Strings of Fate

85- Dance and display

I elbow Bellamy in excitement and he takes my hand to keep me from bouncing in place. Megan stares at Darrien a minute longer before giving a very slow nod. The grin that crosses Darrien’s face is gorgeous and I don’t know that I’ve ever seen him so happy. He places his own order and pays for the food. While he does this Megan turns to me, her eyes wild and her face flushed. She looks beyond nervous and her furrowed eyebrows ask a clear question. ‘Did I do the right thing?” I give her a reassuring smile and nod. Her tense shoulders relax a little. Then, ever so slowly, she turns towards Bellamy to see his reaction. He has a serious case of poker face going. I squeeze his hand meaningfully. He glances sideways at me then back to his sister before lifting one shoulder in a half shrug and cracking a hint of a smile. Megan relaxes further and I realise she must have been barely breathing because she suddenly draws. in a loud and deep breath and lets it out with a slight shake. She looks a little lost. I step away from Bellamy and give her a quick hug before we make our way back to our seats.

The wait for our food is awkward. Bellamy and I chat a little and Darrien attempts to join in, but Megan is barely even listening. She is clearly thinking hard and her eyes keep moving to

Darrien. She stares at him for a minute or two, then jolts and turns away, only to find herself watching him again a minute later. Darrien, for the most part, is doing a solid job of

pretending that nothing is amiss. He is staying casual and not watching her too much, aside from the occasional glance sideways. I’m pretty impressed at how calm he’s staying. Megan basically just gave him permission to try and win her over. They’re not dating or anything yet, but he’s put himself out there and she didn’t reject him. Several very long and awkward, but entertaining minutes later, our food arrives. I am actually starving and I am so busy staring down the waitress and trying to remember my manners so that I don’t snatch the food from

her like a poorly trained puppy, that I don’t notice Bellamy is on the phone until he drops it on the table, groans loudly and drops his head into my shoulder, nearly pushing me off the seat as I was not prepared for the extra weight.

“Is something wrong?” Bellamy nods in my hair then sits.

up and sighs.

“The other Alphas have decided to bring our meeting forward. It was meant to be tomorrow, but apparently they want to do it today.” Bellamy looks incredibly frustrated. I frown.

“When?”

from now, and it will take that long to

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85- Dance and display

that was just placed on the table in front

you get to decide when

heaves another deep sigh.

to avoid constant dominance battles between the Alphas, we agreed to run decisions by vote, and I was

need you to guard Ryann as well as my sister. I can call Aaron, but as he was meant to have the day off he isn’t nearby. It might take a while.” He glances back

“Are you

to come to our place after

T

his lack of enthusiasm. I’m disappointed that he had to leave too, but I’ll see him

were ordering you backed off and sorta made Bellamy and I order first and that was kinda weird. Was I imagining things or is this some other kind

on my own?” I question. Megan is halfway through a mouthful of her drink and half snorts it out, covering her mouth with her hand as much as she can. Darrien hands

out of respect.”

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85- Dance and display

than that…” I prompt. Megan has finally gotten ahold of herself and she takes over. I notice she unconsciously places a hand on Darrien’s arm to stop him from continuing. She clearly has no clue that she’s doing it but he definitely does if I’m