See This

Bella's Pov

The look in his eyes showed he wasn't joking. And the smile on his face had turned the size of a small crevice etched on the corner of a mountain. Almost disappearing from view and becoming a distant memory. As his face transformed into a deep seriousness that stood in contrast to his previous demeanour.

He nudged his head sideways and began walking, urging her to follow. Her legs on their part were stiff. But as he kept tugging at her, she moved involuntarily—behind him and tepid. With her eyes turning this way and that, searching around if anyone was watching them. She just got here and she didn't want anyone to think she was a whore…

But again, no one seemed to notice her or Arnold… As they both moved and walked right through the center of the stables area yet no one around just seemed to care…

She turned back to Arnold, his back now facing her. And she could see the creases in his shirt from his muscles bending and swaying beneath the material. He walked and jogged slightly. At intervals turning back and checking if she was still following. And when he had jogged a long distance with her still far behind. He stopped and waited for her to catch up.

And Bella did take her time to catch up. As her eyes were doing their own running. Checking their surroundings for any strange movements in the shrubs and begonias and corn ears that stood all around her and above her height. She was here playing princess in La La Land with a total stranger; that was more good looking than her chances of survival. And she was as skeptic as a horse of a horseshoe.

“C’mon, this way!” Arnold yelled, strangely excited. His feet kicking up dust as he gained speed. And a speed that frightened Bella.

She stood wide eyed as he ran straight across a curved bridge to the other side of the farm. The first space of ground covered with armies of tomatoes still fresh on their stalks. Looking as red as her beating heart, struggling to pump enough blood to her confused brain to prevent her from passing out.

She froze for a second but then started walking; counting her steps to keep herself mentally occupied. If she was too busy counting numerals then there would be no time for her mind to process her fears. As she had seen the bridge and now got there, taking a deep breath before finally crossing it…

Arnold waited on the other side, reaching a hand and leading her down by her hands like a gentleman. But Bella was still not buying the charade even though she followed. Not even knowing why herself?…

“Down this path there's a lake, and I want to show you something…” Arnold said now, his eyes glowing.

And Bella kept on behind him and silent. Now lost in the power of his eyes and led by the excitement in his voice. She was moved by the aura of his presence more than by her own senses. That stayed worried for her safety.

“Where are we going?” she finally asked now. Her brows folding in a squint.

And Arnold paused, stopped in his tracks by the question. His head and body turning back in the same motion. But his face still holding his evergreen smile.

“Weren't you listening?” he asked, smirking. “I said the lake…” he answered, gesturing with his head, smiling like a mother to a toddler.

Bella stared blankly and his smile grew wider. He reached again and yanked her towards him, dragging her along playfully.

“C'mon, there's alot to see…” he said, carrying her now.

They moved alongside each other till they reached a clearing. A wide open prairie with acres of land treeless and vast, far as the eye could see and unfenced. With sheep and cattle meandering around in a seasonal graze. A transparent lake stood at the center of it all. Looking clear as day yet surprisingly deep as an ocean…

Bella's eyes widened at the sight of it. And Arnold chuckled at her suprise.

“Told you…” he laughed, giving her a gentle nudge.

“It's beautiful isn't it?...”

But Bella didn't answer. She simply stayed glued to the view in front of her; frozen in time and lost for words. The morning sun reflecting on the body of water and making it sparkle like a million stars in the night sky.

“It…it's…” she stumbled to get out. “It's amazing…”

“Just like I said…” Arnold smiled cheerful. “And there's more actually…” he added, moving quickly.

He ran up to the water's edge and a bevy of doves instantly took to the sky in a frenzy. All flapping their wings and proverbially running away. He took a handful of water and poured it over his face, washing his hands in tandem. Taking some and brushing it over his hair.

Then he stood up and turned back. Hands beside him and smiling. His face suddenly glowing in a strange bright light. And his hands the same, even his hair. But before Bella could speak, Arnold suddenly began floating off the ground. His feet levitating above the earth. And claws coming out of his hands…

Bella's mind almost went insane at the sight in front of her. She stumbled backwards hitting her feet against each other, tripping over herself and hitting the ground. Her chest caving in with each heavy breath she took. And her eyes shocked at the sight.

Arnold floated towards her and she scrambled on the ground trying to get away. Her hands covered in dust.

“Don't be scared…” Arnold called. His voice now in a surprising baritone. “I'm not going to hurt you…” he said, reassuring.

He faced his palm towards the ground and gradually floated back down directly in front of her. His feet landing softly and the bright light all over him going out slowly like a candle in the wind. He had turned into his wolf form and now stood above her with a smile across his red lips. And a grin that revealed canines.

“The water charges up our wolf forms. It makes it possible to transform without being fueled by rage…” he explained, his voice deeper than an abyss.

“I'm still Arnold…” he added, reaching out a hand like he always did. “And I won't hurt you…” he promised.

“I just wanted you to see this…”