“Or maybe I can just tell my shift manager that I have to leave...” Shaun grabs my hand and places it on his arm.
I want to yank it away but I feel like I probably shouldn't antagonise this guy, at least not until I'm sure he's not a threat. Seeing no real option but to go along with it, I leave my arm there and allow him to lead me from the restaurant. There is a black car parked out front. Shaun opens the door for me to get in and climbs in beside me. Aaron makes his way to the drivers seat. I rack my mind to consider why a Shifter Alpha would want to see me. Something to do with Bellamy of course, but what? Had he made some complaint about me? Or had he somehow figured out that I was his soul mate and planned to drag me kicking and screaming to the Shifter compound? The fact that he has involved his Alpha is hardly promising. I don't know a lot about Shifter politics and rules, but I do know that, to a Shifter, their Alpha is the highest authority that they answer to. If I am going to be dragged in front of the feline Alpha, I really would have appreciated some warning, maybe a chance to change into something other than my awful work uniform. The car ride is awkward, but thankfully short. We pull into the feline Shifter compound. I've never been here before, not that I have ever actually wanted to visit or anything. But even if I did, Shifters are rather private and it is rare for them to invite non-Shifters into their gates. I wonder if it's because they have some huge dramatic secret they're keeping from the rest of the world. Or maybe they just don't like random people wandering onto their land and trying to snap photos of them in their animal forms. I know that a few years ago there were a bunch of humans who were arrested for poaching Shifters. They claimed that the fur and scales gathered from Shifters were of higher quality than a normal animal. Additionally, Shifter blood and bones are apparently quite useful in potions and as magical tools for Witches and Sorcerers. I find it all rather creepy. Why would you want to drink a potion with blood in it? Maybe if you were a Vampire I guess. But I'm getting distracted. I notice my blue and red threads are visible again, so Bellamy and Megan must both be relatively nearby. I peer out the window to see what I can of the feline Shifter's home. They have a huge amount of land and there are trees everywhere. I suppose so they can run and hunt naturally as cats. We drive past the trees and come to what is basically a single long street full of houses which I suppose is where all the Shifters live. At the very end of the street is the biggest house of them all and it's very clearly where we are headed. The houses on this street are all quite large and would cost a fortune, apparently Shifters make a lot more money than I had previously assumed. Not that I spend a lot of time considering Shifter finances, I have my own to worry about after all, but I guess it makes sense considering how much land they own. As I predicted, we stop at the largest house at the very end of the street. Shaun climbs out the car and offers me an arm to help me out. I feel a little spiteful considering that they have basically kidnapped me, so I ignore his arm and get out on my own. I wonder when Bellamy is going to show up. He has obviously got to be the one who started whatever drama I am caught up in. It isn't fair if he gets to avoid everything. Aaron steps around the car to join us and once again Shaun takes my hand and places it over his arm to lead me along. I roll my eyes and allow it. It's just not worth the effort to argue. I try and think about what I know of the feline Shifter's Alpha. I think he is an older gentleman. He is pretty well known and I have never heard any crazy stories about him going on rampages or anything like I have for the canine Alpha. Hopefully, he won't be too bad. Suddenly, I recall another story from the news a few months ago. A Shifter Alpha and his wife were both killed in an awful car accident. Was that the feline Alpha? I'm not sure. We walk through the house, we pass a door where my blue thread leads through. Megan must be through there somewhere. Shaun leads me to an ornate looking wooden door at the end of a ridiculously long hallway. I hear a familiar voice from behind the door and my red thread leads straight to it. So apparently Bellamy is here. I knew whatever this is was his fault. Shaun opens the door and enters without knocking. I expect to see at least two people in the room and I am surprised to find only Bellamy. He is on the phone but as we enter he apologises to the person on the other end and hangs up. He stands to greet us.