AT THE SAME TIME
ISABELLA'S POINT OF VIEW:
My throat felt dry, even though I hadn't even taken a sip of the drink. The bonfire suddenly felt ten times hotter, and I was almost certain it wasn't because of the flames. The system pinged again in my vision, flickering slightly like it was enjoying this mess far too much.
"Warning a host's heart rate elevated. Subject Michael. Side quest unlocked: "Who Even Said You Could Flirt With Me?" Optional flirting challenge with Michael activated. Suggestion. Run. Or don't." System said.
"I'm going to murder this system." I mumbled under my breath, pulling my wrist gently from Michael's grasp. "You're causing a scene."
He raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk curling at his lips. "Am I? I thought I was protecting my territory."He said.
I almost choked.
"Excuse me, what?"I asked, shocked.
He leaned in again, voice velvet-smooth.
"They were circling. I don't like it when others sniff around what's mine."Michael said.
"I'm not a bone, Michael." I snapped, though my cheeks burned.
His grin only widened.
"No, you're a rare jewel. One that no one saw the value of… until now."He whispered.
That made my heart stutter, and I hated that it did. Suddenly, someone cleared their throat behind us.
"Am I interrupting something?"A voice asked.
I didn't even have to turn, I recognized Xavier's voice instantly. Cool, low, and very much not pleased. Michael didn't bother looking at him. He simply kept his silver gaze on me.
"Yes."Michael said.
"Well." Xavier muttered, stepping closer anyway. "Some of us are trying to keep things from getting political. You throwing your possessive weight around in front of so many alphas is going to raise questions."
"And?" Michael shrugged. "Let them question. I don't hide what's mine."
I rubbed my temple.
"Okay, seriously, both of you need to cool it-"I started.
"Oh, are we all gathering now?" Another voice chimed in.
Rosalie. Of course. She stood nearby, arms crossed, gaze flicking between Michael, Xavier, and then finally, me. Her smile was brittle, forced, too wide.
"Looks like you're in demand tonight, Isabella." She said sweetly, a little too sweet. "Must be overwhelming. So many eyes on you."
"I didn't ask for it." I muttered.
"But you didn't say no to it either." She said, tilting her head just enough for the bite to land.
Before I could snap something back, Michael smoothly stepped between us, placing himself like a dark shield at my side.
"She didn't have to say anything." He said with that too calm smile. "Some things are already decided."
His hand brushed mine again, softly this time and I hated the way my fingers wanted to curl into his. The air buzzed. The crowd around us thinned slightly, sensing the heat of emotions brewing just beneath the surface.
"Host is now the central figure of three active rivalries. Jealousy: Xavier – high, Rosalie – elevated, Michael - too serious. Suggested action. Emotional damage control. Achievement unlocked. 'Unintended Love Polygon.' "System said.
I groaned out loud. This game. Was. Ridiculous.
"I need a drink." I muttered.
Michael was already reaching for another cup.
"Here. I made sure it's not poisoned this time." He winked.
The system buzzed again, bright across my vision like a dramatic exclamation point.
"Michael - 60% (Flirtatious interest – intensifying | protectiveness - rsing), Xavier - 40% (Frustration & jealousy detected), Damien — 30% (Growing curiosity), Adrian -30% (Growing curiosity). Note. Host is drawing significant attention. Recommend caution or chaos."System announced.
I blinked at the numbers, then side eyed Michael, who had now shifted his body just enough to completely block Rosalie from my line of sight. His silver eyes were trained on me like I might vanish if he looked away.
"Did you just did you actually body block Rosalie?" I whispered.
"She was annoying you." He said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I'm efficient."
"You're… a menace."I said.
He leaned in again.
"And yet, you haven't walked away."I said.
Touché. Across the fire, I spotted Xavier watching us, jaw tight, eyes dark. His arms were crossed, muscles flexing like he was restraining himself from doing something dumb. Damien, bless his curious heart, glanced between us all with the kind of expression that screamed, 'Am I watching a live drama?' And Adrian? He was smirking, sipping his drink like this was the best entertainment he'd had in weeks.
"You're making a scene." I hissed.
Michael only shrugged, grin never fading.
'Then they should've looked away sooner."Michael said.
"Michael's confidence stat. MAXED OUT. Relationship % rising due to proximity, verbal charm, protective behavior, and… eye contact intensity. Host appears mildly flustered. Target. Delighted." System whispered happily watching my suffering.
"Stop it." I muttered, cheeks burning.
"Stop what?" He asked innocently.
"You know what."He said. He laughed softly, low, smooth, and entirely too attractive.
"I like when you get flustered." He said. "It suits you."
