Calliope's Mate - Book 2
Chapter 26

For hours, the four wolves ran through the desert. They did not stop, fearing that they were being followed. They just ran, pushing their wolves to get to the old fort town. Once there, Caleb set his father down on the ground. He had not shifted from his sun wolf form. This was the first time others saw him, saw him this way.

Guards and warriors raced to shift or grab weapons. They went and surrounded him. No one knew this was the Great Alpha. Paige and Lea had to shift and stand between the warriors and Caleb.

"Stop!" Paige yelled out. "This is your Great Alpha! Do not try and attack him!"

Caleb did not even notice the wolves that had surrounded him. He put his hands on the chain wrapped around his father's neck. The silver was keeping him from healing like he should. It needed to be removed quickly. Caleb's paws burned on the silver, but he pushed the pain aside. He concentrated, focusing on his father, on freeing him. With a snarling growl, Caleb was able to break the chain.

Aaron gasped for air as his skin was freed from the painful silver. He cried out, realizing the searing pain that was on his shoulder. Lea rushed over, calling out for any healers or doctors. Several people ran over, all willing and wanting to help. Caleb stepped back, allowing them access to his father. He then turned his attention to Calliope and Maya.

Giizis had not yet shifted; the silver was still wrapped around her neck. If she shifted, Calliope would feel the pain; she would have to endure what her wolf had protected her from. He rushed over, unwrapping the chain from around Giizis. He then gripped the chain around his mother's throat and tore it off of her. Maya's hands went to her neck, feeling the blisters and burned skin. But her attention was really on Aaron. She rushed over as he was being carried off.

Caleb shifted and began to look over Giizis. The chain had burned through her fur and to her neck. There was a large gash, but it was starting to heal. He gently stroked her fur as he rested his head against her.

"Thank you," he whispered. It was a thank you for Giizis, because he knew that she had kept Calliope safe, kept his parents safe.

After a few minutes, Giizis finally shifted, allowing Calliope out. She and Caleb embraced one another. Whatever wounds remained on Caleb's hands from freeing his parents quickly healed while in Calliope's arms. But Caleb could feel her trembling. He put his hands on her shoulders and pulled away to look into her eyes.

"Cali?" He asked. He didn't know which questions he wanted to ask; he had so many. He looked to her for guidance, for reassurance that all would be fine. But she was scared; he could see it. "What now?"

"I need to test something," she answered.

"Test what?"

"I need to see if I can do a mass blessing," she replied as she looked at her hands. "If I can, I think I know what to do with Bennett and the other sun wolves."

Caleb nodded and took her hands. He led her to the small encampment of humans and wolves, all of whom left their homes searching for her. They were watching, waiting. Calliope stopped when she was a few feet away from them.

"I need anyone who is a moon wolf or human to step out of the way. I will create mate bonds in a little bit, but I need to see if I can do something." She said to everyone.

She looked around at their faces, looking into each of their eyes. Some were fearful, but most were hopeful. Several people began to clear out and step away. Only those that remained were ones with a sun wolf. It was some adults and a lot of children. She held out her hands towards them. She closed her eyes, focusing.

When her eyes reopened, they were glowing white. The wind blew all around her as static began to circle her. Many people watched in awe as she generated all of the energy around them. Calliope took in a breath and held it. She closed her eyes, and this time, she saw a glimpse of the Goddess. Calliope exhaled loudly and pushed her energy out into the crowd.

There were screams as static erupted over them like lightning. When the light subsided, everyone was still standing, still alive. For a moment, all were silent. Had it worked? Were they all moon wolves now? Calliope looked at them, her eyes still glowing white.

"Shift," she commanded to the adults.

Without thinking, their bodies moved on their own. They walked out towards the desert, and they shifted. Every single one of them was a moon wolf. There was excitement and cheering from everyone else as the men and women got used to their new forms. Calliope shifted into Giizis. The new wolves stopped and looked at her. They began to relax, and all walked up to her. Many of the other adults came forward and shifted as well. Everyone surrounded Giizis. After a minute, Giizis let out a loud howl, and everyone joined in. It was done; they were moon wolves. The curse had been lifted from so many. This was it. This was what she was meant to do.

