Calliope's Wolf - Book 1
Chapter 16

Nearly three long years have passed for Calliope. She is a few weeks shy of turning 18. In these years, she has tried working on harmonizing with her wolf. She grew stronger with her gifts, physically and even mentally, but her wolf maintained most of the control when she shifted.

What confused her and Theo the most was that her wolf spirit still didn't talk. Or couldn't, neither knew which. They thought by the time Calliope turned 16, but nothing. Surely, when she turned 17, but no. Her wolf spirit didn't speak and, as such, had no name. Even Theo's wolf was unable to get through to her.

Now that Calliope was nearly 18, concentrating on her wolf wasn't her priority. She began to feel more desires and wants. And it wasn't just her; it was Theo, too.

It was becoming increasingly challenging for Theo to be near Calliope. The sparks, when they touched, began to feel overwhelming. When she entered a room, the smell of Juniper would cloud his mind with thoughts. Thoughts that he didn't want to make real, not yet, at least.

Calliope began to notice that Theo had avoided her. That he would leave when she was near. He would be gone for days on end, leaving her seemingly alone in the palace. If it weren't for Riley, she probably would have been.

Calliope felt much of the same emotions for Theo that he felt for her, but she wasn't scared of the feelings and thoughts. She talked to Riley often about what she was feeling and how it felt to be near him.

Now that she had gone what felt like months without seeing or speaking more than a few words to Theo, she spent her days with her heart aching. It wasn't unusual for her to start crying out of the blue. She felt as if she had let Theo down. Not being able to control her wolf has made her a danger to everyone. Something that a Great Luna shouldn't be.

Seeing Calliope in such a state had Riley worried. She tried numerous times to speak with Theo or his companions, but it seemed they avoided her, too. It was increasingly frustrating. All she could do was try to reassure Calliope that all was OK. That Theo was preoccupied with the sun wolves.

One night, Calliope lay awake in her bed during a full moon. It was past midnight, but she couldn't sleep. She had cried all the tears she could earlier in the night. Now, she lay there in silence with her thoughts.

As she took a deep breath, she smelled orange blossoms and pomegranates... Theo. He was nearby. She got out of bed and closed her eyes. She saw he was outside, walking through the woods. She hurriedly slipped on some clothes to go out.

She quietly walked through the palace, trying to avoid the guards. When she made her way outside, she sniffed the air. His scent was faint, but she could feel his presence. She walked in the direction that she thought he went in. She couldn't see him, couldn't see a light, but she kept walking. Something made her want to keep walking.

She came to a clearing about 20 minutes from the palace. In the clearing was a tall hill. It was unnatural. It was handmade and placed here on purpose. On top of the hill was Theo. He was standing there, looking up at the full moon. She walked slowly up the trail and stopped behind him.

"The hill that we stand on was made thousands of years ago by another Great," he said as he turned to look at her. He held out his hand for her to take, but she was hesitant. He sighed and sat on the ground. He patted the spot next to him for her to sit. Once she sat down, he continued. "This hill was built as a way for Great Alphas and Great Lunas to feel close to the Moon Goddess. Under the light of the full moons, Greats come out here and bask in her light."

Theo laid back in the grass. He motioned for Calliope to do the same. When she laid back, she looked up. The light of the Moon shined down on her, and it felt warm and comforting. She reached her hand up as if to touch the Moon. There was a breeze that blew by. She began to relax in the cool grass. Even her wolf spirit seemed to relax as well.

After several minutes in silence, Calliope looked over and saw Theo staring at her. She frowned.

"Why have you stayed away from me? Why do you avoid me?" she asked as tears threatened to fall.

"I'm sorry," he murmured. He turned on his side so he could face her. "I'm afraid I would do something I shouldn't do when I'm near you."

"Something you shouldn't do?"

"I want to take you, Calliope," he said as his voice became stern. "I want to make you my mate every time I see you. But I cannot. And it hurts me when I have to pull away from you."

"You mean you aren't staying away because you're disappointed or mad at me?" She asked as she choked back tears.

"No!" He exclaimed as he reached out and touched her cheek. "I could never be disappointed nor mad at you. No, Calliope, I feel as if I, too, am about to turn 18. All these emotions and thoughts I feel are strong. And I don't want to lose control. Not yet."

"Not yet?" She inquired innocently.

