Chapter 86
Chapter 86
20 The Past and Present
Grant POV
Franklin and that witch walk back to where I’m waiting for them. “What the hell was that? You didn’t even kill one of them.” “I’m sure you know as an Alpha we need to learn all we can about the enemy we face. That was the whole reason we took the weakest collective members. There is no loss from them being killed.” “So what did you learn?” “It seems the new Alpha has taken his place in the pack. Which means that b**ch Clara has become a Luna.” I can feel the anger at the thought of that mutt that isn’t a pure wolf being anyone’s Luna. “Lydia has set things in motion, but it will take time. You need to prepare your pack for war because the Nightfire pack isn’t weak. It might be a good idea to see if you can align your pack with others that will fight against the Nightfire.” I nod and we return to the road that leads to the human city. I parked my car away from the pack as I’m sure they have been given orders if I or any of my pack members are seen. I get into my SUV and drive back to my pack. Thiago has yet to speak to me since our last conversation after Evelyn left.
As I reach my office I catch a scent I haven’t smelt in a very long time. I push open the door and Octavius stands by the window that looks out on my pack. Thiago growls and he turns with a smirk on his face. “No need to growl, wolf, I mean you no harm, yet.” “What the hell do you think you’re doing in my pack without permission?” “I showed you my power once, Grant. Don’t make me do it again.” “What do you want, Ocatvius?” “I think you are well aware of why I am here. Had you let me deal with the half breeds, none of your troubles would be happening right now.” How the f**k could he know about everything that has happened? “Now what is your plan to deal with the mess you have made?” “I’m dealing with things and I don’t need any help from you.” “That’s good, I’m not here to offer you help. Honestly, I would like nothing more than to wipe out all of your kind. Now I’ll ask you one last time, what
is your plan?” I know I am at a disadvantage, with his powers, but I hope one day I can rip this ba**ards head off.
“The collective leader and a witch have offered to help me get my Luna back and deal with the Nightfire pack. They are the ones that are harboring Evelyn’s ba**ard pups.” He laughs “it seems that you have grossly underestimated your enemy. Do you know that the Nightfire pack isn’t just made up of wolves?” I look at him confused. It’s a wolf pack, what the hell does he mean? “That pack contains a number of powerful witches and half-breeds. They are also supported by a powerful coven.” I stand pacing my office. I need to get Evelyn back, but how can I do that with just that mediocre witch’s help? I turn to Octavius “I know you didn’t just come here to revel in my misery. What do you want to help me get my Luna back?” He smiles and I hate the look of satisfaction on his face.
“I want what I have wanted from the beginning. I want to end those two half-breeds my nephew should never have spawned. You can have your precious Luna and help from the coven if I get what I want.” “Evelyn will never come back to me now that she knows what I did to her pups.” He waves me off “we can wipe all those memories away.” He sticks out his hand and I reluctantly take it. “I will be in touch” he says and then he is gone. Why do I feel like I have just made a deal with the devil? “As long as we get my mate back I don’t care what happens to that pack or those pups”, Thiago says. For the first time since Evelyn left, we both agree. I will have my Luna in my arms soon. I sit down in my chair and for the first time, I feel hope that I will get my life back in order.
Calliope POV
I have become one of the top warriors in the collective in the very short time we have been here. Unlike my pack, these men and women respect me regardless of who my father is or what title I hold. They see my skill and value for me. I have come to love Sarah, Abigale, and Carter like they are my family. Oliver has become my best friend. We are on patrol and Aurora is enjoying spending time with Oliver’s wolf, Piper. They act like siblings, but right now we are on alert. They cannot play when we are on duty. We reach the furthest point of the territory and Aurora scents something in the air. It isn’t the smell of
other rogues, so we know it isn’t Franklin again. The scent is familiar. A wolf steps off behind the trees and Piper steps in front of me. I know this wolf and I know he wouldn’t hurt me. I shift and he does the same. I run my hand down Piper’s side to let him know it’s alright. I walk toward Bradford, my father’s Beta. I’m sure my father has him looking for me and my mother. He pulls his shorts on before he pulls me into a hug. “Calliope, your safe.” Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.
I hear a growl and I turn to see a shifted Oliver coming toward us. “I’d ask if he is your mate but I see no mark” he says when he pulls back. “No, Oliver is just a friend. Oliver, this is Bradford, my old pack’s Beta.” I see panic on Oliver’s face. “I would never do anything to harm Jasmine or Calliope. Had I known what the Alpha was doing I would have helped them escape.” “How did you find us?” “Honestly, I had given up until I went to neutral territory and heard a rogue talking about a red wolf in this collective. I figured what are the chances of another red wolf being so close to our pack. You are the only one I have ever seen in my life.” “That ba**ard Franklin has been running his mouth apparently.” Oliver growls again and Bradford smiles. “I’m glad you have found a safe place, Calliope, but make no mistake he has no intentions of giving up.” “I’m not concerned about my father.” “I understand that Calliope but he is a desperate man and he went to see Simone. He hasn’t heard back from her but you know as well as I do she is as evil as they come.” “F**k” I say. I wasn’t worried about Franklin’s witch, but Simone is a different story. I was told stories of how she worked for my grandfather when the price was right.