As everyone cleared out, Calliope shifted, out of breath from what she had done. Caleb was the only one to approach her.

"Are you alright?" He asked as he wrapped an arm around her waist.

"I think so," she answered honestly. There was a lot that went through her, that happened to her. She felt exhausted from creating and spending so much energy. But, she was excited; she was hopeful. She was scared. What if she could not replicate this again?

Caleb reached up and moved her hair away from her face. He leaned in and kissed her, pulling her away from her thoughts. Calliope closed her eyes and leaned into the kiss. Here, in his arms, she was safe. She was loved. Her exhaustion faded away. His love replenished her, as her love healed him.

After a while, they pulled away from one another. As much as they wanted to spend the rest of eternity in one another's arms, they needed to prepare. They had to get ready for the fight ahead. But Caleb was still confused about what Calliope had in mind.

"What now?" He questioned her.

"You chain me up and trade me for Amber," she replied calmly.

"You must be crazy," he growled lowly. "I will not let you get close to that man. Nor will I ever put those silver chains on you."

"What choice do you have? But, if I can freeze them, I might be able to lift their curse. That is the only way I can think of doing this." She said as she took his face in her hands. She ran her fingers through his beard and gave him a small smile. "Go grab the chains. I have an idea."

Caleb nodded; he removed his shirt and wrapped it around his hands. He picked up the chains that were once on his parents. He quickly followed Calliope as she approached Diane.

"Do you have any lacquer?" Calliope inquired of the delta warrior.

Diane was confused but nodded her head. She led Caleb and Calliope to a furniture shop. Diane approached the owner, talked to him, and then returned with a bucket of lacquer. Calliope looked to Caleb and motioned for him to place the chains in the bucket.

"My hope is that the lacquer will prevent the silver from touching my skin," Calliope explained.

"Won't Bennett notice the lack of burning and blistering on your skin?" Caleb asked.

"I'm hoping to freeze them before I get close enough to him," she answered.

After a minute of submerging the chains, he reached in with his bare hand and removed one of them. There was no burning; he could not feel the silver.

"Let's get these laid out so the lacquer can dry evenly," he said as he looked at Diane.

"Come, bring them and put them on the wooden slab," she said, motioning back into the furniture shop. "They will not be disturbed in here."

Caleb put the chain back down and carried the bucket inside. He laid out both chains, ensuring they were not touching one another. He dipped a brush into the lacquer and tapped it on spots that didn't get enough coverage. He smiled as he looked at Calliope. She nodded her head in approval.

"This could work," she said softly.

"This could work," he repeated.

The hours pass slowly, and the time ticks down until the trade with Bennett. More wolves have traveled from the east, seeking to be mated or lifted of their sun wolf curse. Calliope was more than happy to oblige, knowing that with each wolf she changed, it was one less person she would potentially have to fight.

Caleb, though, was hopeful that once Calliope changed those in Bennett's army, most would submit. He was optimistic, and though Calliope did not believe the same, she was happy for the hope that he brought. But, mentally, she was preparing. She knew that Giizis would have to be let out, that she would have to fight. That Caleb would have to fight. She only hoped that Caleb would remain hopeful afterward, that the battle would not alter him as it had her.

Calliope went out into the desert in the early morning of the second day. She wanted darkness and quiet. She needed a chance to escape, to meditate. She sat on the cool sand and crossed her legs. She took a deep breath and placed her hands on her knees. It had been some time since she visited with Giizis. She remembered growing up; she used to visit Giizis weekly. She was still young, still learning, and Giizis was still a mystery to her.

But now, now that battle loomed over her, she sought out Giizis. With an exhale, Calliope felt the all too familiar sensation of falling, and then the cool sand was replaced with snow. As always, she could never feel the cold around her. She was impervious to it.

She opened her eyes and saw her large, white wolf. She walked to Giizis and wrapped her arms around the wolf's neck.

