Rosalind settled into her seat on the plane and let out a deep sigh. The flight was uneventful, just as she had hoped. She didn't have to deal with any chatty passengers or turbulence. She was grateful for the snacks and drinks that the flight attendants offered. She snacked on some peanuts and sipped on some ginger ale to settle her nerves.
As she landed at the airport, she realized that she had to take a connecting flight to get to her final destination. She checked the time and saw that she had a few hours to kill. She decided to grab a bite to eat at one of the airport restaurants and catch up on some reading. She pulled out a book from her bag and immersed herself in the story. Time flew by, and soon she was boarding her next flight to California.
It was a simple flight, but for some reason she was tired. As Rosalind stepped out of the airport, she scanned the area for her brother, Gabriel. She saw him leaning against his car, looking at his phone. He was dressed in upscale casual clothes, a fitted navy blue polo shirt and khaki pants. His dark hair was slicked back, and he wore aviator sunglasses.
As she approached him, he looked up and gave her a small smile. "Hey, sis. Good to see you."
"Good to see you too," Rosalind replied. She couldn't help but notice that he seemed tense and quiet, unlike his usual easygoing self. "Is everything okay?"
Gabriel shrugged. "Just some work stuff. Don't worry about it."Rosalind knew better than to push it, so she kept quiet as they drove through the scenic countryside, passing by endless rows of vineyards. As they turned onto a long driveway, the impressive estate came into view. The sprawling mansion was surrounded by lush greenery and had a grand entrance with a circular driveway. Rosalind's eyes widened in awe.
Rosalind's heart sank as she realized that she wouldn't have any escape from the family and the Carreira family. She had hoped that she could at least stay at a hotel and avoid them as much as possible, but it seemed like that wasn't an option anymore. The Estate was grand and luxurious, but it felt suffocating to her.
As they got out of the car, Rosalind noticed that the whole family was already there. Her parents were greeting the Carreira family with warm hugs and polite conversations. She couldn't help but feel like an outsider as she stood there, awkwardly watching the scene unfold.
Her brother, Gabriel, gave her a reassuring smile and guided her towards the rest of the family. "Welcome back, sis," he said, but Rosalind could sense the underlying tension in his voice. She knew that there was something he wasn't telling her.
Rosalind's mother rushed to greet her, hugging her tightly and holding her at arm's length to take in her appearance. "You look beautiful, my dear. How was your flight?" she asked with a smile.
"It was good, Mom. Thank you for asking," Rosalind replied, returning the smile.
"Rosalind!" her father exclaimed, wrapping his arms around her in a tight embrace. "It's so good to have you home! It's been five long years!"
Rosalind couldn't help but chuckle at her father's exaggeration. "Dad, it's only been a few years, not a few decades," she teased. "But it's good to be back, nonetheless."
Her mother turned to the Carreira family members who had just arrived. "Everyone, this is my daughter Rosalind. She's a scientist," she announced proudly.
Rosalind felt her face grow warm as everyone turned to look at her. "Actually, Mom, I'm still working on my degree," she corrected, trying to be humble.
"That's still impressive, Rosalind," one of the Carreira cousins said with a smile. His name was Miguel, and he had a friendly, easygoing demeanor. He was dressed in a casual but stylish outfit, and his dark hair was neatly styled. "What are you studying?" he asked, genuinely interested in her academic pursuits.
"I'm studying biology with a focus on genetics," Rosalind replied. "Specifically, I'm looking into the potential of using carbon-based nanomaterials in gene therapy." She smiled, catching herself before she started delving too deep into her research.
Rosalind's sister, Samantha, rolled her eyes. "Wow, still a bookworm I see," she teased. "Haven't changed a bit since high school."
Rosalind smiled tightly, used to her sister's jabs. "Well, someone has to keep the science world moving forward," she quipped back, trying to keep the mood light.
Samantha laughed, shaking her head. "Always so serious, Rosalind. You should loosen up a bit while you're here. Have some fun for once."
Rosalind's smile faltered slightly at her sister's teasing. Despite her efforts to brush it off, the comment still stung. She took a deep breath, reminding herself to stay calm and not let Samantha's words ruin the evening.
