Chapter 61: Their Cursed

Calder

Cullen and I cleaned up the kitchen while Remi went upstairs to get dressed. We still had time before we left. Pip stood at the island counter and sipped her coffee. “What’s wrong?” I asked her, putting ingredients back into the refrigerator.

“Nothing,” she lied.

“Pip,” I warned.

She huffed. “I just missed you guys, okay? And you took Remi away as soon as you got here. She looks so smiley and relaxed compared to when you guys first got here but I still missed her,” she whined.

I sighed. I had always thought of Pip as my little sister since she was always around when we were kids. Cullen was the one to speak up. “Go pack your things. Bring anything presentable,” he said in a bored tone without turning from his position at the sink.

I looked at his back confused. “What?” Pip said.

“You’re coming with us. You can cause less headache for us if we can keep an eye on you anyway,” he said. She looked at me with wide eyes.

“Really? I can go with you guys? Calder, can I really?” she buzzed.

“Remi will have a friend and then Pip can keep Carson busy when Remi is with us,” Cullen linked me. I was impressed. It was actually a good idea. Pip would keep Carson in line when he was left to his own devices.

“Yes, you can come. But you are staying with Remi or Carson the whole time. And when we get back, you are telling your parents like we discussed,” I warned.

She set her cup down and flung herself at me, wrapping me in an excited hug. “Thank you!” she squealed. She ran over to Cullen, hugging him from behind. He stilled in her embrace. She ran from the room, going to get ready. Carson joined us as she exited.

“You aren’t making me deal with both of them, are you?” he asked in irritation.

“Pip will be joining us, and you will be the ideal escort for both Remi and her while we are preoccupied,” Cullen threatened. His eyes went to Carson. “Go comb your hair, you won’t be embarrassing us this weekend.”

Carson rolled his eyes and left the room once more. “You could be a bit nicer,” I said.

“And he will never listen. He walks all over mother because she is too soft on him,” he said. “He has no reason to act like such a child. He is almost of age.” I just shook my head. I agree that Carson needs a bit of an attitude adjustment, but I’m not sure Cullen’s tough love is going to get him there.

-

An hour later, we were all piled in the car on the way to the Summit. Cullen surprisingly threw the keys at Carson to drive. Pip sat in the front with him so we could take the backseat with Remi. She hadn’t stayed buckled between us long. As soon as we got across the boundary, I unbuckled her and pulled her onto my lap. She seemed relaxed and happy for now, so I was going to enjoy it.

I was not looking forward to this Summit. We had been in years past and it was important but dreadfully boring. This was the first year Cullen and I would be representing the pack without our father. I just hoped we wouldn’t face any push back from older representatives. I also worried slightly about the reception of Remi. Last year, Jamie had accompanied us and followed my mother around and was introduced as the future Luna of the pack. Now, neither of my parents were here to shelter her from any whispers with the respect they have earned in their years running the pack. Remi was going to be facing the other Lunas and guests almost alone. Carson would be no use to her and probably run away every chance he got. Pip was a little too much of a pistol and would keep her company but could also create some waves easily.

Remi and Pip were teasing Cullen who was trying to ignore them. I sat there smiling at their antics, praying to the Moon Goddess this weekend went smoothly.

Remi

Even though it was long, the car ride to the Summit was pleasant. Calder had surprised me by unbuckling me and pulling me onto his lap shortly after we crossed the Boundary. Calli was excited to be on top of one of our mates. She was always happiest when we were close to them. I was passed back and forth between Cullen and Calder a few times. Pip and I spent most of the ride talking and joking. For a while, we were teasing Cullen until he finally had enough and grabbed me away from Calder only to tickle me with the deftest precision. When I was gasping for air and begging him to stop, he nipped my ear and growled in a low tone. Without words, I knew where that threat was going. The threat was delicious but we were in the car with his little brother and Pip.

Calder and Pip had just laughed at us. I told Cullen he was being unfair because Pip had started it. He raised his eyebrows at me. Silently he asked if I wanted him to put his hands on her and my jealousy immediately spiked. I shook my head answering his questions which responded with a victorious smile.

