calliope's Wolf - Book 1
Chapter 10

Years pass for Calliope. Years of studying, training, and conditioning herself. She excelled in her studies, and her ability to memorize much of what she read astounded her teachers. Her physical training has also improved. In time, Calliope was able to graduate from hitting and kicking to learning to fight with weapons. She was best at archery, her eyes sharp and quick at determining where her arrow should go.

Now she is 12, only a few months shy of turning 13. She constantly thought about her bet with Ava and how she predicted she would be able to shift at age 13. Calliope meditated often but didn't feel a difference in herself or her wolf spirit. If she was going to shift in the next few months, she couldn't feel if it was happening.

Calliope looked up from her cushioned window seat while fidgeting with her necklace. She watched as the snow fell outside. The meadow in the back of the pack house was blanketed in a white sheet. She wondered how Theo was doing. She had overheard her father talk about small, scattered attacks from the sun wolves. From previous looks through Theo's eyes, she has seen the maps and where the attacks occurred.

She wondered if he was out, helping to investigate the attacks. Calliope pulled her legs up on the window seat and crossed them. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened her eyes again, they were glowing white.

Calliope saw that Theo was in wolf form, running through the woods. She saw another wolf out front; his fur was a dark brown with specks of white. It was Owen; he was easy to recognize. Theo came to a stop quickly, sliding in the snow. He looked to his right. Calliope could see the sun, so he had to be facing west.

Wait, am I west of him? He must be going south... can he tell I'm watching? Calliope thought to herself.

Theo looked up and howled. Calliope could hear it. She had never heard anything while looking through his eyes before. She could feel something fighting her ability to look, and she was forced to close her eyes, cutting her connection to Theo.

"Ow," Calliope moans as she rubs her head. Did he kick her out? No, she has felt this before... it felt more like her wolf. Her wolf took control back.

But how did Theo know? She thought of all the previous times she had looked through his eyes. In almost five years of being able to do it at will, this was the first time she looked while he was in wolf form. Could his wolf sense it?

"Are you ok?" a voice filled Calliope's ears.

Calliope looked up and saw Riley. Riley, now 13, was wearing a sparkling gray dress. Her black hair was placed in a long braid with white crystals set in the braid to mimic snowflakes. Riley walked over to Calliope and knelt in front of her. She took Calliope's hands and rubbed them. They were cold to the touch.

"Are you ok?"

"Yeah, I think?" Calliope answered as she realized she was breathing heavily. She looked down at Riley, rubbing her hands. Riley's hands were soft and warm. "I was looking through Theo, and for the first time, I think I looked while he was shifted."

"Oh?" Riley asked excitedly. "How was that? Did it feel like you were in wolf form?"

"For a moment, yes," Calliope nodded. "But then he stopped and looked west. I think his wolf knew I was looking. When he howled, I could feel my wolf fight for control, and suddenly, I couldn't see anymore."

"Why would the Great Alpha not want you watching?"

"I think he was going to Langton Town, a human village about a day east of here. It was attacked by sun wolves a few days back. The most recent known attack. If I had to guess, he was headed there." Calliope answered.

"How do you know this?" Riley questioned with a frown.

"I may have overheard my parents speaking about it to the council. I may have listened to most of the meeting." Calliope admitted while her face turned bright red. "And then I kept checking in on Theo, watching him. I saw a map, and they marked where the attacks were, and I kept track of what they put on the map."

"Is that why you've been so tired lately? I thought you might have been feeling ill!" Riley retorted as she stood.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you, Riley," Calliope said as she followed her across the room. "I didn't want to worry you! Honestly!"

Riley looked at Calliope. She saw the sadness in her blue eyes and sighed. She knew Calliope was telling the truth. Riley always worried about her friend, her Great Luna. It's only fair for Calliope to have her own secrets.

"Fine, I know you are just trying to keep me from worrying, but you've been making yourself sick trying to watch through the Great Alpha's eyes. You really should give that a break for a bit."

"I promise I won't look through his eyes," Calliope sighed.

"For several days?"

Calliope looked at Riley and saw the seriousness in her eyes. She pouted but nodded in agreement.

"Good," Riley said with a smile. "Are you ready to leave? Everyone is waiting downstairs."

"Wait, they are waiting, and you're just now telling me?!" Calliope yelled as she ran to slip on her shoes.

Calliope was wearing a long, dark blue dress with silver trimmings. Silver thread-made designs of the moon and stars are across the lower part of her dress. Her light blonde hair was braided and pinned up. Her hair had snow crystals decorating it, similar to Riley's.

Riley smiled as she followed Calliope into the hall. Calliope was upset she was keeping everyone waiting. When they turned a corner, she saw Asher leaning against a wall, looking at her.

Of course, Calliope thought to herself. She stopped in front of Asher but didn't look at him.

"What did he say?" was all she said.

"He requested you not look through his eyes when he is working," Asher answered, confused by the hint of anger in her voice.