"Well, I'll do my best to keep up with you, Sam," Rosalind said, trying to inject some humor into the situation. "But if I start talking about science, just steer me back to the dance floor."
Samantha laughed and playfully nudged her sister. "Deal."
As Rosalind looked around, she noticed that her brother was nowhere to be seen. She frowned slightly, wondering where he could have gone off to. But she didn't want to bring the mood down by asking about it, so she decided to just enjoy the party and catch up with her family.
She excused herself from the conversation and made her way towards the stairs leading up to the guest rooms. She was told by her sister which one was her room. As she climbed up the stairs, she could feel her heartbeat slow down and her breathing become more steady.
As Rosalind settled into her room, she heard a knock on the door. Opening it, she found her sister Samantha standing there with a big smile.
"Hey sis, guess what? We're roommates!" Samantha announced, holding up wine and a pair of glasses that looked like it could hold a copious amount of wine.
Rosalind tried to mask her disappointment. She had hoped for some privacy and time to decompress after the long flight, but it seemed that wouldn't be happening.
As they unpacked their bags, Samantha chatted about the wedding and the various events that were planned for the weekend. Rosalind tried to keep up with the conversation, but she couldn't help feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of guests.
"How many people are coming to this thing?" she asked, her eyes widening in surprise.
Samantha grinned. "Oh, about 1200. But don't worry, we're only a total of… I think… 40 family members here at the estate, including us"
Rosalind couldn't believe it. She had never been to a wedding with so many guests before. She could already feel the anxiety creeping in as she thought about navigating the crowds and making small talk with strangers.
As Samantha chatted animatedly about the dress she picked, Rosalind found it increasingly difficult to focus on her sister's words. She tried to feign interest, nodding and smiling at the appropriate moments, but her mind kept wandering.
Rosalind's eyes kept darting towards the window, looking for a spot where she could hide away with her laptop. She knew it was rude to tune out her sister like this, but she couldn't help it. The research papers were interesting to read.
She fidgeted in her seat, her mind racing with ideas and theories, her fingers itching to hold a pen and start writing. She longed for the quiet of her room, where she could lock the door and work undisturbed.
Samantha's voice faded into the background as Rosalind's thoughts consumed her. She barely registered her sister's laughter, or the way her eyes lit up as she talked about her friends.
There was a sudden knock on the door. Startled, they both turned their heads towards the door, wondering who it could be.
"Excuse me, Miss Rosalind, Miss Samantha," the maid said, peering through the crack in the door. "Dinner will be served in the dining hall in one hour. It is a formal gathering, so please dress accordingly."
"Thank you for letting us know," Rosalind said, giving the maid a polite smile. "We'll be there on time."The maid nodded and quickly disappeared down the hall, leaving Rosalind and Samantha alone once again.
As Samantha chatted with her sisters, she leaned in and whispered, "Did you hear about Matteo and Emily?" The other sister shook her head, curious. "Apparently, Matteo was seeing Emily before she got together with Luca," Samantha continued. "But now, Luca and Emily are mates, and Matteo is not happy about it."
The room grew quiet as the sisters exchanged looks. It was not often that there was drama within the family, especially not of this nature.
Samantha sighed, "I just hope Matteo understands that Emily has found her mate in Luca. It's not fair for him to hold onto false hope."
They all knew the importance of mates in their tribe, and the consequences of disrupting a bond between two people. This must have been why Gabriel was on edge, Rosalind thought.
Rosalind and Samantha helped each other get ready for the formal dinner. As they worked, Rosalind couldn't help but notice how much Samantha had grown up since the last time they had attended a family event like this. It seemed like only yesterday that Samantha was the little sister who followed her around, but now she was a young woman with her own ideas and opinions.
Rosalind watched as Samantha applied her makeup with skill and precision, her hands moving confidently across her face. "You're getting really good at this," Rosalind said with a smile.
Samantha grinned back at her. "Thanks, Ro."
Rosalind helped Samantha adjust her dress, making sure everything was in place. "You look beautiful," she said.
Samantha blushed. "Thanks. You look amazing too."
