Chapter 67: Their Cursed

Remi

I was a little surprised seeing Zeus waiting for us when we exited the bedroom. Pip and I had quickly gotten ready for the day and were just finished when Carson knocked on the door. I was so thankful that Cullen anticipated my reaction. Zeus’s words to Calder last night made me feel uneasy about him but I didn’t want to say anything to Pip. For all I knew it was some weird display of power between the next 3 most powerful Alphas in the Realm.

Cullen’s handsome dark suit and dress shirt had blocked my vision almost as quickly as I had stumbled. He leaned down and kissed my cheek before holding out his arm for me to grab. “You look beautiful, love,” his voice sounded in my head, putting me at ease. We turned and went towards the door. I kept my eyes forward, purposefully ignoring Zeus. I grabbed onto Calder as we left the room, Carson following close behind.

I took a deep breath as we put some distance between us and Zeus. “Just focus on making a few friends and playing nice until dinner, baby,” Calder linked as we got close to the same hall we dined in yesterday. “After breakfast, we will have to go, and you will go with the rest of the mates and guests. But as soon as we are finished, we will come get you. You won’t be away from us a second more than necessary.”

I nodded my head, keeping my eyes forward. Nicole had said it would be very important for me to be poised at all times when we weren’t alone. She said as a young Luna, I would be facing a lot of scrutiny. I was so thankful that she had packed for me for this weekend. Today I wore a light blue wrap dress with short sleeves and a black sash across the center. Luckily the heels weren’t too high, and I had my mates to cling to while I adjusted to walking in them so I didn’t look foolish. I thought it was interesting that the dress had a small blue crescent moon surrounded by stars embroidered into the sash. When I saw Calder and Cullen, I understood. They were both dressed in all black. Their suits, shirts, and ties, all deep onyx over their light gold skin. They both had a small, blue crescent moon tie pin, matching the color of my dress. It was intentional. They both exuded power and confidence in their attire and I was supposed to contrast and compliment them. I was the light grace to their dark strength. For once, Calder’s expression matched that of his brother’s. His normal welcoming and soft features were schooled into a cool expression, definitely an indication of power and position.

The complex politics of this weekend were slowly starting to settle in and made me a bit nauseous. When we entered the hall, Calder and Cullen aimed us for the same seats we had taken last night. We were stopped and greeted twice on the way there. The first man only spoke to Calder and Cullen, showing no acknowledgment to my presence. The second time, we were greeted by an older man joined by a younger couple, the guy looking much like the older man.

“Carlisles! We didn’t get to speak last night. How are you?” the old man said warmly. He seemed to be genuine.

“We are well. And you, Arthur?” Calder said, his tone not completely devoid of its usual warmth.

“Absolutely fantastic. Ready to get my last Summit done and over with so I can hand the reigns over to Luke,” he said looking fondly at the younger couple next to him. I surmised that Luke was his son.

“That is wonderful to hear,” Calder said. “I guess there will be plenty of new titles next year. We will be officially taking over before long as well.” His lips turned up into a small smile as he looked down at me.

“Oh, Goddess! Where are my manners. Forgive this old man, dear. My name is Arthur, soon to be retired Alpha of Raging Waters Pack,” the older man said to me. “This is my son, Luke, and his mate Rachel.”

“It is wonderful to meet you,” I said. “My name is Remi.” I gave them a friendly smile.

“So, you two ended up sharing a mate?” Luke asked Cullen and Calder. They both nodded.

“I can imagine she is one special she-wolf to handle the both of you,” Arthur laughed.

“Remi, this is your first time here, correct?” Rachel asked softly. I nodded to her. “I would be happy to join you while our mates are busy with business,” she suggested. Rachel was a pretty girl with mocha skin and brilliantly green eyes. Her hair was pin straight but short around her face. It accentuated her beautiful bone structure. She looked kind and something told me I could trust her.

“That would be wonderful. But I hope it will be okay that my friend joins us? Oh, and my escort,” I said looking over my shoulder. Rachel gave me a small laugh.

