“Leaving you alone is worse.” he confirms.
“Well, then keep your eyes shut while I’m in the bath and you can stay.” I suggest. He tilts his head to the side.“You’re willing to let me stay?” He repeats in confirmation. I nod.“If you close your eyes. I know you don’t love that part, but it’s the best compromise I can offer. Decide before the water gets cold please.” Bellamy’s eyes dart around the room. His eyes land on the window. Like most bathrooms, it’s a small window that isn’t easily accessed. I doubt it’s even visible from outside. Appearing to make a decision, he marches towards the door. Huh, he’s leaving? Or not. He reaches the door, locks it then sits himself on the ground with his back against the door and closes his eyes.“I won’t look. I promise.” he assures me. I quickly strip out of my clothes and chuck them on the floor by the vanity. The water is hot, but comfortable when I climb in, clutching the edges of the tub to prevent myself from falling. I“You’re probably right. I’ll think about it.” He agrees. He looks a bit sad and lost as he says it though. I decide right now that I am making it my personal mission to help Bellamy rekindle his friendships. Maybe we could have a dinner party or games night or something. I might even invite Alpha Kohen and his wife. I think I would like to know them better and Bellamy seems friendly with the Bear Alpha. Although I suppose a night like that would have to wait until I’m comfortable telling people about our relationship because I feel like it would get out fast if we started having guests all the time. The conversation lulls a bit and Bellamy loops back to our original discussion. “I suppose based on the fact that you changed the topic that you don’t want to talk about tonight yet then?” He prompts. “You know, I actually completely forgot that we were even discussing it. I got sidetracked. I’m okay to talk about it with you now if you would like.” I assure him.“Okay
“As much as I would like to make sure you never meet or speak to another male ever again, I know that isn’t a realistic option. Besides, I trust the guards you have. Plus, in your case, I prefer that your security detail IS obvious. People will think twice about attacking you when you obviously have a bodyguard following you around.” He seems weirdly smug about that. “Yeah… right. You’re just happy that I’m putting up with the guard stuff. Although after what happened tonight I suppose I can see your point of view a little better.” I admit. Bellamy’s expression darkens again and I curse in my head. Oops. I was trying to keep his mind off of the whole situation and I had to go and bring it up again. Stupid. Ugh. I frantically try to change the topic again. “I need to wash my hair.” I blurt out without thinking. Bellamy blinks, startled at my abrupt statement. “Okay… just try and be careful of your bandages. I doubt the cut has completely stopped bleeding and the soap w
Back in Bellamy’s room I keep my towel tight around my chest as I sort through my packed bag looking for the pyjamas I shoved in underneath all the other stuff. I find a pair of underwear easily enough. I drop the pyjama pants on the bed as I search for the top. Bellamy is looking at them with a funny look on his face. Somewhere between confusion and embarrassment. “What?” I ask, looking back between him and the pyjamas. I know they’re childish fuzzy flannel ones, but it’s not like the unicorn ones he’s seen me in before were particularly impressive. What’s so weird about these ones?“It’s nothing, just… I don’t know. You’re going to think I’m creepy if I ask…” He trails off. I tilt my head and raise an eyebrow.“Ask what?” I prompt. “Would you wear my t-shirt?” He blurts out. Okay, not what I was expecting.“Why?” I ask. “Well, you wore one the last time you slept here. It’s weird, but it made me feel… secure, having you all wrapped up in my scent. I coul
My muscles have tensed up and what was a very comfortable position is now very not. This isn’t the first time we have slept in the same bed, it shouldn’t be so awkward. I suddenly realise that Bellamy’s breathing isn’t slow and deep like I would expect from someone who is asleep or nearly asleep. Also his arm on my waist is tense again. I’m about to ask what’s wrong, but Bellamy beats me to it.“Something is upsetting you.” He says, his tone is dark. I stammer out a response.“I just noticed that you’re… well. Maybe I should move away a little bit?” I suggest. Bellamy groans. “That’s why you’re anxious? I’m still on high alert, your discomfort makes me want to keep you as close as possible, but it’s my proximity that’s the problem.” He sounds horrified.. I see his dilemma though. I’m anxious so he doesn’t want to let go, and his holding so tight is making me anxious. Although it’s not so much that he’s close as that he is clearly still aroused and I’m awkward. How is th
“I’m not totally sure. Tired, frustrated, worried, sort of pissed off. I need to figure out my plans a little bit for the next few days, I suspect you probably have some opinions about that too but I’m going to ask you to wait until we at least hear back from Alex about what the guys learned in their investigation. I’m going to withhold all decision making until I have all the information I can possibly get.” I declare. Bellamy huffs out a breath then nods.“I guess I can hold my tongue for now.” He agrees and I reward him with a smile and a squeeze of his hand before releasing it and reaching for my phone. I turn it on and find several messages in my group chat and a few others. I check the other messages, not prepared to catch up on the vast quantity of messages In the group chat right now. Shaun- Hey, I don’t know when you’ll get this. But I just wanted to check in on you. I hope you’re doing okay. We will make plans with Alpha Kane to discuss everything later today. Let
I get ready as fast as possible and practically drag Bellamy downstairs to the kitchen. I want to make up with Megan as fast as I possibly can. I stop in the kitchen doorway, confused when I don’t immediately hear Megan. I can hear her but not see her. A moment later she pops up from the floor. She was apparently kneeling and the bench blocked my view. “Hey! I was just watching the breakfast muffins in the oven. I always overcook them a little so I wanted to keep an eye on them so they would be perfect for you.” Megan smiles at me in an excessively cheerful manner. Okay, that has got to be fake.“Why are you acting happy? You were upset a minute ago.” I ask warily. This level of cheerfulness is almost creepy. Just because I had a single bad night, it doesn’t magically make her hard times go away.“You’re right. I was upset, but then I thought about it while making the mix for these muffins and I’ve decided to forget about being annoyed and look at the bright side. So I