I groaned and turned away, only to find the entire rogue crowd pretending very poorly not to be eavesdropping. One of the younger warriors gave me a thumbs up. Someone else actually cheered under their breath. I was never going to live this down. The crowd began to disperse slowly after the event, but Michael hadn't moved from my side. Not once. I pretended to fuss with the edge of my tunic, hoping he'd get the hint and give me space. Spoiler alert, he didn't. He only leaned closer.
"Do you always make medicine that strong?" He asked.
I glanced up at him, and instantly regretted it. His face was way too close. Too unfairly perfect. Too amused.
"It's not strong." I said. "It's just effective."
"Mhm. And humble too. Dangerous combination."He said.
I rolled my eyes.
"Aren't you supposed to be… I don't know, scary?"I asked.
"I am." He said smoothly. "But only to those who deserve it."
His gaze lingered on my face for a moment too long, trailing down to my lips before flicking back to my eyes. Only to find myself bumping into a stone column. Great. A cornered rogue healer. Classic. Michael braced his hand against the column beside my head, boxing me in gently. His voice lowered.
"Why are you always running from me?"He whispered slowly against my ear.
"Because you make the air hard to breathe." I snapped without thinking.
His grin spread slowly.
"Then maybe I'll just stay close until you get used to me."He said.
"Michael." I started, trying to sound serious. "This is a really bad idea."
He leaned down just enough for his breath to ghost over my skin.
"Then why don't you tell me to stop?"He asked.
The crowd buzzed behind us. Everyone seemed to be excited to see king near his woman. The moon hung high, casting silver light over the courtyard as music played faintly from somewhere, forgotten. Michael's eyes pinned me in place.
"Everyone's watching." I hissed under my breath.
"Let them." He murmured, stepping closer, voice silk and danger. "I don't mind giving them something worth watching."
Before I could reply or escape he dipped low, hand slipping behind my neck, and kissed me. My breath caught. It wasn't just a kiss. It was a claim. Bold, unrepentant, the kind that left your heart thundering and your thoughts scattering like startled birds. And in that moment, I didn't care about the whispers, or the rules, or the fact that this wasn't my story. He pulled away slowly, gaze locked on mine, and smirked.
"Public affection detected. Relationship status updated! Michael - 70% (Flirtatious interest → Protective affection rising), Xavier - 55% (Emotional conflict. Jealousy, confusion, possessiveness), Damien - 40% (Teasing curiosity increasing), Adrian 40% (Mild amusement and tactical observation)"System said.
"Did that just happen?" Someone whispered.
"Oh my goddess, was that Isabella?!"One of my village members shouted.
"No way! The rogue king just-!"Third one said.
I turned to see Xavier standing by the edge of the clearing, expression a storm barely held back. Rosalie's face was unreadable for once, mouth a tight line, her eyes flicking between us like she was trying to understand why nothing was going her way.
Damien elbowed Adrian.
"Well, things just got fun."Damien said.
Adrian chuckled under his breath.
"She's definitely not the background character anymore."Adrian said.
Michael's voice drew my attention back.
"Now they really know who you are." He said quietly, brushing a stray lock of hair from my cheek. "Let them remember it."
I wanted to growl at him. I also kind of wanted to kiss him again.
"Ripple effects triggered. Main plotline detour detected. FL visibility level: 45% and falling…"System said.
Michael leaned in, real close, his voice brushing my ear like a damn breeze.
"They're all watching you," He said, and I could hear the smirk in his tone. "But you're only looking at me."
I blinked, heat crawling up my neck.
"Don't flatter yourself." I whispered, sharp, because someone had to be, and it clearly wasn't going to be him.
His hand lightly grazed the small of my back. Not enough to be indecent. Just enough to claim.
"Come on." He said softly, already tugging me away before I could protest. "You're about to get interrogated. And I don't feel like sharing"
"I can handle questions-"I started.
"You've done enough handling for one night, Isabella. Let me steal you for a bit."Michael said.
And just like that, we slipped into the crowd. Past curious stares. Past Xavier, whose jaw was clenched so hard I swore his teeth might crack. Past Rosalie, blinking like she'd just gotten slapped by fate itself. Michael guided me with a hand on my waist, his touch sure and protective. Not overbearing, but undeniably there.
"Where are we even going?" I asked once we were far enough that the music and murmurs faded into the night air. He didn't answer right away. Just kept walking beside me, like we had all the time in the world.
"Somewhere quiet." He said eventually. "Before someone decides to ask you what I taste like."
"You're impossible."I almost chocked.
"And yet you let me kiss you."He said.
"Technically, you ambushed me-"I started.
"Technicalities." He said, brushing past a low hanging branch, holding it out of the way for me. "I'm just following where the story leads."
But for once, I didn't feel like running. Not yet.