Chapter 64: Their Cursed

Gentry

Where is she? Why did she leave? Why is this tattoo thing fading? Why can’t I feel her? The questions wouldn’t stop running through my mind. I had been looking for Sam all night and most of the day. I sat on my bed with her note in my hand, trying to figure out what I had done to make her leave. I knew that simply running around looking for her wasn’t going to work but I couldn’t stop until I had searched almost every inch of the pack land. Sam was way too talented of a witch. If she didn’t want to be found, I wasn’t going to find her.

I hung my head in despair as I nursed the ache in my chest. I spent the afternoon and evening yesterday trying to pour over every text I could find on curses and everything we had on this one. I was trying to find anything that could help us. The only thing I came up with was flimsy at best. I knew Sam and I needed to talk but I couldn’t just leave for the Summit without trying. Remi at least deserved that after the way Sam tore her down.

I never expected her to be gone without a trace when I got back to my room. It was close to midnight and I should have come back sooner but I had so much trouble drumming up the courage to face her. Growing up, I had watched my parents’ mate bond with envy. It was everything I wanted. They were happy and always in love. They were the center of each other’s universe. They made the mate bond seem like the easiest and most blissful thing. I was quickly learning that wasn’t the case.

I looked at her slanted handwriting trying to understand. Sorry Gen. I’ll cherish your mark. That was all she left me with. I had returned to my room in the middle of the night to find this on the bed and no trace of Sam. I didn’t even know when she left and no one at the pack house gates had notice her departure. The issue with the curse and Remi hasn’t exactly been ideal but I knew we could work past it. She didn’t even give us a chance. My wolf blamed me, claiming I had been too harsh in pushing her away and ignoring her.

I dragged my hands over my face. Standing up, I set the note back down on the bed and went to my bathroom. I needed to shower and find somewhere else to look for my mate.

Cullen

Remi’s hands were tucked into the crook of Calder and I’s arms as we entered the hall for the reception. My eyes were fixed on Zeus’s back as he led us through the hallways, Pip hanging on his arm. I tried to keep my temper under control. Remi had put me in my place earlier causing mixed feelings. She was right of course; I had no right to keep Pip from her mate even if I loathed him. She was also insightful pointing out the potential issue I would cause between our packs. I also couldn’t ignore how her assertion of authority in the matter was both vexing and arousing.

Momentarily, I glanced down at the little she-wolf on my arm as we were led to our seats. She had a soft and welcoming smile on her face. She appeared confident but also shy in between us. Many eyes turned on us as we entered. Not only were we one of the last arriving groups, but twin Alphas also accompanied by a singular mate different than the previous year was a sight bound to cause murmurs. To my surprise, Zeus did not leave Pip at our table, but joined us. Calder sat on her other side with Remi in between us as always leaving Carson between Zeus and I.

“Will you not be joining your parents?” Calder asked him, clearly as confused as I was.

“Oh no, I made a change to the seating arrangement so that I could spend some time with Miss Amanda. I thought she might feel more comfortable here with her pack rather than at the front with mine. I hope that is alright,” he said turning his eyes to her. She nodded her head. I rolled my eyes, not caring if he saw.

Remi placed her hand on my leg under the table. “We are thrilled to have you join us, Alpha Zeus,” she said. I wasn’t sure if my mother was an impressive mentor or Remi was naturally good at this, but she was doing an impeccable job of addressing everyone in such a formal setting.

Zeus and Pip were quietly watching each other, ignoring the rest of us. Carson’s expression matched my own, irritation and boredom. Calder was having a quiet conversation with Remi, but her hand remained on my leg. I focused on her touch to keep my anger from boiling over. I understood the necessity of our presence at this annual Summit, but I still loathed the pageantry. This year was only made worse by having to be away from Remi.

A glass clink from the front of the room told us that Zane and his mate were going to open the festivities. He made his normal welcome to all the packs in attendance and then asked everyone to mingle amongst each other until dinner was served. Drinks and appetizers were made available by Omegas walking through the hall. I sighed. It was time for the Alphas and Betas of other packs to begin flocking to Calder and me.

“If it isn’t the Carlisle twins,” a voice said behind us. And it began. Calder and I stood with Remi and began accepting all the pleasantries and niceties for the next half hour. Repeatedly, we introduced our mate to different people. Although they all had a mask of welcome and cheer on their faces, I could see some of them slip from time to time, either wondering about us sharing a mate or possibly where Jaime was. Remi was graceful and sweet the whole time, either never noticing or letting the fleeting looks bother her. I kept my arm around her waist the entire time, not letting her stray from me. I let her presence be the anchor to my anger as we quickly lost track of Zeus and Pip. Dinner was soon announced, and everyone returned to their seats.

Remi’s attention fell on me. “Cullen are you okay?” she linked me. I could feel her worry now that I wasn’t focused on being cordial.

