Seduced by My Childhood Sweetheart’s Brother
Chapter 177

Strings of Fate

177- Independent and insecure

Huh. I don’t know what exactly I was expecting, but this isn’t it. I guess I didn’t expect this girl’s problemto actually be so relatable. I mean, I totally appreciate Bellamy keeping me safe, but it is a little chafing.I can’t imagine what it would be like being eighteen and not being able to go out alone anywhere. Imean, I didn’t exactly go out a lot and socialise until I met Megan and Bellamy, but I have always beenvery independent. Sure, that might not have been by choice. I never exactly had the chance to dependon anyone. But I can’t imagine having no chance to stand on your own two feet is ideal either. If this girlfeels ready to step out on her own, even just a little, she should be able to do that. It’s sweet that shewants to be considerate of her father. I mean, I’m sure there are lots of teenagers who would justscream, throw a tantrum and walk out, probably ruining whatever relationship they have. Oky, so Idefinitely want to help her, I just don’t really know how.

“Hey Bellamy?” I ask tentatively.

“Yes love?” He asks, turning away from the computer screen and giving me his full attention, an actionthat I seriously appreciate. Honestly, it’s just so nice knowing that someone is really, properly listeningto what I have to say.

am

“I got a message from a Shifter girl asking for help.” I tell him. He studies my face, obviously trying towork out if I feel okay about it. It’s sweet that he’s so worried about it, particularly since I’ve alreadyagreed to do it.

“I’m fine. I want to help. I just wanted to ask your opinion about it.”

“Okay, Sure? He agrees easily.

“Basically, this girl is having issues with her dad. He’s being very overprotective. She’s eighteen and hewon’t let her go anywhere alone. Not just now while we’re on high alert because of the psychos, but ingeneral.” I explain. Bellamy looks confused.

“I don’t really see the issue. It’s a good thing that her father protects her. This sounds like a teenagercomplaining that her dad won’t let her go out and recklessly party.” He says seriously. I shake my headin disagreement.

“No, it’s not like that. Her dad is completely overdoing it. She wants to start university and she won’t beable to because he won’t let her go to classes without an escort that he can’t provide.” I point out.

“Well… I can’t say I don’t see his point. It’s dangerous out there, I doubt that I would be happy withMegan going to classes if I didn’t have Darrien looking out for her.” he considers. I sigh, he isn’t gettingit.

“This isn’t about how you would feel Bels, think about how Megan would feel if you stopped her. Do youreally think she would take it lying down. If you REALLY stopped her from doing what she wants to do.Would your relationship with her survive? You’re the Alpha, consider this as her brother instead. If youstifled her too much, she could just leave. She’s still a person. That’s what this girl is looking at doing ifthe issue can’t be resolved. Leaving her dad behind and cutting off contact. She doesn’t want tobecause he is important to her, but she knows that if things continue how they are, she is going to loseall chances to make something of herself in the future or to develop any real relationships.” Bellamylooks thoughtful, like he’s considering my words. I continue making my paint.

“Think about this. Say I had a father who kept me home all the time and chaperoned me all the time.You and I would probably have never met, or if we did, we definitely wouldn’t have had chances to getto know each other.” I remind him. Bellamy looks appalled. Like he actually looks like he might be sick.

177- Independent and insecure

“You think it’s that bad? Being protected and guarded all the time?” He asks quietly. I realise he’smisinterpreting this as being about how he is protecting Megan and I.

“Bels, I didn’t mean for you to think this was about you. I was only using Megan and I as examples thatyou might replace relatable. I admit you occasionally take things a little too far, but it’s not overprotective ifthe threat is real. Megan and I both get that. Believe me, if we thought you were abusing us by keepingus locked away like a damsel in distress there is no way we would have put up with it silently for thislong. This girl understands the need for safety too and how it’s the natural instinct of a male Shifter tobe protective of his family. All she wants is help explaining to her dad that he’s overdoing it, maybesome solutions or ways to compromise so that she can have her independence without completelyruining her relationship with him.” I explain. Bellamy looks a little mollified by my reassurance but I cantell he still feels uncomfortable. I think the idea of overdoing it and driving away myself and his sisterreally got to him. I feel a little bad for upsetting him, but I’m glad he is understanding the point.

“So we’re looking for ideas on what this Shifter girl can do? Or is she asking us to talk to her father forher?” Bellamy clarifies.

“I’m not sure. Some combination of the two. She wants a compromise with him, but he doesn’tunderstand that there is a problem in the first place which makes it kind of hard to discuss it further andcome to an agreement.” I figure. Bellamy nods slowly.

“Well, an extreme response would be that she is always able to just leave home and move in here atthe compound. She could still visit her father but he wouldn’t have as much control over her life.”Bellamy starts. I scrunch up my face in distaste.

“It would work, but I think she wants to do something less extreme. She knows leaving would hurt herrelationship with him and she doesn’t want to do that.” I point out.

“That’s fair. Okay, so she wants to be able to go out, specifically to university, but I assume there areother freedoms she wants too. We could definitely have a discussion with her father. Remind him thatwhile it is very good of him to protect her, it is not acceptable to limit a person’s freedom in the name ofprotecting them. Except maybe in life or death situations. At which point I would expect him to come tome for assistance anyway.” He thinks out loud.

“That would probably help her get freedom, but it wouldn’t make him feel better about it. Is thereanything we can do to make sure she is safe?” I wonder. Bellamy contemplates the issue in silence fora moment. I try to think of solutions too, but mostly I’m watching Bellamy think. Is he aware of howpretty he is? I am fairly sure that he isn’t. I’m dragged from my thoughts by Bellamy talking.

“What if we set up an emergency line? Like an emergency line for police, but one that calls our security.They could be called for protection if she needs to come home after dark or if she is uncomfortable, orin emergencies in general. There are plenty of other Shifters who are in university. If we provide it to allof them and keep at least one guard on campus whenever possible it would allow for some more…indirect protection?” Bellamy suggests. I beam a huge smile

at him.

“That sounds perfect. If you can arrange that, I can arrange for the girl and her dad to come in for ameeting. Maybe next week sometime?” I suggest. Bellamy agrees and I send Sara a text that basicallyinvites her and her father to a meeting next week and I tell her that there will be a new security programset up for young Shifters, particularly ones in university. That we will explain it properly to her and herfather at the meeting and remind him that she is an adult. Sara responds IMMEDIATELY.

Unknown: Maybe Sara- THANK YOU SO MUCH! I can’t believe you would do this for me! I am so gladI messaged you

177–Independent and Insecure

for help. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

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