Chapter 80: Their Cursed

Calder

I groaned, letting my head fall into my hands. I would give nothing more than to rewind to last night. Spending the whole night with Remi in our own little world was the epitome of perfection. She had gotten despondent while she was in the closet changing but was fine the rest of the night after she came out. She went to breakfast with Cullen this morning while I led training. Then, of course, my father pulled me away, and I didn’t get to see her before my mother took her off for Luna training.

We are supposed to meet with the Council after lunch to report about the Summit. I have no interest in obliging them or listening to their thoughts on the pending mergers. I had no idea how all of the Elders would react. Cullen and I were going to change the balance of the Realm for our race, and I knew this had implications outside of our werewolf politics. I wasn’t regretting the move we made; I just wasn’t looking forward to answering for it.

A soft knock sounded on my door, and I looked up hopefully. My mother appeared as it swung open, and my hope deflated. “Now, don’t look so happy to see me, darling,” she joked.

I gave her a guilty smile. “I am always happy to see you, Mom…” I said.

“But you were hoping for a different Luna to walk into your office?” she questioned with a knowing look. I ducked my head, avoiding her gaze. She just laughed. “I just sent Remi down to the library to get a few books about shifting. I was hoping if she understood a little more about the process, it might assuage some of her fears,” she told me.

“Maybe,” I said. I was a little worried about Remi shifting. I knew she was growing stronger, and her body was adjusting to everything, but this was still going to hurt her. Cullen said she had been a little distracted this morning at breakfast, and I could feel her anxiety through our bond. I sighed. “I don’t want to see her in pain,” I admitted out loud.

My mother came over and sat in the chair in front of me. “Remember, darling. The pain you feel while she is in pain will only hurt her more. She will need you and Cullen to be strong for her and help her through this. Think about your first shift. You had your father and me there to help you through it, but it was still painful. Now imagine if you could have at least had the mate bond to help ease some of that pain,” she said calmly. I thought about her words, nodding. “Remi will be fine, and you two will make sure of it. She is a remarkable girl.”

I smiled at that. Yes, my mate is remarkable. “Thanks, mom,” I said, bringing my eyes to meet hers.

“Luna Marie called last night,” she continued with a raised brow.

“Oh, yea,” I replied, curious about where this was going.

“She seemed very taken with both Remi and Pip,” she continued.

“Really?” I asked.

“Zane is in an uproar about you and your brother, but Marie said that Remi has a lot of potential and will make you the perfect Luna. She said it was nice seeing you and Cullen so smitten,” mom said with a smile. “I have to agree. I already like the girl, but I think I love her even more seeing how happy she makes you both.”

I beamed at her words. Remi did make Cullen and I incredibly happy, and we got along much better ever since he accepted her. It felt nice having my mother’s approval as well. Before I could respond, she continued, “By the looks of it, you could use some lunch. Why don’t you grab something from the kitchen and take it to Remi in the library?”

Magnus perked up at that suggestion, happy to spend more time with our mate. “That sounds a whole lot better than being stuck in here all day. I will, Mom,” I told her. She smiled at me before getting up to leave. I put my work in order before hopping up to head down to the kitchen.

Remi

Once I had the other books put away that Nicole had given me before the Summit, I pulled out the list and began hunting down the ones she thought might help me understand shifting. She thought if I knew more about how it all works, it might make me less afraid for Wednesday night. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that everything was making me more anxious. I found the first one relatively quickly, but the next was giving me more trouble. I scanned the aisles, trying to find the correct section number. The library was tranquil, and it didn’t seem like it was used all too often. I had never seen anyone in here other than the person that appeared to be the librarian.

As I walked deeper into the large room, continuing to scan the aisles for the correct section number, I heard movement. I slowed my pace, startled at first but then shook it off. Finally, I caught sight of the correct section number and turned the corner to enter the aisle, only to stop dead in my tracks at the sight in front of me.

There was someone else in the library, two someones to be exact. My mouth dropped open at what was happening in front of me. My brain was screaming, ‘turn around and move,’ but my feet seemed to have lost connection to my brain. Carson was held up against the bookshelf by someone I had not seen before. They were kissing each other aggressively, and it seemed like both had their pants loosened. Their bodies were close enough that I couldn’t see exactly what they were doing.

I had barely stood there for five seconds when the guy holding Carson against the shelf broke away from him and stared at me. Carson’s eyes found mine and went wide. Instantly, my body reconnected with my brain, and I turned to run out of there. “Wait, Remi!” Carson called after me.

“Who the fuck is that?” the other voice said. I darted down towards the front of the library again, detouring down another aisle of books. I weaved in and out of the stacks, trying to hide from Carson. Whatever was just happening, I guessed no one was supposed to see it by the look on the other guy’s face. Calli was no help as she just snickered in my head.

