Strings of Fate

Strings of Fate

159- Lectures and letting go

Bellamy answers the door and leads what has to be the smallest Shifter woman I have ever seen, through to his office. I follow along and make myself comfortable in my usual recliner. Bellamy sits behind his desk and gestures for the tiny woman to take a seat across from him. She glances curiously at me and Bellamy notices her eyes drifting towards me.

“Shelly, this is my friend Ryann. Ryann, this is Shelly.” He waits as I give an awkward little wave and Shelly gives a half smile.

“Ryann is here because it might be a little more comfortable for you if there is another woman present and my sister is currently unavailable.” Bellamy explains my presence. Shelly’s eyebrows fly up and she considers me for a moment before turning back to Bellamy.

“Thank you Alpha Kane, that’s very… considerate of you.” She turns back to me and gives me

a proper smile this time. Huh, seems like she actually does want me here. Fancy that. I

thought she would be uncomfortable with a stranger here. Bellamy goes to answer the door a second time, leaving me alone with Shelly for a minute. She watches me curiously and I can

tell she wants to ask me something, but she keeps her mouth shut and when Bellamy returns

it’s too late for me to find out what she wanted to know. The two Shifter men who follow

Bellamy into the room are just as big as all the other Shifter men I’ve met so far. At this point

I am fairly convinced all Shifters have a tendency to be large, tall and muscular. Shelly is a

clear exception. Not that she doesn’t look fit. She is just kind of compact. The two men stand on either side of Shelly. Bellamy also remains standing, apparently unwilling to sit while they stand over him. He gives them both the same explanation for my presence and introduces them as Rick and Adrian. The first thing I notice is that neither of the men have a red thread with Shelly, or any thread at all. So not mates, not that it makes their feelings any less valid now. But it’s useful to know I guess. What is interesting though is that both men do have a

thread to each other. A blue one. So like Megan and I, they’re meant to be friends. Not that

you would know based on how they’re currently glaring at each other.

“Do you

while Rick gives a non–committal half shrug. Both men look kind of pissed off but they turn their focus to Bellamy and pay attention.

well to make it clear. You have both been courting Shelly and are becoming increasingly aggressive towards each other. It has escalated too

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Lectures and letting

say?” Shelly seems to be a

wrote to you before. I just want the fighting to stop.” She answers, her voice barely more than a whisper. Bellamy nods and Adrian

Now, one at a time. What

Rick rolls his shoulders back and from the way he’s standing you would think he was

preparing to fight.

Shelly out first and then this bastard started sniffing around her

in my way!” He says aggressively. Bellamy

Adrian.

prompts.

interested. This prick picks a fight every time I so much as talk to her.” He isn’t as aggressive, but he doesn’t

BE talking to her. You know I’m courting her! Just back

growls.

taunts. Rick takes a step towards him

his voice, but there is no questioning his authority. Both men freeze

like that. It is no excuse to start fights. I expect more control than that.” Bellamy keeps his voice controlled but I can tell he’s getting annoyed. I can’t blame him. These two grown men are acting like

nod, but I can see that they

sees it too because her shoulders slump forwards. Something about how hopeless she looks triggers my temper

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Lectures and

out of the

gesturing at the two men. He raises an eyebrow curiously

to Shelly first.

you want to date Rick?” I bluntly ask. She shakes

answers quietly but firmly.