~Diana~

F R O M    T H E    M O M E N T    Cole Walker yanked his hand out of hers, Diana decided there was something off about him. It wasn't every day you met a boy in the middle of the woods, armed with a gun, his arm bleeding and jeans ripped. Guns were illegal in this area, anyway. The only reason she had one was for self-defense, even though it was stolen from a police officer. She had only had to use it for the safety of the people. She was an exception, she was a vigilante. So what was this boy's excuse?

The boy, Cole, eyed her up and down. She suddenly felt self-conscious, and it occurred to her that she didn't look perfect either. Her torn leather jacket and tall black hiking boots, along with the mask sticking out of her bag didn't exactly make her look like the most innocent person in town, not to mention the gun stuck in her back pocket. 

Cole opened his mouth to speak, but the words came out of hers first. "Who are you?"

The boy raised his eyebrows before speaking. "I already told you. Cole Walker."

Oh, how clever, she thought sarcastically. "You know what I meant. Who are you? I can't just bump into a random stranger carrying a gun and looking all shady and expect them to be a normal townsperson. What are you doing out here?"

"You're one to talk." the boy scoffed, giving her another once-over. "Ripped leather jacket and boots? A mask in your duffel bag and a gun in your pocket? And you said I looked shady!"

"Just answer the question." Diana gritted her teeth. She hated it when people tried to avoid her questions. "What are you doing out here, in the middle of the woods?"

"Why should I tell you? Why should I trust you?" Cole humorlessly laughed in her face. His eyes built a wall that separated the two, shielding his emotions from her. 

There was something he was hiding from her. Something he didn't want for her to find out. She was going to break down that wall. She wanted to know.

"That...little...oh, she's gonna pay..." came a deep voice from behind them.

Diana whipped around, scrambling for her gun. She fiercely looked around, searching for the source of the voice. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Cole do the same.

Suddenly, a man stumbled into the clearing. He was dying, she could tell. An arrow was sticking out of his thigh, and his blood spilled onto the grass, staining the bright green color a dark red.

"Oh no..." Diana mumbled, stepping forward to help the man.

"No!" Cole whispered in her ear from behind her, grabbing her waist and dragging her behind a tree. Diana turned to face him.

"What are you doing?!" she whisper-yelled, getting in his face. "That man needs help! He's going to die!"

Diana struggled against his hold, but Cole had locked her in a position between himself and the tree, so she was unable to move. Eventually, she stopped squirming and sighed. Diana looked up. Cole's face was pale, and sweat was running down his neck. 

"What's...what's wrong? Why won't you let me help him?" Diana whispered, trying to turn around to get a good look at the man.

"No...it can't be..."Cole muttered to himself. He looked really nervous now, Diana noted. Did he know that guy out there?

"Huntress, I will make you pay!" the man shouted from behind them. It sounded weak but firm, sending shivers down her back. Once more, Diana fought to get a good look at him, and once more, she was held back.

"Huntress..."Cole breathed out, trailing off. Diana stared at him, but Cole's eyes were far away. His wall was down, and Diana could see through him. His eyes held one emotion. Fear.

Diana had had enough of this. Catching him off guard, she broke out of Cole's grip and grabbed his wrist, dragging him behind a bush a few yards away. They crouched low so nobody could hear their voices.

"What - "Cole started, but Diana cut him off.

"No. I want answers. Who is that, and why aren't you letting me help him?" Diana whispered viciously, glaring at him. "I don't exactly trust you right now, but I want to know the truth. What's going on, Cole Walker?" she spat out.

Cole looked at her wearily, looking as if he was trying to make a decision. In the end, he sighed. "Dana - sorry, Diana. That guy...he isn't just a regular guy. He worked with my f - .... I mean, he belongs to a group of bad people. He's committed lots of murder. His name is Zane. Don't trust him, Diana."

Diana stared at him. "How do you know him?"

"He was, uh...he was on the news a lot." Cole replied shortly, looking around.

"What are you doing?" Diana asked.

"Just, stay here. I'll be right back."

Getting up, Cole stalked back over to the tree, taking out his gun. No, Diana thought. He wouldn't do this.

But he did. Cole pointed his gun at the guy, Zane, and a BANG echoed through the trees. Seconds later, Diana heard Cole's voice yell out to her. "It's safe! Come back here!"

Diana jogged back over to the clearing, her gun in hand. "You killed him?!"

"Yeah, you can put your gun away now." Cole remarked.

Diana pointed it towards Cole, and repeated her question. "You killed a random, innocent stranger. Why?"

Cole smirked at her. "Oh, Zane was anything but innocent, Diana. He deserved what was coming for him. Don't act like you can't handle shooting people, or else you shouldn't carry a gun with you."

Diana looked between Zane and Cole, then pointed her gun towards the dying Zane and pulled the trigger. 

"What was that for?" Cole asked, the stupid little smirk growing wider and wider. 

"Just to be safe." Diana grumbled. "Let's go."

"Where are we going?" Cole asked. She could almost hear the amusement in his voice.

"Anywhere but here." Diana remarked. She didn't miss the way Cole hesitated, deciding whether to follow her. "You...you trust me, right?" she asked, unsure of the answer.

Cole averted his eyes as he stepped forward, falling into step with Diana. He never answered her question, but, for just a second, Diana caught sight of the small smile, a genuine smile, on his face as he gave the tiniest of nods she had ever seen.

 For a moment, the rhythm of their footsteps was all Diana heard as they made their way deeper into the forest.

If only she knew how much her life was about to change.

***

And there you have it! Chapter 10 of The Wolf's Shadow is officially up! Do you guys remember Zane? I haven't mentioned him by name before, but he was in Ashlynn's chapter.

Who's ready for summer? We only have a week left of school now! (I'll be updating a lot more frequently)  :D Comment your summer plans!

I'm dedicating this chapter to vanellet, one of my best friends not only here on Wattpad but at that prison that we call 'school'. I'd like to thank her for always sticking by me, and for reading this book even though it's quite horrible. Anyway, she really is an extraordinary writer. Please check out her books, The Cave Guardian and Hiding the Scales, and follow her if you want too.

Thanks for reading! Please vote, comment, follow, share, (am I missing anything? Ah, well. You guys know what I mean.)

Next update: 'round Friday OR  next Tuesday night

Good night guys! <3

~helloperson11