I stare down at my last bit of muffin. “I wouldn’t lie. But it’s probably best if you don’t ask until you’ve already made up your mind. Knowing the answer doesn’t really make anything easier anyway.” I tell her. She considers me for a moment then nods.“I guess so. But you would warn me if I was making a really bad choice again right? Like last time?” She sounds very young and scared. “Of course.” I assure her. “Thanks.”“So does that mean you’re going to text Darrien?” I ask. Megan blushes and eventually nods. She pulls her phone out of the pocket of her jeans and types out a quick message, I have no idea what she writes but she hits send then drops her phone and quickly downs the rest of her food. Only seconds later she gets a message back. She reads it with a small smile and I decide not to push her about it any further today. I’m burning with curiosity about how their relationship unfolds from here, but I’ve learned my lesson about interfering in the past.
“Well, if you Miss Gale can write out a list of anyone you think could have something against you or might dislike you I can look into it further. Alpha Kane I already have your watch list but if you have any further names to add I can look into them as well. I will also arrange to interview Miss Gale’s neighbours in case anyone has seen anyone suspicious loitering around. We will talk to your coworkers too, just in case. Although Aaron hasn’t noticed anyone unusual at your workplace, it is hard to be sure since it is a public place and the type of place to have regular customers. It wouldn’t be hard for someone to be there regularly without standing out as unusual.” He explains. Bellamy frowns. “You need to stop going to work.” He comments and my eyebrows fly up to my hairline.“Excuse me?” I demand. He looks at me like I’m missing something obvious. “We can discuss it later.” He adds, glancing at the other people present. I nod slowly, crossing my arms across my ches
My automatic reaction is to panic and to mentally scream NO ABSOLUTELY NOT! She is just a child. She is way too young to already find the person she is fated to be with, not to mention she has been through too much. What if he is immature or goes through a jerk phase as he grows up? Or worse, what if he is a lot older than her? Four or five years might not mean much when she’s an adult, but at her age that is a LOT. And who could it be? Is he going to be good enough? What if I don’t approve of him, what if he’s a bad influence. I’ve seen people with red threads who hated each other and were terrible for each other when they were young and as they matured became more right for one another. Is it too soon for them to meet? She’s just gone through an incredibly traumatic circumstance and she does NOT need some guy messing with her head right now. I take a deep breath and try to relax. I don’t know who it is, we might not even be meeting him right now. The thread just tells me that he’s s
The next few days pass almost too quickly. Bellamy and I have our meeting with Sara and her father. He was a little curious as to why I was there, but he didn’t say anything. He wasn’t pleased, but he did agree to back off of Sara a little bit and seemed to appreciate the added security that we are arranging for the university students. On the drive home, Bellamy is grumbling about it. “He was barely polite to you.” He complains. I roll my eyes.“He was polite enough, how polite should he be to a stranger in his house telling him how to parent his child?” I point out Bellamy shakes his head.“You’re his Alpha, my mate, he should know better.” He continued to scowl.“It’s not like he knows that. We haven’t actually told everyone.” I remind him gently. Now it’s his turn to roll his eyes.“Of course he knows. It’s the worst kept secret around, remember? He’s just the traditional type. Isn’t sure how he feels about having a non-Shifter as an Alpha. He’ll get over it.” He says firmly. I f
“Well, I think that it might actually be nice having an extra person around the house. Extra security and company. Besides, you spend most of your time here anyway. Might as well save you the commute. That is, as long as no one else has any objection?” I say pointedly looking at Megan. Sure, Bellamy could object but I already know that he won’t. Megan briefly makes eye contact with me, gives a slight nod, then finds something to stare at on the ceiling. She is clearly trying to look like she doesn’t care but she is blushing bright red. True to form, Darrien is watching her closely trying to work out how she really feels about my suggestion. Realising that she isn’t going to provide any input, he decides to push it a little. “Megan? I would like to hear your opinion. I am still courting you and I don’t want to screw anything up by making a decision like this without your input.” Darrien says clearly. His voice is mostly calm with just the slightest hint of anxiety as he monitors her r
I wake up late in the morning, it might even be early afternoon. I wriggle around a little which prompts Bellamy to do the same, he is apparently already awake. He raises a finger to his lips to shush me before I speak and I can see why. Kiara is still sleeping, lying in the bed between us. She is still loosely holding onto my arm, even in sleep. I slowly disentangle myself from her light grip and slide out of bed. Bellamy follows, clearly doing his best not to jostle her and wake her up. She definitely needs the sleep. She was restless for a good part of the night and almost definitely was having nightmares, but she seems like she’s sleeping soundly now. My own sleep was blissfully quiet. No visions or anything thank goodness. I’m looking forward to having several weeks of steady sleep and so help me if anything tragic or dramatic happens for the next few weeks then whoever is responsible should probably be terrified of me. We step into the hallway to talk without disturbing Kiara.