"Well, tell him I'll do as he requests if he agrees to my request of never doing that to me again," Calliope replied angrily. She continued walking before Asher could question her about what she meant. Riley went to follow Calliope but stopped to shake her head to her father, a sign for him not to push it.

Calliope entered the main hall, where many people were dressed up. Outside were covered wagons filled with blankets and deer skins. She didn't say anything as she went to Evelyn. She took her hand and leaned on her.

"I'm sorry, we can go," she whispered to her mother.

Evelyn called out to everyone to get into the wagons. Some of the higher ranks of the Riverbed pack journeyed to the Moon Valley pack, about a 2 hours ride away. The Moon Valley pack hosted a small Winter Solstice party for them and the neighboring packs.

Calliope was still in a sour mood when they arrived. She wished she could mind link with Theo. She wanted to talk to him, know what he found in the human village, and know what he did to her.

When she disembarked the wagon, Riley took her hand and led her inside. The pack house of the Moon Valley pack was larger than theirs back home. This pack was considered a large, wealthy pack. Alpha Jason and Luna Allison greeted them warmly. Allison directed the girls to another room where the other younger guests were.

Riley happily led the way while Calliope forced a smile. The room was decorated as if they were in a winter wonderland, but it was warm. They were served a warm apple cider. The girls took their drinks and stood by the fireplace to warm up from the ride.

Jaxson saw them enter and made his way to the two girls.

"Hello, Calliope and Riley," he said sweetly. "How was your trip?"

"It was cold," Riley answered as she imitated shaking. "The storm picked up a bit. But they said it should die down before we head home."

Jaxson nodded as he listened, but he looked at Calliope. When she didn't answer his question, he reached into his pocket. He pulled out a box and offered it to her.

"What's this?" she asked, taking the box from him.

"It's a gift, and no, I don't expect a gift back, but a traveling merchant came through, and I saw this and thought you might like it." He babbled.

Calliope slowly opened the box and revealed a bracelet made of gold. It looked like sticks twisted to create a circular band.

"It's beautiful," Calliope said, taking it out of the box. "Are you sure?"

Jaxson gently took the bracelet and slipped it over Calliope's hand. It was slightly loose on her.

"I'm sure as you get older, it'll fit correctly," he commented. "It is meant for an adult, after all. Do you like it?"

"I-I do," Calliope answered with a nod. "I don't know what to say."

"Perhaps next year she will have to return the favor?" Riley said in a gentle tease. She knew Calliope wouldn't want to do it, but Riley had to ensure that Calliope kept up with her perceived appearance. Calliope looked at her and nodded.

"Nonsense!" he exclaimed as he took Calliope's hand. "I wouldn't want you to do anything unless you wanted to."

Calliope looked down at the hand that Jaxson held. There was a distinctive lack of sparks, a feeling she realized she missed. She suddenly felt sad, lonely even. Jaxson looked at her with concern.

"What's the matter?" he asked.

"Oh, me?" Calliope responded as she looked at him. "I'm just tired. I've been feeling tired a lot this past week."

"Are you getting ill?" He questioned as he placed his other hand behind her back. He led her to a couch and sat by her. Riley joined and sat on the other side of Calliope.

"I'm not sure," she shrugged. "I might need to call our doctor tomorrow to see."

"I hope it's nothing serious," Jaxson replied with a sympathetic smile. "Hopefully, it's nothing serious."

"I'm sure it's not," Calliope whispered as she looked at Riley.

"So, what's the plan for the year, Jaxson?" Riley asked, understanding that Calliope needed her to step in. "Since this is an off year for the festival, do you and your parents have any trips planned?"

"I don't know what my parents plan to do," he sighed in annoyance. "They only bring my older brother in on those conversations."

"At least they talk to him," Calliope retorted. "My parents don't talk to me about anything going on."

"Well, all I know for certain is that I'm going to the young pup training with the Great Alpha in a few months," Jaxson added.

"What's that?" Riley inquired.

"It's where the children of Alphas, Lunas, and Betas go to the Royal Moon Pack and train for two weeks! I can see why you wouldn't know Riley, but Calliope, you didn't?"

Calliope shook her head. This was the first she heard of young pup training.

"Well, it only happens every four years. On the off years when there is no Moon Festival, the Great Alpha hosts training. This year, it's for young pups ages 13-17. Next time, it's the young wolf training for those 18-22. And you'll be 13 by the beginning of summer, right? So you'll get to go!" He said excitedly. "You and I can train together and I can help you!"

Calliope smiled and nodded. She was excited, not about the possibility of training with Jaxson, but the fact she would have two weeks to see Theo. 2 weeks of being in the palace, the place she already considered her second home.

"I'll talk to my parents either tonight or tomorrow about it! Thank you for telling me!" Calliope replied. She looked to Riley, who was also happy about Calliope going.

"So, what do you know about the young pup training?" Calliope questioned.

Calliope wanted to know every detail. She wanted to know ahead of time what opportunities to see Theo she would have. What the trainings themselves would be like. And everything in between. Jaxson gladly told her everything she knew, talking to her about it throughout the rest of the party.

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