Strings of Fate

136- Cheeks and cheating

Ten minutes later, I find myself walking outside with my arm looped loosely around Aaron’s. It has been a little overcast all day, but it’s like the universe is sensing my mood and doing it’s best to combat it because the clouds cleared up practically the moment we stepped outside and now it’s pleasantly sunny. Although I am starting to wish I had a pair of sunglasses with me. Aaron is wearing some and I’m kind of jealous. I’m still mad at Bellamy, but going for a walk was definitely the right choice. I’ve been cooped up for nearly two weeks and the fresh air is everything I didn’t know I’ve been missing. We stay within the boundaries of the Shifter compound, I’m exercising my independence, not trying to get myself killed. We wander aimlessly, often passing Shifters, some of whom wave at me or greet us. I vaguely remember meeting some of them during my tour of the compound with Megan and while we’ve been hanging out. From my understanding, not all the feline Shifters live here, but most of the smaller family groups tend to gather here. Safe in their pack. Not to mention I’m fairly sure that the Shifters own all these buildings so rent is probably way cheaper here. We are just nearing the gates at the edge of the property, or at least the edge of the property that has been built on, the land they keep for running in their feline forms is in the opposite direction, when I realise that I have been unconsciously following my red thread. But Bellamy is out and I don’t want to leave the compound so I pause to rest in the shade a little for a minute. I’m probably bright red, hopefully I’m not getting burnt. The front gate swinging open catches my eye. Not the big gate for cars, but the smaller one to the side for people who are on foot. In walks Bellamy and I freeze up. I don’t think I really want to talk to him yet, or at least not in public. But at the same time, I want him to see me, or there would be no point in me practising my independence. I’m just trying to when I realise that he isn’t alone. Latched onto his arm is a pretty blonde girl, probably about my age, maybe a year or so younger. I say latched because I don’t think she could be walking any closer to him if she tried. She already looks like she’s got to be focusing to avoid tripping over his feet. The gate closes behind them and they stop walking. I can see that the girl is talking animatedly. Bellamy is listening and nodding along with a polite, but disinterested smile. He definitely looks distracted. His gaze wanders from hers and as if drawn by a magnet, finds its way to

mine. He blinks in apparent confusion and concern. Sighing with resignation, I force myself to straighten up my shoulders and make my way towards him. I’m only a few metres away when I find myself tripping over my own feet. I would have completely face planted if it weren’t for Aaron tightening his hold on my arm. For once, my tripping was not

the result of a sudden blunt of clumsiness, nor was it due to distraction from the many

threads floating around obscuring my vision. No, this time my stumbling was because the

pretty little blonde had chosen that moment to lean up on her tiptoes and press a k*ss to Bellamy’s cheek.

A decide if I want to call out to him or not

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Emergency calls only Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

136 Checks and cheating

Aaron steadies me and steps between myself and Bellamy. For a second, I think that he is trying to cover something up, blocking my view of Bellamy with his huge frame. I panic thinking that I have seriously misread Bellamy’s character. But as I look up at Aaron his face is calm and he has a raised eyebrow, I realise he isn’t hiding Bellamy, but rather he is hiding me, giving me a chance to get control of my facial expression and pull myself together before anyone sees me. I pat his arm in appreciation and plaster a pleasant smile on my face. He gives me an encouraging nod then steps aside. I might have my reaction under control but Bellamy definitely does not. He looks absolutely horrified. He pulls his arm away from the girl and crosses them over his chest in a defensive posture. He takes a step towards me, clearly eager to explain but I can’t help but be aware of our audience. It’s not super busy here, but there are a few Shifters milling about, not to mention the guards for the gate. Even I know that

if any of them heard Bellamy apologising to me or trying to explain himself that our relationship would be public knowledge by the end of the hour. Instead of letting Bellamy approach I just lift a hand in a wave and call out to him.

“You look busy, I’ll talk to you Inter. I need to be heading back now anyway.” I give him another carefully arranged smile then let Anron lead me away.

We don’t head straight back like I originally suggested, instead we walk leisurely through the compound for another half hour. My phone started vibrating about three minutes after I turned my back on Bellamy earlier but once most Shifters seem to be able to overhear phone calls easily enough, I decide not to answer. I’ll be back soon enough and we can speak properly face–to–face, I’d rather talk that way anyway, it’s much easier to gauge his reactions. Plus I still want an apology for this morning and it should definitely be given in person. When we head back it’s because Aaron’s phone has started going off too. We pause to give him time to send a message saying I’m safe and on my way back then make our way back to the house. We don’t even make it all the way to the steps when the front door swings open and Bellamy bursts out in a wave of energy. Without stopping to speak or greet Aaron, he hooks his arms behind my waist and under my knees, swings me up off my feet and carries me into the house. I squeal in shock and end up waving to Aaron as. the front door swings shut with a loud slam. I expect Bellamy to put me down, but he doesn’t. He just continues making his way upstairs with me in his arms. I naturally link my arms around his neck to feel more secure as we go up the stairs at a speed that seems unreasonably fast for a guy who is carrying an entire other person.

“Bellamy-” 1 start, but I’m interrupted by him somehow transferring my weight into one arm so that he can open the bedroom door. He swings it shut behind him.

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136- Cheeks and cheating

“This really isn’t necessary 1-” again I don’t manage to finish what I’m saying as Bellamy gently drops me onto the bed. I scramble to sit up and find Bellamy kneeling on the ground in front of me, his hand on my knee and an almost wild look in his eyes. He takes a deep

breath.