Strings of Fate

210- Announcement and alarm of my own my Now normally a large group like this would be at least a little uncomfortable with me. Usually | end up distracted by all the threads streaming between people, blocking my vision and generally givinga headache. But oddly enough I'm actually fairly relaxed. Everyone here is actually sitting near their best friends and partners and the result is that all the threads. here are short and not blocking my view in any way. Okay, so apparently the solution to my problem with crowds is that everyone just needs to stand directly next to the people they love at all times. It would make my life a lot easier. Maybe | should start matchmaking for the sake sanity. Yeah or not...

But it is really nice being able to see everyone's faces with no issues. The meal is going well, everyone is chatting and enjoying themselves while we stuff ourselves sil silly. Megan, Kiara and | chose to set up a self-serve type meal with a bunch of serving platter’s all in the middle of the table so everyone can just help themselves. Kiara is still eating a lot more than you would expect a girl her age and size to eat but | think maybe a bit less than she was yesterday so maybe it’s slowing down again to normal. It’s a good sign. | think. Dr Dae said she would drop by again soon to ch*ck in and | think she will be happy with Kiara’s progress, not that | would be able to tell with how cranky she seems most of the time. | was a little worried that Alpha Kohen and his wife Marie would be uncomfortable since they don’t really know anyone here too well and, like Bellamy, they probably have somet issues with other Shifters treating them formally. But | shouldn't have been concerned, Alpha Kohen is just so FRIENDLY it’s impossible to be awkward around him for long. Not to mention Maire is just so sweet and approachable and throw in baby Mikaela who is the ultimate ice breaker. Apparently basically every adult here is a baby person. After we finished eating we sort of all ended up moving around, swapping seats so we could chat with different people. The women all smiled and awwed after the baby for a few minutes then moved on, the men however have been taking turns passing her around and generally obsessing over her.

H ‘Since having my daughter I've realised that the only thing more adorable than her is her in my husband's arms.

There's just something about a man being sweet to a baby that tugs at my heart.” Marie watches her husband dreamily while Darrien hands Mikaela back to him. | think back to when it was Bellamy’s turn to hold her and | can’t help but agree.

“You're not wrong. But | don’t think the age of the child makes that much difference. It’s adorable just seeing them interact with the kids in general.” | point out, gesturing to Bellamy who is currently trying to convince Logan and Kiara to teach him their secret code language. Kiara is shaking her head adamantly, hair flicking about her ears and Logan has his arms.

1/4 210 crossed over his ch*st as he bluntly refuses.

“No. If we tell you then it won't be a secret!” He argues.

“That's exactly what I'm worried about!” Bellamy objects. Kiara giggles and Bellamy cracks a smile.

“| see your point.” Marie says with a wink. Megan takes the chance to speak up.

“My brother is getting attached. Have you worked out where she’s going to stay? Hopefully not too far away. | have to admit | will miss her if she can’t at least visit us.” Megan says with a sigh.

Amber leans over the table towardsand grins.

“You had better tell them before I do.” She comments.

H “Sure. I'll grab Bellamy, we can make an announcement or something.” | reply. Megan's eyes widen.

“An announcement? Oooh there are so many possibilities!” She seems waaay more excited. than | would have expected. | wave Bellamy and Kiara over. Logan follows along. Maggie is sitting with Aaron who has been here all afternoon and has somehow not said a word. Even more impressively, he and Maggie seem to be in the middle of a full on conversation. Maggie is the only one speaking, he’s just nodding regularly and she’s happy enough.

I'd say he’s just being polite sitting with her, but she keeps offering him treats that she prepared and he is enjoying a steady stream of snacks so | really doubt he minds.

“Did you need something sweetheart?” Bellamy leans down and presses a k*ss into my hair which momentarily leavesbrain dead.

“Uh... oh. Megan was asking what the plan is for Kiara.” | prompt him. Bellamy grins.

“Well, we looked into options, and we spoke to Kiara about what she would like to do and we've decided that Kiara is going to stay here with us.” Bellamy announces. Kiara comes over and slips her hand into mine, squeezing it tightly. The room erupts into a chaotic ramble as everyone congratulates us and her while trying to remain calm and somewhat serious as they remember WHY Kiara needs a new home. Still, everyone is about as happy as they can be int the situation. Even Aaron takes the chance to speak to Kiara, out loud and everything.

2/4 210- Announcement and alarm “Good choice.” Okay, so he gave her two words. But that’s pretty decent for him and she turns toin excitement, I'm guessing because she got him to speak. She’s caught onto the g| play trying to get him to talk and seems to be playing it on hard mode since she isn’t speaking either.

“Congratulations Alpha Kane, Miss Gale. Would you liketo find the appropriate documentation regarding Kiara staying here?” Alex approaches us and offers.

“That would be great.” | tell him cheerfull “Great, if you could both sign here.” He slides a piece of paper out of the bag he has with him. that contains the laptop he carries everywhere. Bellamy reads over the paper.

“Alex... when did you prepare this document? I didn’t think it would be so easy to find.” Bellamy asks. Alex grins and speaks more confidently than I've ever heard him.

“Hey Shaun, when did | sort out the custody papers for Kiara?” He says loudly. Shaun leans around from where he’s speaking to Amber.

“Those papers? You've been carrying them around for at least two weeks now, right? Or was it longer than that?” Shaun muses loudly.

“A bit longer | think.” Alex says thoughtfully.

“Okay, okay, we get it. We're predictable and you don’t need Amber around to tell the future.” | laugh.

“Oh, no, | wouldn't say that. I just want it noted that once again, | am your most efficient and productive employee. Not that | would say it myself.” Alex grins and | laugh. What the hell is going on? What happened to shy, anxious Alex? | eye his glass. It’s mostly empty, but the little bit left in the glass is a familiar goldish colour.

“Hey Cam, did you happen to bring your feline, catnip booze?” | ask and she nods.

“Yep. | figured it’s more-fun if everyone has the chance to get drunk. I did adjust it so it shouldn't be as strong now. Although | haven't tested it yet.” She comments with a mischievous grin.

3/4 210- Announcement and alarm “Right... well | think you actually have.” | say pointedly gesturing to Alex.

“Huh, so it seems like it still takes less than a standard drink to take effect. | pretty much halved the catnip dose.

Maybe different Shifters have different sensitivity levels?” She muses as she pulls out her phone and starts taking notes.

“If you need more data, | think Shaun drank stoo.” Amber chimes in. Shaun seems like his usual charming self, but he has his arm draped over Amber's shoulders and given how tongue tied he’s been acting around her lately, I'm going to asshis sudden chill is alcohol induced. Why do | want to make Aaron drink it? Maybe it would make him more talkative? Okay, actually that might be scary. Wait a second. | don’t think I've heard from Harry in entirely too long. It’s not like him to be so quiet.

“Guys... where is Harry?” Chapter Comments