Arrowed (Arrowed Series Book 1)

by Gryffin Murphy

  “It’s not?” He raised an eyebrow. He looked like he was fighting the urge to laugh at me, which unfortunately only encouraged my stubbornness.

  “No,” I said firmly, “It’s a he.” Shut up, Sophia just shut up. Why was I asserting the gender of something that didn’t need to be gendered? It boiled down to the fact that I was simply feeling contrarian. Unfortunately, that had resulted in me sounding like a complete lunatic. I guess the tables had turned and now I was going to be the crazy one.

  “Well, that’s unfortunate news because I’ve been calling him baby and whispering sweet nothings to him ever since I put him together.” He sighed dramatically, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

  “I’m still sure he enjoyed that very much.” I was grateful he played along but still felt ridiculous for taking the conversation in such an odd direction. “Especially since he has such little time left in this world.”

  “Hey now.” His expression turned serious as he took a step forward. He was so tall that he had to lean over to get at my eye level. “Show some respect for your elders. That truck may look beat up but she- I mean- he runs like the smoothest car you’ve ever known.” My heel flexed with the instinct to take a step back but I stood my ground.

  “Didn’t look so smooth from what I could see, but I guess I’ll have to take your word for it.” I shrugged, meeting his narrowed eyes with mine.

  “Don’t just take my word,” he said simply, “Let’s go for a ride.” My jaw dropped at his boldness and I blushed at the potential double meaning.

  “No,” I blurted.

  “’No’? He repeated it as if he couldn’t believe what I had just said. Was he serious? Of course he was. I bet for him it was usually this easy to dupe a girl into going for a ride in his truck, and then maybe doing anything else he wanted her to. Little did he know, this time it would not be so easy.

  Another thought hit me. “Don’t you have a girlfriend?” I accused him. I distinctly remember his friend mentioning a she who needed him.

  “No.” He looked confused for a moment.

  “’No’?” I repeated, mocking his earlier tone.

  He broke into a smile, which quickly transitioned from surprised to smug. “Why do you ask?”

  There was no way I would admit taking notice of his friends comment, because that would only make his smile grow to the size of the moon. “I just assumed a guy like you has multiple female companions.” I shrugged vaguely.

  He laughed. “Well you know what they say about assuming.” He leaned forward and put his hands on my handlebars, looking at me sincerely. “I’m not that kind of guy at all. Give me a chance to prove that to you as well.” In a moment of weakness, I felt my attitude falter a little as I looked into his deep green eyes. Combined with his red plaid shirt, I suddenly was feeling the Christmas spirit at the start of summer. I mentally shook myself out of it, forcing myself to stay strong.

  “I’m curious.” I tilted my head. “Do you even know my name? And it isn’t park ranger.” I lifted my chin as his smile slackened. He leaned back, shuffling his foot nervously.

  “Oh, should I have asked you that already?” He asked jokingly.

  “You should have,” I affirmed, “You definitely should ask a girl what her name is before asking her out for a ride with you.” I maneuvered my bike around as I stepped past him, but all too quickly he was in front of me again.

  “You’re absolutely right about that.” He was laughing breathily, but his tone had a hint of nervousness. “And I apologize. Let’s start over.”

  Starting over didn’t sound so bad to me. Maybe I was being a little too feisty, but there was something about him that just kept bringing it out in me. I was really more annoyed at myself than I was at him. I didn’t like what my stomach did every time our eyes connected! I also didn’t like that despite my constant dismissals of him, I secretly didn’t want our conversation to end.

  “Shall we start over from this conversation or the great one we had yesterday?” I asked him. He laughed openly this time, and the sound of it was marvelous. I tried to bite back my responding smile but failed.

  “Both.” He nodded seriously. “Let’s just do a complete reset.”

  “I think I can do that.” I nodded, giving in. His responding smile was blinding.

  “My name is Noah Mactire.” He formally held out a hand. I rolled my eyes playfully but shook it –instantly surprised at how big and warm his hand felt.

