I wake to a loud banging sound. It takes me a moment to realise it is someone knocking really, really loudly on my front door.
I groan and pick up my phone to check the time. Eight twenty-two AM. Who could possibly be visiting me? Maggie should be at the markets right now and Logan on his way to school, besides, neither of them would ever knock so... aggressively. I force myself to climb out from under my covers and shiver as the cool morning air hits me. I glance in the mirror as I pass it and realise my ponytail from the night before has twisted and now sits awkwardly on one side of my head with half my hair pulled loose in a weird loop. I pull the tie from my hair and slip it over my wrist. The banging continues.“I'm COMING, chill out already would you.” I grumble. Oddly enough the banging does actually stop. Whoever is on the other side of the door clearly has great hearing if they heard what I just said. That or they gave up on me answering and went home. I hope for the latter because I really want to just go back to bed. I shuffle to the door and swing it open. My actions might seem a little reckless, I probably should have glanced through the window to see who it was at least before answering. But I am tired and not awake enough to consider things like my own safety. In fact I feel that the person on the other side of the door should probably be the one who is afraid of me considering how irritated I am. Standing in my doorway is a man that I can only describe as breathtaking. He is tall and muscular with black hair that has a slight wave to it and golden eyes. A glance at his arm tells me he is a Shifter. In fact, he is the same kind of Shifter as Megan. He is wearing blue jeans, a black button up shirt and is standing with his arms crossed, his expression impatient. I open my mouth to speak when I notice something that my sleepy brain hadn't registered until this moment. I rub my tired eyes as I stare. There is a red thread coming from the Shifter man's chest. The truly surprising part of this is that it leads straight across to mine. I stare up at him with wide eyes, not sure how to react. My soul mate is a Shifter? And he is standing right in front of me. Half of me wants to throw myself at him. I am so excited to meet him at last. The rest of me wants to go build a blanket fort and hide. I'm not sure I'm ready for a soul mate just yet, and I barely know this guy. I chastise myself internally. I am being ridiculous. This man has no idea that we are tied by the red string of fate, I need to treat him normally and get to know him, not act all creepy. This reminds me that he is still standing and staring at me, his nostrils flaring slightly as he looks me over. He doesn't seem impressed with my unicorn flannels and bunny slippers. Go figure. I pull myself together enough to act (mostly) normal.“Um, good morning?” I greet him, my voice a question. When he speaks his tone is stern and all business.“Are you R.G?” he demands.“Excuse me?” I ask. He rolls his eyes.“Are you being deliberately stupid or are you really this slow? Are you the R.G who wrote this note to my twin sister Megan?” he demands again, this time waving the note I had written the night before in my face. I flinch back as it comes a little too close. Rude much?“Oh, that. Um... yes? My name is Ryann Gale.” I introduce myself.“I'm Bellamy Kane. We need to talk.” Without asking, he pushes his way past me and enters my apartment. My temper rises at the intrusion.“What are you doing? This is my home, you can't just let yourself in!” I try and keep my voice firm but when he turns and fixes me with his golden eyes I shrink back. The look he gives me is imperious and I automatically drop my eyes to the floor as is my habit. Then I force myself to look back up again. He doesn't notice me looking up because he's already looked away from me. He's being rude, I refuse to show that he's scaring me, even though he most definitely is. He glances around and after realising that the only place to sit is the little table with its two chairs he points to it.“Sit.” he orders. I glare at him. Who is he to order me around like this? How can someone this obnoxious possibly be my soul mate? Maybe I'm still asleep. I pinch my arm and my eyes water a little from the sting of pain. Okay, not asleep then. I cross my arms and stare at the man, although I avoid his eyes. Bellamy Kane. He seems like someone who is used to getting his own way. Usually I am not the type to pick fights. If someone wants me to sit, I'll probably do it, because really, why not? But if this man is my soul mate then I refuse to allow him to treat me as anything but an equal, even if he doesn't know it yet. He won’t hurt me, at least I’m mostly sure he won’t. I don't think I could ever fall for someone who would hurt me, so it stands to reason that he wouldn't.“Mr Kane, you can't just barge your way into my home and order me around.” He rolls his eyes at me again.“Would you rather I phrase my demand sweeter, and have no doubt this is a demand not a request. Miss Gale, would you be so gracious as to take a seat so that I can speak to you properly about the rather vague note you left for my sister last night.” He phrased the words politely, but his tone is sarcastic and still every bit as demanding. I want to keep arguing but I also really want to know more about Megan. I hope the note didn't upset her too much. I decide to give into his demands this once and sit down. I try to retain whatever dignity I have left as I take a seat.“Are you happy now?” I gesture at the other chair for him to sit down too. He sits across from me and I do my best to appear confident and put together. Well, as put together as one can look with bed head and bunny slippers.“Why did you leave my sister that note?” he questions. I shrug.“I saw that man, Tristan was it? Propose to her. I know it's not right so I wrote her a note.” The Shifter narrows his golden eyes at me and suddenly I am certain that he is some kind of feline Shifter. Something about his eyes is so cat-like.