Strings of Fate

10- Incubi and intimidation

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 p

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 met with his eyes, as if determining if I am a threat before shaking my hand. He then steps back. to allow Megan to say her farewells. I notice his eyes follow her. So the lack of interest is not on his end then. I figure Megan is the oblivious one in this relationship. Or lack of relationship as it may be. My thoughts are interrupted by shock when Megan grabs me and pulls me into a quick hug.

“I have my engagement party in a week, I plan to go shopping tomorrow morning. Want to come with me? It will give us a chance to get to know each other a bit better and I can start answering any questions you have about Shifters.” I eagerly accept her offer.

“Cool, I’ll text you details after class. See ya!” She hops into the passenger seat of the car and. waves out the window as she and Darrien drive away.

“Well that was interesting.” I comment to Bellamy. He raises an eyebrow. I shake my head.

“Don’t worry about it. I shouldn’t have said anything.” He

groans.

“You’re going to be like this a lot aren’t you? It’s going to drive me crazy keeping those promises I gave.” He sighs.

“Well, there’s not really anything else to be done today and it will be getting dark soon. Can I give you a ride home?” he offers. I hesitate before realising that I don’t exactly have any other options. I nod. Bellamy offers me his arm yet again. I stare at it.

10- Incubi and intimidation

“Why do you keep offering me your arm like that? Shaun did it too. I can walk on my own.” I point out. Bellamy seems surprised.

“You don’t know a lot about Shifters do you?” I shake my head. He takes my hand and places it over his arm.

“When a Shifter offers their arm to escort you, it is also offering protection. It is an assurance that you have nothing to fear and you will be protected as long as they are accompanying you.” He explains. I frown.

I need protection?“I

probably don’t, but the gesture means that if you should

out.

Megan have a guard? you seem to walk around without

weak for an Alpha to walk around needing protection. But it also seems weak to not provide protection for one’s family. Megan has only one guard and honestly she can take care of herself. Darrien knows this, he is more for show than

moment.

still bet he could do some serious damage if you made him

and the lights flash on yet another fancy looking car. A dark blue one this time. I hop

street from my house? I got kidnapped and

he questions. I shrug. We drive in silence for a few minutes until Bellamy parks the car in front

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10- Incubi and intimidation

him

are you doing?” I

you home. So that’s what I am going to do.” he informs me. I roll my eyes. He steps forward and once again offers me his arm. It seems a little more significant now that I know what it means and I appreciate the gesture as more than just typical politeness. I place my hand on his arm and let him lead me inside. The diner is a small place. It is owned by some rich Sorcerer who is never around, so for the most part it is run by his niece. It is for Magics only (his rule), but despite the racism which really can’t be avoided in a city like this, it’s not a bad place for a reasonably priced meal. Bellamy and I sit across from each other in a little comer booth area. It’s the kind of place where you choose what you want, then go up and let the counter know and tell them your table number. The place is too small to justify hiring waiters and waitresses so there aren’t any. I decide on a pasta dish and an orange juice. Bellamy

nice to me now that I’ve agreed to help him. He makes his way up

vaguely recognise from the orphanage I grew up in. Harrison? I haven’t seen him in years. We spent time together as kids but lost touch as we reached our teenage years, it’s a pretty typical occurrence with Inccubi. They don’t tend to

the typical tall, dark and handsome guy. He looks like a movie star and is used to women falling at his feet to please him. Silly girls, while it’s true that Inccubi are into seduction, what they enjoy is the chase. Giving an Incubus what he wants is a sure fire way to make sure he never calls you back. Resisting Inccubi is something that most girls struggle with, the same way men struggle to refuse a Succubus. Their magic is geared towards seduction. They can make you relax or feel excited on a whim and often do. Having grown up around both Inccubi and Succubi, I am pretty much immune to them at this point. Seeing their threads helps. Even they have a soul mate. It is much easier to resist their seductions when I can see they’re meant for someone else. As I pull away

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easy grin.

everyone at arms length.” He observes. I laugh

to taunt an

had been sitting only a moment ago. He reaches across the table to hold

to respond when Bellamy returns. He looks angry and is glaring at Harrison with his

away.

this is Bellamy. He’s Alpha of the feline Shifters.” I introduce them. I am forced to move over a little as Bellamy slides himself into the booth beside me since Harrison

say that’s unexpected. Too good for us Inccubi. now?” he jokes. I roll my eyes at him. Bellamy leans over to speak in my