Seduced by My Childhood Sweetheart’s Brother
Chapter 20

20- Attacks and awkwardness

I look to Bellamy and replace he is fighting off two other men. The men are all pale and have near blackeyes, although I could be mistaken in the dark and under this much pressure. Bellamy lunges at one ofthe men, attempting to knock him down, but a flash of fangs causes him to stumble back as they grazehis arm. Vampires. We are being attacked by Vampires. Why are we being attacked by Vampires?Vampires don’t care about anything but their next meal! Why would they come after us? Coincidencethat we happen to be out at night? But this area has always been relatively safe, and what Vampire intheir right mind would attack a Shifter Alpha? I mean seriously, Vampires? Properly aware of thesituation, Bellamy is more careful in his next attack. He freezes however, when the Vampire who isholding me tightens his grip and pushes my head to the side, baring my neck. I can feel the Vampire’sbreath on my skin, it’s cold enough to make me shiver. Bellamy growls at him and glares. The Vampiredoesn’t need to say anything, the threat is clear enough. I know I can’t just stand here and wait.Bellamy is clearly at a disadvantage and sadly my own powers are not terribly useful in a fight. I meetBellamy’s eyes. His expression is one of pure fury, although his face softens a little as he meets mygaze. His golden eyes are practically glowing in the darkness. I can see claws emerging from his handsand fangs sprouting from his mouth. I guess I won’t have to ask Megan what he looks like in his felineform after all. I’m about to see it first hand. The Vampires are distracted by the transformation and Itake advantage of their inattention. The Vampire holding me has loosened the hand which is pinningmy arms to my sides enough that I can slide one loose. Without stopping

o give him a chance to catch me again, I blindly swing my hand backwards in an effort to stab him inthe eye. It works better than I could have expected and the Vampire releases me as he clutches hiseye, swearing violently. I do my best to stumble away from him. I’d like to go run and hide, or helpBellamy, or do something even remotely useful. But honestly, my legs are shaking and my knees areabout to give way. I’ve never been involved in any kind of fight before and I am definitely not preparedfor this. A steady growl draws my attention back to Bellamy. He is fully transformed now and even I

can’t argue that it isn’t impressive. I can’t say for sure with my limited knowledge of Shifters and felinesin general. But he looks like the pictures I’ve seen of black panthers, only bigger. His eyes still glowgold and it takes only half a second for him to turn his attention to the Vampires. If it’s at all possible Iwould swear they go even more white than they already were. The one I stabbed in the eye swearsagain.

“This isn’t worth the prize we were promised. Let’s just go.” The other Vampires voice their agreementand the three of them run away quickly. I expect Bellamy to chase after them, as angry as he seems.But he waits for them to be out of sight before racing to my side. I am at

20 Attacks and awkwardhenn

the base of the stairs and until this second I hadn’t noticed that I have collapsed down onto the bottomstep. I’m leaning against the side of the building and shaking. Bellamy stops a few feet away from meand hesitates. He tilts his head to the side as he looks me over, searching for any injury I assume. Hetakes a step closer, and even in this feline form, I can see concern in his eyes. I burst into tears. Emmortified by my own behaviour. I didn’t even get hurt! But 1 can still feel the Vampire’s stone cold griparound me and I can’t shake the fear. At my tears, Bellamy freezes. I lean forwards and hide my faceagainst his fur and wrap the other around him. I’m shivering, and although I wouldn’t say the weather iswarm, it is not cold enough to warrant such a reaction. I barely notice as he shifts back into himself, toocaught up in my own thoughts.

“Ryann?” his voice is wary, I can’t help but cry harder. Bellamy pulls me into a tight hug against him andsits on the step, cradling me carefully. After a few minutes, I start to pull myself together andembarrassment hits me at the position we are in. I pull away from him. and open my mouth to speakbut all that comes out is a squeak as I realise that after shifting back, he is naked. Well I suppose thatanswers one question about Shifters. Not knowing what else to do, I push him away from me and wrap

my arms around myself. My eyes hit the ground and stay there as I attempt to stop my mind fromanalysing the glimpse of him that I

did see.

“I’m going inside.” I manage to whisper.

“Wait just a moment, I’ll grab my spare clothes from the car. I’d rather if you can stay here where I cansee you.” Bellamy responds, his voice is hard and he sounds unhappy. I nod, keeping my eyes on thefloor. I listen to the car door opening and closing, then the rustle of clothing as Bellamy gets dressed.Oh damn, he was naked, and hugging me. This is so awkward. I stand up as I hear him approach. I’mstill shaky and stumble slightly. Bellamy reaches forward to steady me but I jerk away at his touch, stilltoo embarrassed to look at him. I turn and climb the stairs and he follows close behind me.

Once we’re inside, I flick the lights on and collapse into a chair at my little table. Bellamy closes andlocks the door behind us then stands awkwardly by the threshold. The silence lasts for a full minutebefore he speaks.

“I will call someone to come and guard your door. I’ll leave as soon as they arrive. Just put up with mebeing here for a few more minutes, okay?” I can’t think of another way to describe his tone other thandejected. It takes a second for his words to register in my brain properly.

ZV- AllOUND 01| @WNWDIUness

“Leave? No, please don’t leave me.” I blurt out without thinking. I immediately blush red at my ownwords. I look up at him to see his reaction. A strange mix of emotions crosses his face. First surprise,then confusion. I’m not really sure what there is to be confused about. He did keep me safe after all,

just like he promised. Bellamy steps closer to better look at my expression and I can’t help but duck mygaze, feeling awkward. He sighs.

“Ryann, when I offered to protect you, that means from everything that frightens you. Myself included.”He says sadly. My eyes shoot up and I stand to face him better.

You? Why would I be scared of you?” I demand. Bellamy seems at a loss for words.

“I… it’s just… You won’t look at me. And you flinched when I tried to help. I just assumed…” he trailsoff. He assumed what? That I would be scared now that I’ve seen him as a giant cat?

“Bellamy, don’t be stupid.” I say bluntly. He stares at me and I continue.

“We were just attacked by a group of Vampires, did you even consider that they might be the reasonI’m freaked out?”

“But… you’re clearly avoiding me, you won’t even look at me!” Bellamy reminds me. I roll my

eyes.

Of course I’m avoiding you! I cried all over you! I’m embarrassed! And you were naked! What did youexpect?” I glare at him. Bellamy stares at me in silence for a moment before braving a small smile.

“If you really want me to stay then I’ll stay.” I replace I can’t answer him so I just nod.