Strings of Fate

143- Moving and managing I scroll through my contacts, dial Maggie's number, then wait anxiously for her to answer. It rings so long that for a moment | think she isn’t going to pick up and I'll have to try again later, but in what | imagine is probably the last ring before it goes to voicemail, she answers just in the nick of time.

“Hello dear, I'm just working on a new scone recipe. So letknow if you can’t hearwell. I've got you on speaker. But there’s no one else here so you can speak freely.” She says cheerfully.

“Oh, cool. Your scones are always amazing. Actually everything you make is amazing. Before | get into the reason | called, how are you? How have you been?” | don’t want her thinking that | only call because | need to know something, she is my friend after all.

“Oh sweetie, I've been alright. Logan is having a few issues at school though.” She adds. | frown.

“How can he be having issues? He is so smart and well behaved, honestly he is practically the perfect child.” | ask confused. An awful thought occurs to me.

“Wait, he isn’t being bullied is he? Because if he is | will seriously need to find those kids’ parents and throw down.” | practically growl out. Maggie laughs.

“No, no. Nothing like that. He's a quiet kid, but his problem isn’t with other students. He keeps getting detention after school. Since he ends up coming here late | called the school and looked into it.

Apparently you get a detention if you turn up more than thirty minutes late to school, and an after school detention if it happens more than three times a week.” She sighs.

“Ahh, | asshis lateness is Carrie's fault?” | voice my suspicions.

“Yes. | hate to say it, but she really isn’t cut out to be a mother.” She admits, her voice full of disappointment.

“Have you ever thought about having him move in with you? He spends most of his tat 1/5 your place anyway. | really doubt Carrie would say no.” I've met Carrie a few times, she prett much just ignores Logan and uses Maggie as free babysitting. She works and then spends her free tout with friends or possibly boyfriends. She’s not a bad person exactly. She doesn’t usually completely neglect Logan's needs. But he isn’t her priority. | don’t think she ever intended to get pregnant and never really grew up when she did.

“Maybe. But I'm not sure this is the right place. | don’t have a second bedroom. | would have to move, and even with my incfrom these places, | doubt | could afford a larger place in any decent area.” She sighs.

“Well, maybe something will cup. Either way, Logan is lucky to have you.” | remind her.

“Thank you dear. But now, what did you need to talk about? | don’t want to bother you with all my problems.” She insists.

“Please, always tellabout your problems, even if | can’t help | can at least listen.” | promise.

“As for why I'm calling. It’s about my living arrangements.” | start.

“Ahh, you're moving out permanently then?” She asks, no surprise in her tone at all.

“Well, | haven't really decided yet. Bellamy did askto stay here, but | wanted to know what you think about it first. He did also offer to help find you a new tenant.” | add, wanting her to have all the information. Maggie doesn’t hesitate before responding.

“Dear, if you decide to move back here when you could have a hot Shifter boyfriend in your bed every night keeping you warm, then you are dumber than | thought.” She says bluntly and | snort out a laugh. | should have known that is how she would respond. She is a sucker for rom-coms after all. Bellamy is grinning ear to ear and | poke him in the chest and roll.

my eyes. Well, | guess that answers that question. Really, | know | want to stay. When | went back to my old place, | felt uncomfortable. | can keep my friendship with Maggie and Logan without having to live there.

“Okay. Well, if you insist.” | tell her jokingly.

“Oh | do. At least one of us needs to hook up with a hot guy, and since it doesn’t seem likely 2/5 “And if your Bellamy has ssuggestions for tenants | will happily take them, but don’t ixed worry too much. The place got up after the vandalism and there are always people. looking for cheap places to stay.” She tellskindly. Bellamy is obviously listening to my call, he leans in close so that he can talk into the phone without taking it from me.

“Thanks Maggie. | knew I liked you from the start. You should cvisit us sometime.” He says cheerfully.

“Of course | will dear, you couldn't keepaway. Now take care of my girl, | need to get these scones in the oven. Bye you two!” We say our goodbyes and she hangs up with a click.

“Well, that went much easier than | expected it to.” | admit.

“Really? Because it went exactly how I thought it would go. Maggie cares about you, she only wants you to be happy. She didn’t get upset when | scared off that guy on the day we met, if that didn’t ruffle her, there’s no reason this would.” He explains. | guess his logic makes sense.

“So you're going to move here properly, right?” He confirms. | give a slow nod.

“I suppose so, but | have to be allowed to help out with bills and stuff or I really won't be okay with it...” | add.

“Which leads us back around to the issue of you going to work.” He says with a little frustration.

“Please don’t go back. I'm begging you. If you have to quit | am happy to support you, honestly | would enjoy being allowed to provide for you.” He takes a quick breath then continues before | can object.

“It doesn’t mean you won't work forever. Just please, wait until the murderers are caught. I've been thinking about it and if it makes you feel better | can give you more of my work, you can keep managing the mediation emails and I'm sure | can find other things you could help with. If you're taking sof my workload it’s only fair you get sof my inctoo.” He suggests eagerly. Huh, that’s not the WORST suggestion.

3/5 “But, if I'm not technically the female Alpha, is it really right forto be making decisions and answering emails and stuff?” 1 ask hesitantly. Bellamy seems elated and a little shocked when he realises that | am actually considering his suggestion. He quickly answers, probably worried I'll talk myself out of it.

“I trust you to answer them, if you're worried about authority you can just sign my name. When people eventually know about us you can use your nor set up a whole new system. Whatever you like.” He insists. | frown.

“I can’t just use your name... isn’t that basically lying to everyone?” | object. Bellamy just shrugs.

“Official or not, you're my mate. I'm sure I've mentioned it before but Shifter mates are considered one hundred percent equal and are allowed to speak for each other. Even if someone did find out you were the one answering, once they find out the whole story they'll accept it with no issues. Please? It wouldn't just be a few emails. | could find tons of other things that you could manage for me. My schedule is a chaotic mess and | constantly forget meetings. | bet you could figure out a way to geton track too. Please? I'm not just asking because | don’t want you to go back to work, it really would legitimately be a load off my shoulders if you took over even a few of my tasks.” Okay, so how many times has Bellamy said please now? He really is practically begging. It's pretty obvious that he’s using this to sort of easeinto taking over the female Alpha role. But to be fair, he has been trying to do a job that is intended for two people, and he has been doing it mostly alone. | do believe him when he says he has plenty of work | could help him with. I'm still not totally convinced that it’s right forto sign his non emails, but if he’s okay with it | guess | am too. It's not like | can’t check with him if I'm not confident in my responses. Bellamy is staring atwith pleading eyes and... is he holding his breath? | should probably answer before he actually.