Calliope's Mate - Book 2

Caleb sat on the floor in a corridor. His back was against a wall, and his arm was propped up on his knee. The stone behind him was cold. It felt refreshing against his back. He gave a soft sigh as he closed his eyes. He took several deep breaths, trying to keep calm. After a moment, he opened his eyes and looked before him.

Sitting across from Caleb was Aaron. His eyes were closed. Caleb chuckled to himself. His father was able to sleep anywhere, in any position. It did not matter if he seemed comfortable or not; Aaron could sleep. Caleb looked at his father's face. His beard was a mix of white and brown. Across his face were small wrinkles. The fighting, the trauma, the years had aged him. Caleb's eye drifted down to Aaron's shirt. The left sleeve was shortened due to the lack of an arm. He had healed well in the months after the battle. His wolf had helped to prevent infections, but there was a nasty scar in the place of his arm.

Caleb glanced over to his left and saw Paige sitting beside him. A few days after they had returned home, Caleb asked Paige to become his companion. It was unorthodox for a woman to be a companion to a Great Alpha, but there was no one else that Caleb could trust. Paige agreed after a few weeks of persuasion. She was fiercely loyal to Calliope, but after some time, she accepted Caleb's request. She had two sons with her mate. One of them would eventually take her place and continue the companion journey.

Caleb felt relieved having them sitting with him. But then he winced when he heard Calliope's groans. He clenched his fists. He was not allowed in with her while she gave birth. He was possessive and would become aggressive with those around her. It was a natural reaction; his mate was in pain, and though it was because of labor, he wanted to fix it. He didn't want anyone else to touch her. But that was not what she needed. She needed the nurses, the midwife, and her companions. But he was close by, in case if he was needed.

"She'll be fine, stop worrying," Paige growled. She always had a way to know what Caleb was thinking.

"Leave him alone. It is always hard being away from your mate while she gives birth," Aaron said.

"Sorry that you men have to sit on the outside while the women are in there, breaking their bodies to give life to your children." Paige retorted, but she smirked. She enjoyed the banter but also enjoyed making men squirm.

"Hush, both of you," Caleb said as he rubbed his temple. "You two are meant to keep me calm, not argue."

"If it makes you feel any better, I can explain in detail what is going on in there?" Paige suggested. When Caleb was silent, she smiled an evil smile. "First, you have the contractions that feel like you are being squeezed from the inside out. Then you have the opening that has to grow because you have to push a-"

"I command you be silent," Caleb quickly says, not wanting to hear about birth in any detail. Paige smiled to herself as she crossed her arms. "Is Kota 21 yet?"

She shook her head. It would be another few years before her eldest son would take her place. Caleb looked away from her, but inside, he smiled. Though she could be annoying at times, it did help to get his mind off Calliope's pain.

"Daddy?" a soft voice murmured.

Caleb's head snapped to his right. It was his eldest daughter. She was crying and clutching two stuffed wolves to her chest.

"My little love," he said as he gently pulled her to him. "What is it? Why aren't you sleeping?"

"I could hear momma," she sniffed.

"Oh, Cleo," he says soothingly. "Your momma is alright. Having a baby takes a toll on the body. It hurts, but in the end, it is worth it."

He looked down at the black and white stuffed wolves that she held. He gave them a gentle pat. When Cleo was three, Calliope had given them to her daughter to play with. And ever since, they have been her favorite toys. He sighed as he ran his hand through her curls. She had his curls, but her hair was bright blonde, like her mother's. At five years old, her hair barely went past her shoulders. Cleo looked at her father. She had two different colored eyes, the same as him, except one was green, while the other was bright blue. She was a beautiful combination of both of her parents.

Calliope's screams were getting louder. He could tell she was pushing. The baby was nearly here. The women in the closed room were beginning to make noises. He could hear one shout for warm water while another called for towels. She was close. Under his arms, he could feel Cleo shaking. She was crying again. He rubbed her back gently, trying to keep her calm.

Caleb listened as the screams and sounds died down. He held his breath; everyone in the corridor held their breath. Then, the sound of a baby screaming filled their ears. Caleb sighed in relief. Paige gave his shoulder a gentle pat.

"Congratulations," Aaron smiled.

"Thanks, Dad," Caleb replied as he held Cleo closer.

They waited several minutes and finally looked up when the door opened. It was Maya. She was smiling, and she motioned for Caleb.

"The midwife said you can come in," she said.

Caleb stood and picked up Cleo. He walked up to his mother and gave her cheek a gentle kiss. He went into the room and walked over to the bedside. Calliope's face was pale, and she looked exhausted. But upon seeing him and Cleo, her face brightened, and she smiled.

"My loves," she whispered. She was weak, but there was steam rising from under the sheets. Giizis was healing her. She took the bundled baby in her arms and leaned it so Caleb could see. "We have a baby boy."

"A boy?" Caleb questioned. He smiled widely and looked at Cleo. "Do you hear that? You have a baby brother!"

"Momma!" Cleo yelled excitedly.

"I am here," Calliope replied with a pained groan.

Maya stepped up and took Cleo from Caleb. Several of the ladies in the room left, giving Caleb and Calliope some privacy. Caleb reached down and took the tiny baby from her arms. He held the baby tenderly, making sure to support his head. He had a tuff of dark blonde hair on his head.

"He has your hair," Calliope said as she rested her head on the pillows.

"That he does," he responded as he held the baby close. "Did you give your mother trouble?"

"Just a little," she chuckled. "He is a little bigger than Cleo was."

"Sweet boy," Caleb sighed happily. "What shall you be named?"

Cleo was named as a homage to Theo while taking both a "C" and "L" from their names. But this baby, who would he be named after?

"Eli," Calliope said with assurance. "He shall be Eli."

"Who was Eli?" Caleb asked, confused because he had not recognized the name.

"No one," she answered. "We could never have enough children to name after all the ones we have lost. So, let's give him his own name. He shall be his own person, his own wolf. Cleo already has the weight of three people's names. Let's not do the same to this sweet boy."

Caleb looked down at his baby's face. He leaned down, getting close to his ear.

"You are Eli," Caleb whispered. "Son of the Great Alpha and Great Luna. You shall be a strong wolf who knows restraint and kindness. You shall have no struggles in life, but shall prosper and thrive. You are Eli."