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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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

fright and now I know that the kids are

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Bo

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working on it all morning. Darrien and Megan arrive about fifteen minutes after we do, Maggie, Logan and Kiara in tow.

wasn’t aware of any surprise. What is going on? I glance at Bellamy who

eyes at him and he

Plus you’ve been busy enough with wedding plans.” He takes my hand and we follow the group. Inside Maggie is standing in the kitchen and she is near tears. I can see why. The kitchen isn’t the one she sae a few weeks ago when she came to check out the place.

calls out

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

favourite deserts. So you had better start a list or

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

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

shakes her head.

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no, I couldn’t.” She refuses.

a few minutes, but eventually Maggie

getting ready to serve lunch when Aaron finally arrives. He isn’t working today since. I’m with Bellamy anyway. But apparently this moving day has turned into a surprise party and everyone is invited. I’m beyond excited when I realise he has bought along a plus one. FINALLY I get

you must be Ryann!” She shakes my hand

continuing.

Which means that must be Shaun and Amber. I assume that is Maggie. The cute little blonde over there must be Kiara and the strapping lad is 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 show and she’s playing

yeah. That’s right. It’s lovely to meet you Penny. Hey you’re not an Oracle, are you? Because that was impressive.” I comment. She laughs, a light tinkling sound that is

pleasant.

actually half Siren.”

names? Did

jokingly.

up flash cards and quizzed myself. I’m still waiting

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her hair out of

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