  “Sophia Rose Parker.” I curtsied slightly. Oh no, I curtsied. Let me die here and now.

  He looked into my eyes and once more it was like the park, only this time I found myself staring back, mirroring his captivated expression. I still couldn’t get over how deep the shade of green in his irises was. They were olive green with freckles of sea foam; so vivid they were like no eyes I had ever seen before. “Sophia Rose,” he murmured, taking me out of my trance.

  “Most people just call me Sophia.” I slowly pulled my hand away.

  “So, Sophia Rose.” He straightened up. “Do you, uh, come here often?”

  I smirked at his lame line. “Come here?” I asked, “You mean, to this part of the sidewalk?” He laughed and shook his head, embarrassed, and I felt a selfish sense of pride over the fact that I was clearly throwing him off his game a little bit. It seemed like something that would come easy to him, as he probably got plenty of practice from the plethora of admirers that must throw themselves at his feet.

  “I haven’t seen you around before,” he clarified, “And this is a small town that I’ve lived in all my life. You’re not just passing through are you?” The look of almost desperate hope on his face after that question had dangerous consequences for my heart rate.

  “No, I am not just passing through,” I said softly, “I actually moved here about a month and a half ago.”

  “Oh really? Any particular reason?”

  “It’s a long story.” I was not about to get into all that.

  “I’d love to hear it,” he persisted. My brain told me to be suspicious, but he sounded genuine.

  “Maybe some other time.” I looked down at my bag. “I actually have to go return some library books right now.”

  “So you were running away from me then.” He smiled wickedly.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I turned around, and started walking back towards the library’s entrance, trying to bite back my smile. I was so busted.

  “You wouldn’t be running away from me now, would you?” he asked, stepping to the other side of the bike to take the handles from me so that he could pull it along himself. It was such a fluid and chivalrous move; I had to take a second before I was able to speak again.

  “Not at all. ” I smiled politely. “In fact, you’re welcome to come… unless you have better things to do?” I looked across the street and noticed his friends were still hanging out. They were standing around aimlessly, and I wondered if the only reason they were still there was to watch us. The suspicion increased as I noticed two of them were shoving each other and laughing, all the while glancing in our direction.

  He didn’t seem to notice as he pulled my bike back into the rack and wrapped my lock around it. “My schedule’s free.” He shrugged when he stood up, “Besides, I’ve been meaning to check out a certain book by James Allen.”

  My jaw dropped slightly as he opened the door and motioned for me to go in first. There was no way he could have remembered that’s what I had been reading. Could he?

  I stepped inside, feeling as if I was stepping into some very uncharted territory.

  ➹➹➹

  Noah

  I couldn’t believe my luck. Not only did she just so happen to be across the street right as I came out of the hardware store, but she agreed to let me go along with her as she ran her errand. It was like the Arrow was pulling us together.

  She was so smart and feisty I was trying my hardest not to smile too eagerly at her and scare her away. The elders warned me that t
he first couple interactions with the person you’ve Arrowed on are the most amped up. Your body is still getting acclimated to all the powerful emotions of the Arrow, and because of all this high energy coursing through your body you’re at risk of coming off a little intense. I was trying to rein it in, but carrying on a conversation with her more or less felt like I was high on cocaine.

  With a deep calming breath, I followed her into the library and was immediately struck by how cozy it felt. I had never stepped foot in the place before because I had always imagined it to be stuffy and old and I always preferred buying books to borrowing anyway. Instead of my prediction, however, the air was clean and open, the bookshelves were a beautiful dark mahogany, there was an antlered chandelier, and there were long wooden tables where people sat reading.

  “I haven’t lived here that long,” she said softly as she deposited her books in the drop off bin, “But this place has quickly become one of my favorites.”

  “I can see why,” I murmured, looking around. There were even some comfy looking leather couches by the window. If this was her favorite, then it was mine too.

