AFTER A WEEK
ISABELLA'S POINT OF VIEW:
The forest was quiet, save for the rustle of wind weaving through the trees and the crunch of my boots over mossy ground. The basket on my hip was half full of fresh feverfew, golden leaf, and a few sprigs of valerian, simple, familiar things. The kind I could gather with my eyes closed now. I knelt by a cluster of mint and reached for the stalks, the scent immediately sharp and clean in the damp air. My hands moved on instinct, but my mind was wandering trying not to think of silver eyes, annoying systems, or the ridiculous idea of being 'courted' in a game where I wasn't even the main character. Suddenly I heard similar sound in my head, it seems after a week system has decided to give me a new task.
"New event. Luna's Worth - Ancestral rite. Participants are all present Alphas, Betas, and select Leaders. Reward. Status Recognition + ???
Time Limit: Until Moon reaches its peak."System said.
Of course. Of course the system picked now, while I looked like I hadn't slept in days and probably smelled like herbs and regret. I exhaled sharply and stepped into the clearing. Figures were already gathering, tall, dominant presences from other packs. I recognized a few from the game's original lore. The Fireclaw Alpha, the Mistfang twins, and even the Ironvale alpha female, as well as Adrian, shadow village alpha, gave me a brief nod with an amused smirk.
"Didn't think you'd show, Isabella." He said lowly. "Rumor was, moon's chosen doesn't bother with these rites."
"Rumor was wrong." I muttered, adjusting my satchel and brushing past him.
From the edge of the trees, a presence flared, silver eyes glinting even in daylight. Michael, rogue king, leaned casually against a tree, flanked by his guards. His eyes never left me.
"You came." He murmured, voice velvet and pleased.
"I didn't come for you." I snapped, ignoring the flutter in my chest. "This is for the system."
His grin was infuriating.
"Still counts."He said.
"The cook begins now!."A loud voice announced.
The clearing buzzed with quiet anticipation as I stepped into the heart of the gathering. long table had been set up beneath the open sky, its surface covered in parchment sheets, wooden bowls, and handwritten instructions inked by the Elders. There were no gilded leaves or magical glowing herbs just the honest scent of crushed thyme, fresh pine needles, and the sharp tang of vinegar from a nearby jar. As I read the event scroll aloud, I ran my fingers over the familiar texture of dried yarrow and chamomile.
"Create a healing salve. Use natural elements found within the region. Must soothe fever, stop minor bleeding, and aid restful sleep. Effectiveness will be judged."A scroll said.
This wasn't some flashy main character moment or scripted divine trial. It was… real. The kind of task you'd expect a village Luna to handle. No fairy dust, no glowing petals. Just skill.
"Thank Luna."I muttered. "Something I actually know how to do."
I stepped toward the supply baskets and began collecting dried plantain leaves, calendula petals, comfrey root, pine resin, already softened near the fire, useful as a natural preservative and antiseptic, olive oil and beeswax, some base ingredients, simple and honest. As I crushed the herbs with the mortar and pestle, a low murmur rippled through the other attendees. A few Alphas stood nearby, observing. I recognized some of them Adrian from the Shadow pack gave me a casual nod, while others just watched with passive interest.
"That's the rogue leader?" Someone whispered.
"Didn't she get banished from another pack?"Another asked.
"She's doing better than half the healers here."Third one said.
I added a few dried elderberries to the mix, for fever relief and a subtle sweetness to the salve's scent. Not necessary, but thoughtful. It reminded me of what the cubs in my village preferred. Heat, stir, pour, cool. I worked by muscle memory now.
When I finally looked up, there were more eyes on me than I'd expected. Not just from my own region, but from Alphas I'd never spoken to, others in the crowd, even a few of the elder judges.
"Finished." I said simply, holding out the small clay pot wrapped in linen.
An elder took it wordlessly and moved on. I didn't wait for praise. I stepped back and exhaled. Then came the voice that always managed to pierce straight through the buzz.
"Well." Michael drawled, stepping beside me like he'd been there all along. "That was surprisingly attractive."
I glared at him.
'I'm making wound salve, not performing a mating dance."I said.
"You say that." He said with a grin. "But I watched five Alphas go red just watching you measure out beeswax."
"You're infuriating."I said.
"And you're impressive." His tone dropped just enough to make my pulse skip. "Not because of the herbs. Because you've done this before. Quietly. Without expecting anyone to notice. That's what makes you dangerous."
