Strings of Fate

108- Horror and helping “When did you learn all this?” | ask, baffled. Megan laughs.

“It’s something my mum used to tellas a kid. When we were little it was unclear if it would beor Bellamy that cout as more dominant and becthe Alpha. We are twins after all. It wasn’t until our teenage years that it becclear. So we were both taught as if we might end up in charge one day.” She pauses.

“Honestly, I'm glad it’s not me. Bellamy likes running things, | don’t mind as much. Which is probably why things turned out this way.” | tilt my head in question.

“You didn’t know as children?” | ask. She nods firmly.

“Yeah, most Shifter children grow into their positions in the hierarchy. There's a whole nature. bs nurture debate, how much of it is genetic and how much depends on who raised them. Bellamy and | are dominant, but is it because we have Alpha parents or because we were RAISED by Alpha parents. It’s hard to say. Sometimes a shift in personality causes someone to becmore or less dominant over time. Often an older Shifter will becless dominant as they becmore accepting and passive and allow the younger generation to take over.” | listen in fascination. | hadn't realised that this was something that could change. But wait...

“If that's the case, how is it that mates are always equal?” | ask. Megan shrugs.

“Not sure, it could be that being with the right person balances you out. Brings out different sides of you. But it's not like it's something we can really test for sure.” Huh, that’s new information. | feel my phone vibrating.

Harry- Hah awesome..

Harry- are you still there? Harry- You guys are having an in-real-life conversation withoutagain, aren't you Harry- We need to all catch up in person sometime, partly because | haven't actually met you. Megan and partly because I'm pretty sure I'm missing half the gossip right now.

1/5 108- Horror and helping Ryann- OMG you're right. Sorry, we got sidetracked. Yeah we should definitely all catch up.

Megan- And soon! Harry- Good, I'll figure something out and get back to you. For now, enjoy your conversation and good night you traitors.

Harry- Ryann- Night Harry.

Megan- Night! After our conversation is interrupted Megan and | abandon the gthat we were losing VERY badly and decide to wrap up the night. She was out all day and is super tired so | agree to let her sleep. | head into Bellamy’s room and find him lying in bed reading a book. He immediately slides a bookmark between the pages and drops it on the bedside table when I walk in.

“Hey Ry, did you enjoy your game?” He asks and | nod.

“Yeah, | mean we failed at it terribly, but it was fun anyway. Have you been reading this whole time?” | ask. He shrugs.

“Pretty much.” He holds out his arm forto csit with him and I join him sitting on the bed. It looks nice with the new covers. They're a deep blue colour and thicker than the old one. Bellamy insisted we get them since | apparently get cold at night. I stroke the soft fabric, pleased with it despite the fact that he really didn’t need to. | try to remember what Megan toldabout male Shifters going a bit gift crazy for a while and decide against commenting on the new pillows. | remember touching them while out then walking away. Bellamy must have gotten them anyway. Despite only just sitting down, | get up again and go look for my pyjamas. | actually have no idea where Bellamy put them. | check the closet. I'm sorting through the drawers that he cleared forearlier and | find them. | get changed in the ensuite then return to Bellamy’s waiting arms. He pullsclose and sighs in satisfaction, if he were in his cat form I'm pretty sure he would be purring.

“Did you hear about that double murder, Megan toldearlier. Apparently a kid is missing.

2/5 108- Horror and helping Isn’t that awful?” | ask. Bellamy clutchestighter and | can feel him nod against me.

“Yeah, | heard. It is horrible. | think the male victim was a guest lecturer at Megan's university.” He adds..

“Oh, that explains why she said it was all anyone was talking about there.” | pause and hesitantly speak.

“Do you... do you think the kid is okay? | mean, probably not okay, but alive at least? They wouldn't take her if she was dead... would they?” | ask, my voice quiet. Bellamy is slow to answer.

“It’s... possible.” | snuggle in closer to him.

“Maybe the police will find her.” | add.

“Maybe.” Bellamy answers, his tone is doubtful and I sigh mournfully.

“I know it’s not likely, but I'll sleep better if there's hope. The poor thing.” | sigh again.

“This is really bothering you, isn’t it.” Bellamy questions.

“Yeah. | don’t know what it is. | just... | feel horrible for her. Even if she is alive, and even if she is found safely, what is she going to have left? Someone broke into her hand killed both her parents. She’s going to be an orphan, probably end up in one of the group homes or foster care and... it’s just sad.” | tell him. He strokes a hand through my hair.

“You're right. It is.” He agrees.

“I wish there was something we could do to help.” | comment. Bellamy nods. | push on.

“I know the guys are all really busy... but do you think... maybe someone could stop by that house. They could probably at least tell the police what species the kidnapper is?” | suggest nervously. This is the first tI've really asked for something, | don’t know how | feel about it. Bellamy pulls back and examines my face.

“I suppose they could. Maybe you should ask Aaron. He's your guard. If it's working hours and 3/5 108- Horror and helping you're here anyway he could go check it out.” He suggests.

“Do you think he would mind? It’s not really his job...” | trail off. Bellamy chuckles.

“I'm sure he would be happy to help. Send him a message and ask.” He prompts. | narrow my to ask? Is it because he doesn’t want eyes at him. Why is he so determined that | be the one” it to be an order? Him asking would be basically the sas ordering them to, so that kind of makes sense. | send Aaron a text.

Ryann- Hi Aaron, | have a bit of a weird request. Please feel free to refuse. Have you read about that double murder/ kidnapping that happened last night? | was wondering if you would mind stopping by the house and seeing if you can smell or see anything that the police might find useful. | know it’s a long shot but... | don’t know. It’s just botheringand | wish | could help.

Aaron- Of course miss Gale. Immediately.

Ryann- No need to go now! It's the middle of the night! Aaron- Scent will be fresher now. I'll let you know in the morning what | find. Goodnight.

Ryann- Thankyou Aaron! “He... he said he’s going right now. | told him he can wait until morning but he insisted that the scent would be fresher if he goes now.” | explain to Bellamy. He smiles atslyly.

“| figured he would.” | raise my eyebrow.

“Then Wily did you say | should ask about tomorrow?” | ask suspiciously. Bellamy chuckles.

“Just testing a theory. | bet he didn’t question it at all, did he? Just agreed?” He confirms and | nod.

“As | thought. Aaron is treating you as Alpha already. As are most of the guards you know. I've noticed a few times lately.” | stare, open mouthed.

“That's not... | mean... but...” Bellamy lays back in bed and pullswith him.

4/5 108- Horror and helping “It's okay, it’s a good thing.” He soothes. He reaches and flicks off the lamp.

“Try and get ssleep. You've done what you can for the missing child and you'll hear more in the morning.”