25- Reassurance and respect


    “Are you sure…” Bemy trails off. I nod. He gives in pretty much immediately. Well that was casy. I


    sort of expected him to argue a little more. Well, whatever. He settles back into the bed. I crawl over the


    end of the bed and back into my spot. He flicks themp off and the room looks totally ck as I adjust


    to the sudden darkness. A few mater I begin to make out a few shadowy shapes. I nce at Bemy


    beside me, he doesn’t seem to be asleep. yet. He notices my movement. Except I only really moved


    my eyes. This tells me two things. One; Bemy has much better night vision than I do which is hardly


    surprising for a feline Shifter. Second; he was using the night vision to watch me.


    “You’re still awake?” He whispers.


    “Yeah, I guess.” I reply.


    “Umm. Ryann?” he starts. I wait for him to continue.


    “You’re the only person other than my sister who doesn’t use my title.” he suddenly states. I’m


    confused. I thought it sounded like he wanted to ask something. That wasn’t really a question.


    “Really? I didn’t know that.” I reply, hoping he will exin himself. Lucky for me, he keeps talking.


    “It’s meant to be a sign of respect.” he exins then falls silent for a minute. I wait but he doesn’t say


    anything so I break the silence.


    “Are you saying you want me to stop using your name and use your title instead?” I ask.


    Bemy quickly objects.


    “No, definitely not.” he assures me.


    “Oh good, because I don’t think I would have been able to do it.” I decide. Bemy might be the Alpha,


    but he isn’t my Alpha.


    “Earlier you were telling my sister there’s a difference between being disrespectful and


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    messing around.” he starts. I nod, well aware that he can see it fine,


    “Yes, was I wrong?” I question.


    “Well… no, I mean, that’s not what 1” he cuts himself off.


    “DO you respect me?” Bemy blurts out. For a moment I’m stunned into silence. What kind of a


    question is that? Bemy keeps talking when I don’t immediately answer.


    “Because usually I can tell, people use my title to show respect, Shifters defer to me and are painfully


    polite to me. But you never really have, So I was wondering if that meant that you don’t really respect


    me…” he trails off. I sit up on my elbow to face him.


    “Bemy, when we first met, YOU were the one who asked me to call you Bemy. You didn’t even tell


    me you were the Alpha untilter. So, I know you first as Bemy Kane the crazy guy who woke the


    whole building, then as Alpha Kane the lunatic who had me kidnapped. I’ve never used your title


    because you never seemed to exp it of me.” I exin. When Bemy answers he sounds a little


    depressed.


    “Based on the rather negative light you’ve cast me in here and the fact that you keep calling me names,


    I take it that the answer is no, you don’t think much of me.” He sighs and turns so


    his back is to me.


    “You are really not understanding me at all. What I’m saying is, I don’t really know Alpha Kane‘ so I


    can’t really see you that way. But, I do know Bemy. The jerk who was so concerned about his sister


    that he bent down the door of aplete stranger andter arranged her kidnapping for the sake of


    that sister. The weird guy who was willing to be open minded enough to trust in my unique magics. The


    idiot who fought Vampires then got upset because I was ufortable around him while he was


    NAKED. Bemy, theplete oddball. who protected me from a pair of shoes. So yes Bemy. I do


    respect you. But my opinion has nothing to do with your position as Alpha so it never urred to me to


    use your title.” Bemy turns back to face me. I wish I could see his face but it’s too dark. It’s kind of


    unfair because I know he can see mine and that knowledge makes me blush. It’s easy to be honest in


    the dark, at least until I remember that he has stupid night vision. I’m interrupted from my thoughts by


    Bemy. He grabs me and pulls me into a hug which catches mepletely by surprise. He nuzzles


    close to me in a very cat–like motion and whispers in my ear.


    2/4


    “Never use my title. I prefer you like this.” I lie still and ept the hug. After a minute I start to wonder if


    he’s actually nning to let go..


    “Bemy?” I whisper. He doesn’t answer. Apparently now that his thoughts are settled he’s fallen


    asleep again. Oh well, I suppose I don’t really mind staying where I am all that much. It close my eyes


    and it doesn’t take long at all for me to fall asleep too.


    I open my eyes and look around me. I’mpletely alone so Bemy must have left. My nkets are


    tucked nicely around me in a way that no one can manage without some kind of assistance. I sit up and


    stretch a little. This is weird, it’s morning but I don’t want to kill. anything. I actually feel pretty okay.


    Usually mornings and I are not all thatpatible. Wait, maybe I overslept and it isn’t even morning


    anymore, that would exin it. I grab my phone. It’s 8:45am. No that’s still early enough to be horrible


    most of the time. I wonder what time Bemy left? I notice a bit of paper on my bedside table that I


    don’t remember leaving there. Another one of Bemy’s notes? He does seem rather fond of them.


    *Ryann,


    I didn’t want to wake you but I have a meeting at 8. You will find another guard outside your door who


    will stay with you until someonees to relieve himter this evening, Call me if you need anything.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    Bemy


    P.S. I probably should have mentioned thisst night, but I respect you too, and not just because you’re


    brave enough to constantly insult me to my face.”


    Well, that exins where Bemy went at least. It was nice of him to leave a note for me. It wonder


    who is babysitting me now. Wait, he said the guard was outside my door. As in, outside outside or in


    the living area outside? I climb out of bed and open my bedroom door. I can’t see anyone. Has Bemy


    assigned some poor


    Shifter to hang around outside all day?


    Because that’s just silly, whoever it is can juste inside. I open the front door and immediately


    Darrien turns to face me. Well, of all the Shifters, I didn’t expect it to be him.


    “Darrien? Aren’t you usually with Megan?” I ask, curious. He nods.


    “Yes Miss Gale. Miss Kane intends to stay at thepound all day. She’s researching for her


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    25- Reassurance and respect


    wedding I believe. Alpha Kane suggested I keep an eye on you today instead while he finds a more


    suitable guard for the long term.” He exins. He doesn’t even bat an eyelid at my unicorn pyjamas


    and somewhat unkempt appearance. I like him all the more for it.


    “Welle inside, there’s no reason to stay out there.” Darrien looks ufortable with the idea. I


    ignore his difort, grab his arm and lead him inside.


    “Take a seat, I was just about to make myself some toast for breakfast. Want anything?” I offer. He


    shakes his head.


    “No thank you Miss Gale.” Darrien closes and locks the door behind him then takes a seat at my little


    dining table. I set about making myself some buttered toast. I’m just burning my fingers pulling it out the


    toaster when a knock at the door startles me and I drop my toast on


    the bench. I quickly flick it onto the te I had prepared and go to answer the door. Darrien


    beats me to it.


    “Please let me Miss Gale.” I roll my eyes.


    “Call me Ryann. Miss Gale makes me feel like a kindergarten teacher or something.” Darrien doesn’t


    respond and I get the feeling he isn’t going to cooperate right away, I’ll have to work on that one. He


    opens the door. He’s so big that I can’t see past him to whoever is waiting.