“Of course. Many of the mates have escorts with them. Luke insisted last year but I was able to persuade him against it this year,” she said smiling fondly at her mate. He gave her an apprehensive look and I knew he wasn’t for the idea.

A bell rang in the hall. “Looks like it is time to take our seats. I guess we will see you in a bit then,” Arthur said. I didn’t recall seeing Raging Waters among any of the files I had read with Cullen, so I was pretty sure that they were here more as formality than anything. Cullen wasn’t tense at all around the man, so I assumed Arthur was of no worry to him.

Calder and Cullen led us to the table, Cullen pulling out my chair for me. Calder had a contemplative look on his face as the three Carlisle brothers took their seats. “What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Nothing really,” he said. “It just seems odd. Luke ignored his mate last year. I remember Jaime commenting on how pathetic it was.” The irony of this was not lost on me.

My eyes moved to Cullen. “Things can change,” I simply said. Calder gave me a small smile.

“I guess they can. Remi while we are busy, if at any moment someone is bothering you… have Carson take you back to the room. Do not let them have the satisfaction of playing their games. Some of these she-wolves…” he sighed, and I could see the worry behind his strong facade. I reached my hand up, cupping the side of his face.

“I won’t let them intimidate me, okay? I am sure it will be fine,” I tried to reassure him. Cullen’s hand came to rest on my leg under the table. Our conversation was cut short quickly though by Alpha Zane’s booming voice. I realized as we listened to him welcome everyone that Zeus and Pip had not arrived.

-

Pip and Zeus arrived almost 20 minutes after everyone began eating. I glanced at the table where Zane and Marie sat to catch the dark look the man was giving his son. Pip’s cheeks were rosy, but she shook her head at me as they sat down and quickly started eating. The table was virtually silent as we all finished our meal. Zeus had eaten hastily and was the first to stand and leave the table.

“I hope you ladies enjoy your afternoon. Calder, Cullen, I will see you shortly,” he said in farewell. He bent down and whispered something in Pip’s ear making her laugh softly and nod her head before he left. I saw his father stand to follow him from the corner of my eye.

A silent conversation passed between Calder and Cullen before their eyes fell on me. Calder spoke first. “Remember, Carson will pull you out of anything if you can’t handle it,” he whispered so only I could hear him. “And you can link us at any time. One of us will come immediately.”

“I will be fine. I have Carson and Pip here, what is going to happen?” I said giving him a small smile. I was nervous about being without them, but I was fairly confident I could handle it. Calder leaned down and kissed my lips softly. He lingered for a moment, before pulling away. I turned my attention to Cullen who was far more anxious than his cold exterior let on. I knew I was the only one who knew that though. He didn’t say a word, so I said it for him.

“I’ll miss you,” I whispered. His hand came up and cupped my face, his thumb stroking my cheek gently before his lips came to mine sweetly. He lingered longer than Calder. I was beginning to realize that Calder was far more outwardly and publicly affectionate with me while Cullen seem to require more of my attention. They were so completely different, it baffled me they were twins.

As we broke apart, I looked over to see Rachel coming towards the table. Cullen and Calder stood, nodding adieux to us, and left to join the other Alphas and Betas moving out of the hall. I stood to greet Rachel.

“They both really dote on you, don’t they?” she said with a little envy in her voice. I gave her a small laugh, but it was Pip who spoke up.

“You can’t even imagine,” she said rolling her eyes as she joined me and Rachel.

“You must be the friend. Hi, I’m Rachel,” she said warmly.

“I’m Amanda, the best friend,” she said with a sideways look at me.

“Remi, I have to say, you are the first she-wolf I have met that has two mates,” Rachel said, her attention back to me. “How do you do it? I can’t even tell them apart! And Alphas no less!”

“They really aren’t as alike as you think. I guess it's just like having one mate but one more person hogging the bed at night?” I joked. Rachel and Pip both laughed at that.

“It’s impressive, I have to say,” she said. “Was that Alpha Zeus you were sitting with?” she inquired. Pip went red and I laughed.

“Yea,” she finally said. “It appears that he is my mate.” Rachel’s eyes went as large at saucers.

“You two couldn’t be more interesting,” she said in amazement.