Rosalind smiled, feeling a sense of pride in her little sister. As they finished getting ready, they exchanged stories about their lives since they had last seen each other. Rosalind was amazed at how much Samantha had experienced in such a short amount of time.
Rosalind and Samantha headed down to the dinner, arm in arm, chatting excitedly about the table setting. As they entered the dining room, they were both taken aback by the sight of the long table set with intricate silverware and crystal glasses. The table was adorned with a beautiful floral centerpiece that exuded a lovely fragrance.
Rosalind couldn't help but marvel at the attention to detail, "Wow, they really went all out for this dinner. It's incredible how every little detail is taken care of."
Samantha nodded in agreement, "Yes, everything looks so elegant and refined. It's amazing to see how much effort goes into these gatherings."
As they took their seats at the table, they both glanced around the room and noticed the other guests, all dressed in their finest attire, socializing with one another. The atmosphere was charged with an air of excitement and anticipation for the upcoming meal.
Rosalind and Samantha leaned in towards each other, exchanging whispers about the various guests, trying to guess who would be sitting where. It was then that Rosalind noticed something different about Samantha.
"You know, Sam, I have to say, you've really grown up," Rosalind remarked, smiling.
Samantha blushed, "Thank you, Ro."
Rosalind squeezed her hand, "You really are."
Emily and Luca made a grand entrance at the dinner. Emily looked stunning in her soft pink, almost white, dress that hugged her curves in all the right places. Her auburn hair was styled in loose waves that cascaded down her back, adding a touch of romance to her already dreamy appearance.
Luca was equally impressive in his formal attire. His black suit and crisp white shirt emphasized his broad shoulders and muscular frame. His dark hair was styled back, and his chiseled jawline added a hint of danger to his otherwise refined look.
As they made their way down the long table, heads turned, and whispers of admiration followed them. It was clear that Emily and Luca were not only mates but also a beautiful one.
Antonio Carriera, the patriarch of the Carriera family, rose from his seat at the head of the long dining table and clinked his crystal wine glass with a fork. The sound echoed throughout the grand dining hall, silencing the chatter among the guests.
"Family and friends," he began, his voice carrying a sense of authority and warmth. "We are here tonight to celebrate the upcoming union of Emily and Luca. As we all know, finding one's mate is a rare and precious thing. It is a bond that brings great joy and strength to a family."
He raised his glass and continued, "I want to propose a toast to the happy couple. May their union be filled with love, happiness, and prosperity. And to all of us here tonight, let us offer our full support to ensure that their bond remains strong."
The room erupted into applause as Antonio took his seat, a proud smile on his face. It was clear that the Carriera family held a deep reverence for the bond between mates, and the upcoming wedding between Emily and Luca was a cause for great celebration.
After Antonio's toast, the family began to enjoy the food that was served. It was a four-course meal, with each dish more delectable than the last. Samantha, being the outgoing one, led the conversation and saved Rosalind from interacting too much with the family. She talked about her own life, making sure to ask each member of the family questions about their own experiences as well. Rosalind was content with being left out of the conversation. She was more interested in observing everyone and admiring the beautiful surroundings.
Rosalind couldn't help but compare herself to Emily, who was now tied to tradition. Rosalind didn't have the desire to find her mate, as it would mean being trapped in a world of traditions and expectations that she didn't want to conform to. She preferred her freedom and independence, even if it meant being seen as an outsider in her own family. As she looked around the table, she saw her relatives engaged in discussions about mating and family obligations, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of relief that she didn't have to participate in any of it. She was content with her life as it was, and didn't need anyone to complete her.
As Rosalind sat at the dinner table, she overheard her brother speaking to their father in hushed tones. She strained to listen, catching only snippets of the conversation. "We can't find Matteo...it's crucial to find him...the wedding can't be ruined," her brother said. Rosalind was startled to hear the urgency in her brother's voice. She couldn't shake off the thought of the curse being activated because of Matteo. She knew that the Carriera family, being part of the Lycans, held more power than her own family of werewolves. She wondered what they were planning to do to him and what would happen if the curse was indeed activated.