Strings of Fate

4- Slippers and surprises

I wake to a loud banging sound. It takes me a moment to realise it is someone knocking really, really loudly on my front door.

I groan and pick up my phone to check the time. Eight twenty–two AM. Who could possibly be visiting me?

Maggie should be at the markets right now and Logan on his way to school, besides, neither of them would ever knock so… aggressively.

I force myself to climb out from under my covers and shiver as the cool morning air hits me. I glance in the mirror as I pass it and realise my ponytail from the night before has twisted and now sits awkwardly on one side of my head with half my hair pulled loose in a weird loop. I pull the tie from my hair and slip it over my wrist. The banging continues.

“I’m COMING, chill out already would you.” I grumble. Oddly enough the banging does actually stop. Whoever is on the other side of the door clearly has great hearing if they heard what I just said. That or they gave up on me answering and went home. I hope for the latter because I really want to just go back to bed.

I shuffle to the door and swing it open. My actions might seem a little reckless, I probably should have glanced through the window to see who it was at least before answering. But I am tired and not awake enough to consider things like my own safety.

In fact I feel that the person on the other side of the door should probably be the one who is

afraid of me considering how irritated I am.

Standing in my doorway is a man that I can only describe as breathtaking.

He is tall and muscular with black hair that has a slight wave to it and golden eyes. A glance at his arm tells me he is a Shifter.

In fact, he is the same kind of Shifter as Megan. He is wearing blue jeans, a black button. shirt and is standing with his arms crossed, his expression impatient.

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Stapperrcantisuuperates

Hoppyyhhtsproken notice something that mysleepy brainmhhddit registero until his moment.

Imbirnyytitrovasias Isttare.There is creditoread comingsoonth Shifteran’s chest.

Tint rubysuuppisiting part of this is that it tends straight across tonnel tanzeippatifima widdeyras disprehod correct.

Myysoulmateiisu Shitter?

Aukciisstranding iightion frontofime Halfofmeewants to throwmyysulfathim hamso excitited to meethimatidast.

Thecrrestodfimenants to go build.blanket forrandthiddel humobboord in reddyldopa soul matejustyyet and I barely knout this guy. I chastise myselfifinrenntilyl handbeing ridiculoc Täisman has no idea that we are tied bything eddstringobfittel hnedd td treat hinn normal andggett ookknout him, nobactallicreepyy

This reminds me that he is still standing and taniningamachimnostiils iflaring slightly as: looks moover. Ite.doesn’t seennimpresseddwithmyyntiooniltinnnels and bunny shippers.G fifigureppull myself togetheeenough tomct(mostly noomhl.

“Um good morning?” I greet himmyvoidea.quaesition Wharne speaks his tongsis stemit mall business.

you RC?”

me?” I ask. He

klow Are you

Megan?? hbaldomadds genint this time waiting the

night before inmy faceel flightbbakkaasticcomes

My named Ryan CGlde. I introduce

Kano. Wenced to all. Withoutakkinghhq pushes his way past meand:eerc my apartment. My tempperiisssot

4- Slippers and surprises

speak when I notice something that my sleepy brain

eyes as I stare. There is a red thread coming from

truly surprising part of this is that it leads straight across to mine. I stare up at him with wide eyes, not sure how

mate is

me. Half of me wants to throw myself

build a blanket fort and hide. I’m not sure I’m ready for a soul mate just yet, and I barely know this guy. I chastise myself internally. I am being ridiculous. This

He doesn’t seem impressed with

I greet him, my voice a question. When he speaks his

all business.

“Are

you

R.G?” he demands.

ask. He rolls his

deliberately stupid or are you really this slow? Are you the R.G who wrote this note to my twin sister Megan?” he demands again, this time

that. Um… yes? My name is Ryann

We need to talk.” Without asking, he pushes his way past me and enters

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4- Slippers and surprises

let yourself in!” I try and keep my voice firm but when he turns and fixes

to the floor as is my habit. Then I force myself to look back up again. He

event

most definitely is. He glances around and after realising that the only place to sit is the little table with its two chairs

pinch my arm and my eyes water a little from the sting of pain. Okay, not asleep then. I cross my arms and stare at the

Bellamy Kane.

to getting his own way. Usually I am not the type to pick fights. If someone wants me to sit, I’ll probably do it, because really, why not? But if this man. is my soul mate then I refuse to allow him to treat me as anything but an equal, even if he doesn’t know it yet. He won’t hurt me, at

home and order me around.” He rolls his

“Would

you

a demand not a request. Miss Gale, would you be so gracious as to take a seat so that I can speak to you. properly about the rather vague note you left for my sister last night.” He

too much. I decide to give into his demands this once and sit down. I try to retain whatever dignity I

now?” I gesture at the other chair for him to sit down too. He sits across

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4- Slippers and surprises

confident and put together. Well, as put

leave my sister

her a note.” The Shifter narrows his golden eyes at me and suddenly

you know it’s not right?” He mimics me in a childish tone. I sigh. Explaining my magic is always frustrating. People either think I’m making it all up, since no one else