“Alpha Kane. We have bought Ryann Gale here, as you requested.” I try and keep my complete and utter shock and horror from my face.BELLAMY is the Alpha? Of COURSE he is. Because if I'm going to have a soul mate, it has to be with the most complicated guy in the immediate area doesn't it? I sigh internally. I probably need to pay better attention to Shifter politics, I get the feeling I am going to be mixed up in them plenty sometime in the future. Still, Bellamy is the Alpha. Does this mean I should be treating him with more respect or something? I disregard the idea immediately. He isn't MY Alpha. Besides, he basically just ordered me kidnapped. Not cool.“Thank you Shaun, Aaron. You may leave.” Both men give him a deep nod before turning and leaving the room. It occurs to me that Aaron literally didn't speak to me at all. He must be a very quiet person, or maybe he's just shy. I decide to play it cool for now and to see what Bellamy wants before I chew him out for kidnapping me and potentially getting me fired for skipping work. I put my hands on my hips and stare him down, keeping my face as blank as possible. Bellamy gestures for me to take a seat opposite his desk but I shake my head.“I would rather stand.” I manage to get out without saying anything particularly aggressive to him. So a win for my self-control I think. Bellamy moves to sit on the corner of his desk.“I have decided that if you really have the power you claim to have, then I should use it. You will spend some time and confirm the relationship, threads you called them? Between my sister and Tristan. If it is true that he has another soul mate then you will help me locate and identify this person.” He explains.I stare at him incredulously. Does he honestly think I won't have a problem with his demands, or being kidnapped? He literally just said he wants to 'use' me. I'm not a toy he can pick up and play with!“No.” I state simply. His eyes shoot up to mine, he looks angry. I work not to drop my gaze as I usually do.“No?” he repeats.“Exactly. No.” Okay, so I planned to hold my temper but I just can't do it.“Why on Earth would I do anything you tell me to do? You're ordering me around like I should care about what you think. No. I have no intention of listening to anything you have to say. You show up at my home and invite yourself in. Then, when I tell you to leave, you yell at me, and now you have basically kidnapped me! I was at work. I am probably going to lose my job now because I left early. What gives you the right to do any of this?” I demand. Bellamy glares at me.“I am the Alpha here and leading people is my job.” He states boldly. I roll my eyes.“You aren't my Alpha and you're definitely no leader. You're only a leader if people choose to follow you, I had no choice in coming here. That makes you less of a leader and more of an asshole.” I explain. Bellamy stands and steps closer to me, glaring down at me.“You didn't exactly leave me any choice. You refused to speak to me when I was at your house.”“Because you pushed your way in and demanded my time. Did it never occur to you to ASK me, or maybe invite me to meet up with you? If you recall I got myself into this mess because I want to protect your sister. I'm not going to suddenly abandon that. I am perfectly willing to help your sister. What I am not willing to do is run around after you and obey your every order like some kind of pet.” I expect Bellamy to be fuming by now. Instead of yelling back at me, he takes a step away and turns away from me. He sighs deeply and begins pacing the room. He walks back and forth at least three times before he turns back to face me.“You're right.” He grumbles out.“Excuse me?” I question. He repeats himself.“You're right okay? I should have tried asking you first. I will try to remember to do so in the future. I have been worried about my sister and after hearing she got engaged I might have gone a little out of control. Don't worry about your job. I know the man who owns Borderline, I will make sure you don't get in trouble for missing your shift today.” He takes a deep breath and releases it.“I am hoping that you will agree to help me protect my sister by further investigating Tristan.” He manages to keep his voice calm but seems uncomfortable. I do notice that he hasn't actually apologised. But I guess admitting he is wrong is the first step.“I thought you didn't really believe in my power?” My tone makes the statement a question. Bellamy shrugs.“I'm not sure I do. Maybe it is just because you seem to be the only other person around here who is suspicious of Tristan, but I find I really want to trust you.
