Chapter 74: Their Cursed

Remi

Pip and I sat on the couch in the sitting room, munching on the lunch that we opted to take in our room. We both were over all the small talk and tea in the garden outside and escaped as soon as we got the chance. Rachel was a little disappointed we wanted to leave but I told her we would be happy to sit together again this evening.

“If I would have known there was a ball at the end of all of this, I would have made sure to find something ball-worthy in your closet,” Pip complained, shoving a fork full of salad into her mouth. I laughed at her.

“I am sure whatever you brought will be fine,” I told her.

“Um, no. Hello, my mate is the future Alpha of Serenity Moon. His mom planned this whole thing. If I don’t measure up, who knows what will happen?” she said waving her fork around.

“We’ll just make you look like a bad-ass in whatever you brought,” I suggested popping a cucumber slice into my mouth. Pip pouted at me, making me laugh at her some more.

There was a knock at the door causing us both to tilt our heads in confusion. “Do I call Carson to answer it?” I whispered.

Pip tried to suppress a laugh. “Although that would be incredibly funny to get Mr. Broods-a-lot all the way out here, we can probably just answer the door,” she whispered back. Before they left us this morning, Calder had threatened Pip with violence if she allowed me to walk away from Carson today. She decided she didn’t want him sulking while we ate lunch and we were inside our suite anyway, so she told him to scram.

She set her food down and went to the door, opening it up. I couldn’t see the person on the other side. “Yea?” she asked.

“I have a delivery for Miss Amanda,” the voice said.

“That’s me,” she said in a confused voice. A minute later she was turning around with a box in her arms, pushing the door closed with her foot.

“What is that?” I asked, setting my own food down now.

“I don’t know…” she said, coming over to the couch again. She set the box down on the small table in between us as I pushed our lunch aside.

“Who is it from?” I asked as she found the card. Her face started to blush as she read it and I had a pretty good idea. “Is it Zeus?” She nodded as her eyes scanned the card. “Well, open it!”

Her hands went to the sides of the box nervously. She slowly slid the top off to reveal a dress folded neatly inside. We both gasped. She picked up the dress, pulling it fully from the box. “Oh my Goddess…” she said.

“Wow, Pip, that dress…” I said gushed. Her eyes met mine.

“I know. It’s beyond beautiful,” she said breathlessly. “How did he even do this?” she questioned out loud.

“I don’t know but this sure solves your dilemma,” I told her. She nodded her head as she stared at the dress. I let her get lost in whatever was going on in her brain for a few minutes and sat back on the couch, pulling my food back over with me. Zeus may be trying to use me to infuriate Cullen, but he was being sweet to Pip and so far, she was happy. I just hoped he would give up whatever this game was with Cullen and leave me alone.

Finally, Pip’s attention snapped away from the dress. “Rem, we need to go start getting ready!” she said quickly. “Let’s go,” she beckoned me to her room. I set down my plate once more and started to follow her. When I passed by Carson’s room, he was walking out of it.

“They are on their way. You might not want to be too preoccupied,” he said in his usual bored voice.

“Thanks,” I said. “Um, Carson,” I tried to get his attention before he went back to his room. “I’m sorry they yelled at you last night. You’re right… You aren’t my babysitter. But I appreciate you for staying with me for all of this. It was a little less nerve wracking…”

“I don’t need you to stick up to my brothers for me,” he shot at me.

“I wasn’t… I-I’m sorry…” I stammered. “It’s just-”

“I’m only here because I didn’t have a choice. Don’t confuse it for me caring,” he said before going back in his room and slamming the door. I bit my lip trying to figure out what I had done wrong. For a fleeting moment yesterday, it seemed like he was starting to at least tolerate me. I sighed not knowing what to do about Carson. I would be content if we could even just be civil with each other for the sake of the twins.

“Rem, what are you doing? Let’s go,” Pip said sticking her head out of her doorway.

“I’ll be there in just a second. Cullen and Calder are almost back!” I called to her turning back towards the sitting room. I heard her groan from her room and I laughed. When I got back to the sitting room, I started cleaning up out lunch dishes and stacking them back on the tray that was brought to us. I also closed up the box that Pip’s dress had been delivered in and set it to the side, out of sight. I would let Cullen and Calder be surprised by the dress when she put it on so they wouldn’t stew in anger all afternoon.

With their usual impeccable timing, the door opened, and my mates came strolling in just as I finished tidying up. I smiled widely when I saw them. Calder’s face grew excited when I looked at him as he came in the door first. He opened his arms, and I ran right into them.

“Hey, baby,” he said warmly.

“How was it?” I asked.

“I would say everything worked out well,” he said with a sly grin towards Cullen who was now standing next to us. I looked between them, one of my eyebrows raising in confusion. Neither of them looked like they were going to answer.

“Did you have lunch yet?” Calder asked instead.

“Yea, Pip and I just finished. We were about to start getting ready for tonight when Carson said you were almost here. I wanted to see you,” I told them. Calder smiled and leaned down to kiss me. He relinquished his hold on me and I was passed to Cullen.

“Tomorrow morning we get to take you home and be done with all this,” he said lowly as he ran his nose along mine.

