Strings of Fate

41- Desert and dancing

1. AM. ABSOLUTELY. FLOORED. This room is stunning. How did Megan get this party put together in so short a time? She should go into event planning. There are round tables all around the edges of the room. Each table has a black table cloth with decorative candle things in the middle. The centre of the room is clear to leave space for dancing and the DJ is set up at the far end of the room. There are servers running around setting up places at the tables and I can smell something amazing coming from somewhere nearby which is making me wish it was time to eat already. To one side of the room I can see large open doors which seem to lead outside. I can’t see much but I know there are some fairy lights twinkling away out there. The opposite side of the room has several large tables pushed up against the wall. These are mostly empty but based on the few things I can see there, it’s going to be where the food goes. Buffet style dinner it is, I can’t wait. Megan and Tristan are still over with the DJ, Megan is gesturing animatedly but seems happy enough. Darrien is hovering nearby. Close enough to keep an eye on her but not so close as to be creepy. I guess he knows what he’s going to be doing all evening, perfecting his imitation of Mr Darcy pining after his love. It doesn’t take long for the guests to start arriving and the room quickly fills up. Bellamy gets dragged away by a group of Shifters I’ve never met and seems incredibly annoyed about it. He eventually escapes them only to be swamped by a pair of women who want to speak to him. Each time he escapes a conversation, he seems to be dragged into another one. It becomes clear that he’s too busy to hang out with me for the moment so I set about finding something to eat. The food is amazing and once everyone is about done eating they move on to socialising. Megan is, of course, completely swamped with well wishers and I don’t have much of a chance to talk to her. Darrien is still hovering which doesn’t leave him

very open

open for conversation either. Other than me, pretty much everyone here is a Shifter. I think I saw a couple of humans for a minute or two. But they seemed to have come, congratulated Megan then left. I think they might be classmates of hers. Oddly enough, There don’t seem to be any guests here to see Tristan. Megan is constantly introducing him to people but I haven’t seen him make a single introduction. I find myself sitting at a table pretty much by myself. My solitude doesn’t last long however as Bellamy comes and drops into the seat next to me. He must have finally escaped his fan club, almost all his attention has been from women. Not that I’ve really been paying attention or anything. He groans.

“They’re driving me crazy. Half these people don’t even want to talk to me, they just feel like they need to because I’m the Alpha. The others are even worse, they hope to get my attention even if I have already made it very clear in the past that I am not going to chose a mate for

convenience.”

1/4

Many

“Poor thing, too girls fawning over you?” Okay, that came out a little more bitter than I meant it to. Bellamy looks at me with an eyebrow raised. Okay so he noticed my attitude. Let him think it’s because I’m bored.

“Not anymore, I decided to come sit with you instead.” I feel instantly lighter. Darn it. He should not have so much control over my mood. It would make sense if I loved him, but I barely know him so it can’t be that… right?

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.” I flick my eyes over his shoulder. He turns to see two girls who are hovering behind him. They both seem to look me over and after they realise I’m not a Shifter, they conclude I’m no threat.

if we could get you anything from the dessert table.” One of the girls offers. The other nods enthusiastically. Bellamy shakes his head and answers

attention about him is that there is a red thread streaming from his chest. I follow it to a little blonde girl who is sitting at a table looking lonely. Her mother is chatting with another woman and she looks rather bored. I turn my attention back to the little boy. He eventually gives up on carrying both plates and puts one back on the table and uses his free hand to get a spoon to eat the cake with. I expect him to start eating right away, but with a last glance at the piece of cake he left behind he makes a beeline straight to the little girl. Her expression brightens when he approaches. He looks incredibly nervous. He hands her the dessert and she accepts it, delighted. He shyly takes the empty seat next to

are the most adorable thing I’ve

doomed then?” Bellamy comments. I had almost forgotten

2/4

my gaze and has been watching the scene play out

They’re lucky to find each other so young. It might just be the sweetest thing I’ve ever

course, smitten.” He explains. I sigh happily. They’re lucky, they have already found the person who will stand by them forever, and they’re young enough to admit it without fuss, without complications or embarrassment. To face any issues as they come head on. A flash of red interrupts my thoughts. Megan dashes through the crowd

and 1.

brightly, her face

you both doing hiding over here? You should be dancing! Someone

get

is a terrible

comment.

eyes at me. I can hear someone calling her over. She waves at the person to show she’s on her way. She turns to

and gold and rushes away leaving us sitting there awkwardly. Bellamy smiles at her fondly ast she rushes off.

idea. It would feel too much like he’s my date. Besides, all the girls here

a good idea.” I

wants us to dance.” He insists. He is still holding hist hand out to