Becoming The Shadows (Shadow Series #4)

27 - Satomi's Pack

I stand in the far corner of the warehouse away from my friends and Derek. Derek who just arrived with Braeden about ten minutes ago to help us fight the assassins that will most likely be here by nightfall. Right now, I'm not fully prepared to face him. I'm not ready for him to see me like this. 

Back at his loft, when I told him to move on, I realized later that I truly meant it. As much as it hurt me to do, I know that deep down that Derek is only meant to be my first love. He wasn't meant to be anything else. 

"You okay?" 

I whirl around to see Brett standing right behind me. I awkwardly clear my throat, realizing that my throat was beginning to tighten. "I'm fine." I brush past Brett with the bow still in hand. 

Brett startles me by grabbing my upper arm. "Wait-"

I slap his hand off of me and turn back to face me. "Don't put your hands on me."

He holds his hands up in surrender. "Sorry." 

I lower my tense shoulders. I briefly shut my eyes. "No, I'm sorry. I'm just- I'm a little stressed." I weakly laugh. 

"I just wanted to apologize for the way I came up to you before. I'm just protective of everyone and after everything that's happened-"

I hold up a hand to stop him. "It's okay. I get it. I'm the same way." 

Brett bobs his head, smiling. "Uh...Why were you hiding in the corner?"

"I- I wasn't hiding." I attempt to defend myself, even though the kid is actually right. 

Brett quirks an eyebrow. "Sure you weren't."

I scowl up at him. Why is this kid so damn tall? He's taller than Scott.

"So who are you hiding from?" 

I roll my eyes and begin to walk away from him. My attempt to make him leave me alone fails as he easily keeps up with me. "Why are you so nosy?" 

"I'm not nosy." 

I shoot him a doubting look.

"I'm curious." Brett follows me over to where Scott and Kira are. 

Unfortunately, Derek and Braeden are right with them. Thankfully, Derek's back is towards me and doesn't see that I look normal again. A conversation that I'm not really sure I'm prepared for.

"Well, don't be." I whisper over my shoulder. Why was this kid following me and demanding to know who I'm hiding from? I literally just met him and now he wants to know my whole life. I don't even know why I keep calling him a kid. I'm pretty sure we're the same age or he's a year younger than me. 

"They've got claws and fangs, but they're not fighters." Derek says to Scott, completely unaware that I'm only a few feet behind him. 

Brett stands beside me, peering at my group of friends. He looks from me to them with his eyebrows scrunched together. "Oh, I get it. You're hiding from this guy." Brett points to Derek's back. "What was he? An old boyfriend?" He smirks when he sees the grimace on my face. 

"That's why I called you." Scott replies. 

"Well, try to remember that I don't have claws and fangs anymore either."

Braeden steps forward nodding her head towards Derek. "That's why he called me." 

Before I even realize what I'm doing, I stride forward to stand beside Scott and Kira with Allison's bow tightly held in my hand. "And I was called because I can kick the most ass." I hold my head up high as I meet all of their gazes.