Chapter 62: Their Cursed

Pip

I stood behind Remi waiting for the greetings to finish. I played with my fingernails in front of me, a bit nervous for some reason. My wolf had been a little antsy since we crossed the border into Serenity Moon. I had never gotten to go to the Summit with Gen, Caldy, and Cully. I wasn’t any of their mates obviously, so I wasn’t really necessary to join. This pack was massive, and the land was like a dreamscape. I don’t know why I felt so off though.

Carson nudged me, probably trying to get me to stop. I shot him a cold look from the side of my eyes. “You represent the Blue Moon Pack right now, even if it was spur of the moment. We are the second largest pack in the Realm, and you can’t disrespect the Serenity Moon Alpha and Luna. Eyes forward and stop playing with your fingers,” he linked me. When did this mopey little shit decide to put on his big boy pants?

Remi complimented the Alpha and Luna graciously. I was so jealous of how effortlessly graceful and perfect she was. All I ever did was talk until I put my foot in my mouth and fail college. A voice called from inside the enormous pack house and my eyes turned there. My mind stopped when the perfect peppermint and pine smell penetrated my nostrils. My wolf immediately began to howl and jump. My mouth dropped open and my eyes went wide as he stopped and stared at me, a similar expression adorning his god like features.

He was tall and tan, with a strong jaw and prominent cheek bones. His eyes were electric blue and his hair inky black. He was dressed just as handsomely as Caldy and Cully but in a charcoal grey suit with a light pink tie. Goddess only knows how I managed to pick a dress from Remi’s closet that perfectly matched that tie. I could see his robust muscles pushing at the seams of his suit. He swallowed involuntarily as he looked at me.

“Who the heck is he?” I thought.

My wolf answered for me as the word escaped my mouth at the same time his deep, sultry voice spoke. “Mate.”

Cullen

My eyes narrowed for just a moment as I looked at Zeus. I always thought it was a pretentious name for a pretentious twat. I followed his line of sight to Pip standing behind us. Her mouth was agape as she stared at him. Everyone was silent for a moment as they connected the dots. He went to move towards her; I moved before I knew what I was doing. A growl escaped my lips as I stepped so I was blocking his path to her.

He gave me a dark look, but I didn’t back down. Remi gripped my hand tighter, and I could feel her eyes one me. “Move,” Zeus growled at me.

“She is a member of my pack and here under my care. I will not,” I said. There was no real reason for my irritation. I didn’t like Zeus and I simply didn’t want him touching Pip, mate bond or not.

“This year’s Summit is just full of surprises,” said Alpha Zane, trying to break up the tension. Zeus and I didn’t move, still staring each other down.

I felt Remi’s other hand on my arm. “Cullen, what’s wrong?” she linked me gently.

I could feel Pip squirming where she stood behind me. Remi looked between Zeus and Pip. “Cullen, this isn’t the way…” she pleaded with me silently. I continued to stare Zeus down. Remi pulled on my arm slightly, trying to get me to look at her. I rolled my eyes down slowly to hers without moving my head an inch. Her eyes were wide and pleading. “Cullen, they are mates. You have to let her decide,” she tried to reason with me. Remi really was made to be a Luna, trying her best to diffuse the situation favorably.

“Amanda, would you like me to introduce you?” I said in a dangerous tone. I knew I was pushing the limits of respect at the moment, but I didn’t care.

“Y-yes,” she timidly stuttered. I had never heard Pip stutter or sound so nervous.

“Zeus, this is Amanda, our Beta’s sister and Luna’s assistant. Amanda, this is Zeus, future Alpha of Serenity Moon,” I said. I could hear her swallow audibly behind me. Remi pulled my arm telling me to step aside so they could face each other.

Remi

The tension was palpable. Cullen basically challenged Zane and I was trying to figure out why. The only thing I could think of was that he was being protective of Pip like he would a little sister. Everyone was eyeing the trio carefully. When I got Cullen to back down, he watched them with ire. His whole body was tense.

Zeus and Pip locked eyes as he stepped forward. He held up his hand and she placed hers in it. He bowed slightly then kissed the top of her hand. She blushed furiously, making the pale pink of her dress look almost white. When his eyes met hers again, he said, “It’s nice to meet you, Amanda.” I had never seen Pip so speechless. When she finally found her voice she said,

“I-it’s nice to meet you too.”

I couldn’t help but think about how adorable this was and be happy for Pip. She found her mate. She found the man to dote on her and love her like she deserves. Although it did not escape me that her brother and the twins had been visiting here for years without her and she was only here by chance now.

The two continue to stare at each other before Alpha Zane broke the silence. “Why don’t we let the Blue Moon members retire to their quarters. There will be plenty of time to get to know each other this evening at the reception,” he said.

Zeus’s expression dropped slightly. I don’t think he wanted to leave Pip. He nodded slowly, dropping her hand. “I will be anxiously waiting,” he said as he stepped back to stand next to his parents.

“Alpha, Luna,” Calder said with a nod. Alpha Zane gave him a nod and he grabbed my hand once again. He turned and we moved inside the large doors, Carson and Pip following. I peeked over my shoulder noticing that Carson was leading Pip by her elbow to pull her along. I didn’t miss the low growl that came from the doorway when he touched her.

A wolf from Serenity Moon led us through the pack house and to a set of double doors on the third floor. The door was pushed open to a large suite. The wolf bowed and left us as we went inside. Once we were all in, Cullen pulled the door closed and turned to Pip.

“No,” he said firmly. Her look went from dreamy and slightly sad to irritation in an instant.

“No?” she retorted.

“No!” he said louder.

“Cullen…” Calder started.

“You can’t just say no! That isn’t how this works! You aren’t the boss of me Cullen!” she raged, her voice raising to match his.

“You have demonstrated that you cannot make mature and responsible decisions. That includes this! I said no!” he yelled. Carson looked between the with a weird expression.

“This isn’t some decision like what to wear today. This is my mate! There is no decision! You cannot stop me from seeing him,” she argued.

“Watch me,” he threatened her with a growl.

“Cullen, stop,” I said firmly. He looked at me, anger still on his features. He was silent. “Cullen, Zeus is her mate. You can’t force her to stay away from him. How did that work for us?”

“It’s not the same,” he said.

“What exactly is your problem? What has he ever done to you?” Pip yelled.

“I’m not letting that pretentious shit get ahold of you!” he said. He was really angry. I stepped in front of him trying to move his attention from Pip to me. I reached up and pulled his face down, so he was looking into my eyes.

“Cullen, please calm down,” I linked him. I didn’t break eye contact with him. “Why don’t we go talk about this. Let Pip go calm down and you can tell me what is bothering you,” I tried. His breathing slowly calmed as his eyes bore into mine. “Please, Cullen.”

“Go to your room. We will discuss this later,” he said eerily calm now.

“You have got to be kidding me,” she said throwing her hands up in the air. I knew she was still ready to argue.

Without turning away from my mate, I said, “Pip, please just go freshen up. Give me a few minutes with Cullen, okay?” My voice was firm, so she knew I was serious.

“Fine. But only because Remi will talk some sense into you,” she said. I could feel her icy glare on him as she turned and stomped off.

“Carson, can you give us a few minutes,” Calder finally spoke up. The movement behind me told me that Carson was obliging his brother’s request.