Strings of Fate

27- Fate and family | decide | can’t stand it anymore.

“Okay, spill. What is it?” | demand. Darrien turns to face me, his expression serious.

“Miss Gale-" | cut him off.

“Ryann.” | remind him. He grimaces.

“Miss Ryann.” | sigh, it’s progress at least.

“You should not invite men into your room so easily. Particularly other Shifters. | believe it. will upset Alpha Kane.

He's a good man, | don’t like to see him disrespected.” He states. bluntly. | stare at him in shock. | did not see this coming. Does Darrien think Bellamy and | are... | don’t know what exactly, but the way he’s staring is heavy with implications.

“We were just watching a movie. Besides, that has nothing to do with Bellamy.” | say stiffly. Darrien raises an eyebrow.

“With all due respect Miss Ryann. His scent is all over you and your room.” he points out. | flush red. | had no idea that Shifter’s sense of smell was powerful enough to identify different scents on people, although realistically | probably should have worked that one out on my own. Does this mean that everyone can tell when I've been spending twith Bellamy? Why didn’t he say something? The jerk. | feel so awkward, and Darrien definitely thinks Bellamy and | are hooking up.

“That's not what it’s like. He's just been hanging out to keep an eye on me, just like you are now.” | argue.

“Besides, your warning is unnecessary. | don’t generally invite strange men into my room or bed.” | look away, feeling awkward.

“You invitedto sit on the bed.” He argues. | roll my eyes.

“It was a completely different scenario.” My message tone goes off and | grab my phone, 1/5 27- Fate and family eager to seize the distraction.

Bellamy- I've arranged for lunch to be sent to you all at around 12. | didn’t mean to offend. you before.

| laugh at the message. So Bellamy has reverted back to givingfood as an apology. Well | suppose | overreacted a little too.

Ryann- Sorry | overreacted a bit. You were just trying to help.

| send the message, then send another as an afterthought.

Ryann- Why didn’t you mention that Shifters would be able to tell we've spent ttogether from my scent??? It's super awkward.

Bellamy- | forgot you wouldn't know and | was in a hurry this morning. That does explain the strange look my sister gavewhen | got hthough.

Ryann-.....It's probably almost as uncomfortable as the look Darrien gave me.

Bellamy- Oops.

| drop the phone back to the table. This is going to be hard to explain to Megan. I'm surprised she hasn't called or texted to ask about it already. Darrien looks curious.

“Bellamy ordered lunch for us at around 12. | don’t know what though.” Darrien nods.

“I think Alpha Kane must be very fond of you.” He comments pointedly. Nervously, | ask; “What makes you say that?” “He treats you special, he’s always in a good mood after he’s around you, he’s overly concerned about your well-being. Not to mention, he’s made sure that everyone at the compound knows that you are free to cand go as you wish. | don’t know any other non- Shifter with that privilege, and he’s only known you for a few days.” he lists off. | had no idea about that last one. Bellamy never mentioned it and | haven't actually tried to go to the compound on my own. I'm lost in thought and am pulled back to reality when Darrien 2/5 continues.

“He definitely seems attached to you. In fact he treats you like-” He cuts himself off and his eyes go wide. | can see the wheels turning in his head as all the little pieces fall into place.

“You asked Megan if Shifters can have non-Shifter mates.” he says slowly. | try and laugh it off.

“Weren't you pretending you don’t listen to our conversations? And yeah, if I'm going to find his mate it helps to have the facts.” | try and explain it away. He shakes his head.

“I've heard Alpha Kane and Megan discuss your abilities. You don’t need any of that information to find his mate.” he states firmly. What? Bellamy said that my powers weren't going to be made public knowledge. | guess | should have known that Darrien wouldn't really count. He is pretty much Megan’s shadow after all. | stand up and walk into my kitchen area, trying to put a little space between us. Darrien stands up and follows me. He's so huge that it makesfeel even more crowded despite the added distance. So much for that plan.

“I was just curious.” | try again. Darrien shakes his head.

“You're his m-" | cut him off.

“Don’t say it!” | demand in a harsh whisper. Being careful not to raise my voice and wake Logan.

“I'm right though aren't 1? Why haven't you told him?” Darrien asks.

“Why haven't you told Megan how you feel?” | swing it back to him. He jerks back as if | slapped him.

“How...” he trails off. | give him a weak smile.

“It’s pretty obvious. At least it is to me.” Darrien returns to his seat. He leans his head in his hands and looks miserable.

“By the t| realised how | felt, she was already with Tristan. Now she’s engaged and it's too late.” | wonder if | should tell him about his tie to Megan. | decide that might be a little too.

3/5 direct. | try another method. Maybe if | just give him a bit of hope, “I wouldn't give up just yet. Megan... well, Tristan isn’t the one she’s fated to be with. Fate always works things out in the end.” Darrien is suddenly in front of me, he grabsby the shoulders and makesface him.

“You're sure of this?” He looks desperate. | nod. He looks so hopeful. I'm glad | was able to help a little.

“Is she my fate Ryann?” Darrien’s tone is almost pleading. | can’t bring myself to look him in the eyes.

“Yes.” | finally blurt out, almost against my will. So much for being subtle about it. He went. ahead and just asked me.

“But you need to keep quiet about it, at least for now. She isn’t ready to hear it. But | promise. to do what | can to help. Bellamy is going to help too.” Darrien seems reluctant. He thinks over my words.

“Is that why you haven't told Alpha Kane that you're his mate? You don’t think he’s ready?” he questions. | shrug and look away.

Maybe, he doesn't really know me, even if his instincts are driving him : ) towards me. Not to mention he's already under a lot of pressure to pick a mate , | don't want that to , influence his decision. Or maybe I'm ) ) the one who's not ready. I've only : ” known him a few days.” | mutter, more to myself than to Darrien. “You don’t plan to tell him then? I'm sure he would be glad to have you as his mate. Do you have sobjection to him?” | shake my head.

“That's not it. | will tell him, eventually. But | barely know him. I'm not ready to suddenly be his mate.” | try and explain. Darrien frowns.

“He would never force you to be anything you aren’t ready for.” he assures me.

“I'm not ready for him to think ofas his mate. He wouldn't be able to help that.Fate and family “Ryann, | think you'll find it won't take long for him to begin thinking of you that way regardless of if you tell him or not.” I sigh.

| know. But | need more time. Fate always sorts itself out in the end most of the time trying to hurry it along does more harm than good.” A horrifying thought occurs to me. “You won't tell him will you?” | stare up at Darrien. He contemplates it for a moment before shaking his head.

It should cfrom you. Although | can't say that I'll lie to him if he asks me outright .He is my Alpha .I don't believe it is likely that an occasion should arise where he would ask” .

though.” | close my eyes, relieved.

“Thank you Darrien. You know, | didn’t think you were this talkative. I'm sort of surprised.” | comment. He shrugs.

“I don’t usually have so much to say.” | nod.

“Fair enough. Well, at least | was right about one thing. We are definitely going to be good.

friends.” Darrien smiles at me.

“Actually, | think we will be family. But yes, we are friends.