Chapter 41: Their Cursed

After we ate, we all climbed into bed and Remi cuddled up to us. I flipped on the TV while we all lay together. I knew it wouldn’t be long until she fell asleep, but I was still pretty awake. Her smell was coating the whole room and it was distracting. But her ears were pink, telling me she was very tired. She sat across Cullen’s lap, her face snuggled into his chest while her legs were resting across my lap. He gently rubbed her back while I massaged her legs some more.

I kept looking over at her neck, seeing our marks there. It made me swell with pride every time. No one would ever dare touch a she-wolf with two marks. Not if they did not have a death wish. And now she would be even stronger. We just needed to help her shift, and everything would be done. Hopefully, Doctor Charles could actually help make that easier for her this time.

I could hear her breathing start to even out. It caught me completely off guard when I heard her voice in my head. “I love you Calder and Cullen.”

-

I woke up to Remi playing with my hair. A small smile graced her lips. She did not notice me open my eyes as she played with the short curls on my head. “Having fun?” I said, startling her. She jumped and yelped, caught off guard. I laughed as I grabbed hold of her and rolled us over so that I was on top of her now.

“Good morning,” I said happily.

“Good morning,” she said.

“You’re up early,” I said looking at the clock.

“I woke up when Cullen left,” she admitted. I raised my eyebrows. “It gets colder when one of you is gone,” she said.

“I’m sorry, baby. You are mated to the leaders of the pack. We have responsibilities,” I told her. I could feel her gloom and I did not like it.

“I know. It's okay. I get one of you,” she said.

“How about I see if I can arrange it so that Gentry leads training on the weekends, and we can be all yours those mornings?” I suggested, running my nose along hers. Her face split into a huge grin. Cullen and I were going to have to get used to being responsible to someone other than ourselves.

“Is that okay?” she asked.

“Yea, I am sure he’ll be okay with it. If not, you could always ask him. He has a soft spot for his future Luna,” I said chuckling. She wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me. I groaned at her enticing taste. “How about we go down and distract Cullen? If you keep kissing me like that, I am not going to be able to resist you.”

She wiggled her hips under me. “Don’t resist,” she said.

“As appealing as that is, and trust me it is, you were very sore last night and we should probably let you have a little more recovery time,” I told her, barely grasping onto the shreds of my self-control as she rubbed herself across my manhood. She gave me a little pout and I kissed her pouty lip before pulling her up and out of the bed.

-

Remi went to Cullen’s room to get dressed. We had her things left over there yesterday so she did not have much in my room except her boxes and a few things Pip had brought. I wanted to get the renovation started soon but we would need to be out of these rooms for a few days while they worked. There was a wolf summit happening soon. It could be a good opportunity to announce to the rest of the werewolves in the Realm that we had our mate as well as get us out of the packhouse for a couple days. I made a mental note to discuss it with Cullen so we could ask Remi to go with us later.

I made my way into Cullen’s room. The bathroom door was open, so I went in there to find Remi fixing her hair in the mirror. She looked amazing. She wore a pleated, purple skirt with a soft, cream sweater. Her long hair was swept back and pinned on either side of her head but fell in soft waves around her face. “Wow,” I said from behind her.

She smiled. “Is that a good wow?” she asked.

“A very good wow,” I said coming behind her. I wrapped my hands around her waist and bent down to kiss my mark. She gave me the smallest moan as she closed her eyes when my lips made contact. “You will definitely be a distraction,” I told her. She giggled.

We walked hand in hand downstairs, and I took her outside to the training field. She watched and listened intently as we approached. I knew when her eyes landed on Cullen because she smiled brightly. She had a look of awe on her face as she watched him spar with another warrior. He was easily running circles around him and I could tell he was holding back. That was until Remi got close enough for him to smell her. He was momentarily distracted, and the warrior took the opportunity to catch Cullen and pin him to the ground. Cullen growled at the other wolf and he released him quickly. He got up quickly and stocked over to us.

“What are you doing here, love?” he asked, trying to be gentle but failing. Remi’s face fell.

“I’m sorry. Calder said we could come down here. I just missed you…” she said quietly.