“Yes, love,” I replied.

“I can feel your acrimony…” she said. I sighed and looked down at her. Her soft eyes were giving me a pleading look. Maybe my little mate was too smart for my own good. I reached over and gripped her hand under the table.

“Just hold my hand,” I told her silently. She gave me a small smile and nodded.

During the meal, I ignored most of the idle conversation. Zeus and Calder spoke zealously as if there was no issue hanging in the air. Remi and Pip participated in their conversation as well, mostly to ask questions and gain understanding of the topics. Pip would gaze at Zeus like a lovesick puppy every time his mouth opened. I was thoroughly relieved when I noticed Remi stifle a yawn, giving me an excuse to leave and take her with me.

“Are you tired, my love?” I asked her softly. My voice wasn’t loud enough to interrupt the conversation but still able to be overheard.

“A bit,” she said giving me a warm smile.

“Let me take you to our room,” I said, standing up. I looked over at Zeus whose attention was on me now. “I apologize but I will be cutting the evening short for us. It was a long trip, and I should take her to our room for the evening,” I said holding my hand out to her. She grabbed, letting me pull her up.

“Of course. It was wonderful speaking with you both this evening,” Zeus said. “Remi, it was a pleasure meeting you. I hope the rest of the Summit is enjoyable for you.” I internally bristled at his words. He needed to keep his attention away from my mate.

“Thank you, Alpha Zeus. I look forward to the festivities,” she said softly. She turned her eyes on me. I nodded to the table and led Remi from the room. Carson followed us quickly.

“Did I time that well enough?” Remi asked in a gentle tone as we walked away from the hall.

“Our mate is very clever. She did that on purpose to give you an excuse to leave,” Maximus said in my head. I raised my eyebrows as I looked down at her.

“So, you aren’t tired?” I asked.

She gave me a small giggle. “I am a little tired but not so much that I would be yawning at dinner,” she explained. It was quiet for a moment. “I couldn’t take you being so angry anymore. I hoped if we left, you might relax some with Zeus and Pip not directly in your face,” her voice was soft and unsure now. She rubbed my arm gently as she spoke.

I sighed. “Thank you,” I said. Her shoulders relaxed knowing that she hadn’t done the wrong thing. When we got back to our suite, Carson disappeared to his room as expected. Without explanation, I took Remi to our room. I closed the door behind us and just pulled her to my chest, burying my nose in her soft hair and inhaling deeply.

“Cullen, please let it go…” Remi said. Her voice had some hurt in it that I didn’t understand. I pulled away from her and tilted her face up to mine.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“I don’t like when you’re angry…” she whispered.

“There is something else. Tell me,” I pleaded softly. She was quiet for a moment, chewing on her lip. She closed her eyes and shook her head.

“I just want you to give Pip a chance. You gave me a chance,” she said, looking up at me. Her eyes held something I couldn’t decipher. I knew I had to relent. I couldn’t continue to upset Remi like this.

“Okay,” I said leaning forward and kissing her forehead. “I’ll be better.”

Pip

The whole night had been so strange. My wolf was overjoyed in my head. Every time Zeus touched me, mostly my hands or arms, I felt beautiful electricity dance across my skin. Every time he spoke it was like beautiful music. We had snuck away while Calder, Cullen, and Remi were busy talking to other Alphas, Betas, and their mates.

“I can’t believe I found you,” he said once we were alone in a hallway outside the banquet hall.

“I can’t either,” I managed to say.

“I was starting to lose hope…” he trailed off. We sat there staring into each other’s eyes for a few minutes. “Of course I had to find you now of all times,” he sighed. I was a little confused at his words.

“Why is that bad?” I asked.

“Because I will be forced to be away from you most of the weekend to take care of my responsibilities…” he said leaning his forehead against mine.

“We have now…” I said. He gave me a warm smile and I think my heart was going to explode. That smile was all I wanted to look at for the rest of my life.

“We do. We can’t stay hidden too long though. The next Alpha of Serenity Moon can’t go missing for too long,” he said. “We should go talk to my parents.” Zeus led me back into the banquet hall and we spoke with his parents briefly. They both seemed to scrutinize me with their eyes but their words were pleasant. I was relieved when a wolf came over to tell Alpha Zane that dinner was ready to be served. We went back to the table to join Calder, Cullen, and Remi.

All throughout dinner, Cullen was sullen and quiet. Remi and I mostly listened to Calder and Zeus talk about Alpha things. Zeus kept finding small instances to touch me or grip my hand and each time I reveled in the beautiful sparks it left on my skin. The more he touched me, the more my wolf wanted to get him alone so he could touch more of me. We didn’t get a chance to actually get to know each other all night but if I was being honest, I didn’t care. I wanted him to take me to his room tonight and get acquainted in the sheets.