AT THE SAME TIME
ISABELLA'S POINT OF VIEW:
The word mine echoed in my mind, sending an involuntary shiver. Michael wasn't just saying that to be dramatic, There was certainty in his voice, as if the universe itself had carved my name into his fate.
Xavier stiffened.
"She's not yours."Xavier said.
Michael smirked.
"Oh? And whose is she, then?" His gaze flicked to Rosalie. "Hers? Yours?"
Xavier's jaw clenched, but before he could answer, I took a step back, shaking my head.
"I don't belong to anyone." I said.
Michael's eyes darkened, but before he could say anything before anyone could say anything the world around me tilted. A sharp ringing filled my ears. The ground swayed beneath me, my vision blurring at the edges.
"What the-" I barely managed to whisper before my legs gave out.
The last thing I saw before the darkness took me was a pair of strong arms catching me before I hit the ground.
AT THE SAME TIME
MICHAEL'S POINT OF VIEW:
The moment Isabella's body wavered, I was already moving. Before she could crumple to the ground, my arms caught her with ease. She was light, almost too light, and her warmth seeped through the fabric of my coat as I cradled her against my chest. A murmur rippled through the gathered rogues, excitement sparking like wildfire.
"Our king caught her!"One of them shouted.
"She fainted right into his arms, fate, isn't it?"Another said.
"Looks like our king finally found his queen!"Third one said.
I smirked, glancing down at her face. Even unconscious, she was captivating. The dark lashes resting against her pale cheeks, the slight part of her lips, it made something possessive curl in my chest. Then, a sharp voice cut through the excitement.
"She's not yours to take." Xavier growled, stepping forward with tension radiating from his body.
His golden eyes burned with barely restrained fury. Rosalie, standing beside him, looked equally distraught, though there was something else in her gaze. Worry? Or perhaps… jealousy? I chuckled, adjusting Isabella slightly in my arms.
'Oh? And who exactly does she belong to, then?" I asked smoothly, my silver eyes locking onto Xavier's.
His jaw clenched, but he said nothing. Because he knew the answer.
"She needs a healer." I continued, ignoring the way his hands curled into fists. "And lucky for her, I have the best at my castle."
"You're taking her?" Rosalie's voice wavered, and I turned to see her brows furrowed in confusion.
I gave her an easy smile.
"Would you rather leave her here, unconscious in the dirt?"I asked and grinned.
The rogues surrounding us murmured in agreement. None of them looked concerned, if anything, they were watching me with hopeful, eager expressions. They wanted this. They wanted me to take her.
"I don't trust you."Xavier said.
"You don't have to." I laughed and then, without waiting for another argument, I turned on my heel, carrying Isabella away with me. Let them seethe. Let them fume. She was in my arms now. And I wasn't planning on letting her go so easily.
As I carried Isabella through the village, I could feel the weight of every stare on us. The rogues weren't just watching, they were grinning, some whispering excitedly while others outright smirked in approval.
"The king himself carrying our leader?" One of the older women chuckled, crossing her arms. "Now that's a sight."
"She must've caught his eye." Another elder said, a knowing glint in his gaze. "Can't say I'm surprised. She's got that strength in her."
A few of the younger rogues exchanged glances before snickering.
"Bet she'll be the first to tame him."One of them whispered.
I arched a brow at their words, amused by their enthusiasm. They were acting as if this was already set in stone, as if Isabella had already accepted me. Not that I minded.
"She's in good hands." An older man, clearly one of the village's elders, said with satisfaction. "A king needs a strong queen."
My smirk deepened. Oh? Even the elders approve? That would make things easier. I shifted Isabella slightly in my arms, catching sight of a few women giggling behind their hands as they watched me carry her. Meanwhile, Xavier looked like he was one second away from shifting into his wolf form and tearing something apart. Rosalie wasn't much better her expression a mixture of frustration and disbelief. But unlike Xavier, she didn't glare at me. No, her gaze was locked on Isabella, as if finally realizing something she should have noticed long ago But I wasn't interested in them. I turned my attention back to Isabella, her face still peaceful against my chest. She was soft, warm, and smelled faintly of wildflowers and earth. The way she had fainted so suddenly… was she pushing herself too hard? She was strong, yes, but even the strongest needed rest.