Carson sulked in the driver’s seat for the entire drive. A few times, I wondered why he was always so angsty. I know the stereotypical teenage troupe of angst, but I couldn’t imagine what he was always so mad about. I caught Calder looking at him from the backseat a few times, a contemplative look on his face like he was worried about his little brother. Maybe I could figure out what was so wrong this weekend and find a way to help. Carson, Pip, and I would be spending a lot of time together after all.

“Carson may not speak a word to you all weekend,” Calli had pointed out.

“Surely we can get him to at least warm up to us, right?” I thought.

“Maybe. But whatever is wrong with that boy, may not be easy to overcome. We can try but he seems like a hard nut to crack. He has never tried to be cordial towards you,” Calli said.

“I think we should try. They are all brothers after all. They shouldn’t be so at odds. I would have loved a sibling growing up,” I resolved.

“We should have lots of pups then!” she jeered. Momentarily, my anxiety flared up.

“Let’s worry about that another time. We need to make a good impression this weekend as the future Luna and mate of the twins. Then we need to come back and figure out what to do about the curse,” I said.

Calli agreed. “Yes, and our first shift! I am so ready to get these paws in the dirt,” she cheered.

“That’s right. Although, I am incredibly nervous,” I admitted.

“Our mates will be with us. Everything will be just fine,” she reassured me.

When we finally pulled up to the location of the Summit, I was awestruck. It was a massive building not unlike our pack house. We were waved in through tall gates and drove up a long drive ending in a loop in front of a pair of large doors. There were a few cars stopped in front of us and people exiting them. There was an older couple standing outside the large doors, greeting the people arriving.

“This is the pack house of Serenity Moon. It is the largest pack in the Realm. The Summit is hosted here each year as it is most suited to accommodate everyone. The Alpha and Luna of this pack waited a long time to have pups and then only conceived one heir to the title. The Alpha is waiting for his son to find his mate before the title will pass to him. He is Cullen and I’s age,” Calder explained as we waited to pull up and get out of the car. I was still on his lap, but his arms were resting around my waist firmly. I nodded my head. Their mother had told me some of these details when preparing me for the Summit.

“I will get out first then come around to retrieve you,” Cullen instructed. “It’s important that you don’t look nervous. We will be on either side of you the entire time. Pip and Carson will follow us.”

“She will make an excellent first impression because she is already the perfect Luna,” Calder said more softly, nuzzling my neck. I took a deep breath trying to calm my own nerves. It was show time.

“We will greet the hosts then be taken to our rooms. In about an hour there will be a formal reception and dinner,” Cullen said. Nicole had told me some of this to prepare me. We had even practiced bowing and matching it to how Calder and Cullen would bow.

It was finally our turn. Carson stopped the car. Cullen exited first and came around to the other side where Calder and I sat. He turned me in his lap so it would be easier to get out and gave me a reassuring kiss on my cheek. When the door opened, Cullen held his hand out. I grabbed it and did my best to gracefully exit the car. Calder held my hips to help. Calder then exited. I stood between them and couldn’t help but notice the confidence they exuded. I gripped both of their hands as we took off towards the hosts and humongous pack house. Carson and Pip fell in line behind us.

“Calder, Cullen, so nice to see you,” said the older woman I presumed to be Serenity Moon’s Luna. She gave me a speculative look. Carson and Calder both bowed so I matched them the way Nicole had shown me.

“Luna Marie, it's a pleasure to see you again as well. Alpha Zane, Luna Marie, I would like to introduce our mate, Remi,” Calder said.

“Mate? Well, isn’t this a surprise. Welcome, Remi. We are happy to have you,” said Alpha Zane. I didn’t miss the confusion in his words.

“Thank you, Alpha. Your pack is beautiful. I look forward to this weekend,” I said, my voice coming out softer than I intended.

“What a sweet girl, I cannot wait to get to know you this weekend,” said Luna Marie with a dazzling smile. I matched it and nodded.

“Mother, Father, have all the….” came a voice that stopped abruptly as it approached the Alpha and Luna in front of us. He had a wide-eyed expression on his face.

“Son?” Alpha Zane said. Everything was tense for a moment as we all looked at the man who had appeared. This had to be their son that Calder had mentioned. He was almost an exact copy of Alpha Zane. What we didn’t notice was the same wide-eyed look on Pip’s face behind us.

At the same time, they both breathed, “Mate.”