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

weed heads are visible

to see what cam off the Helline Sher’s home. They have a huge amount of land and there are tees everywhere. I suppose so they

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 fortume, apprently Shifters make a lot more money than I had previously assumed. Not that I spend a lot of time considering Shifter

house at the very

me out. I feel a little spiteful comidening that they have basically kidnapped me,

am

be the one who started whatever drama Il a cught up in. It in fair if

to join us and once again Shuun takes my hand

lend me along

my ever and allow it. It’s just not worth the effort

think he is

rampages on anything like I

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

in a avfall car

What the tellime Alpha?

7- Demands and denials

through. Megan must be through there somewhere. Shaun leads me to an ornate looking wooden door at the end of a

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

Ryann Gale here, as you

complete and utter shock and horror from my

BELLAMY is the Alpha?

Of COURSE he is.

internally. I probably need to pay better attention to Shifter politics, I get

respect or something? I disregard the

nod before turning and leaving the room. It occurs to me that Aaron literally didn’t speak to me at all. He must be

cool for now and to see what Bellamy wants before I chew him out for kidnapping

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

would rather stand.” I manage to get out without saying anything

3/5

Emergency calls only!

7- Demands and denials

self–control I think. Bellamy moves to sit on the

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