  “Is there anything else you’re looking to check out?” I asked, trying to keep my volume low. Carrying on a conversation in such a quiet place was not going to be easy.

  “I don’t have anything specific in mind,” she admitted, her bottom lip sticking out. I felt a sudden need to rub my thumb across it. “But I’ll see if anything catches my eye,” she finished. Together, we silently walked down an aisle, and I found I had to keep my hands clasped behind my back to keep from touching her.

  “So, Noah,” she said conversationally. I didn’t think I’d ever get over how my name sounded on her lips. “Are you a student at Bair?”

  “I just graduated, actually,” I replied with a smile. She was taking an interest and asking about me! It was almost too much for my already rapidly beating heart to handle.

  “What’s next for you?” she asked, as she pulled out a book and examined its back cover. In an attempt to match her mood, I pretended to casually peruse the shelf as well, but the truth of the matter was she enraptured every one of my senses making reading impossible.

  “I’m going into the family business. We own and run Wolfsblood Ranch. Have you heard of it?”

  “I think so.” She put the book back as her bottom lip stuck out again in thought. My thumb twitched. “That’s the place across town, right? The dude ranch?”

  “Yes, exactly!” Okay Noah, take it down a notch you’re acting like an excited puppy. “It originally was a cattle ranch but we’ve since gotten rid of most of the cows and opened it to the public for agritourism. Now, we have a couple guest houses and cabins, venues for events, and offer all kinds of outdoor activities for visitors to take part in.”

  “That’s pretty cool. What’s your job on the ranch?” She pulled out another book and I examined the constellations of freckles she had all over her nose and cheeks. Suddenly worried I was staring a little too much at her face, I turned to face the books on the other side, running my finger across the spines.

  “I used to only be in charge of the horseback riding lessons, but since getting my degree I’ve started working the business side too.” I turned back to her with a shrug and froze to see the most beatific smile on her face. Her eyes were sparkling with excitement. I stopped breathing.

  “You have horses?” she whispered, delightedly. I nodded slowly, instantly breaking out into a smile that mirrored her own. I thought that would have been obvious. Horses were a staple for any self-respecting ranch.

  “We have a lot of them,” I revealed, “And they all have their own distinct personalities. There’s only four that are friendly enough to allow new riders, though.” I hoped that wouldn’t deter her excitement.

  “I’ve never ridden one before, but horses are my favorite animal,” she said with a happy sigh before turning into the next aisle. I stood there frozen for a minute, just staring at the space she had just vacated with a stupid grin on my face. Of course she loved horses as much I did, she was my soul mate after all.

  “What about you?” I asked, quickly turning the corner. I ended up speaking the words directly into the face of a stranger who looked extremely bothered by my invasion of their personal space. I muttered an apology as I moved around them to where Sophia Rose was standing. She was sweet enough to try and hide her laughter at my blunder. Knowing I made her laugh filled my chest with immeasurable warmth. Heck, if it made her happy, I would go get in the face of every stranger in the building.

  “I’m going to be a junior at Bair,” she murmured, a small smile still playing on her lips. “It would be my senior year, but um-“ she paused, “Things happened and I got delayed a whole semester.” My curiosity peaked but I could see it was not a topic she wished to get into at the moment, so I didn’t press her further.

  “Where were you before you moved here?” I asked, instead.

  “New York,” she said, examining another book.

  “The big apple?”

  “Just outside it,” she said with a smile. She placed the book in the crook of her arm and I made a mental note to try and catch the title of it later. So she was a city girl? Never in a million years would I have thought I’d Arrow on someone from a big city. I’ve always preferred the countryside and mountains. Who would want to be cooped up in a place with buildings so tall you could barely see the sky overhead? I’d rather have my skyline obstructed with ice-capped majesty than concrete and glass.

  “Easy on the judgment there, Mountain Man,” she said slyly, reading my expression. My stomach flipped at the nickname and I smiled apologetically. “I lived just outside the city. I had a house not an apartment, with a nice green front yard instead of a busy street.”

