Strings of Fate by Kit Bryan
Chapter 227

Bellamy 6- Flustered and flushed 

I have no idea how the hell this happened but I am furious. Five minutes ago I was sitting peacefully watching Ryann as she falls asleep in the passenger seat beside me then all of a sudden we’re attacked by Vampires. I was forced to shift and chase them off. I desperately want to go after them but I can’t leave Ryann here alone. She is sitting on the bottom stair of her building and is shaking like a leaf. I approach her hesitantly. She is clearly terrified, I don’t want to make it worse, I know that shifting scares a lot of people, even Magics. Most magic can be interpreted away as weird science or just extra abilities, but changing yourself completely into another creature that is in no way a similar sized weight or anatomy to your own? That tends to cross a line for most people, not to mention that in my case that creature is a particularly large and deadly predator. So I approach her cautiously. I need to be sure that she is uninjured. When she fought back against the Vampire holding her I swear my heart nearly stopped. I freeze as she bursts into tears. Oh shit, I am not prepared for this. I don’t know how to help someone who is crying! It’s all I can do to just stay where I am. In a jerky motion she lunges forward, For a second I think she’s about to run away or even hit me. Not an unheard of reaction even if it is kind of foolish but people do crazy things when their fight or flight responses kick in. But no, instead she buries her face against my shoulder, wraps her arm around me and sobs into my fur. She shivers against me and we stay that way for a long moment. But I need to talk to her, to find out if she is okay So I quickly shift back into my two legged self. To my astonishment she barely even reacts, Just clings to me tightly with her arms around my neck. 

“Ryann?” I ask, I’m almost nervous. I know it isn’t reasonable to pursue a friendship or anything else without ever showing my feline form, but I can’t say I wanted the introduction 

to go 

go like this! She cries harder and I immediately wrap my own arms around her and pull her into my lap. I adjust so that I’m sitting on the stair and cradling her in my arms. It takes several minutes for Ryann to calm down. I don’t love that we’re sitting exposed to attackers out here, but I’m confident in my abilities and honestly, despite her tears, I enjoy the feeling of Ryann in my arms. It’s very relaxing. All at once she pulls away from me and scrambles. back, pushing me away. Her face is pale but her cheeks are flushed and she makes a strangled sound as she moves onto the stair and wraps her arms tightly around herself in a poor imitation of the hug she just avoided. She appears to be staring at the gravel on the ground. 

“I’m going inside.” Her words come out so softly that anyone with average hearing would struggle to hear. I nod my agreement but I don’t think she sees anything. 

1/3 

Bellamy 6- Flustered and flushed 

“Wait just a moment, I’ll grab my spare clothes from the car. I’d rather if you can stay here 

where I can see you.” I think she is avoiding looking at me. The ground can’t be that interesting and she usually looks at me when she speaks, something I didn’t realise I appreciated until right now. 

I quickly dress in some spare clothes I keep in my car for emergencies exactly like this, then. return to her side. Ryann shakily gets to her feet and I instinctively reach out to steady her but before I make contact her whole body jerks away from mine. She turns away from me and begins climbing the stairs. I follow wordlessly, feeling lower than dirt. I watch as she collapses at her little dining room table and I can see how exhausted she is. I want to give her privacy but I can’t leave her alone. That attack might have been intended for me, but they used her and that is completely unacceptable. I struggle to find the right words to reassure her. 

“I will call someone to come and guard your door. I’ll leave as soon as they arrive. Just put up with me being here for a few more minutes, okay?” I don’t want to leave. I would prefer to keep an eye on her myself. I’m still amped up from the fight and my protective instincts are 

running the show. But I want her to feel safe, even if that isn’t with me. 

Unless she 

“Leave? No, please don’t leave me.” She answers so fast that I’m not sure she expected to say what she did. The red in her cheeks deepens, probably thinking that her knee jerk reaction to not be left alone was the worse alternative. I have no idea what to do to help her… 

really does want me to stay? I step closer to her, I can’t help it, I need to see her face. Her sweet scent is marred by fear and adrenaline and before I can get more than a glimpse of her eyes she drops her face to the floor again. Right, she doesn’t want me here, she still won’t even look at me. I let out a deep sigh. 

“Ryann, when I offered to protect you, that means from everything that frightens you. Myself included.” I’m reluctant to say the words, but I do mean them. Finally, her eyes dart up to meet mine and she launches herself to her feet. 

“You? Why would I be scared of you?” She demands, she‘ seems almost…Annoyed? I am at a total loss for words. Am I missing something? 

“I… it’s just… You won’t look at me. And you flinched when I tried to help. I just assumed…” I trail off not wanting to say the words. 

“Bellamy, don’t be stupid.” Ryan says bluntly and I just stare. 

2/3 

Bellamy 6- Flustered and flushed 

“We were just attacked by a group of Vampires, did you even consider that they might be the reason I’m freaked out?” She says it like it’s the only possible answer but it doesn’t make 

sense to me. I’m missing something here. 

“But… 

words’re clearly avoiding me, you won’t even look at me!” I try to put my confusion into 

Of course I’m avoiding you! I cried all over you! I’m embarrassed! And you were naked! What did you expect?” She is glaring at me and I’m just staring in shock as I reinterpret her actions 

with this new information. Nudity isn’t usually a big deal to Shifters. Sure we don’t encourage it, but it’s something that happens. It’s why we all keep a lot of spare clothing around whenever possible. Still, to hear that she isn’t afraid of me, just… embarrassed? I can’t help the small smile that escapes me. 

“If you really want me to stay then I’ll stay.” I promise, and I can’t help the thought from 

running through my head that I would stay as long as she will have me. 

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