I didn't know what to say to that. Behind him, I spotted Xavier and Rosalie watching from the edge of the crowd. Xavier's gaze was sharp, unreadable. Rosalie's smile was thin, wavering. I realized, again, how far we'd come from the original story. I wasn't supposed to be here. Not this involved. But here I was, recognized, judged, and respected. And for once, it felt… right.
"Task Complete. Healing salve – High grade. +15 Reputation. +5 Affinity – rogue king Michael, +3 Awareness – Other pack leaders."System said.
"You really made that?" One of the younger contestants asked me after. Her eyes wide, hands ink-stained from her own attempts.
"With what the forest gives. No magic. Just care."I said.
She smiled, and I realized… that's all some of us ever needed. Task complete. That was the system's message. Short and sweet. I breathed out slowly as the gathering began to thin, the last of the alphas retreating back to their tents or circling near the fires for quiet talk. I didn't need any more praise. I didn't want more attention.
The jar of unused salve still sat in the healer's hands as she turned to me with a proud glint in her eye.
"Keep doing what you're doing, girl. Your people are lucky."He said.
I nodded, offering a polite smile before slipping back into the edge of the gathering. Behind me, I could still hear Rosalie's voice, louder than it needed to be, probably trying to salvage what she could. Something about her blend needing more time to cure, some excuse to soften the embarrassment. Let her talk. Let her explain. I didn't need to prove myself anymore. Michael approached again, slower this time, holding two cups of something warm and spiced. He offered me one, and I accepted without thinking.
"You handled that like a queen." He said. His silver eyes flicked across the space to where Rosalie still lingered. "She's not used to losing, is she?"
"No." I said, sipping carefully. "She's not."
"And you're not used to winning."He said. "But you should be."
The stars were spilling across the night sky like scattered sugar, the fire crackling in the middle of the clearing, casting golden shadows over the gathering. The Luna's Worth event had unofficially turned into a celebration. Music. Laughter. Too much energy for my liking, but I stayed. I didn't expect to become the center of it.
"Isabella, was it?"A voice asked.
A broad-shouldered alpha from the southern ridge pack approached, holding out a mug of something sweet and strong. He had dark hair, olive skin, and a friendly grin that would probably charm half a court if he tried.
"Your blend was perfect." He continued. "Reminds me of the old ways. My pack healer used to make one like that."
"Thank you." I said with a small smile, fingers brushing the mug's edge as I took it politely.
"You ever thought of teaching it?" He asked, stepping a bit too close. "I'd bring you south myself, if you'd consider."
I blinked, not used to this kind of attention.
"That's kind, but-"I started.
"She's not leaving." A voice said.
I turned, and sure enough, Michael. He left for a moment earlier and now returned. Standing just at the edge of the firelight, tall and shadowed, silver eyes practically glowing. There was something dangerous in the curve of his jaw, his arms folded over his chest like a king surveying a battlefield. The southern alpha chuckled lightly.
"Didn't mean to offend, your majesty. Just making conversation."He said.
Michael didn't answer him. He walked straight toward me. Each step slow. Controlled. Possessive. He stopped just behind me, a hand ghosting the small of my back. "You're drinking something strange." He murmured, voice low and too close to my ear. "Hope it's not poisoned."
"I think I'm safe." I replied, trying not to shiver under his gaze.
"You were glowing when I saw you. Now you're shining." He said, louder now, clearly for others to hear.
Whispers were rising again.
"She's the one…"One pack alpha whispered.
"The rogue king, he actually likes someone?"Another asked.
"Look at the way he's staring at her, gods…"Female alpha muttered.
I was about to step away when another alpha this one younger, maybe barely older than me, tried to offer me a slice of roasted meat with a crooked grin.
"For strength." He said. "I've seen you tire yourself out taking care of others."
Before I could reach, Michael's hand closed gently but firmly around my wrist.
"I've already taken care of her." He said flatly.
The younger alpha raised his hands in surrender, blinking.
"Of course. I didn't mean-"He started
"She's mine." Michael said. But there was nothing light in his expression. He was jealous.
"Michael's Affection. +4 (Possessive Instinct Triggered). Jalousy levels- mild. Recommended. Clear communication or distance. Note. You're attracting too much attention, Host."System said.
I stared at the message, then at the circle of others who had clearly heard every word. I couldn't decide what was hotter, my face, or the bonfire.
"Michael…" I started.
He leaned down, lips brushing just behind my ear.
"You've no idea how hard it is not to mark you in front of all of them." He whispered.
I nearly dropped the mug.