Strings of Fate

36- Caffeine and contests

Now that we are under a proper light rather than the shadowy front hall, Darrien notices how tired I am.

“You look dead on your feet. Did you sleep at all last night?” he questions. I shrug.

“I slept a little, but I don’t really feel like I did. My head is killing me.” I groan. He turns and rummages through a cupboard that is high enough that I would have to climb on a bench to reach it. He then grabe

a bottle of coke from the

fridge and pours a large glass. He places the

glass and a little box in front of me.

“Take two of these and finish the drink. Painkillers and caffeine. You should feel a bit better once they kick in.” I gratefully down the pills and start on the drink.

“Thanks, I definitely need it.” We sit in silence for a minute or two as I finish up the coke. I can already feel the sugar and caffeine perking me up a little.

“So, what’s the meeting for? Megan told me to come this morning, she didn’t mention any meeting.” Hopefully this isn’t some super secret Shifter thing that I’m nosing into. I hate. when people tell me to butt out.

“You, sort of. Alpha Kane has been tracking down the Shifters who were hovering about your place last night. He’s called a meeting with the other Alpha’s to discuss it. He believes it may be the Canine Alpha who sent the Vampires and that it may be his men who are hovering.”

“Oh, how did Bellamy find out? And when? The day is barely started.” Darrien shrugs.

“I’m not sure how he found out. But he was out and about all night looking into it. He hasn’t actually slept yet. Hopefully he will find time to catch a nap before the… party tonight.” Darrien looks irritated at the mention of Megan’s engagement party, which is fair enough I

suppose. So Bellamy has been up all night trying to find out who ordered the attack on us? Any remaining irritation or frustration at him that might have been lingering from last night fades away. My headache is fading and I feel far more lively than I did ten minutes ago. Darrien must have decided that he is no longer at risk of being killed due to my grumpiness because he decides now is the time to pry.

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36- Caffeine and contests

how did your date go last night?” he asks, his tone is teasing but the

a date.”

Alpha Kane

Bellamy and slamming the door in his face. So you can take from that what you will.” Darrien

don’t place a lot of weight on it. But I’m still going to ask, what were you arguing about?” I roll my

guys into my home. Well, to be more accurate, whether he should be allowed to tell me if I can

would be an issue.” He manages to get out between

argument was resolved so it doesn’t matter.” Darrien

he states. I

did NOT cave. We compromised.” I insist. Darrien raises

guess he really can’t boss you around. Alpha or not.” I shrug. I remember our discussions about dominance. I relay it to

against me now? You can if you want but I don’t see much point. I already know that you will be more dominant. Alpha Kane is more dominant than me after all.” He

this with Shaun, I feel pressured to look away, but not enough to force me to give in. Just enough to make this actually feel like a competition.. Darrien lasts about ten seconds before he drops his

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36- Caffeine and contests

thirty seconds and I don’t think I’ve ever felt as powerful as I do right now. When he looks back up he gives

you so.” He declares, I

my freaky eyes making

pressured to submit, and only because you were staring right at

say so.” I answer, doubt clear in

that we

He repeats, but he gives me a fond smile.

also be protecting me. Or maybe both of us? Discussing everything with Darrien has left me so confused. What I really want to do is talk to Megan about it, but I don’t know if she could keep it secret from Bellamy, or even if she would be willing to. As close as I feel to her, I’ve not known her that long and Bellamy is her brother whom she is very close to. I don’t want to force her to keep secrets. It might create a bit of distance between us now but one day it won’t matter anymore. Still, despite my confusion, I think I rather like having a brother–like figure in my life. I wasn’t lying when I told Bellamy that Harrison was more like a brother to me than anything else, but at the same time I could never really see him that way. As an Incubus, his general manner has always been too sly, and held too many attempts at seductions to provide the comfort and relaxed feeling I always hoped to enjoy. I stand up from where I’m sitting. My mood is already significantly improved, perhaps from my considerations of Darrien, or maybe just because the caffeine is kicking in, but