Bellamy sounds incredibly embarrassed. My eyes are wide. He couldn't possibly have figured it out could he?“Um...” I am unsure how to ask my question but Bellamy catches on fast.“It is generally accepted that a Shifter should have a mate before taking over as Alpha. Due to my parents' sudden passing, I had to take over early. It has caused some... friction... among the other Shifter groups. They don't respect me as they should because of it. Some demand that I should step down and allow a mated Shifter to replace me, one of the Betas. I have no intention of doing so and most feline Shifters here follow me easily enough. But a mate would simplify things. If you say you're here for me, my sister will believe it.” Bellamy pauses before speaking again, his voice halting.“Do you- oh no, I promised not to ask. Never mind.” I released a deep breath. If Bellamy outright asks me who his soul mate is, or if I am his soul mate, I am really not sure I can lie to him. I really don't want to hav
Bellamy, once again offers me his arm. I take it and allow him to lead me out to the front of the building where a Shifter man waits patiently. He is dressed in jeans and a dark shirt, much like Shaun and Aaron. He is quite tall and bulky, if he weren't so polite he would probably be intimidating. He has chocolate brown hair. His eyes are brown too but seem tinted orange so they don't quite look human. He is well built and if I do say so myself, quite attractive. “This is Darrien, Megan's guard.” Bellamy says quietly. The guy is cute, but what really catches my attention is the red thread connecting his heart to Megan's. Interesting. I go out of my way to smile at him and shake his hand.“Hi, I'm Ryann Gale. You're Darrien right? It's nice to meet you.” The man smiles kindly and mumbles a quiet greeting. I can already see that he is the gentle giant type. Although I wouldn't put it past him to be seriously scary if someone threatened Megan. He assesses me with his eyes, as if determin
Bellamy immediately turns to me.“Are you okay?” he asks in a hurry.“Of course I am. He's an Incubus sure, but he isn't going to hurt me.” I assure him. Bellamy looks doubtful.“You sure he didn't try anything? You know how Inccubi. can be.'' His voice is thick with implications. I glare at him.“Now that's just rude. He's a person like anyone else. He has a soul mate just like anyone else. I'm not sure who, I don't know if they've met yet. It just takes a while for Inccubi. and Succubi to settle down is all. He's basically harmless.” Bellamy looks confused.“I've seen people run into Inccubi. and leave with them after only a minutes conversation once they turn on their charm. It doesn't seem to affect you at all.” I shrug.“Harry wasn't really trying. Inccubi like games. As long as you let them know that you aren't playing, they lose interest.” Bellamy nods.“Fine, it's good that you aren't really affected by them. Just remember that I promised to see you home.” he reminds me. I gla
I go and change into my fluffy unicorn pyjamas. I plug my phone onto charge and climb into the very corner of my bed where I am most comfortable. I watch as my red thread fades from my view. Bellamy must have driven far enough away that I can't see it anymore. Considering that we are fated to be together, he is very annoying. He is definitely not the kind of person I expected fate to give to me. I still can't imagine being with him for the rest of my life. He is bossy and demanding, the complete opposite of me. I am pulled from my thoughts when I feel my phone vibrating next to me. I have a text from Megan.Megan- Hey, so I'm thinking brunch tomorrow followed by shopping. I want a dress for my engagement party!!! Pick you up at 10am???I responded with my acceptance and my address. I have never really been shopping with a friend before and I find I am insanely excited. I probably can't buy much given my limited income. But it should still be fun helping Megan pick something. I put my
Here.” She hands me a folded square of paper. I unfold it and read.Ryann,Since you will be attending my sister's engagement party and will be assisting me with the matter we previously discussed, it is only right that I provide you with the appropriate attire for the occasion. As such, I hope that while you are shopping with Megan today you will choose a dress for yourself which I will pay for. (Megan has my credit card)BellamyI am gaping at the note, totally confused. What the actual hell is this? Is Bellamy just super generous all of a sudden? Or maybe he is trying to bribe me to cooperate more or something. Either way, it is completely unacceptable. He might be my fate but that doesn't mean I'm comfortable going around spending his money. Particularly since we aren't actually together yet. I drop the note and turn to Megan, about to voice my objections when she hands me a phone. My phone which she apparently took from my bag while I was reading.“I added my brother's number. I
It clicks in my head. I guess sometimes all it takes is to phrase something a little differently.“What you're saying is that ultimately, the men aren't in control because we control ourselves, but that we LET them have control in order to calm their protective instincts which in turn makes them less controlling and demanding.” I sum up. Darrien nods.“Yes, FINALLY. That's what I was trying to say. Really I think control is the wrong word. What they want is trust. If you show you trust them to keep you safe, they in turn worry about it less.” she smiles at me. I nod my acceptance.“But why is it just the men?” Megan shrugs.“It isn't really. Female Shifters are just as protective, particularly when it comes to children. However we are less prone to fighting and violent behaviour so we tend to focus more on taking care of people emotionally. Which sort of complements the Shifter men's issues with control as we feel that we are protecting them emotionally by allowing them to protect us
Shopping is exhausting, but fun. The first few stores we try, Megan can't find a single dress that interests her. In the third store, she finds a few things to try on but decides against them. As she searches for herself, I half-heartedly keep an eye out for a dress for myself. But mostly I focus on helping Megan find her perfect dress. We are in our fourth store and Megan is flicking through a rack of dresses and dismissing them just as quickly. I'm quite tired, I don't go out often other than for work and the threads floating around me are distracting. I do wish that I could turn my abilities off and on. A switch would be useful, or a button. Feeling a headache coming on, I decide to step back for a moment. I find myself standing beside Darrien. As he has been all morning, he is quiet and watches us both carefully, I notice his eyes flicking to the side every now and then. I follow his gaze as it does and realise that he is glancing over at a dress. And wow is it a dress. It is stun