Strings of Fate

7- Demands and denials

“Or maybe 1 can just tell my shift manager that I have to leave…” Shaun grabs my hand and places it on his arm.

I want to.

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.

1/5

Additionally, Shifter blood and bones are apparemniy qutte unetful in potions and as magical tools for Witches and Sorcerers. I find it all matther creepy. Why would you want to drink a portion with blood in it? Maybe if you were a Vampire quem.

i

and weed heads are visible again, so Bellamy and Meças most both be

peer out the window to see what cam off the Helline Sher’s home. They have a huge amount

The houses on this street are all quite large and would cost a fortume, apprently Shifters make a lot more money than I had previously assumed. Not that I spend a lot of time considering Shifter finanwes, I have my own to worry about

I predicted, we stop at the largest house at the very end of the street. Shaun

little spiteful comidening that

am

up. He has obviously got to be the one who started whatever drama Il a cught up in. It in

again Shuun

lend me along

and allow it. It’s just not worth the effort to argue. I try

Shifter’s Alpha. I think he is an older

I have never heard any crazy stories about him going on rampages on anything like I have for the canine Alpitu. Hopefully,

vatory from the news a few months ago. A Shifter Alpim and his

killed in a avfall car

What the tellime Alpha?

7- Demands and denials

through the house, we pass a door where my blue thread leads through. Megan must be through there somewhere. Shaun leads me to

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

We have bought Ryann Gale here, as you

try and keep my complete and utter

BELLAMY is the Alpha?

Of COURSE he is.

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

respect or something? I disregard the idea immediately. He isn’t MY Alpha. Besides, he basically just ordered me kidnapped. Not

to me that Aaron literally didn’t speak to me at

to play it cool for now and to see what Bellamy wants before I chew

on my hips and stare him down, keeping my face as blank as possible. Bellamy gestures for me to

stand.” I manage to get out without saying anything particularly

3/5

Emergency calls only!

7- Demands and denials

I think. Bellamy

14:14