Chapter 82: Their Cursed

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Gentry growled from the doorway; Pip stirred at that. Finally, she sat up properly, rubbing her eyes.

“What is going on, Gen?” she mumbled.

“You need to leave, now!” Gentry threatened. I swallowed.

ZEUS

| I will be there tonight.

The only message I saw on her phone. Time was up, and he came for her. I looked at Pip as a strange look came over her face. Her eyes snapped to mine. “Remi…” she whispered. I nodded. We heard scuffling noises from the front door, and we both jumped up from the couch. She was faster than me, getting around the couch and heading to the front foyer. We stopped when we saw Gentry and Zeus trying to push each other out of the way. Pip’s eyes were wide.

“STOP!” she yelled at them. They both froze at her voice. Zeus looked at her first. His eyes were large and pleading. Gentry looked at Pip first, then me.

“Remi, take Pip upstairs,” he tried to order me. I took a step back.

“No, Gen. She isn’t taking me anywhere. Let go of him,” she said in a cold voice. He looked at her with disbelief; Zeus and Gentry slowly unhanded each other. Pip’s fury was palpable at this point.

“Amanda, please, just talk to me,” Zeus started to beg. She held her hand up to silence him. She took a deep breath before turning to Gentry.

“Take Remi home, Gen. She probably doesn’t know how to get back,” she said in a measured voice.

“Pip, are you sure you don’t want me to stay?” I linked her. She turned to look at me over her shoulder.

“You’re right, Rem. I need to deal with this. We need to talk,” she replied. “I’ll be okay. Go get your mates.” I nodded and gave her a small smile. I moved over to Gentry, who was still standing next to Zeus. He looked at Pip one more time before stepping around Zeus and leading me out. To my relief, Zeus didn’t take his eyes off of Pip.

Gentry and I walked in silence for a while. He seemed lost in his own thoughts. It felt wrong somehow. Finally, I broke the silence, “I’m going to do it.”

He looked up at me with confusion about his features. “Do what?”

“Give the warlock the ashes,” I admitted quietly. “It’s the right thing to do.”

“Remi, no one is making you-”

“I know. Calder and Cullen love me too much to make me do anything I don’t want to do. And I know you care about me too. But I can’t let everyone risk their lives like that when I have something that can help us,” I told him quietly. I felt my heart clench thinking about this. Just because I have accepted my decision didn’t make it hurt any less.

“None of this is really fair to you. But I have to say, you’re far more resilient than I would be,” he gave a shallow laugh.

I shrugged. “I am not a stranger to doing what needs to be done to survive,” I justified.

We were nearing the gates of the packhouse now. “I am happy Calder and Cullen found you. Also, that you are Pip’s friend. You’re a really good person, Remi,” he said, looking away from me.

“I’m sorry you and Sammy fought because of me,” I told him. “None of this should have happened. It isn’t fair to you either, Gentry.” It was his turn to shrug.

“I guess the Moon Goddess just isn’t going to make it easy for me…” he trailed off.

“We’ll find her. I know it,” I tried to reassure him. He stopped walking when we were about halfway down the driveway. He gave me a tight smile.

“I’m going to go find my parents. They should know he showed up here,” he said in goodbye. I nodded and watched him walk back towards the gate. I hugged my arms around me as I watched his retreating form. Then, I turned around and made my way to the packhouse, wanting to see my mates right then.

As I climbed the stairs on the porch, the door swung open, and I was face to face with the guy who was tangled up with Carson earlier. He gave me a stern look as I paused on the steps. He pulled the door closed behind him, not breaking eye contact. “Um, excuse me,” I tried to say softly and step around him. He grabbed my arm in a hard grip.

“Who the hell are you?” he growled. His grip was hurting my arm, and I could see the anger in his eyes. This seemed excessive for accidentally stumbling upon him and Carson in the library.

“Ow, that hurts,” I whined, trying to pry his fingers off.

“I asked you who you are,” he repeated.

“Remi. I’m Remi,” I said stupidly, still trying to pull apart his vice grip on my arm.

“Who are you to Carson?” he clarified. I stopped, my eyes going wide. Did he think there was something between Carson and me?

“I-I’m his brothers’ mate,” I stuttered. It was his turn to be shocked. He let go of me quickly.

“You belong to Calder and Cullen?” he clarified.

“Belong is a strong word,” I shot back, rubbing my arm.

“Shit,” he whispered.

“I’m not going to say anything if that is what you’re worried about. I wouldn’t do that to Carson,” I continued to rub my arm, hoping he hadn’t left a mark.

“Wait, aren’t you the whiny brat? The one Alpha sent him to babysit all last weekend?” he asked with a confused voice.

I rolled my eyes. “I guess that is probably what he calls me, huh?” The front door swung open, and Cullen stood there. His eyes went to me, first rubbing my arm then to the guy.

“I got to go,” he said quickly, darting past me and leaving me under Cullen’s scrutiny.

“What was that?” he asked.

“Nothing,” I said, dropping my hand from my arm. Cullen’s eyes went to the spot where he held me, eyes narrowing. He stepped forward, pulling my arm up so he could see properly. My eyes went to it as well. There was an angry red handprint wrapped around my arm. I could feel the rage building up in him. I pulled my arm away. “Cullen, I’m okay,” I tried to appease him.

“Why did he lay a hand on you?” he growled, his eyes behind me, probably searching for him.

“It was just a misunderstanding. I’m okay,” I told him.

“Then why could I feel your panic?”