“It hasn’t been so bad,” I said to him, my lips quirking up into a grin. “Carson and I have bonded, and we are basically best friends now.” Cullen didn’t get my joke as he gave me a bewildered look. I giggled and he realized what I was doing.

“My brother is a lost cause. But you my love, are what I want to get lost in,” he said as his face came to my neck. He started peppering kisses all around his mark.

“Mmmm,” I gave out a breathless moan. I felt another body behind me and knew Calder was joining us as well. He pulled my hair aside and also started to kiss my neck all around his mark.

“Should we take you back to our room, baby?” Calder asked in a low seductive tone. They were in a far better mood today. It wasn’t just frantic and clingy, they were relaxed and affectionate. Before I could beg them to do just that, Pip interrupted us.

“No, you don’t!” she called from the hallway. “We don’t have time for your games. Unhand her!”

They both stopped and groaned slightly, making me laugh. Cullen straightened up first, throwing Pip a dangerous look. She was standing in the entrance to the hallway with her arms crossed and an expectant look on her face. “I might just leave you here so you will stop trying to take my mate away…” he grumbled quietly. I brought my hand up to his face, getting his attention. I kissed his lips softly.

“Fine, go,” he said. Both of them released me and I followed Pip to her room.

-

I looked at myself in the mirror and I really couldn’t believe my eyes. Pip was amazing. I looked even better than I had for the charity Gala. My black ball gown didn’t make me look pale surprisingly. It had a sweetheart neckline with cap sleeves and a full skirt. Right at my waist there was a small belt of light blue gems. The material on the skirt gave it the effect of glittering as I moved. I definitely wasn’t unaware of the theme of attire for the weekend. Pip had pulled my hair back into a simple chignon and loose, curly tendrils framed my face. She put the crescent moon clip along the side of it and of course I wore my necklace. This time, she put on much more make-up, but the effect was amazing.

Pip was my opposite. While I was dark and elegant, she was bright and beautiful. The gown that Zeus sent her fit like a glove. It was cream colored and shimmered with beads from the bodice down. She had kept her own makeup and hair far simpler than mine. Her hair hung down straight with just a little bit of fluffing to add some volume and her makeup was just a step beyond natural with her light brown smokey eye. She looked beautiful in the most charming and sweet way. She smiled brightly at me, happy with her work.

“You look hot,” she said, looking me up and down again. I rolled my eyes at her. “You don’t have to take my word for it. When we walk out there, they are going to combust,” she said, making an explosion motion with her hands.

“How much time do we have left?” I asked her teetering on my heels. I still wasn’t fully used to them. They were much higher than the other pairs I had worn in the past couple days.

“We had 5 minutes about 20 minutes ago. They are probably out there stewing in Carson’s dolor,” she laughed.

“We should go or one of them-” I was cut off by the door swinging open. “See?” I said raising my eyebrows at her.

Calder stood in the doorway and when I turned my eyes to him, I was afraid I was the one who was going to combust. My mouth went dry, and I knew my panties were instantly soaked.

“Ladies?” he drawled. Pip pushed me towards him, and I tripped over my own heel. Calder caught me easily, his intense gaze coming to mine.

“Are you ready?” he asked in a low, sultry tone. I nodded carefully. We both stood up straight and he nestled my hand into the crook of his arm. I was secretly glad as I was terrified of walking in the dress and heels. I picked up my skirt slightly as we walked out into the sitting room. Cullen was standing there and turned his attention to us as we entered. Of course, he was dressed identical to his brother. I saw him visibly swallowed as his eyes evaluated my appearance.

I gave him a shy smile. We stopped right in front of him, his grey eyes giving me an intense look. His hand came up and his knuckle ran down my cheek gently. “You look exquisite, love,” he whispered.

“Thank you,” I said.

“Shall we go?” Calder asked. I could feel lust coming from both of them and I was so sure they could also feel my own. I nodded my head and Cullen moved to open the door. We stepped through and made our way down the hall. Cullen joined me on the other side, and I wrapped my arm around his. I decided I really like being on both of their arms.

The twins took casual strides, not seeming to be in a hurry even though Pip and I made us leave late. We headed past the banquet hall we had been eating in and I guessed that this party must be held elsewhere. We joined the throng of people moving into what looked like a ball room. We received some strange looks. I hoped that by now, it would be over, but it seemed to be continuing. The difference was now that it seemed that the looks were coming from the other Alphas and Betas, not just their mates.

“Why are we getting looks?” I linked my mates.

“I guess we should tell you,” Cullen replied, his eyes remaining forward as we walked.

“Six very small packs will be merging with Blue Moon in the coming months making us the largest pack in the Realm,” Calder said casually. My eyes opened wide, and my mouth dropped open. What was he talking about? I turned my face towards him.

“Close your mouth, baby,” he said out loud this time quiet enough that only I would hear.

“How? Why?” I linked. A smile settled on Calder’s lips while Cullen didn’t let on to his satisfaction.

“We just thought it was time the Serenity Moon was knocked down a peg,” Calder said as if that was all the explanation needed.