“You know that I will never tell him where you are, but that witch is strong enough to figure it out. Calliope, I will be leaving the pack with my family because your father is getting desperate. He has already threatened to harm my mate. I can’t risk your father hurting my mate and pup because I still can’t find you.” I hate that he is risking himself and those he loves to keep me safe. “Don’t even think about it. I did not say that to make you feel guilty. I just want to make sure you know so you can be prepared. You are destined for great things and I hope someday I get to see you again.” I wrap him in a hug. He has been more like a father to me than the ba**ard who calls himself an Alpha. “Please be safe and tell your family I’m sorry for all of this. Your son’s birthright was to become Beta and now that
won’t happen. ” He let out a low growl. “I will tell them you, send your regards, but I will never tell them you’re sorry. You have nothing to be sorry for. Believe me, my son wants nothing to do with being Beta to Mateo.” He starts towards the woods and I make a vow to make my father pay for his selfish ways.
I turn back and Oliver is just staring at me. “Come on, we need to go speak with Carter.” “You’re not leaving Calliope. I won’t allow it”, Oliver says, and I laugh. I love how close we have become. “I never said I was leaving but I need to find a way to keep the collective safe.” We reach the office and I knock. I don’t want what happened last time to happen again. “Come in”, Carter says, and we walk inside. I tell him everything Bradford just told me. I expect him to be upset but he seems calm. “Calliope, this is your home now. I will call the Nightfire pack. The Beta female and Gamma are both powerful witches. I’m sure they would be willing to help us keep everyone safe.” I feel my body relax and Aurora stops pacing. We could protect ourselves from that witch, but not all of our friends and family. Aurora is powerful, but black magic witches aren’t known to play fair.
The Next Day
The sun is peeking through my window but I have been up for hours. My mind was plagued by the thought of that evil witch hurting people I have come to love. “Calliope, I know your worried but remember that we have been blessed by the goddess herself and we will do all we can to protect them.” She is right, I just hope it’s enough. A knock sounds on my door and my mother pops her head in. “Abigale said that the women from the Nightfire pack are here.” I don’t even let her finish and I’m throwing on jeans and a t-shirt. When I reach the office, Abigale opens the door without me even knocking. She is smiling and when I walk in, the women stand. I bare my neck to show the proper respect. “Calliope, it is a pleasure to meet you” the blonde woman says. “I am Pheobe, the Beta female of the Nightfire pack and this is Lily the Gamma of the Nightfire pack. It is a pleasure to meet you. Carter has told us about you and what’s going on.” I nod “it’s nice to meet you both.”
“Come sit with me Calliope”, Lily says. I take a seat and she puts both her hands out to me. I place my hands in hers and she closes her eyes. After a few minutes, she opens them. Her smile makes me wonder exactly what happened. “Calliope, have you shared who your father is with Abigale and Carter?” “No, I hadn’t at first because I was worried, but then it just didn’t seem important anymore.” She nods and I turn to them. “My father is Alpha Mateo of the Crescent Moon Pack.” Carter growls and Abigale looks shocked. I look back at Lily, confused by their reactions. “Mateo was fated to Abigale before he rejected her. Carter was her second chance mate.” The realization that he has always been a disgusting person is almost too much for me to take. Abigale comes to kneel in front of me. “Calliope, what he did has nothing to do with you. I am happy he rejected me. I am with my fated mate.” I smile at her and Carter places his hand on my shoulder. “You and your mother are where you are supposed to be. I have no doubt of that”, Carter says. I’m so grateful for finding our place here among these amazing people.
“Calliope, I’m sure you already know how special you and your wolf are, but do you know what being a red wolf means?” I’m sure I have a look of shock on my face. She chuckles, “I am a blessed witch, which makes me very powerful. That means I am marked by the goddess, but your wolf is a direct descendant of the goddess herself. That is why you are so powerful and your wolf is as big as an Alpha wolf.” I can’t believe what I’m hearing. I knew we were different but I never expected all that Lily just said. Aurora is puffing her chest out and I chuckle. “Carter is right, you are where you belong. You were never meant to become a Luna, as your father expected. You are an Alpha.” I smile at her. “Now Pheobe and I will be putting a protection spell around the collective. If any black magic is used against it, we will know immediately. What is the name of the black magic witch your father has sought out?” “Simone, but I have no idea what coven she belongs to.” She places her hand on mine. “We will find out, you just keep the collective safe. When things in the pack have settled, we would like you to meet the new Alpha and Luna.” “Is everything alright?” She smiles “yes they just had their ceremony and are going to be welcoming their first pup soon.” “Please pass on my congratulations.” They both hug me before they head out to perform the spell. I look at Abigale. “Don’t you dare apologize. You are nothing
like him and you are not accountable for his actions. I’m sorry for what your mother went through with him.” My mother has no idea that Abigale is my father’s first mate. A few minutes later, the door opens and my mother walks in. Abigale walks over and hugs her. They have become like sisters and I hate what he did to them both. He is no Alpha.