Cullen’s eyes met mine. I gave him a cocky smirk. “Nice moves,” I said teasingly. He looked back down at Remi who was looking at the ground. He tilted her chin up to face him before planting a soft kiss on her lips.

“I missed you too,” he said, actually achieving the gentleness he saved only for her. “But you are very distracting, and I need to concentrate right now. We are almost done here. I will see you at breakfast, okay?” he said.

“Okay,” she said. He gave her one more kiss before shooting me a dirty look and turning to go back to the training. We watched him walk back and begin sparring again. “He isn’t mad right?” Remi asked.

“No,” I said. “I don’t think he could physically be mad at you,” I told her.

Remi

Cullen was clearly grumpy towards Calder when he joined us for breakfast. He was not taking it out on me though meaning he clearly blamed it all on Calder. They were both a lot to handle sometimes but I smiled knowing they were mine to handle.

Nicole joined us late for breakfast. She said Cassius was wrapped up in some important pack matter. When she told us that, Calder and Cullen locked eyes for a minute and I knew they were linking. Calder ended up leaving breakfast early and I was sure he was going to help his father. Pip also came in a little late. She was leaving today shortly after breakfast. I was a little sad knowing my only friend here so far was leaving. She told us she signed up for express classes this semester meaning she would be done in 8 weeks instead of 16. She also gave me her phone number so when my new phone came in, we could talk. I had forgotten all about that!

Nicole asked if I would join her today to start Luna training. I knew Cullen and Calder were going to be busy, so I quickly agreed. Once we were all finished, Pip left us to go find Gentry and her parents and tell everyone goodbye. She gave me a hug before also giving Cullen a hug. I just giggled as he gave her a ridiculous look. After she left, Nicole told me to meet her in her office whenever I was ready. I gave her a smile knowing that she was trying to give me a minute with Cullen.

“Why don’t you come upstairs with me and I will take you to the Luna’s office after I get dressed,” Cullen said.

“Sure,” I said. I was happy to spend an extra few minutes with him. We walked upstairs hand in hand. I felt a little grumpiness coming from him still. “Are you mad that I came to training this morning?” I asked him.

He paused a moment before answering. “I am not mad, love. I just do not want you down there. For one, you are very distracting. And two, I do not want any of the unmated warriors setting eyes on what's mine,” he said darkly.

“I didn’t mean to distract you,” I told him.

“You always distract me,” he admitted as we entered his room. He pulled me over to the couch and we sat down. “You look beautiful today,” he said sweetly as he looked into my eyes.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“Why don’t we put your things away in the closet tonight?” he asked.

“Really?” I asked.

“Of course. You live here now. And I am not letting you go, ever. As soon as we get the renovation done, this will be all three of our rooms together,” he said. I smiled and nodded my head. He kissed me sweetly.

“Let me shower and I will take you to my mother,” he said softly.

“Okay,” I said.

-

When Cullen finally left me outside his mother’s office, I knocked lightly. Nicole immediately called me in. “Remi, darling, come in. Sit down!” she said.

“Thank you,” I said coming in and sitting down at one of the chairs across from her at the desk.

“I am so glad you wanted my help with all this,” she said brightly.

“I am so glad you were willing to help me. I feel a little lacking having not grown up knowing about any of this,” I told her.

“Oh darling, that is alright. I can already tell you will be a phenomenal Luna. You have both those little Alpha boys wrapped around your finger already,” she laughed.

“No, no, no…” I said waving my hands.

“Sweetheart, I have watched my sons interact with you. I can promise you; they have never been so smitten. They love you more than they could even tell you. And I noticed they marked you. About time, I think!” she said with a smile. I blushed at her words.

“I think we can get to work and train you up to be a great Luna. And we might have just enough time before the Summit,” she said.

“Summit?” I asked.

“There will be a Summit in about a week. Representatives from packs all over the Realm will come. It is a chance to discuss territories, treaties, new laws, those types of things. Last year, the twins went with Cassius and me. This year, I think you and the twins should go without us. It won’t be long until we deal with that silly little curse and can officially give the titles over to you three after all,” she said.

“O-Okay,” I said nervously.

“No need to be nervous at all! I know, let's go start with my favorite pack members,” she said with a huge grin.