Do you think I can do this? Calliope questioned. Do you think I am strong enough to bless hundreds of wolves simultaneously?

Giizis leaned her head down, pressing Calliope into her. She let out a soft whine. Calliope sighed.

I know why you cannot speak, but sometimes I wish I could hear your thoughts. She mused. Do you know how this will end?

Giizis gave out a gentle snort. Whether that meant yes or no, Calliope did not know. She backed up so she could see her wolf's white eyes.

When we get out there, I need you not to shift, not until I am finished, Calliope instructed. She knew that Giizis could take over if she wanted to, but in this instance, Calliope needed to be in charge. She needed a chance to change everyone.

Giizis leaned down and pressed her nose gently against Calliope's stomach. Calliope placed her hands on the snout of her wolf. She stroked it as she thought to herself.

Only if absolutely necessary, Calliope said, as if she could tell what Giizis was thinking. If Calliope was in danger, if the baby was in danger, Giizis would have to take over. Calliope could not fight that.

Calliope looked behind Giizis. A heavy fog clouded most of the forest behind her. The urge to look came to her, but she pushed it aside. Perhaps once this was over, and there was calm once again, she would try to venture into the distance. She leaned down and kissed her wolf. With an exhale, Calliope was pulled back, landing in the sand. She opened her eyes, seeing the early morning dawn. The sun was dark red, like Altan's eyes. Perhaps it was a good sign.

She stood and went back into the town. She sought out Caleb, but her feet took her to a tent instead. Aaron and Maya were in there. Maya was asleep, but Aaron was propped up, wide awake. The wound on his arm had healed, but his arm would never return. He was left with a tiny stub and scars that would never go away. Aaron looked up and gave Calliope a gentle smile.

"Is it time?" he asked quietly, not wanting to wake Maya.

"It is," Calliope nodded. "I will make sure you have Amber, alive. I can promise you that."

"Promise me that you will also take care of yourself," Aaron said as he grabbed her hand.

"I will do my best," she replied with a weak smile. "But, if something happens to me, can you promise to take care of Caleb?"

"For his sake, I hope nothing happens," Aaron murmured.

He knew, many people knew, if something happened to Calliope, it would break Caleb. But only one person knew what happens when a Great is broken: Calliope. She swallowed the fear that was caught in her throat. Aaron reached up and wiped a tear that slipped down her cheek. She did not even realize she was crying. So much was on her shoulders; so much was weighted upon her success.

"Don't be crying when you find him," Aaron instructed gently. "He will refuse to let you go out there."

"I'd like to see him try," Calliope chuckled softly.

She wiped her cheeks and fanned her eyes. She could only hope that her face wasn't red when she found Caleb. She looked at Aaron and gave him a silent thank you before leaving their tent. She searched for Caleb and found that he was inspecting the chains for the 10th time.

When he saw Calliope, he stopped. His heart was heavy. But he trusted her, trusted that she knew what she was doing. He held up the chains and looked at her. He tried to put on a brave face, but his eyes revealed his fear.

"Ready?" He asked her softly.

Calliope nodded. With her consent, Caleb began to wrap the chains around her. They had already tested with a smaller piece that she could break the chains when she shifted into Giizis. But with this many chains, he worried that the lacquer could crack or would break first. Yet he continued to bind her, making sure not to make it too tight on her. A piece was wrapped around her neck, around the tops of her shoulders, and down to her thighs. He bound her wrists together but made sure that her arms could move freely up and down.

Caleb shifted into his sun wolf form and gently scooped up Calliope. She did not complain; there was no sound of sizzling or smell of burning. The lacquer was working, which was good. Caleb carried her out into the desert, followed closely by her companions and their army of nearly 350 wolves. Not but hours ago, the Blood Stone pack had arrived with the remaining 150 wolves. They were the last of the warriors that would arrive.

Caleb walked out further and stopped in a large, flat area. He gently set Calliope down so her feet could touch the ground. In the distance, to the east, they could hear them. It was Bennett and his army. They were coming. It was time.

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