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

been called here?” Bellamy asks. Adrian nods while Rick gives a non–committal half shrug. Both men look kind of pissed off but they turn their

it clear. You have both been courting Shelly and are becoming increasingly aggressive towards each

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Lectures and letting

stop to it. First, Shelly. Do you have anything you want to say?” Shelly seems to be a rather

before. I just want the fighting to stop.” She answers, her voice barely more than a whisper. Bellamy nods and Adrian at least looks a little guilty. Rick just rolls his

Now, one at a time. What is going on? Rick, you go

Bellamy orders. Rick rolls his shoulders back and from

preparing to fight.

first and then this bastard

way!” He says aggressively. Bellamy doesn’t react,

Adrian.

prompts.

talk to her.” He isn’t as aggressive, but

I’m courting her! Just back the hell off!” He

growls.

a

but there is no questioning his authority. Both men freeze and move back to their

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

Bellamy orders. Both men reluctantly nod, but I can see that they are

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

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Lectures and

out

men. He raises an eyebrow

I turn to Shelly

I

answers quietly but