Calliope's Mate - Book 2

From a fair distance, Waylon watched Caleb and Calliope. His eyes were always watching, always waiting. If he got too close, Caleb would push him away. If it weren’t for his oath, Caleb would have sent Waylon back to the Eclipse pack. Caleb didn’t trust him, not anymore.

Waylon knew he wouldn’t be able to speak alone with Caleb. He knew any plans had to be made without the Great Alpha. But what could he do to help? What would Bennett tell him to do? Calliope needed to be stabbed with silver, or something dipped in wolfsbane. Something to stop her from shifting and healing. But where could he find these things? Where would he have to go to buy them?

But then, Waylon remembered the bone dagger made of silver that Caleb was gifted. He remembered it was put away in a chest when they left their family pack. Waylon snuck into Caleb’s old room. He searched for the chest that had been hidden away.

But it was gone. Everything of Caleb’s was already taken to his and Calliope’s room. But Waylon knew eyes were on him, watching him as he watched Caleb. He needed to find an opportunity when the third floor was empty. But this was hard when Calliope spent most of her time in her study. There was nothing that required her attention elsewhere. At least, there wouldn’t be for a while.

Waylon had to wait. In a few weeks, the elder council will be visiting the palace. They would be here for several days, drawing everyone into the council room. It was the best chance for Waylon to hunt for the dagger.

He patiently waited, counting down the days until the elder council came. They would arrive only one day before Bennett returned to the cabin. He had one chance to search for the weapon. Once he did that, he would find Caleb. He would get him alone, persuade him to see reason.

And finally, after patiently waiting, the elder council arrived. Caleb and Calliope went down along with her companions. He hid away, waiting for everyone to go to the council room. Waylon knew his absence wouldn’t matter. It isn’t like he had been doing his duties as a companion. He took this chance to go upstairs and look around. It was empty. There were no smells or sounds of anyone nearby. Waylon sauntered to the end of the hall and opened the door to their bedroom. Once inside, he looked around, determining where to begin his search.

He started with the wardrobes, opening every drawer and looking under every article of clothing. But he found nothing. He looked behind books and furniture. He got on the floor and checked under the bed. He found storage chests, but they didn’t hold the dagger. Waylon sighed with exhaustion as he sat up.

He sat on the floor beside the bed, wondering where the dagger could be. Perhaps Caleb gave it to her, and it was placed in the armory? Of course, it would be. Waylon put his hand on the corner of the bed to help himself stand. As he pushed down, he felt something hard.

He smiled as he slipped his hand under the mattress. He pulled out the dagger and laughed.

Of course, he thought to himself.

The Caleb he knew was still there. He hid the dagger, waiting for the chance to kill her. But now Waylon took it. He would help Caleb kill her. It would have to be him that killed Calliope.

Hours later, the meeting with the elders ended. It was the first of several meetings they would have over the coming days. Calliope was feeling sick, her stomach constantly churning. The elders were headed to the eating hall, but Calliope didn’t think she could eat any food.

She walked outside, clenching her abdomen. Caleb followed and placed a hand on her back.

“What is wrong, Cali?” He asked.

“I don’t feel good,” she answered as she hunched over. “I feel sick to my stomach.”

“Perhaps it was breakfast?”

“Maybe,” she answered as she began to dry heave. Caleb rubbed her back and helped her to sit down.

“You should go eat with the elders,” she told him. “I just need to rest.”

Caleb looked at her worryingly but nodded. He kissed her temple before heading back inside. Lea took his spot and sat beside Calliope.

“You’ve been sick for a while,” she said sternly. “And you didn’t eat this morning.”

“I wish you’d stop watching me like you do,” Calliope scowled.

“When was the last time you actually ate?”

“I ate the other day,” Calliope shrugged as she touched her stomach. She felt like she wanted to retch, but couldn’t. Her stomach was empty.

“You mean Giizis ate the other day,” Lea frowned. “You haven’t eaten in human form in several days, have you?”

Calliope shook her head. It had been nearly five days since she last ate in her human form. At the first sign of her sickness, she refused to eat. Instead, she retreated into Giizis to eat. Her wolf never felt sick.

“Let’s get you to bed,” Lea said as she helped Calliope to stand. “You need some rest.”

Calliope reluctantly went with Lea. They went upstairs to her room. She paused. Something felt off, but she couldn’t tell what. Nothing looked disturbed; everything was in its place. It just...felt off. But she shrugged the feeling away. Being on her feet, she felt dizzy. Perhaps her sickness was messing with her senses?

Lea helped her to lie down, but she furrowed her brow as she looked at Calliope. It was rare for her to be sick. Calliope glanced at Lea and frowned.

“What is it?” She asked Lea.

“What are the odds you are pregnant?” Lea inquired.

“Doubtful!” Calliope laughed. “I spent so many years with Theo, and I never got pregnant. What makes you think that I am with child mere months after mating with Caleb?”

“Are your breasts tender?” Lea questioned. Calliope reached up and gave them a gentle squeeze.

