Strings of Fate

25- Reassurance and respect “Are you sure...” Bellamy trails off. | nod. He gives in pretty much immediately. Well that was casy. | sort of expected him to argue a little more. Well, whatever. He settles back into the bed. | crawl over the end of the bed and back into my spot. He flicks the lamp off and the room looks totally black as I adjust to the sudden darkness.

A few mater | begin to make out a few shadowy shapes. | glance at Bellamy beside me, he doesn’t seem to be asleep. yet. He notices my movement. Except | only really moved my eyes. This tellstwo things. One; Bellamy has much better night vision than | do which is hardly surprising for a feline Shifter. Second; he was using the night vision to watch me.

“You're still awake?” He whispers.

“Yeah, | guess.” | reply.

“Umm. Ryann?” he starts. | wait for him to continue.

“You're the only person other than my sister who doesn’t use my title.” he suddenly states. I'm confused. | thought it sounded like he wanted to ask something. That wasn’t really a question.

“Really? | didn’t know that.” I reply, hoping he will explain himself. Lucky for me, he keeps talking.

“It’s meant to be a sign of respect.” he explains then falls silent for a minute. | wait but he doesn’t say anything so | break the silence.

“Are you saying you wantto stop using your nand use your title instead?” | ask.

Bellamy quickly objects.

“No, definitely not.” he assures me.

“Oh good, because | don’t think | would have been able to do it.” | decide. Bellamy might be the Alpha, but he isn’t my Alpha.

“Earlier you were telling my sister there's a difference between being disrespectful and 1/4 messing around.” he starts. | nod, well aware that he can see it fine, “Yes, was | wrong?” | question.

“Well... no, | mean, that’s not what 1” he cuts himself off.

“DO you respect me?” Bellamy blurts out. For a moment I'm stunned into silence. What kind of a question is that? Bellamy keeps talking when | don’t immediately answer.

“Because usually | can tell, people use my title to show respect, Shifters defer toand are painfully polite to me. But you never really have, So | was wondering if that meant that you don’t really respect me...” he trails off.

| sit up on my elbow to face him.

“Bellamy, when we first met, YOU were the one who askedto call you Bellamy. You didn’t even tellyou were the Alpha until later. So, | know you first as Bellamy Kane the crazy guy who woke the whole building, then as Alpha Kane the lunatic who hadkidnapped. I've never used your title because you never seemed to exp it of me.” | explain. When Bellamy answers he sounds a little depressed.

“Based on the rather negative light you've castin here and the fact that you keep callingnames, | take it that the answer is no, you don’t think much of me.” He sighs and turns so his back is to me.

“You are really not understandingat all. What I'm saying is, | don’t really know Alpha Kane’ so | can't really see you that way. But, | do know Bellamy. The jerk who was so concerned about his sister that he bent down the door of a complete stranger and later arranged her kidnapping for the sake of that sister. The weird guy who was willing to be open minded enough to trust in my unique magics. The idiot who fought Vampires then got upset because | was uncomfortable around him while he was NAKED. Bellamy, the complete oddball. who protectedfrom a pair of shoes. So yes Bellamy. | do respect you. But my opinion has nothing to do with your position as Alpha so it never occurred toto use your title.” Bellamy turns back to face me. | wish | could see his face but it’s too dark. It’s kind of unfair because | know he can see mine and that knowledge makesblush. It's easy to be honest in the dark, at least until | remember that he has stupid night vision. I'm interrupted from my thoughts by Bellamy. He grabsand pullsinto a hug which catchescompletely by surprise. He nuzzles close toin a very cat-like motion and whispers in my ear.

2/4 “Never use my title. | prefer you like this.” I lie still and accept the hug. After a minute | start to wonder if he’s actually planning to let go..

“Bellamy?” | whisper. He doesn’t answer. Apparently now that his thoughts are settled he’s fallen asleep again.

Oh well, | suppose | don’t really mind staying where | am all that much. It close my eyes and it doesn’t take long at all forto fall asleep too.

| open my eyes and look around me. I'm completely alone so Bellamy must have left. My blankets are tucked nicely aroundin a way that no one can manage without skind of assistance. | sit up and stretch a little.

This is weird, it’s morning but | don’t want to kill. anything. | actually feel pretty okay. Usually mornings and | are not all that compatible. Wait, maybe | overslept and it isn’t even morning anymore, that would explain it. | grab my phone. It's 8:45am. No that’s still early enough to be horrible most of the time. | wonder what tBellamy left? | notice a bit of paper on my bedside table that | don’t remember leaving there. Another one of Bellamy’s notes? He does seem rather fond of them.

*Ryann, | didn’t want to wake you but | have a meeting at 8. You will find another guard outside your door who will stay with you until someone comes to relieve him later this evening, Callif you need anything.

Bellamy P.S. | probably should have mentioned this last night, but | respect you too, and not just because you're brave enough to constantly insultto my face.” Well, that explains where Bellamy went at least. It was nice of him to leave a note for me. It wonder who is babysittingnow. Wait, he said the guard was outside my door. As in, outside outside or in the living area outside? I climb out of bed and open my bedroom door. | can’t see anyone. Has Bellamy assigned spoor Shifter to hang around outside all day? Because that’s just silly, whoever it is can just cinside. | open the front door and immediately Darrien turns to face me. Well, of all the Shifters, | didn’t expect it to be him.

“Darrien? Aren't you usually with Megan?” | ask, curious. He nods.

“Yes Miss Gale. Miss Kane intends to stay at the compound all day. She's researching for her 3/4 25- Reassurance and respect

wedding | believe. Alpha Kane suggested | keep an eye on you today instead while he finds a more suitable guard for the long term.” He explains. He doesn't even bat an eyelid at my unicorn pyjamas and somewhat unkempt appearance. | like him all the more for it. “Well cinside, there's no reason to stay out there.” Darrien looks uncomfortable with the idea. I ignore his discomfort, grab his arm and lead him inside.

“Take a seat, | was just about to make myself stoast for breakfast. Want anything?” | offer. He shakes his head.

No thank you Miss Gale.” Darrien closes and locks the door behind him then takes a seat at my little dining table .I set about making myself some buttered toast. I'm just burning my fingers pulling it out the toaster when a knock at the door startlesand | drop my toast on the bench. I quickly flick it onto the plate | had prepared and go to answer the door. Darrien beatsto it.

“Please letMiss Gale.” | roll my eyes.

Call me Ryann. Miss Gale makesfeel like a kindergarten teacher or something.” Darrien doesn't respond and I get the feeling he isn't going to cooperate right away, I'll have to work ) on that one. He opens the door. He's so big that | can’t see past him to whoever is waiting.