"Once you're 18, and only when you say it's ok," he replied with a small smile. He turned back to look at the Moon. Calliope did the same.

"Have you ever been with anyone, you know, in bed?" She asked after a minute of silence.

"Nope."

"Why?"

"I don't know," he answered honestly. "I just never felt like it, I guess? Unlike normal wolves, who can feel emotionally attached to anyone, I don't have the same capacity for feelings."

"Do you know what to do? For you know?" She questioned as she blushed slightly.

"Yes!" Theo scowled. "I know what to do and not do, and everything in between."

"How? If you've never done anything?"

"Josiah is my 6th companion. The 6th one to have a mate and the 6th one to want to talk about it." He replied with a shrug. "I've learned from what they have done, what their mates have liked and not liked."

"You talk to your companions about what sexual things they do with their partners?" She questioned with a hint of disgust in her voice.

"Look, when we are mated, you will find that you and Riley will talk about things, especially since she hasn't found her mate. She will be curious. Are you telling me that the two of you have not talked about what it's like laying in the bed with your mate?"

"I mean, yeah," Calliope replied shyly. "We have talked about what it might be like."

"Then it's no different, you'll see," he said with a hint of teasing.

Calliope blushed, understanding what he was teasing her about. She quickly looked back to the Moon.

"How often do you come here?" She asked curiously.

"On the nights when the full moon is at its peak," he answered. "I've been coming out here for so long; it has become a part of my routine."

"Why never bring me?"

"My mother said that every Great has to find their way here on their own. It's a right of passage thing. I think I was 19 or so when I first found my way out here. But back then, it was both my mom and dad. Having you here tonight reminds me of when I laid here with them."

"What were your parents like? I know I met your mom, but I didn't really know her," Calliope inquired.

"My mom was stoic. She was strong and never showed fear or pain. She was always thinking three steps ahead of everyone else. But that was because of her gift of sight."

"My dad, though, was a gentle, old soul. He loved to read and could quote anything back to you. He would tell my mother poems and sometimes sing them to her. He wasn't one for violence. Unfortunately, we don't always get a choice."

"But I know my parents loved each other very much." Theo continued as he chuckled to himself. "They had eight children and probably would have had more if the Goddess allowed them. I never once saw them fight, rather it was always sweet words, kisses, and hugs. They treated the kids the same. I don't have any memories of ever being scolded or punished. Seeing us kids sad would only break my father's heart."

"I can't image what it's like not having your parents around, especially when we live such long lives." She whispered as she reached out and took Theo's hand.

"I can tell you, those five years after my mother passed and before you moved in were the worst five years of my life," Theo admitted with a sigh. "Being alone for that long was agonizing. I felt alive again when you came and stayed for two weeks for the young pup training. I felt like I had energy and motivation again. When that boy tried to kiss you, and you were upset, and I held you in my arms, I wanted to keep you with me right then and there. I didn't want you to leave. I wanted to be selfish. When you left, it hurt like a knife had gone through my heart. Losing my parents hurt; you losing your parents will hurt. But being with each other will help ease that pain. And I hope you never have to experience my loneliness."

Theo swallowed hard. He knew Calliope would never feel loneliness like he did. He knew, at some point down the road, he would experience that loneliness again.

Calliope's death will probably break me, he thought to himself. I will have to find a way to make sure my mother's vision never comes to pass.

Calliope wiped away the tears on her cheek and looked at Theo. He was looking back at her with a sad smile on his face. She gave his hand a gentle squeeze before sitting up.

"Do you think I will ever control my wolf?" She asked.

"I hope so," Theo responded as he sat up. "There is an oracle out there that I am having people search for. I'm hoping we can find some answers from her. If the person who can directly communicate with the Goddess can't give us an answer, then I doubt anyone will."

"You know an oracle exists, but how do you not know where she is?"

"I've never needed to see her, and neither had my mother. Since my mother could see through her future sight, it was pointless to see an oracle. But we also didn't need her knowledge either. But now I do. If there even is an oracle out there, I'll find her for you."

Theo stood and helped Calliope to stand as well. As he led her back to the palace, he talked to her about his upcoming trip. That he was going to be gone for some time. Rather than being upset, Calliope accepted his departure. She no longer felt anxiety for him not being near. She took one last look at the Moon before walking in.

*Author's Note: 🥲*

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