“A little,” she admitted.

“And when you eat, does the food seem like it has a bit of a metallic taste?”

“Yes,” Calliope answered as she nodded. Her eyes went wide, and tears threatened to fall. “I can’t be..."

“But you are,” Lea whispered as she took her hands. “This is how I feel when I’m with child.”

“No, you’re wrong,” Calliope said, shaking her head. “I’m just sick. I’m not pregnant.”

“Calliope...”

“No!” She snapped. Tears now fell down her cheeks freely. “I can’t be. It’s not fair. Why now?”

“The Goddess has her reasons,” Lea replied as she gently wiped Calliope’s cheeks. “There is a reason you are pregnant now. This child has a purpose to serve.”

“I hate it,” Calliope sobbed. “I hate having a destiny that takes away those I love. I hate how this child might serve a purpose, too. I hate being the Great Luna. I just want to be normal. I don't want to outlive my own children!”

Lea wrapped her arms gently around Calliope. She rubbed her back, trying her best to calm her.

“It’s alright,” she whispered. “Who knows, this child could be another Great?”

Calliope cried into Lea’s shoulder. She felt so many emotions. She felt sad because she never experienced this with Theo. This sadness also made her feel guilty. She should be happy that she was having a child, but she wasn’t.

“I can’t do this,” she said, her voice breaking.

“You can,” Lea assured her. “Even if this isn’t another great, you are having this child for a reason. The Goddess has said you are ready to be a mother. It’ll be ok.”

“How do I even tell Caleb? How do I tell him that this scares me, hurts me?”

“You just tell him. Be honest with him. You two have worked so hard to build this trust. Don’t let it falter because you’re scared.”

Calliope nodded as she rested her head on Lea. She closed her eyes, trying to stop the tears. She had not anticipated how upset she would be at finding out she was with child. But all of the sadness, guilt, and anxieties hit her all at once. She already hated outliving all of her family, outliving all of her companions, and now a child? Her body trembled at the thought.

“I’ll tell Caleb tonight,” she relented.

“Tell me what?” He asked as he walked into their room.

Lea squeezed Calliope’s hand and walked into the hall. She shut the door to give them privacy. Caleb looked worryingly at Calliope.

“What’s wrong?” He asked.

“Come here,” Calliope said as she held out a hand to him. But he didn’t move. She could see he was worried. “Please.”

Caleb walked to her slowly. He sat down on the edge of the bed and took her hand in his. His eyes were glazed over with concern. Calliope had to look away, afraid her own eyes would betray her emotions. She gripped his hand tightly.

“Is this about you feeling sick?” He questioned.

“Yes.”

“Is it serious? What is wrong? Please don’t tell me you are dying,” he asked frantically.

“No! I’m not dying,” she quickly answered. She looked up to meet his gaze. “I’m pregnant.”

Caleb stiffened. It surprised him. But something hit him deep in his stomach. Guilt. Instant guilt for any reservations he still held against Calliope. How could he think to ever go against her, the mother of his child, of his future children? Suddenly his love for her deepened. It felt stronger.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m almost certain.” The only thing that would give her absolute certainty was her cycle. But, as the Great Luna, her cycle was always irregular. She would live for hundreds of years. Whatever eggs she was born with had to last her entire lifetime.

He reached over and touched her stomach. He closed his eyes, gathering his thoughts. When he opened his eyes, he looked at Calliope. He saw her sadness, her tear-stained cheeks. He understood her trepidations. He couldn’t blame her. He leaned in and kissed her gently.

Calliope kissed Caleb as tears began to fall again. She wrapped her arms around him as she trembled.

“I’m sorry,” she cried.

“It’s alright,” he reassured her. He gently pulled her into his lap. In Calliope’s memories, Theo had done this often. He knew it soothed her. “You have every right to be sad. But this child within you, they will be loved. They will have the best life a child could ever have. And I will be by your side, no matter what. If you need to cry, you cry. I won’t leave; I won’t be jealous.”

Calliope leaned against Caleb as her sobs died down. Being in his arms, surrounded by his warmth, she wanted to be nowhere else. As soon as she relaxed, she began to fall asleep. Caleb laid her back on the bed and pulled the covers over her. He kissed her before heading out.

As he returned to the hall, he saw Waylon, waiting on the other side of the door. In his hands, he held the bone dagger. Caleb froze. He had forgotten about it being under the mattress. But why did Waylon have it?

“You best come with me, Great Alpha,” Waylon said with a smile.

“And go where?”

“To the cabin. You need to meet with Bennett.”

“No,” Caleb growled lowly. “I will not go.”

“If you don’t go, Bennett said he will come here and kill the girl himself. So you best come.” Waylon said as he twirled the dagger.

Caleb looked behind him at the closed door. His heart began to race. He tried to separate himself from Bennett and the Eclipse pack, but they wouldn’t stop. Whatever plans that were put into motion long ago were going to continue, with or without him. He looked back to Waylon fearfully.

“I’ll go.”