I cross my arms in irritation. “Kiara would never! How would she even do that? She’s just a kid!” I object. Dr Dae rolls her eyes at me.“Oh calm yourself girl. I’m not saying she chose to murder anyone. I assume that she was forced to comply somehow. You’ll have to ask the girl when she’s ready to talk. As for the how, the child is a Reaper.” She says it as if it’s obvious but it really isn’t. I know that Reapers exist, but they’re the kind of Magic that most people have heard of but no one has ever met. I suppose Kiara’s dad must have been a Reaper too and why the MRO was so secretive about her markings. Most people are kind of scared of Reapers, they’re kind of the boogeymen of our society. Mostly because they can kill on a whim. All it takes is one touch and they can free your soul from your body. Obviously with no soul you die, and I guess your soul moves on to wherever souls go when you pass on. I suppose that a Reaper would make sense for the representative of Atropos. Her add
Since Kiara probably isn’t up to braving the stairs and she really doesn’t want to be carried around everywhere, we decide to ask Dr Dae to come up to the bedroom. It’s actually kind of weird having so many people in here. Bellamy is a fairly private person, he doesn’t generally invite people to hang out in his… our room. Dr Dae shuffles in clutching her usual bag. I’m surprised that Bellamy isn’t carrying it for her because it looks kind of heavy, but I suspect that she wouldn’t hand it over anyway. I immediately greet her.“Thank you so much for your help. Your contact has become a great friend and she’s a huge part of the reason we were able to find Kiara here.” I nudge Kiara gently with my elbow and give her a little smile. She looks very small and delicate in the oversized, mismatched clothes with her hair dripping down her shoulders. She’s so pale that the bruises on her skin stand out and look even worse than they actually are. Dr Dae gives me a half nod of acknowledgement then
We all turn to face Alex in confusion. I glance up at Bellamy to see if he has any idea what’s going on but he looks just as lost as the rest of us. I continue to stroke Kiara’s hair trying to keep her calm. “Explain.” Bellamy says firmly. Alex flushes red under the attention of everyone in the room. “Uh, well. I assisted Miss Gale in updating her registration with the MRO, and uh, since her position is one of… well almost authority, over the fate’s representatives the updated registration reflects this. So she should be able to make decisions about Kiara’s care like an Alpha would for their Shifters or like a Coven leader would for their Witches. Admittedly it’s a very small group of Magics, but according to the Magic Registration Office, she is in charge of it.” He explains, his voice starts off weak but gets stronger as he becomes more confident in what he’s saying. The police seem a little stunned but I guess Alex isn’t technically wrong. If Kiara were a Shifter, her Alpha would
When we pull up to the house, there’s a police car waiting. There are two cops standing by it, one looks bored and irritated and the other has a fake ‘customer service’ type smile plastered on his face that I know well from experience. Yeah neither of these guys want to be here. They’re probably pissed that we made them come down here. Not to mention uncomfortable being in the Shifter compound. Non-Shifters aren’t invited here often, although I suppose that isn’t exactly true anymore with all our new friends stopping by regularly. Standing beside them looking awkward and uncomfortable is Alex. I bet they’ve been taking their impatience out on him. I narrow my eyes at them and prepare myself. One snotty comment and I am going to tear into them, it’s been a long night. Bellamy parks the car and I wait for him to get out. He speaks with the police briefly and Alex escorts them inside the house. Bellamy returns and opens the door next to Kiara. “Hey, can I help you get inside? The police
As we step outside, I’m confused to find that I actually have no idea where we are. I really was just running and following the tracking spell. I don’t know how far I ran. It’s a good thing the others are here to bring back the cars because I would be wandering all night trying to find my way back. I’m also fairly sure that I left my phone in the car when I jumped out in a hurry. Kiara clutches my hand tightly as the cars pull up on the street in front of us. “Megan, Darrien. You stay here and speak to the police when they arrive. Direct further questions to me. Shaun, you stay with them too.” Bellamy directs as Shaun hops out the car. At Megan’s insistence he stays a good couple of metres away from us.“Yes Alpha Kane.” He responds cheerfully. Aaron and Rio also climb out of the vehicles. Rio stops to chat with one of the other Shifters whose name I still don’t know. Aaron immediately approaches me. Actually a better way to phrase it is that he storms over. He looks almost angry. Or