IN A FEW DAYS
ISABELLA'S POINT OF VIEW:
The air smelled like morning dew and old earth. I walked along the edge of the clearing near the stream that curved around our little rogue village Moon Chosen, they called it now. Still surreal.
"Special Event Unlocked. Fishing festival. Details: All villages and packs are eligible to participate. Duration. 3 Days. Goal. Catch the most fish by weight. Reward. Resource crates, reputation, and a mysterious bonus."System said.
I paused mid step, staring blankly at the message in front of my eyes.
"Of course. A fishing event." I muttered to myself, rubbing the back of my neck. "Because rogue life wasn't wild enough already."
I turned back toward the village, picking up my pace. When I reached the center, Mira was already handing out tools to a few of the others ropes, baskets, handmade spears. I waved her over.
"What is it?" She asked, tilting her head.
I took a deep breath.
"There's… something I need to tell you all."I said.
Mira frowned, but nodded.
"Everyone! Gather around! Isa's got news."She said.
Soon enough, a crowd had formed, all tired eyed and curious.
"So." I started. "I got word, some kind of notice. A big event is starting today. A fishing event."
A few raised eyebrows. One guy actually laughed.
"Fishing?" A gruff voice echoed. "That's it? Sounds like a lazy man's fight."
I smiled faintly.
'Don't underestimate it. It's not just about tossing a line. It's a competition. Every village and pack around will be doing it. Three days. The one who brings in the heaviest catch wins."I said.
Mira narrowed her eyes.
"What's the reward?"She asked.
"Resources." I said. "Supplies, tools, maybe even coins. And... recognition. If we place, other packs will see us."
That got their attention.
"We've been ignored for too long." I said, voice firm. "This is a chance to show them that rogues aren't weak. That we're rebuilding. That we're worth something."
A heavy silence followed until Toren stepped forward.
"I know some good spots by the east stream." He said.
"And I can build traps from the old netting." Another added.
Mira folded her arms, smiling.
"Looks like Moon Chosen's going fishing."Mira said.
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
"Let's make sure they remember us."I said.
As the villagers scattered into preparation mode, I stared out at the forest beyond. Somewhere, other leaders were prepping their people too, but I had a feeling they weren't ready for what a village of rogues could do when they finally believed in something. When they believed in me. I was up to my knees in river water, pulling one end of a massive woven net while Mira hauled the other. Rogues shouted across the banks, tossing fish into buckets, using sharpened sticks, homemade traps, even bare hands. We worked as one, yelling, slipping, laughing. The teamwork? It was chaos, but functional chaos. A beta from a nearby pack stood on the ridge, jaw slack.
"Are those… rogues?"He asked.
"Yeah." Another muttered. "And they're winning."
I pretended not to hear them, too focused on the silver flash of another fat trout landing in our crate. Beside me, a younger rogue girl named Lila squealed.
"This one's huge! Look, Bella!"She shouted.
"That's what I like to see!" I said, ruffling her wet hair.
I was soaked, my arms ached, and my braid was unraveling, but my chest swelled with pride. We weren't scavengers today. We were contenders. Soon we stood in our muddy clothes, dripping and stinking of fish, but holding our heads high. The clearing buzzed with pack members whispering and side eyeing us. The announcer stepped up on a wooden platform and raised a hand.
"Results are in!"He shouted. "Third place… Crescent River Pack!"
"Second place… Moon Chosen Village!"He said.
The silence was deafening. Then came the murmurs.
"No way…"One of them said.
"They beat Silvertooth?"Another asked.
"The rogues…?"Third said.
We were stunned. Then Mira whooped and raised Lila in the air like a trophy.
"And first place…" The announcer grinned, drawing out the suspense. "Black down Pack!"
The crowd erupted. But I barely noticed. Dozens of eyes were on me. Curious. Appraising. An alpha strolled over, eyeing me like he hadn't expected someone like me to stand there.
"You're their leader?" He asked.
I met his gaze evenly.
"I am." I said.
"Impressive."He said.