-

Nicole’s favorite pack members turned out to be the children in the daycare. She took me to the pack day care where all the young children came during the day when their parents were working or busy. There were children from about 1 to 6 all managed by 4 sweet women. We spent a couple hours playing with them, reading them books, and helping to pass out snacks. The children were so curious and sweet. When Nicole introduced me, all the older ones seemed excited to be meeting the future Luna. I got a small pang of hurt in my chest when we played with the 3-year-olds. They were all so adorable, talkative, and curious.

When we were done in the daycare, we went back to the pack house where it was lunch time. Nicole and I talked with pack members in the dining room. She introduced me to so many people, I knew it would be a while before I remembered all their names. We sat down and ate a lite lunch together, chatting with those that came over to us.

After lunch we went back to her office where she handed me a sizeable book. “What is this?” I asked.

“This is a book with the laws that govern our land. It also includes some of the more poignant details of treaties that Lunas should also be aware of,” she explained.

“Wow,” I said.

“I think you should start reading this and studying it. As the next Luna, you should know the laws of our kind just as well as your mates,” she said. I looked up at her a little wide eyed. “I know it seems like a lot, but I will be here for any questions you have. A Luna not only takes care of her pack members, but she also supports her Alpha in governing the pack.”

I nodded my head. “Okay. I will learn all of this,” I told her confidently. If my job as Calder and Cullen’s mate was to help them and this is what I needed to do, I would do it. Nicole gave me a smile. I went over to the small couch and sat down to read.

Cullen

It was getting late, and Remi had not appeared in my office yet. I looked at the clock, realizing I had worked through dinner. This wasn’t uncommon for me, but I wondered where Remi was. “Is Remi with you?” I linked Calder.

“No, I was buried in reports,” he said back.

Maybe she was still with my mom. “Mother, is my mate still with you?” I linked her.

“No darling. I left her in my office. She was waiting for you two for dinner,” she linked back. “She was studying.”

Shit. She was waiting for us and I did not even know. I got up from my desk, not bothering to put anything away and made my way down the hall to my mother’s office. Soon enough, this would be Remi’s office. I did not feel any disappointment or sadness through our bond, so I hoped she had simply lost track of time as well. I knocked lightly then cracked the door to peek inside. I was surprised to see her sitting on the couch. She sat with her legs crossed and a large book in her lap. She also had a notebook and pencil and was scribbling away inside of it. She was concentrating so hard she did not notice me standing in the doorway. Motion behind me told me Calder had joined me.

“Is that…”

“Yea, it’s the pack law record…” I replied just as confused. She finally looked up at us, surprised.

“Hi,” she said blushing. “I’m sorry, is it dinner time?” she looked over at the clock on the wall seeing the time. Her eyes went wide. “I’m so sorry!” she said quickly. She shut the book and scrambled up from the couch. Calder laughed behind me.

“It’s okay, baby,” he told her. “We both owe you an apology actually.”

“Why?” she asked walking towards us. She held the large book in her hands.

“We worked straight through dinner, love,” I told her. “We didn’t know you were waiting for us.”

“So, the linking thing didn’t work?” she said looking between us.

We looked at each other. I had put up my block earlier, needing to focus. By the look on Calder’s face, he had too. “We’re sorry, baby,” he said.

“It’s okay,” she said.

“So, what are you reading?” I asked.

“Oh, your mom lent me this,” she said, showing us. “She said it was important for me to learn the laws the werewolves live by so I could fulfill my role as Luna. She said something about a Summit…” she trailed off.

“How far did you get?” Calder asked her.

“Um about halfway, I think,” she said looking down at the book. My eyebrows shot up in surprise. That was a fair amount of law all at once.

“You read every page so far?” I asked her.

“Yes. And I took notes. I always remember things better when I take notes,” she said. Calder just smiled at her.

He pulled her over to us. “You, baby, are one impressive she-wolf,” he told her. She gave him a bright smile and he pecked her lips.

I pulled her over to me and kissed her cheek. “Why don’t we get some dinner and relax for the night. Maybe we can put your things away in our room?” She gave me a sweet smile and nodded her head.