I exhaled through my nose, already making up my mind. She'd be in my castle, under my care. And while she was there, I'd make sure she got very used to my presence. After all, the village already seemed to approve. And I never ignored an opportunity handed to me so perfectly.
Rosalie, still standing stiffly in place, finally spoke up, her voice sharp with frustration.
"Why?"She asked.
I turned to her lazily, still holding Isabella effortlessly in my arms.
"Why what?"I asked.
"Why her?" She asked, her tone edging on disbelief. "Out of everyone, why are you so interested in Isabella?"
The rogues around us fell silent, clearly intrigued by my response. Even Xavier, who was barely holding back his temper, was watching closely. I smirked.
"Isn't it obvious?" I shifted Isabella slightly, my grip on her firm but careful. "She's strong. Not just physically, but in the way she carries herself. Even when she's uncertain, she stands her ground."
Rosalie frowned.
"That's it?"She asked.
I laughed, low and amused.
"That's more than enough." I tilted my head. "Tell me, Rosalie, have you ever met someone who refuses to yield, even when the world tells them to? Who keeps fighting, even when the odds are against them?"
She hesitated, and I took that as my answer.
"She's different from you." I continued. "You were given your role in this story, weren't you? The world bends for you, expects you to shine. But Isabella? She's not the main character, at least, she wasn't supposed to be." I ran my fingers through her hair absentmindedly. "And yet, here she is. Carving her own path."
Rosalie looked taken aback, as if she hadn't considered that before. I leaned in slightly, my silver eyes gleaming.
"That's why I like her. Because she wasn't meant to be chosen." I smirked, my grip tightening on Isabella just a little. "But I chose her anyway."
Xavier clenched his fists, his jaw tight. Rosalie swallowed hard, looking down at Isabella with something unreadable in her gaze. The rogues, meanwhile, were far too entertained by my words.
"Sheesh, if that isn't the most rogue king thing I've ever heard." One of them muttered, grinning.
"Damn right." Another added.
I chuckled, turning away.
'Now, if you'll excuse me, I have someone to take care of."I said.
The journey back to my castle was swift, the cold night air whipping around me as my horse carried us effortlessly through the darkened landscape. Isabella's unconscious form remained nestled against my chest, her warmth a quiet contrast to the crisp air. By the time we reached the castle gates, the torches had already been lit, casting flickering golden light against the dark stone walls. My castle, The Iron Hollow stood like a fortress against the mountain's edge, its towering spires reaching toward the sky. The walls were worn by time but still strong, an unshakable testament to the power my people had built over the years.
I passed through, I could already see my people gathering near the entrance, curiosity shining in their eyes. Rogues thrived on chaos, and I had just brought home something far more interesting than gold or land I had brought a woman. My woman. I dismounted smoothly, still holding Isabella in my arms, and the hushed whispers only grew louder.
"She's the one?"Another asked.
"The village leader?"Second one asked.
"She's smaller than I imagined." He said.
"She's rare." Another voice corrected. "Look at that hair. And her wolf form, it was black, wasn't it?"
I ignored them and strode inside, my boots echoing against the stone floors as I carried her toward the grand hall. The castle's interior was just as imposing as its exterior, massive chandeliers hanging from vaulted ceilings, dark banners displaying my sigil, and walls lined with weaponry and artifacts of old battles. As I reached the main stairway, a familiar presence made itself known.
"Well, well."A smooth, feminine voice cut through the murmurs. "I was wondering when you'd finally bring a woman home."
I sighed before turning.
"Mother."I said.
Lady Evelynn, the Queen Mother of the Rogues, stood at the top of the stairs, dressed in deep crimson. Her long silver hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her piercing golden eyes scanned Isabella with an amused expression.
"You look rather pleased with yourself." She noted, stepping down gracefully, her gaze flickering to the woman in my arms. "And this must be the mysterious leader I've heard so much about."
I smirked.
"Word travels fast."I said.
"Of course it does." Evelynn's lips curled into a knowing smile. "The question is… what exactly do you plan to do with her, my son?"
There was a glint of mischief in her gaze, as if she already knew the answer. I tightened my hold on Isabella, my silver eyes flashing with certainty.
"Keep her."I said.
Evelynn chuckled, shaking her head.
"Oh, Michael, my dear boy." She said, a teasing edge to her voice. "You really are your father's son."