“And how did you 'know it's not right'?” He mimics me in a childish tone. I sigh. Explaining my magic is always frustrating. People either think I'm making it all up, since no one else has the same power as me, or they think I'm odd and start to interrogate me wanting to know about their friendships and relationships.“I know it's not right because of my magic.” I state, trying to keep my voice even. He leans in closer to me.“But you're human. You smell human.” he informs me, his expression looks like one of disgust. Since I know that humans don't smell any worse than Shifters, just different, I know the disgust is at the idea of me being human, not my actual smell. I raise an eyebrow.“Stop sniffing at me, and I'm not human.” I state firmly. He crosses his arms over his chest again.“Then what are you?” he demands. I shrug.“Beats me, if you can figure it out let me know.” I say casually. His eyes open in surprise.“You are an unknown Magic?” His tone is incredulous. He inhales deeply again, if I didn't know he was a Shifter I wouldn't really think it odd, but now I know he's... sniffing... It's my turn to roll my eyes.“I know, I know. Big shock right? How can this be and blah blah blah. I am an orphan and even though I know my power, it doesn't fit into any species, so I'm stuck as an unknown.” Okay, so maybe that came out a little more aggressive than I intended. What can I say, I have issues and he touched a nerve. He ignores my sass and continues his interrogation. It is far too early for this.“What is your power then?” I give a brief explanation of my ability to see the threads of fate and a run down of the common types.“Tristan has a red thread but it isn't linked to Megan. I usually try to ignore this kind of thing. Fate always sorts itself out after all. But I have a blue thread, the friendship one, linked to Megan. If she is fated to be my friend then I don't want her to suffer when I can prevent it.” Mr Kane seems doubtful of my explanation.“You can see if people are fated to be together, and you believe you are meant to be friends with my twin sister?” Twin? Well that's unusual. Magics don't often have twins, but when they do, they're powerful. I nod at him. Now might be a good time to mention that I can see a red thread connecting the two of us. I glance up at his expression which is still suspicious. Or maybe not.The more time I spend with this Shifter, the more I begin to think fate got it wrong. I wonder if there is a way to break threads or get rid of them in some way. I've never seen it happen before. Even in death people are tied together. I once walked past a cemetery and saw an old man visiting his wife's grave. The red thread still flowed from his chest and vanished down into the ground connecting him forever to his beloved. It was depressing but also sort of romantic in a morbid kind of way. I glanced back at the man sitting at the table across from me. I can't imagine being linked with him forever. I really hope fate knows what it's doing, giving me this man as my soul mate.“Yes, I will be friends with your twin sister. It is fated.” He scowls at me.“You aren't even a Shifter, why would fate want you to be friends with my sister?” Now it’s my turn to scowl back at him.“What does that have to do with anything? Everyone has a fate Mr Kane, regardless of the circumstances of their
Paul swears and raises a hand towards me, but it never connects. Bellamy catches him by the wrist and holds him firmly. When he speaks his tone is deadly.“Get out. Never speak with Ryann again. I suggest you look into finding other accommodations since you are so against the presence of Magics.” He doesn't make any threats, but his tone and the look in his eyes is enough. Bellamy releases Paul who backs away before fleeing down the stairs to his own apartment. I had hoped that this neighbour might last a little longer than the last few, it seemed it wasn't going to happen. Note-to-self: apologise to Maggie for scaring off her residents. I sigh.“I shouldn't have done that. He didn't need to know that I'm a Magic. Now Maggie is going to have to get a new resident for the second floor again. She did warn me that he didn't seem terribly open minded.” I grumble, more to myself than to Bellamy. He shrugs. Suddenly he seems a lot less hostile, in the last minute he's changed from oppos
“Or maybe I can just tell my shift manager that I have to leave...” Shaun grabs my hand and places it on his arm. I want to yank it away but I feel like I probably shouldn't antagonise this guy, at least not until I'm sure he's not a threat. Seeing no real option but to go along with it, I leave my arm there and allow him to lead me from the restaurant. There is a black car parked out front. Shaun opens the door for me to get in and climbs in beside me. Aaron makes his way to the drivers seat. I rack my mind to consider why a Shifter Alpha would want to see me. Something to do with Bellamy of course, but what? Had he made some complaint about me? Or had he somehow figured out that I was his soul mate and planned to drag me kicking and screaming to the Shifter compound? The fact that he has involved his Alpha is hardly promising. I don't know a lot about Shifter politics and rules, but I do know that, to a Shifter, their Alpha is the highest authority that they answer to. If I am
“You're right.” He grumbles out.“Excuse me?” I question. He repeats himself.“You're right okay? I should have tried asking you first. I will try to remember to do so in the future. I have been worried about my sister and after hearing she got engaged I might have gone a little out of control. Don't worry about your job. I know the man who owns Borderline, I will make sure you don't get in trouble for missing your shift today.” He takes a deep breath and releases it.“I am hoping that you will agree to help me protect my sister by further investigating Tristan.” He manages to keep his voice calm but seems uncomfortable. I do notice that he hasn't actually apologised. But I guess admitting he is wrong is the first step.“I thought you didn't really believe in my power?” My tone makes the statement a question. Bellamy shrugs.“I'm not sure I do. Maybe it is just because you seem to be the only other person around here who is suspicious of Tristan, but I find I really want to trust you.
