Strings of Fate

129-Read and respond Bellamy shifts the angle of the keyboard towards me. I look at what he has already written, it's okay but I adjust it a little and add to it.

"Good afternoon, I'm sorry to hear you are having concerns about your child. It is not out of the ordinary for a child to have sissues with control over their shift at that age and children develop at different rates so based on this alone I would not be particularly concerned at this time. Is there sparticular reason or observation you have made that is causing you to worry? If it would help ease your mind we could arrange for your child to get a checkup with a doctor to make sure there are no health issues for you to be aware of. Additionally I might suggest finding a mentor to help your son practice. Please letknow if you need assistance arranging this.

Please keepupdated on your concerns and your child's future progress.

"There, how about that?" I ask. Bellamy reads over my shoulder and when he looks back athe is absolutely beaming.

"That is about a million times better. I can see why you thought my original answer was harsh now. And you're right that it would be easy enough to get the kid a check.

up and set him up with a mentor to help him along. If nothing else, it would help ease the mother's mind." I can't help but blush at his praise. Bellamy signs the email from 'Alpha Kane' and hits send.

"I really should sign the email from you, you're the one with the answer. But until you're ready for that kind of thing, we can just sign all the emails under my name." he says confidently. Without waiting for my response. Bellamy opens the next email and we get to work.

Over the next hour we answer maybe a dozen emails. They range from petty arguments about.

1/5 129-Read and respond 'he said, she said' , to concerns about income, complaints about businesses in the wider community and their treatment of Shifters to random suggestions for improvements to the compound. One of the newer messages givespause however.

"Good afternoon Alpha Kane, It was brought to my attention earlier today that you have been spending far more tthan usual at hrecently and if you'll forgive my frankness, you seem a little more high strung than is the norm. No doubt you are working hard as usual, but everyone needs a break every now and then. If you can make stsometduring the week I would love to take you out to dinner to show my appreciation for all the hard work you do for us.

I also noticed that you seem to have a long-term house guest. I know how having guests in the hcan be stressful and I thought it might be adding to your burden. As such, I would like to offer my own hto your guest as an alternative. If there is anything I can do to relieve your stress in any way, please feel free to callat any time.

Respectfully, Lauren White.

I turn to Bellamy as much as I can while sitting on his lap and raise an eyebrow. He's still reading the message and his cheeks flush a little as he catches up. He groans in frustration.

"She is definitely offering you S*x. Also trying to get rid ofapparently." I comment. Bellamy hides his face in my neck.

"You can answer this one, say whatever you like." He mumbles. I let out a snort of a laugh. "Oh no, this one is on you. I'm interested to see how you answer it." I smirk at him and he groans again.

"Would it be wrong to simply answer with 'no‘?” he asks and I snicker.

"Yeah it would be wrong. She doesn't know you aren't available, my bad, sorry. So all she's 2/5 129-Read and respond really doing is shooting her shot. I can't exactly blher." I point out. Bellamy sighs "You're way too nice, I can't believe you're not jealous at all. I'm a little disappointed. actually," he complains. I roll my eyes.

"I never said that. I am fairly certain that I want to write something awful and scare her off, but since I'm the one who wants to keep things private, it would be hypocritical ofto complain." I pause before continuing.

*I DO want to see how you respond though.” I clarify. Bellamy's pleased smile makesitch to poke him in the ribs or something. He's being all smug.

"Well, in that case." He reaches aroundto grab the keyboard and leans his chin on my shoulder as he types.

"Ms White, While I appreciate your concern, I assure you I am more than happy with my personal life at this time. Thankyou for your offer of dinner, but I do not need special thanks for fulfilling my responsibilities While it may be true that I am staying hmore than usual it is due to the fact that I am busy, but also because I am enjoying spending twith my house guest who is a close friend of both myself and my sister. I find that when I truly enjoy someone's company, their Presence in my his in no way a burden, but is in fact a relief in itself. Don't you agree? Thank you again for your kind offer, but if it were up to me, my houseguest would extend her stay indefinitely.

Alpha Kane

"How's that?" He sits back from the keyboard. I consider what he's written. I'm not even the one being rejected and reading the emails stings a little. But I can't bring myself to object as I want his rejection to be clear, and it is. I'm not sure about his final comment about wantingto stay indefinitely though. 3/5 129-Read and respond "That last comment isn't exactly going to help keep our relationship under the radar. It might make her more curious about me." I point out. Bellamy shrugs.

"They don't know whose bed you're sleeping in. As far as everyone knows, you're a friend of the family. Besides, they can gossip all they like, He it's what we say that matters.ke, reminds me. I think about it before agreeing with him. Mostly. Either way, I tell him he can send the reply. I hope this Lauren chick doesn't actually have real feelings for him. A crush on the Alpha will be forgotten easily enough, real feelings result in heartbreak and anger. "I hope this doesn't upset her too much." I comment and Bellamy gives a half laugh.

"Only you would be jealous and worried about the other person so much at the stime. If it helps at all, I barely know her. She can't possibly have real feelings for me. She is most likely only interested inbecause I'm Alpha." he reassures me. I shrug.

"I'm sure I can think of a few other possible reasons." I grumble quietly. Bellamy goes still and I start internally cursing. I should have kept that thought in my head. That is definitely not the type of comment he could bring himself to ignore.

"Oh really? Tell me, what other reasons might you be thinking of?" his voice purrs out from behind me. Have you ever been stared at by a cat? Usually when that happens you assthey are thinking one of two things. Kam going to murder you sometsoon you disgusting human' or 'hi, what's that? Can I play? Giveattention!' That is the impression Bellamy is giving off right now, the attention and playing one, not the murder... But I AM the toy that I've accidentally dangled in front of him and he is completely locked on target. Since I am not prepared to have this conversation right now, I leap up from his lap before he has the chance to grab ontoand dash to the door. "Too many to say." I answer before I run off and head upstairs, I can hear Bellamy laughing from behind me. I head straight into the main bathroom where I decide to hide and end up staying at least an hour and having a hot bath.