Saving Shaw

Four

I could have said no. When Arrow asked me if I wanted to go for a walk, I could have refused. After all, I didn't know him and I didn't know where I was.

Yet, at this point, I figured there wasn't much else I could lose. I've become immersed in a new world that I could have never imagined existed. These four men knew more about it than I did. I was under their protection and at their mercy.

Besides, I figured that this situation could be a lot worse. Had Axel not found me in time, Luke might've killed me or done something even more unfavorable. I wasn't sure what would be worse than death, but based on everyone's reactions, there was definitely something worse.

It was that reasoning that led me to accept Arrow's proposal and spurred me to follow him out of the house we were in when it was nearly dark out. When I stepped out the front door and walked down the porch steps, I wasn't surprised to find that this house was fairly secluded.

There was a decent sized front yard and a driveway to the right of the house. The driveway led down and through the trees that surrounded the property. I couldn't see much further than a hundred meters or so, but I assumed that the long driveway eventually hit a more public road.

As I followed Arrow in silence towards a smaller footpath that disappeared through the trees to the left of the house, I looked over my shoulder. Even in the darkness, I could tell that it was a white, older, two-story, Victorian-style house with a wrap around porch, and black shutters around the window. It wasn't massive, but it was a good size for the people that lived in it. It would look perfect with a new coat of paint and maybe a couple flowers planted around the front walkway.

Once we broke through the treeline, Arrow slowed his pace to walk beside me. "There's a few trails around the forest like this. Talon and I like to run down them for an early morning workout. It's quiet and feels better than running on a track or treadmill."

"It reminds me of my high school cross country course," I said as I stepped around a rock that was protruding from the ground. "There was a small forest between our highschool and an apple orchard."

"You ran cross country in high school?" Arrow asked.

I laughed lightly and shook my head. "No, but I used the course to steal some apples when they were in season," I admitted shamelessly. Arrow raised his eyebrows at me, but I only shrugged. "Everyone did. The cross country kids would bring them back for their coaches when they ran through there during practice."

"I can't say I'm that surprised."

"Oh thanks," I said sarcastically.

Arrow chuckled and flashed his nearly perfect teeth at me in a charming smile. "I didn't mean it in a bad way, Shaw. You just seem like the type of girl who can be a little... intense."

I glanced over at him. "Care to elaborate?"

"You've had a shitty night," Arrow began and I didn't disagree. "You were attacked, knocked out, brought to a strange place just outside of West Vancouver, and saw a man turn into a wolf. Yet, when that man tried to intimidate you and talk down to you, you stood up for yourself and gave him shit right back. It's impressive and not too many people would be strong enough to just roll with it."

His compliment was flattering, but I chose to ignore it. "Yeah, let's talk about that 'man-turning-into-wolf' thing. Why'd you all laugh at me when I asked about it?"

Arrow sighed and turned sharply as the path diverted suddenly. I skidded to a stop before turning and jogging a few paces to catch up to him. He wasn't going to dodge me that easily. When I caught up to him, I reached out to grab his arm and pull him to a stop. "They said you'd give me answers," I said pointedly.