Strings of Fate

134- Relevance and registration Bellamy's alarm screeching wakesup in a hurry. Okay, so maybe it isn't actually. screeching, but it feels like it is. I lie still for a moment as Bellamy wakes up and scrunch up my eye eyes. I wonder if I can reach his alarm from here... and break it. Why did we set it so early again? We had something on... we were going to- I bolt upright. That's it, we're going to contact the registration office to find out if Kiara is registered as anything identifiable. We're going to find out how she's linked to me! All at once, I'm not so sleepy anymore. Beside me, Bellamy reaches to turn off the alarm, and chuckles at my sudden wakefulness. He himself still looks a bit drowsy. He reaches out and pullsback down beside him. I let him pulldown, but make a slight noise of protest. We have an important task to do! "The registration office won't even be open for at least another half an hour. We have time.” He soothes. My eyebrows furrow.

"Wait, then why is the alarm set for now? It's not like we have to travel in. We can submit the application online and confirm it over the phone." I remind him.

"I figured if I woke us up a little early, we would have tto relax in bed before getting up." He explains. Well... I can't decide if I want to k*ss him or shoot him for that. I mean.... mornings are terrible, but also waking up to this maybe isn't so bad... Giving in, I cuddle into him and force myself to slow down and relax. Bellamy is basically purring again. After a few minutes, he leans down and I can tell he's about to k*ss me, except he suddenly changes. angle and presses his lips into my hair instead. Oh, okay... I guess I misread that. That's... fine I guess.

Once we sort of reluctantly get up and get ready for the day, we head straight to Bellamy's office and I lean over his shoulder and watch anxiously as he fills in the online request form for the registration office. I wanted to go in person to ask. There's every chance that the office will reject our request for information, they don't HAVE to hand it over, and we are asking for information on a child that we have no connection to. Most of the tthese registration checks are done by employers or police. Sure, anyone can APPLY for the information, but it's up to the people at the office to decide if they want to hand it over or not. I'm hoping they'll agree to give it to us for the purpose of identifying my own mark. There's nothing the office hates more than an unknown magic. Not because they dislikepersonally, but because they seem to take it as a personal attack that they can't identify me. Bellamy finishes the form, including all the details we have about Kiara as well as the photo that shows her mark, just in 1/5/ 134- Relevance and registration.

case. He submits it and it sends an automatic response email which states that we can expect a phone call in the next couple hours to verify my identity and to confirm my reasons for requesting the information. It sounds like a complicated process, but actually they just have a Seer check into my name, then have someone callto make sure the information I provided matches what the Seer learned. It's fairly straightforward. Since Bellamy put my number on the form, I clutch my phone, unwilling to put it down and risk missing the call. I fully intended to curl up on my recliner in Bellamy's office and stare at my phone until the call comes through, but Bellamy dragsto the kitchen, sitsdown and insists on us having breakfast. I'm weirdly nervous, so I agree, but only have a couple slices of buttered toast. Nothing too complicated. Bellamy makes himself eggs on toast for something a little more substantial.

I have just finished eating when my phone rings. I scramble to answer it. Yes! It's been less than half an hour. I knew submitting the form early was the right thing to do. First in, first served and all that.

"Good morning." I answer the phone.

"Good morning, is this Ryann Gale?" a male voice asks.

"Yes it is." I confirm.

"Right, well my nis Joshua and I am calling from the Magic Registration Office. I believe you submitted a request for information about an individual earlier this morning?" "Yes. About Kiara Brooks." I clarify.

"Yes exactly, so first I just want to ask a few questions to verify your identity. First, can you tellyour own registration marker please?" "I register as human but with an unknown magic." I respond.

"Okay, and can you confirm your current residence, it doesn't appear to match what we have on file." He explains.

"Oh, yes. I am staying with my fr- my partner at the moment. It's a recent change. I haven't completely finished moving yet and I am still maintaining my other place." I tell him. Bellamy 2/5 grins, I think it was because I referred to him as my partner. I shrug. There's no point trying to hide it on this phone call. It's confidential, but also a Seer would likely know if I was lying and it could ruin my verification. I can hear Joshua typing something into a computer.

"Alright, and your partner is?" "Bellamy Kane." "Alpha Kane?" He clarifies.

"Yes." I confirm. He pauses a second and seems a little confused but doesn't say anything.

"Right... so that should cover the verification. Now I need to know why you are requesting information about this particular child. It is a bit unusual and we are especially careful when giving out information about children." He reminds me.

"I understand and respect that. I believe the information may be relevant to identifying own type of magic. I recently saw a photo of her and her mark is incredibly similar to mine. Not quite the same, but close enough that it is likely there is skind of connection. I thought if she is registered, it might lead to information about myself which I can then. register properly with the MRO. I have also been having dreams about Kiara Brooks which imply skind of deeper magical connection as secondary evidence that her magic is related to mine in sway." I explain.

"Ah, so in short, you are hoping to learn more about your own particular brand of magic by investigating those with similar types." "Yes exactly." "Easy, I believe that reason should be accepted. The MRO does like to prioritise identifying unknown magics whenever possible and you have not expressed anything that would concernas to your potential uses for the information.” "That's... that's so great. So when will I be able to get the details?" I ask.

"Well... the usual wait is five to eight business days." He starts and I have to repress a groan.

3/5 134- Relevance and registration "Really? That long? Is there any way to get it faster?" I question. Joshua hesitates.

"Well... as a private citizen, no there isn't. But... may I ask...is your relationship with the Feline Alpha a... long term commitment? Because an Alpha would be able to expedite the process. Since they're responsible for so many people, their requests are usually prioritised." He explains.

"Oh, well in that case can I resubmit the form under his name?" I suggest.

"I... wouldn't. It might not be approved, a grown man requesting information on a child he isn't related to in any way, well. If you were were m married he might be able to use your he might relationship with the girl as justification but at this tI doubt the form would be approved." Oh... well this sucks. I don't want to have to wait a whole week, maybe even closer to two weeks. Bellamy holds his hand out and after a second of staring, I realise he wants the phone. I hand it to him, confused.

"Good morning, this is Bellamy Kane. How much can an Alpha can expedite the request process? He demands, his tone is polite but it's pretty clear he expects an answer. I can't hear Joshua on the other end, unlike Bellamy I don't have super Shifter hearing. I squirm in my seat, wondering what Bellamy is doing.

"Right, well in that case you can go ahead and register Ryann Gale as the female Feline AlphaXI will sign off on the registration change." He states firmly and my jaw drops. Change my registration to what now? "Yes, I will complete the verification process." Bellamy answers a few questions over the phone.

"That's not a problem, I will submit the official form shortly with those departments. Yes, you can transfer the call." Bellamy waits quietly a minute then answers a few more questions to someone new.

"Great, thanks." he hangs up the phone.

"Congratulations, you're now registered as the female Feline Alpha. Also you should have your information in twenty-four to forty eight hours."