Strings of Fate

Strings of Fate

The Final Chapter- Ryann

I am so insanely excited and anxious that I might actually pass out. I probably look a little pale because Bellamy puts down the box he was carrying and pulls me into a reassuring hug.

“Calm down, everything will be fine.” He promises. I rest my head against his chest and take a few deep breaths.

“I know, I’m just worried. It was super nice of you to arrange for Maggie to get a place in the Shifter compound, and I’m beyond thrilled that Logan’s mum has decided he’s better off living with her full time. I’m so excited to live near Maggie again and it’ll be lovely for Kiara to have her friend nearby. But… what if the others don’t approve? I mean, it’s one thing for me to live in the compound, we are engaged after all. But I’m bringing in more non–Shifters. What if people get angry?” I ask anxiously. I know I already decided to do this, and Bellamy was actually the one who suggested it when I was stressing that Maggie really shouldn’t bet living alone and that she wanted to take in Logan but didn’t have the space. It’s the perfect solution, but I don’t want everyone to hate me because of it. I know my friends won’t mind, but there are still plenty of Shifters that I don’t know well yet. Bellamy laughs.

“It will be fine, I promise. You’re far too loveable for anyone to be really upset with you. Plus I’m sure Maggie will have everyone on their knees begging for her to feed them in no time. What you need to do is relax. You’re so stressed out. We get married in a week and at this rate you’re going to collapse halfway down the aisle!” He says the words as a joke but the concern is real. He’s right, I’m stressing out. I need to relax. Thankfully, It’s kind of hard to keep stressing with his arms around me. We stay like that for a few more minutes, then continue helping Maggie pack up her boxes. We’re just about to take the first load of stuff down now. Maggie will be paying rent, she insists. But she can now rent out her old place too so she has enough money to manage it.

Kiara bounces over to us.

“The last box is all taped up! I labelled it for the kitchen.” She beams a smile at me. She’s ecstatic that her best friend is moving so close. I’m going to have to keep an eye on the two of them. Logan is a pretty mature kid, but Kiara has definitely been bringing out his mischevious side lately. Still, she’s changed so much in the last few months it’s amazing. She’s so much more outgoing. There are times when she gets quiet and sad or scared, but between talking to a therapist and spending time with Logan, she has been doing a lot better.

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She’s still nervous around strangers, particularly women, but around friends and family she is far more herself. When I asked her to be the flower girl for my wedding she was thrilled and she’s talked about almost nothing else for weeks.

“Good job.” I complement her. I look around for Logan who is rarely far behind. He wanders over from the other side of the car with a pleased smile.

“Have you finished packing all your things Logan?” I ask. He confirms that he has. Most of his stuff was at Maggie’s anyway. It was really only a few furniture items and some clothes at his mum’s place.

“Perfect. So, with all your stuff in the car there’s no space for you guys. But Megan and Darrien will be coming by in a few minutes to pick you up and drive you to your new place. Sound good?” I confirm.

“Yes!” He is bouncing in place. I was worried he would be hurt that his mum was so willing to send him to live elsewhere, but ‘he actually just seems relieved. He’s a smart kid, he knows this is for the best. Besides, it’s not like his mother doesn’t love him and he knows that. She’s

just not a very responsible person. She wasn’t ready to have a kid and she just never learned.

I head inside to let Maggie know that we’re leaving and that the kids will be waiting with her. She is just finishing a final clean up.

“Are you sure this is okay honey? You’re all going out of your way for me so much.” She sounds a little guilty and I immediately feel better about the whole thing. Not because she feels bad but because I remember why I wanted her near us in the first place.

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“Of course I’m sure! You’re my family. Besides, you’ve been taking care of me for years. It’s my turn to help take care of you. Plus, this way when Logan and Kiara inevitably decide to sneak out in the middle of the night to see eachother, at least they won’t be wandering through town at night.” I joke. Sort of. I’m a little bit serious. Logan DID actually sneak out once a few weeks ago. Kiara had a nightmare and instead of waking me up, she called him. I didn’t know what was going on until Maggie called me saying that she couldn’t find Logan. He turned up on our doorstep about twenty minutes later. The biggest surprise was that he wasn’t alone. Shaun of all people had picked him up on the street and brought him over. Apparently Amber had asked him to wait on that corner at three in the morning, so she must have known like she always does. Both kids got a lecture about safety and talking to us first if

Bor

03:

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go out somewhere. Logan refused to apologise. He insisted that his friend needed cheering up and that he didn’t think the adults would let him go so late at night. Eventually we all came to an agreement

that the kids are willing to sneak out

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Bo

03

working on it all morning. Darrien and Megan

for you!” She insists. A surprise? I wasn’t aware of any surprise. What is going on? I glance at Bellamy who grins. Oh he’s in on this too. Why didn’t I know about it? I narrow

at him and he winks

few weeks ago when she came to check out the place. It has been replaced with the most gorgeous looking kitchen I have ever seen. With a huge oven, granite benchtops lined with a fancy looking kitchenaid and a full set of baking tins and other supplies. It’s any bakers dream.

calls

when you first decided to move in. You make us so many treats we thought it was only fair. Originally it was just Me, Amber, Bellamy, Ryann, Alex, Megan, Darrien and Aaron. It was meant to be a sort of housewarming thing. But when we started looking into it more and more people wanted to chip in. Basically the entire security team put money towards it. Then when everyone else heard that we were making a special kitchen for Ryann’s family, a lot of people volunteered to help out so we got most of the actual work done for free.” Shaun explains excitedly. Wow,

your favourite deserts. So you had better

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actually crying at this point and I’m about two seconds away from

a new rule. Anything you bake and give out to our Shifters you can bill the ingredients to

shakes her head.

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Bo

03

couldn’t.”

but eventually Maggie caves and agrees to let Bellamy contibute to

party and everyone is invited. I’m beyond excited when I realise he has bought along a plus one. FINALLY I get to meet his mystery girl. Aaron nods a greeting to me, but his girlfriend drags him forward, holding his hand

must be Ryann!” She

continuing.

Logan. Megan and Darrien are the two on the other side of the counter, right?” She points us all out like she’s on a game

lovely to meet you Penny. Hey you’re not an Oracle, are you? Because that was impressive.” I comment. She laughs,

pleasant.

half Siren.”

did you know all our names? Did you study up on us

jokingly.

quizzed myself. I’m still waiting to

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flicks her hair out of

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