Footsteps were following me as I moved in and out of the rows. Carson and I had a rocky relationship, and I did not want this accidental encounter to ruin the progress we had made. “I don’t think running from him is going to make it any better,” Calli pointed out in my head.

“Well, I have no idea what to say to him right now!” I argued back. She continued to snicker at me.

I turned down another row of books only to see Carson stopped at the end. “Remi, stop!” he yelled. I froze, feeling caught. He walked towards me quickly, an uneasy look on his face. He stopped a few feet in front of me.

“Uh, hi, Carson,” I said timidly.

“You weren’t supposed to see that…” he said, scratching the back of his neck.

“I won’t tell anyone….”

He closed his eyes. “Promise?” he asked quietly. When he opened his eyes, I could see how scared he was. I nodded.

“I promise. It’s not my business to tell,” I said.

“Not even my brothers?” he questioned. I bit my lip but shook my head. I didn’t particularly appreciate keeping secrets from the twins, but this wasn’t my business.

“Who was that?” I asked him.

He looked back over his shoulder. “Someone who is going to be really mad at me now,” he hung his head and dropped his shoulders.

“Are you being safe?” I questioned him. His face shot up, giving me a funny look before he started laughing.

“You know, Remi, I think I might end up not hating you,” he said through his laughter. I scowled at him. It was a serious question. Then, taking in my displeasure with his response, he clarified, “Yes, I am being safe.”

“Do you love him?” I wondered. He blushed a little at that one.

“I, uh, don’t know. But I really care about him. So please, just don’t say anything to anyone?”

“I won’t,” I promised again. He gave me a sheepish smile and nod before turning around and leaving. I let out a long sigh. I stayed in that spot for a few minutes before mustering up the courage to peek my head around the end of the shelf and check to see if I was alone. When I didn’t see anyone moving around and couldn’t hear anything, I found my way back to the section I needed. I was confused why Carson laughed when I asked if he was being safe. Wasn’t it a legitimate concern to have for someone? I don’t care who makes him happy as long as he is safe.

I was browsing the section, looking for the book on Nicole’s list, when a familiar caramel scent hit my nose, and my body seemed to come to attention. Calder. I turned my head just as he rounded the corner with a big smile on his face. My face broke out into a smile as he approached. He never made it to breakfast this morning, and I was a little disappointed. I had to remind myself that I had him all night, and I was being greedy.

“There you are,” Calder said, coming to a stop next to me.

“Here I am,” I smiled back.

“You’re all alone in here,” he said, his smile falling a bit. I shrugged.

“I was just looking for the books your mom suggested,” I told him, holding up the list. He nodded, thinking about something.

“No one was in here bugging you, right?” he wondered. I cocked my head and shook it.

“Who would be bugging me?” I asked him.

“No one,” he said quickly. “Never mind. How about having some lunch with me?” he changed the subject abruptly. I nodded my head quickly. He reached out and grabbed my hand, intertwining our fingers. I followed him to the front of the library, where he had already set out lunch for both of us.

“Did you plan this?” I laughed at him.

“I was pretty confident I could convince you to join me,” he said with a cocky grin, making me laugh more. He pulled out a chair for me, and I sat down, letting him scoot me back in. He sat next to me, and we dug into the pasta he brought for us.

“I am sorry I didn’t make it to breakfast,” he said after we ate for a few minutes.

“That’s okay,” I said, feeling bad that he was guilty. “You had things to take care of.”

“But I would rather be with you,” he said earnestly, making me blush. The door swung open, and we both looked over to see Gentry walking in with a distressed look. He looked relieved when his eyes landed on me.

“Thank, Goddess,” he said quickly. “Remi, can you help me?”

I gave him a puzzled look. “What can I help with?” I asked.

“It’s Pip,” he explained. “She still won’t come out of her room. She wouldn’t eat dinner last night or breakfast this morning. She won’t let any of us in either. I’m worried, and if this keeps up much longer, I am going to go make Zeus pay.” He looked stressed and agitated. I set my fork down and stood up.

“I don’t know if she will let me in, but I can try,” I tried to assuage him. A little relief came over his features.

“Please,” he pleaded. “This isn’t like her, and I hate it. Mom keeps saying give her time, but this isn’t okay.”

I nodded. “Of course. I don’t want her to be like this either. Can you take me to her?” He nodded. I turned back to Calder, feeling a little guilty about this.

“Go on,” he said. “Make sure Pip is okay. I’ll clean this up and let my mom know not to expect you back.” I gave him a small smile and leaned over to kiss him.

“I love you,” I linked him, trying to be a little courteous to Gentry.

“I love you, too,” he replied.