Strings of Fate by Kit Bryan
Chapter 238

Aaron 2- Sisters and sleep

I stayed at the club until the end of the woman’s set then went home in a daze. After not sleeping the night before I was more than ready to get some good rest. I slept better last night than I have in years. I woke up early this morning and felt incredibly refreshed. I have some time before I need to go meet Alpha Ryann so I take the chance to look the club up online. I replace their contact information and through a series of emails determine that the singer only performs Friday through Sunday. I also manage to get banking information. I send through payments to cover my entry for the next Friday through Sunday and an additional hundred dollars which I note is a tip to go to James who assisted me at the door. I can afford it. I work a lot and running around in my feline form isn’t exactly an expensive form of entertainment. Not to mention renting a place on the compound is always cheap for Shifters. We all tend to prefer to live in large groups, although I might be the exception to the rule. I have three sisters and I was eager to move away from them. Not too far away, just to the other side of the compound. They’re as loud as I am quiet. Actually, Alpha Ryann reminds me of them quite a bit. So I suppose as much as I want space from them I do enjoy being around them or I wouldn’t have chosen to work for her.

The next week is agony. I used to enjoy my quiet little one bedroom place, but now it’s empty, it’s TOO quiet. I make it to Wednesday until I realise I won’t be getting to sleep. I’m getting drowsy at work and it’s absolute hell. Thursday night I end up back at my sister’s place. My parents are away on some extended road trip, enjoying their retirement. But my sisters should be more than loud enough on their own.

“Not that we’re not glad to see you.” Kassie starts.

“And we ARE glad to see you.” Mara adds.

“But is there a reason you suddenly want to stay over when your place is like five minutes from here?” Jay finishes. The three of them are technically all a year apart in age. At ages nineteen, twenty and twenty one they act more like triplets and since they all look

very alike with dark hair and eyes they enjoy messing with people. It doesn’t work on me though, much to their disappointment. I learned to tell them apart when they were growing up. To answer their question, I just shrug. All three of them exchange loaded looks that I can’t quite interpret.

“Is there someone in your house, like a friend you agreed to have over that you’re avoiding?”

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Jay suggests. I roll my eyes and shake my head. Does she seriously think I would move away from them only to invite someone else to stay?

“Is there some problem with your job? I haven’t interacted much with Alpha Ryann but she

seems really nice. You were happy when you first took the job. Has something changed?”

Mara demands.

“No.” I answer out loud this time. I don’t want to leave any space for doubt. Ryann is great to work for. Kassie considers carefully before taking her turn to guess.

“Are you having problems with a girl? I can’t think of anything else you might need our help for. You’ve always been the independent one.” She points out. I consider what she’s asked. Is my problem because of a girl? I mean, I want to hear her sing again, but I’m not sure that my place feeling empty is ‘because of a girl‘. I just shrug.

“Not really.” I answer. All three of my sisters squeal and jump around in excitement. I stare at them hopelessly.

“Don’t give us that ‘I said not really‘ look. You took way too long to answer us. Which means you were totally thinking about a girl. We know you big brother. Don’t think you can get away

with this!” Mara insists.

“Tell us her name!” Jay demands. I blink in surprise. Am I really that easy to read? I’m also

realising that this conversation is not going to get my sisters anywhere.

“I don’t know her name.” I admit. My sisters all pout, disappointed.

“Where did you meet her?” Kassie persists.

“I haven’t met her. Not really.” This is getting awkward, I’m sounding more and more like a stalker. But I’m not stalking her, not really….Am I? I mean, supporting an artist who is performing is perfectly acceptable. She wouldn’t sing in public if she didn’t want people to watch. Right? Damn, I need to replace out her name. Not to mention I need to tell my sisters to stop getting carried away. I’m not looking at dating this woman. I just want to hear her sing

again.

“Where did you see her then?” Mara asks suspiciously. I roll my eyes. She can’t seriously

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think I’m going to tell them something like that? They’ll have the place staked out before

morning.

“Ugh, fine. If you don’t want our help, what ARE you here for?” Kassie asks, frustrated.

“To sleep.” I answer simply. I spend another avoiding and outright ignoring questions from my nosy but well meaning sisters, then I excuse myself and head up to my old bedroom. I had hoped the sounds of my sisters bickering would be enough to help me rest, but no such luck. Sleep eludes me until the early hours of the morning.

During the day Friday I replace myself struggling to stay awake at work. Admittedly, watching Alpha Ryann and Megan pick out cake samples isn’t the most interesting way to spend my afternoon, but I should know better. If Darrien weren’t so focussed on Megan all the time he would probably have noticed my attention wandering. I’m so tired that I gratefully accept. when Ryann offers me a piece of cake. Maybe the sugar will help. Still, I’m glad when the day is over. Much more of this and people are going to start to notice. When I’m dismissed for the

day I shift and run straight back to the club, not even stopping to eat before I go. I make it before the woman takes the stage and I’m greeted cheerfully by James the doorman who thanks me for the tip and greets me by name having apparently received my payment for the night. I claim the same couch I sat on last week and when the woman starts her set I replace myself purring. I thought I had to be imagining how beautiful her voice was, that I had tricked myself somehow, but no. It’s just as soothing as it was before and I am just so tired. I replace my eyes are drifting closed as I listen.

I jerk awake when James the doorman gently prods me in the side.

too scared to

“Uh, hello? We… We’re closing now.” He clears his throat uncomfortably. I crack my eyes open and see James crouched next to me and a couple of other staff members standing a few feet behind him eyeing me warily. I suppose they were wake me. I give a nod to show my understanding and when he backs away I step down from the couch and stretch before I head to the exit. I nod at the other staff members on the way out to show my thanks. I can’t believe I just fell asleep in a public space like that. Actually maybe I can. I have been really tired, even now I just feel sleepy and relaxed. I run home at a leisurely pace, feeling calm after my nap. When I get back to my place, I shift b