Another leaned toward his companion.
"Wouldn't be the worst Luna, huh?"He said and grinned.
I felt heat rush to my cheeks. Mira smirked beside me.
"They're talking about you again." She whispered.
"I know."I sighed.
"Get used to it, 'Moon Chosen'."She bumped my shoulder playfully.
I swallowed hard, feeling my face heat up as yet another alpha approached me, his sharp golden eyes filled with curiosity and something else I wasn't quite used to. Admiration? Interest? Flirtation? Whatever it was, I wasn't sure how to handle it.
"You're quite the surprise, Isabella." Alpha Caleb of the Silverfang pack said smoothly, his deep voice laced with amusement. "A rogue omega leading her people to second place? I never would have expected that."
I forced a chuckle, shifting awkwardly under the attention.
"It was a team effort." I replied, trying to downplay it. "Team effort or not, you're the one they look up to." Alpha Jaden of the Stormhowl Pack added, stepping a little too close. His piercing blue eyes gleamed with interest as he gave me a slow once over.
"I must say, it's refreshing to see a rogue with more than just brute survival instincts. You're clever… and quite resourceful." Alpha Jaden.
"Uh… thanks?" I muttered, taking a small step back.
But they weren't done.
"Tell me, Isabella." Alpha Caleb continued, his smirk deepening. "A strong, intelligent woman like you… are you planning to stay among rogues forever? Or have you considered… better options?"
"Better options?" I echoed, blinking.
Alpha Jaden chuckled.
"Come now, don't be modest. You've caught the attention of many Alphas today, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't intrigued myself."He said.
I nearly choked on my own breath. Was he flirting with me? Before I could respond, another voice cut through the conversation like a blade.
"She's a rogue, not some prize to be won." A male voice said.
A heavy, tense silence followed. I turned my head slightly, my stomach twisting when I saw him. Xavier. He stood just a few steps away, arms crossed over his broad chest, golden eyes burning with quiet fury. His jaw was tight, and his entire posture was radiating irritation. But what sent a chill down my spine wasn't just his anger it was the possessiveness laced beneath it. The other Alphas, while powerful in their own right, couldn't compare to Xavier's sheer presence. His aura alone commanded attention, and as his gaze locked onto me, I felt my heart stutter. Alpha Caleb let out a low chuckle.
"Relax, Xavier." He said, smirking. "We're merely having a conversation with Isabella. It's only natural to admire someone with her… unique talents."Caleb said.
Jaden nodded.
"She's quite extraordinary. Anyone would be lucky to have her in their pack."Jaden said.
I wanted to shrink into the ground. What was happening?! Xavier's eyes darkened.
"She belongs to no one but herself."Xavier said.
I blinked. He was… defending me? The other Alphas exchanged amused glances, clearly entertained by his reaction. Caleb smirked.
"Well, until she says otherwise… I think I'll keep admiring her, if you don't mind." Caleb said.
Xavier took a sharp step forward, and for a moment, I thought he was going to start a fight right then and there. The air around us grew thick with tension, and I felt caught in the middle of something I didn't quite understand. Realizing I needed to regain control, I cleared my throat and took a firm step back from all of them.
"Alright, enough." I said, raising my hands slightly. "I appreciate the… attention, but I'm not some trophy to be passed around. I'm here for my people, and that's all that matters right now."
For a second, no one spoke. Then, surprisingly, Jaden let out a laugh.
"Fair enough." He said, stepping back with a wink. "But if you ever change your mind, Isabella… you know where to find me."
Caleb smirked, nodding in agreement before following suit.
"Likewise."Caleb said.
As they walked away, I let out a deep breath I didn't realize I had been holding. But Xavier? He was still staring at me. His jaw was tight, his fists clenched, and his eyes those damn golden eyes were unreadable.
"Xavier?" I asked hesitantly.
He didn't respond. Instead, with one last lingering look, he turned sharply on his heel and disappeared into the crowd. And for some reason, I felt like I had just made things a lot more complicated.