Strings of Fate

Strings of Fate

211- Building and bonding

Everyone frantically looks around the room until we realise that Harry isn’t here. We’re all sharing near identical looks of alarm except for Alpha Kohen and Marie but I assume that’s because they don’t know Harry well enough to understand why we are all so concerned. Where did he get to and what is he doing? I love him but he should not be left unsupervised at a party. Something catches my attention. Why does Cam look so guilty?

“Cam… do you know something that you want to mention?” I ask suspiciously. She shrugs.

“I mean, it’s no big deal. I just thought that I would test a new drink on him. One that is designed to have more of a kick when used on Incubi. I haven’t tried it until now because getting him drunk in a public place honestly sounds like a punishable offence. I didn’t think it would be a problem here…” She trails off, clearly double thinking her decision.

“So you’re saying Harry isn’t just missing, he’s drunk and missing.” I confirm.

“Uh… maybe?” Cam squeaks. Bellamy jumps to his feet.

“Okay, everyone go look for Harrison.

blame him. Harry is pretty unpredictable at times.

sounds pained and slightly terrified, want

to know what he might get up to.” Bellamy Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

Luckily, it takes about one minute to find him. He’s just in the living room watching TV. I’m

relived for a moment but the second he sees me his eyes widen and he jumps to his feet,

stumbling slightly.

“RYANN!!! I MISSED YOU, COME HERE.” He moves way faster than someone as clearly inebriated as he is should be able to, and throws himself at me, nearly knocking me over with his taller frame. He crushes me to his chest, half suffocating me in a hug.

“Harry… I can’t… breathe.” I force out. He lets me go enough that I can breathe but doesn’t

release me. Bellamy follows me to the living room and calls the others to let them know that

we found him. He doesn’t look thrilled with how Harry is clinging to me.

“Harrison. We were looking for you.” Bellamy says warily.

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211- Building and bonding

“Awww you were looking for me! That’s so nice.” Harry turns to whisper in my ear, but the kind of whisper children do that isn’t actually any quieter than talking, just breathier.

“I told you he likes me. I bet he wants to be friends.” He says, still holding me in place.

“Sure Harry, he wants to be friends with you. What are you doing in here?” I ask.

“Watching cartoons!” He announces gleefully. True to his word, the TV is turned to a kids channel and some show about imaginary friends is playing. Huh, that’s actually fairly harmless. Drunk Harry isn’t as bad as I thought. Honestly, he’s really not all that different to usual. I suppose reduced inhibitions don’t make a lot of difference for someone who isn’t all that inhibited usually. Cam joins us in the living room.

“Hey, did the drink work? Is he drunk? I am sorry about it but I still should take notes.” She says cheerfully. I nod.

“Yep. Seems like he’s a happy drunk.” I observe.

“I’m NOT drunk!” Harry objects, a slight slur in his voice.

*Of course you are. Cam made a special drink for you to make sure of it.” I inform him. Hist face lights up.

“A special drink? For me? She DOES like me.” He grins, elated. Finally, he releases me and throws himself at Cam in a hug. She stands there awkwardly, hands outstretched and not touching him.

“Uh… a little help?” She asks. Bellamy smirks.

“I don’t know, you’re the one who gave him the booze.” He jokes. I can’t help but laugh..

“Harry, get off of me!” She insists. He doesn’t budge.

“I don’t wanna! You smell nice. I like you.” He declares loudly. Cam flushes red and looks.

more than a little flustered.

“Get off of me you damn Incubus!” She complains again.

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211- Building and bonding

“Uh oh. I might be immune to Harry’s Incubus charms, mostly because he isn’t actually interested in me like that, but I doubt that Cam is. In this state I’m willing to bet Harry has very little control over his

Incubi magic. Based on how red she is, I suspect Cam is getting the full blast of it. I decide to take pity on her.

“Harry, you’re missing out on your show.” I comment casually. He is immediately distracted and turns back to the TV. He moves to the couch, dragging Cam with him. She objects, but can’t seem to stop him from dragging her around like a teddy bear he’s overly attached to. Sadly my timing is off and the cartoon ends like thirty seconds after he sits.

“So, we’ve watched cartoons. You know what that means…” Harry trails off, pure delight on

his face.

“What?” Cam asks warily.

“It’s time to build a FORT!” He declares, jumping to his feet. Finally letting go of her. He starts looking around the room, assessing the furniture. I assume its appropriateness in

building a giant fort. By now, most of the others have joined us in the living room and are watching the show.

“I don’t know about that Harry…” I start. He frowns and gives me puppy dog eyes.

“No?” He asks pathetically. I’m distracted by Kiara tugging on my sleeve. She also looks up at me pathetically. Logan steps up next to her.

“It would be really fun though.” He says sweetly. Well aware that I’m being manipulated, I

cave.

“Oh alright. Fine. Let’s do it.”

The next hour is absolute chaos. Megan and Kiara collect armfuls of blankets, pillows and sheets from upstairs. We all get to work, moving the couches around and even bringing in the trestle tables from the dining area after moving everything off of them and into the kitchen.. The tablecloths also join our pile of building supplies. Everyone gets really into it and with this many people we get very creative. By the time it’s finished almost the entire living room has been converted into a giant blanket fort. It’s tall enough that Amber, Cam and I can stand upright in it, although Megan and the guys are all tall enough that they still need to duck. It’s

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211–Building and bonding

been set up so that the TV is still visible while inside it and the fort is lit up with glasses of at glowing liquid. I have no idea what it is, just that Cam and Marie vanished into the kitchen for fifteen minutes and when they came back we had odd, makeshift magical lanterns. They’re even all different rainbow colours thanks to the magic of food colouring. The dinner party is quickly devolving into a kind of movie night, but I don’t mind. It’s fun and everyone seems really happy. Alpha Kohen and Marie are the first to bow out however.

“This is fun, and we would love to stay. But we need to get this little one home to bed.” Marie holds up baby Mikaela who is getting a bit fussy. Alternating between napping in her

mother’s arms and crying.

“We understand. Thank you for coming. I hope you had fun, even if this dinner did end up a little… off track.” I comment. Alpha Kohen laughs.

hap

“You should see what happens when my brothers get together. This is tame in comparison. It’s been a great night. We will have to invite you over for a get together soon.” He offers. Bellamy appears behind me, his hair is all messed up from brushing against the blanket roof and he has a smile on his face. His arm falls over my shoulder as he hugs me.

“We

would be honoured. It’s been great having you.” We see them out then return to the living room where everyone is watching kids movies, all crammed together in the fort. Sweaty and tired from building it, but oh so proud of our efforts. This is definitely the best party I’ve ever attended.