A FEW DAYS LATER
ISABELLA'S POINT OF VIEW:
One moment, I was just trying to focus on the task at hand gathering herbs for the village, and the next, I felt that familiar tug, that pressure in my bones. My pulse quickened, and the world around me seemed to freeze for a heartbeat. I couldn't control it. Before I could even think to stop it, the transformation took over. My body shifted, and I could feel the change the bones snapping, muscles stretching, and fur sprouting across my skin in a rush. I growled, the sound deep and heavy in my chest, as my human form melted into something more primal.
"Not again."I growled.
There it was again the black coat. I hated it. I hated that it was so different, that it stood out so much. I wasn't supposed to be special, I wasn't supposed to be important. The black, coal like fur was so dark, so mysterious, so unlike the other wolves. The villagers were bound to notice. And of course, they did. I could feel the eyes on me almost immediately. The shock, the gasps, the whispers that filled the air. I stood there for a moment, trying to steady myself, but I couldn't stop the uncomfortable tension building in my chest. I wanted to run. I wanted to hide. But no, that wasn't an option anymore.
I stood there, frozen for a moment, my black wolf fur glistening under the sun as the villagers watched me with wide eyes. I could feel their gazes on me, curious, astonished, but mostly surprised. I had never wanted to be the center of attention, especially not like this. I shifted awkwardly, the fur bristling slightly as I cleared my throat in an attempt to break the awkwardness.
"Isabella, is that really you?" A voice called from the crowd.
I recognized it as one of the women who had helped me when I first arrived in the village. Her tone was filled with awe. I lowered my head, still not comfortable being in this form in front of everyone. I gave a short nod, trying to hide the embarrassment that burned within me.
"Yeah, it's me. Sorry about... all this." I muttered, still feeling like I had done something wrong.
A man stepped forward, his eyes wide.
"We saw you leave the event. Was it because of the shift? We didn't know a wolf like you could exist in this village."Man said.
I shook my head, trying to keep calm.
"I didn't mean to cause any trouble. I just... I just wasn't ready to be seen like this."I said.
One of the younger villagers, a woman who had always been kind to me, stepped closer, her voice soft but full of curiosity.
"But you're beautiful. I've never seen a wolf like you before." She paused, then smiled shyly. "Is it true? You're the one who shifted during the full moon event?"
I felt my ears pin back as I struggled to maintain my composure.
'Yeah, I shifted. But it wasn't on purpose... not like everyone's making it out to be."I said.
Another villager, an older man with a graying beard, scratched his head and looked at me.
"We don't see wolves like you every day, miss. But don't worry, you don't have to explain yourself. We're just glad to have you here, regardless of... your form."He said kindly.
I wasn't sure if that made me feel better or worse. I wasn't ready for this level of attention. I wasn't ready for them to see me as something different, something... special. I wanted to blend in, to be one of them, not some kind of spectacle. I sighed, looking down at the ground for a moment to gather myself.
"I didn't mean for any of this." I said quietly, my voice rough from the frustration. "But I'll be fine. I'll be... okay."I forced a smile, though it didn't quite reach my eyes. "I'm not any different than I was yesterday, okay? Just trying to live my life like everyone else."
The villagers exchanged a few glances, and slowly, their gazes softened. The older man smiled kindly at me, a glimmer of understanding in his eyes.
'You don't have to explain, Isabella. We understand."One of them said.
I gave a small nod, relieved that they weren't pressing me further.
"Thank you." I muttered, and before I could say anything else, I turned and walked off, back towards the trees, away from their stares.
I didn't want to be seen like this. I didn't want to be special or different. I just wanted to be Isabella, the quiet person who could get through a day, but it seemed that would never happen, not now. Not after this. As I was walking away, trying to escape the attention, I heard whispers. The villagers, who were still gathered in the clearing, were murmuring among themselves. I didn't want to overhear, but the way their voices were hushed and curious made it impossible not to. I slowed my pace, trying to be discreet as I caught snippets of their conversation.
"She's a strong wolf, but... why doesn't she seem to want a mate?" One of them asked quietly.
"I don't think she wants anyone, even if they're a mate." Another villager responded. "Did you see her leave that event so quickly? She didn't even stay to speak to anyone."
"Maybe she doesn't need a mate." A third voice said, uncertain. "Not with power like that... She could rule on her own."
I frowned. The murmurs started to settle down, but I could still feel the eyes of the villagers on me. I didn't like the way they were talking about me. It wasn't something I had ever given much thought to, but now I was starting to feel uncomfortable, exposed. As I walked further, one of the older women, the same one who had helped me earlier, approached me. She gave me a hesitant smile, but there was a glint of curiosity in her eyes.
"Isabella, dear." She began, her voice kind but direct. "If you don't mind me asking... is there a reason you haven't chosen a mate? You're so strong... It's not every day we see a wolf like you. Surely there's someone who's caught your eye?"
I froze mid step, my heart thumping in my chest. I had never considered myself someone who needed a mate. My life, my journey, everything about me was about surviving on my own, staying in control. I wasn't ready for something like that. Not after everything that had happened. And certainly not with anyone from this village. I looked at her, unsure how to answer.
'I... I don't need a mate." I said, my voice coming out sharper than I intended. "I'm just fine on my own."
The woman looked at me, her expression softening.
"I understand, dear. I just thought... well, you're such a strong wolf. You deserve someone who sees that."She said.
I nodded quickly, not wanting to get into it any further.
"I'll figure it out." I muttered, turning away from her and walking towards the trees again. "It's not something I'm concerned with right now."
I had no time for this, first I needed to know what was real reason for my arrival inside this game.