“As I said, it was a misunderstanding. I caught him off guard, is all,” I tried to placate him. I hate angry Cullen. After taking care of Pip all afternoon, all I wanted was sweet, clingy, possessive Cullen.

His eyes came back to me, looking me over. His anger didn’t seem to subside, but I could see him trying to push it back as he reached out and pulled me to him. He held me tight for a moment, and I wrapped my arms around him. “I don’t like people touching what’s mine,” he finally murmured into my hair. I smiled into his chest.

“I love you,” my muffled voice told him.

“Let’s go to dinner,” he decided as his arms loosened from around me.

Pip

The door closed behind Remi as she and Gentry left Zeus and me alone. His eyes were on me, and all of a sudden, I couldn’t look at him anymore. “Amanda, please say something….” he begged.

“I don’t know what to say to you….” I admitted, my eyes on the ground. I sniffled, trying to hold back the tears that wanted to fall. I didn’t want to cry over him anymore.

“Just give me a chance to explain….”

“Explain why you couldn’t set aside your bruised ego and come to your mate? Why you decided to completely ghost me after the sweetest, most romantic gesture possible?” I shot at him, my anger starting to rise. Angry was good. I couldn’t stand being sad over him anymore.

“Wait, what do you mean?” he questioned, surprised by my words.

“Remi told me. She told me that Calder and Cullen made some stupid political move against you, and instead of coming as you told me you would, you went to hide and lick your wounds. I don’t give a shit about who has the bigger pack, you idiot,” I ranted at him.

“That bitch! She had no right-”

“You will not call her a bitch!” I interrupted him. My eyes went to him with absolute fury. “She came here today to pick up the pieces you broke! She came here to help me! She was here, Zeus. All she did was give me the truth.” I was breathing heavily now.

“Fine, you’re right. I’m sorry…” he apologized carefully. I held his gaze, having no words for him. His face slowly crumbled, and I could see the despair in his features. “Please, just give me a chance. Amanda, I haven’t been able to breathe since you drove away yesterday. I messed up but please give me a chance.” He was begging. Almighty Alpha Zeus was begging me. My resolve was starting to slip away. I needed to stay angry, or I was going to crumble.

“I don’t know, Zeus,” I said. I hoped my words weren’t giving away the war between my head and my heart. He stepped closer, and I immediately took a step back. That was dangerous. The closer he was, the more I could smell him and would want to be in his arms.

“Don’t do that…” he whispered. He sounded… broken? Like I was hurting him, like I was rejecting him.

“Zeus, I just….” I couldn’t find words to admit that I was so angry with him, but I also wanted nothing more than for him to comfort me. I felt so weak. Stupid mate bond.

“Amanda, I feel like I'm drowning here. I spent half the night getting yelled at by my father and the head of our Elder Council. They blame me for what is happening when I was just carrying out their wishes. I never expected the Carlisles to do that…” he explained softly. “I had to get away from all of them. I shouldn’t have, but I left. I went running to clear my head. So many people were trying to link me, and I was done being scolded. This ache was growing in my chest the whole time, and my wolf was trying to drag me back to the packhouse. I was so wrapped up in myself that I left you waiting. I didn’t realize until it was too late. When I got back to the packhouse, one of the Omegas told me that Cullen had come looking for me. When I knocked at the door, Carson told me to leave.”

My heart was twisting inside my chest. It was no excuse for him to ignore me, but I could understand. I have watched Cullen and Calder struggle with the responsibilities that come with being Alpha. I had a front-row seat to all things Jaime, even. I shook my head, trying to shake away the empathy.

“I’m sorry, Amanda,” he continued. “I am so sorry. Just give me a chance to show you I will never be that selfish again. I will always choose you first.” I squeezed my eyes shut at his words. The house's back door opened, and I could hear my father’s voice coming through the house.

“Mandy?” he called. His loud footsteps were coming closer.

“You need to go,” I said in a low voice.

“Amanda, no. Just don’t push me away,” he pleaded. My father’s footsteps stopped behind me, and I could feel his gaze centered on Zeus.

“Why are you in my house?” my father growled behind me. I quickly turned to him.

“Dad, no, please,” I begged softly. I knew the tears were rimming my eyes, threatening to spill.

“He isn’t going to slight my daughter and then show up in my house,” my father said firmly, eyes going back to Zeus.

“Please, Dad. Just give me a minute,” I tried again. He looked down at me. I was always my father's princess, no matter how much I rebelled. He held my gaze for a minute while I silently pleaded with him. Then, finally, he gave me the tiniest nod. He shot one more deadly glare at Zeus before turning to go back to the kitchen. I slowly turned back to Zeus, wrapping my arms around myself. I am cold now. I just wanted to crawl in my bed and cry myself to sleep.

“Please, just go,” I asked weakly. I kept my eyes on the ground, unable to meet his gaze. Before I could move or react, Zeus closed the distance between us and wrapped me in his arms. I tried to fight the comforting warmth of his body against mine.

“Fine, I will go for now. But I am not giving up, Amanda. I would give up my title before I gave you up. I need you,” he whispered. We stayed like that for a minute more, and I didn’t want him to let go. I didn’t want him to leave me again. I wanted him to hold me and make everything be okay. But he let go and left my house. I stood in the foyer for a few minutes, trying to get myself together. With a shuddering breath, I turned to see my father standing there watching me, Gentry behind him.

“I’m sorry,” I said through the tears that started to fall. I darted to the steps and up to my room.