Bellamy sounds incredibly embarrassed. My eyes are wide. He couldn't possibly have figured it out could he?“Um...” I am unsure how to ask my question but Bellamy catches on fast.“It is generally accepted that a Shifter should have a mate before taking over as Alpha. Due to my parents' sudden passing, I had to take over early. It has caused some... friction... among the other Shifter groups. They don't respect me as they should because of it. Some demand that I should step down and allow a mated Shifter to replace me, one of the Betas. I have no intention of doing so and most feline Shifters here follow me easily enough. But a mate would simplify things. If you say you're here for me, my sister will believe it.” Bellamy pauses before speaking again, his voice halting.“Do you- oh no, I promised not to ask. Never mind.” I released a deep breath. If Bellamy outright asks me who his soul mate is, or if I am his soul mate, I am really not sure I can lie to him. I really don't want to hav
Bellamy, once again offers me his arm. I take it and allow him to lead me out to the front of the building where a Shifter man waits patiently. He is dressed in jeans and a dark shirt, much like Shaun and Aaron. He is quite tall and bulky, if he weren't so polite he would probably be intimidating. He has chocolate brown hair. His eyes are brown too but seem tinted orange so they don't quite look human. He is well built and if I do say so myself, quite attractive. “This is Darrien, Megan's guard.” Bellamy says quietly. The guy is cute, but what really catches my attention is the red thread connecting his heart to Megan's. Interesting. I go out of my way to smile at him and shake his hand.“Hi, I'm Ryann Gale. You're Darrien right? It's nice to meet you.” The man smiles kindly and mumbles a quiet greeting. I can already see that he is the gentle giant type. Although I wouldn't put it past him to be seriously scary if someone threatened Megan. He assesses me with his eyes, as if determin
Bellamy immediately turns to me.“Are you okay?” he asks in a hurry.“Of course I am. He's an Incubus sure, but he isn't going to hurt me.” I assure him. Bellamy looks doubtful.“You sure he didn't try anything? You know how Inccubi. can be.'' His voice is thick with implications. I glare at him.“Now that's just rude. He's a person like anyone else. He has a soul mate just like anyone else. I'm not sure who, I don't know if they've met yet. It just takes a while for Inccubi. and Succubi to settle down is all. He's basically harmless.” Bellamy looks confused.“I've seen people run into Inccubi. and leave with them after only a minutes conversation once they turn on their charm. It doesn't seem to affect you at all.” I shrug.“Harry wasn't really trying. Inccubi like games. As long as you let them know that you aren't playing, they lose interest.” Bellamy nods.“Fine, it's good that you aren't really affected by them. Just remember that I promised to see you home.” he reminds me. I gla
I go and change into my fluffy unicorn pyjamas. I plug my phone onto charge and climb into the very corner of my bed where I am most comfortable. I watch as my red thread fades from my view. Bellamy must have driven far enough away that I can't see it anymore. Considering that we are fated to be together, he is very annoying. He is definitely not the kind of person I expected fate to give to me. I still can't imagine being with him for the rest of my life. He is bossy and demanding, the complete opposite of me. I am pulled from my thoughts when I feel my phone vibrating next to me. I have a text from Megan.Megan- Hey, so I'm thinking brunch tomorrow followed by shopping. I want a dress for my engagement party!!! Pick you up at 10am???I responded with my acceptance and my address. I have never really been shopping with a friend before and I find I am insanely excited. I probably can't buy much given my limited income. But it should still be fun helping Megan pick something. I put my