  “Do you miss it?” I asked, hoping that wasn’t too personal a question. She got a very strained expression on her face, as if internally battling with some unwanted emotions, and I immediately regretted asking the question. “Compared to the great outdoors this town offers, I mean,” I amended.

  “Actually,” she said, leaning forward as if confessing a secret, “I’m almost beginning to like it here just as much. This open air is so fresh, and I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of seeing those mountains. Every direction I turn looks like a desktop wallpaper.”

  I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. I didn’t want her to think I was making fun of her, but I couldn’t help my reaction to her pure adorableness. I made another mental note to myself to bring her to Killian’s Peak, a large hill on the ranch that had the most beautiful view of the land and mountains at the top.

  “You’ve always lived here?” she asked, placing another book in the crook of her arm. I nodded hoping she wouldn’t be unimpressed.

  “Yup, all my life.”

  “So you know all the ins and outs of this town,” she guessed. I smiled flirtatiously at this.

  “Why? Would you like me to show you around sometime?” I asked coolly. She looked at me with an unimpressed frown. Well that didn’t go according to plan.

  “I think I can manage pretty well by myself, thanks,” she said smartly, “But if you have any recommendations, I’m all ears.” I nodded in response, rubbing my chin in serious contemplation.

  “There are a few places that come to mind.”

  “Really?” She looked genuinely curious. “Where?”

  “I’ll show them to you later,” I said with a shrug. This time she didn’t roll her eyes but, to my relief, shook her head with a smile as she returned her focus to the bookshelf. Suddenly her eyes lit up and in a fluid whirl she pulled out a book and slapped it to my chest.

  “James Allen, per your request,” she announced, before turning away and walking towards the Check Out counter. I followed her with a goofy grin, still holding the book where she had pressed it into me.

  She checked out her books and waited politely as I embarrassingly had to open up a library card, revealing my secret of being a first-timer. We s
tepped outside of the library and I nervously racked my brain for something else for us to do, anything to spend more time with her. Lucky for me, she turned to me with a smile and jutted her thumb towards the coffee shop.

  “Care for some caffeine?” she asked, with a nervous smile. As if I could possibly say no.

  Chapter Four

  Noah

  I panted softly as my paws pushed against the wet dirt and mulch of the forest. I was supposed to meet Sophie at her house in an hour and I still had a lot of energy to burn out.

  By now I had gotten into a sort of routine: If I shifted and took a fierce run before seeing her, I'd be tired and my Arrow would be a little less excitable which meant I’d be a little less likely to do something stupid, like try to kiss her. Unfortunately, this was boosting my endurance, which was good for the wolf but bad for me. Eventually I'd probably have to schedule a run all the way to Idaho just to calm myself down enough.

  Sophia Rose. Sophie. For the millionth time her name ran through my head, as if on a looped playback. It didn’t matter how many times I heard it, I never grew tired of hearing her name. I couldn’t imagine her being called by anything else; it was like a song or a prayer. Instantly, I mentally groaned at how stupid the thought sounded.

  Unfortunately, due to the combined mindset of the clan, everyone else was privy to my sometimes cliché lovesick thoughts as well. It didn’t matter that I was equally disgusted with myself (not to mention thoroughly embarrassed), they would all groan and gripe every time they heard something mushy. Eventually, however, the members who had Arrowed themselves left me alone. It reminded them of what it had been like when Arrowing happened to them. At that time they had been equally as pitiful, so they learned to not hold it against me.

  My cousin Frankie, on the other hand, wouldn’t lay off me. Since the moment she found out about it she thought it was hilarious. I could deal with her teasing me, but one time she went too far and started making fun of Sophia Rose, particularly making rude comments about the fact that she was human. Let's just say that when I was done with her she knew never to bring Sophia Rose into it again. Deep down, I knew Frankie was just jealous. I had caught her fantasizing about finding someone plenty of times. She had been worried for a long time that it might never happen for her. Everyone had been worried.