AT THE SAME TIME
ISABELLA'S POINT OF VIEW:
The stars shimmered overhead as we stopped by the quiet stream, the moonlight dancing across the surface like spilled silver. I could still feel the phantom of his lips on mine, and it was infuriating how aware I was of him how close he stood, how warm he felt beside me. Michael leaned against a tree, arms crossed, that ridiculous smirk tugging at his lips like he already knew what I was thinking.
"I still haven't forgiven you for that." I muttered, crossing my arms in defiance.
"Oh?" He asked innocently, pushing off the tree. "Which part? The part where I kissed you in front of half the realm, or the part where you clearly liked it?"
"I- !" I sputtered, heat crawling up my cheeks. "That is not—!"
"SYSTEM ALERT - Player event opportunity. "Would you like to allow a second kiss from Michael?" YES / NO"System said.
I blinked.
"Are you kidding me?"I asked.
Michael raised an eyebrow.
"What's that little glow in your eyes? Don't tell me your system is asking
permission."He asked.
I tried to swipe the screen away, rude invasive interface but then I heard a click. My heart stopped. He reached over and tapped YES. With my system prompt.
"You- you can't just-!"I shouted.
"Oh, but I can." He said smoothly, stepping closer. "And I just did."
"You're not even supposed to see that!" I hissed.
He leaned in, lips a breath away from mine.
"Darling." He whispered." I see everything when it comes to you."
Before I could fire off a proper verbal takedown, his lips brushed mine. Softer this time. No audience. No claim. Just intent. Warmth bloomed in my chest, traitorous and confusing and far too real for a game that was never meant to be mine.
"Second kiss confirmed. Relationship status - Michael. 80% (Protective affection → emotional investment detected), emotional depth path unlocked."System said.
He pulled back just enough to meet my eyes, his silver gaze unusually serious.
"Next time." He murmured. "You'll click it yourself."
"You don't just kiss someone and press their system buttons!" I snapped, glaring at Michael as if that could erase the smirk on his too handsome face.
But no, he just stood there. Calm. Smug. Silver eyes reflecting the moon like a promise I wasn't ready for.
"You're unbelievable."I started.
"I know." He said easily. "And yet, here you are."
"WARNING: Narrative path altered. You are no longer background. New role. Luna candidate."System said.
"What."I said.
My voice came out flat. A whisper. A threat. A plea. Michael tilted his head.
"That little voice again?"He asked.
"It just-!" I pointed up like the glowing text still lingered over my head. "It said I'm a Luna candidate now!"
"That's adorable."Michael said.
"No, that's wrong! I wasn't even supposed to be here! This was Rosalie's game, remember? Rosalie's!"I shouted.
He stepped closer, tone dipping dangerously low.
"Maybe fate made a mistake."He said. "Or maybe…" He brushed a knuckle under my chin, "It finally got it right."
"You, how did you even press my system screen?! That's mine! Players aren't supposed to interact with each other's interfaces!"I said angrily.
Michael gave a lazy shrug, silver eyes gleaming like moonlit mischief.
"Guess I'm not just another player."I shouted.
"That's not an answer!" I snapped.
"Michael is a High-authority NPC with player override clearance. Limited actions permitted."System said.
I stared at the glowing message in horror.
"High-authority NPC? Override clearance?! That's not even fair!"I said.
"Fair is boring."He grinned.
"You hijacked my system!"I shouted.
"I enhanced your experience."Michael smirked.
I groaned, dragging both hands down my face.
"I'm gonna uninstall reality."I said.
"Good luck. I already live in your code, sweetheart."Michael chuckled.
"Override clearance? Fine. But why the hell do you have it? You're just a-"I started.
I stopped. My words tasted wrong halfway out. Michael's smile sharpened, like he'd been waiting for me to finally catch up.
"Go on." He purred. "Say it."
"I thought you were just another NPC... not a player. So why would you have...?"I asked.
"Correction. Michael is a player. Classified as: TAKEN PLAYER. Authority Level: Unlocked. Note: There are more Taken Players active in this server."System said.
My breath hitched.
"What the hell is a taken player?!"I asked.
Michael folded his arms casually, looking far too pleased.
"Now, now. You didn't really think you were the only one dragged into this lovely digital fairytale, did you?"He asked.
"You-you knew?! This whole time?!"I shouted.
"I suspected." He said smoothly. "But the moment I saw you, the system started glitching just a little... and I figured it out.'
I stared at him, brain buffering in pure rage and confusion.
"So what, what is this, some twisted dating sim now? You flirt your way through bugs and storylines like some overpowered prince charming?"I asked angrily.
Michael tilted his head, eyes glowing faintly silver.
"No, Isabella. I don't flirt with everyone."He whispered.
He stepped in close again, voice low.
"Just you."He said.
"SYSTEM UPDATE: Multiplayer awareness: qlactive Isabella - Designated 'wildcard player"'(Non-FL, variable path. Michael - tqken player 002: Strong affection path engaged."System said.
My stomach dropped. There were others. There were rulesI'dneverknown. And Michael? He wasn't just some charming chaos storm dropped into my world. He was part of it. Embedded like a ticking time bomb... with override rights.
"I need to get out of here." I whispered.
Michael chuckled darkly.
"You could try. But you're more fun when you stay."He said.
Michael had always been the rogue king, cruel, calculating, and always watching me like I was just another piece in his game. But now… now it felt like the rules had changed.
"Michael." I finally said, my voice softer than I meant. "How long have you been self-aware?"
He turned to me, that familiar smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.
"Self-aware?" He repeated, voice low and amused. "You thought I'm just some character in this game?"
His gaze darkens, and before I can react, he pulls me close. His arms wrap around me in an almost possessive grip, and I can feel the heat of his body, his scent invading my senses. His lips are near my ear as he speaks, his voice low and dangerous.
"You think I'd let you slip through my fingers that easily, Isabella?" His breath sent a shiver down my spine. "I've known from the moment you set foot in this game. But you." He pulls back just enough to look me in the eyes, his expression unreadable. "You don't get it yet, do you? You're mine. And I've always been watching."
His fingers tightened around me, just enough to send a jolt of awareness through my entire body.
"I am not from here. I am from E-earth."I whispered.
"You think you're in control now?" His voice was a low, dangerous murmur. "No. You don't understand yet. The path you're on, the one I've guided you down... I decide when you break. I decide when you fall. When you return to me."
The chill in his words was sharp, but there was something else too. Like a strange comfort in knowing I was his, completely, entirely.
"Don't fight it." He continued, his lips brushing my ear. "This is where you belong, Isabella. Closer to me. My omega, my woman."
I felt the familiar mix of fear and desire swell inside me, but I couldn't pull away. I was trapped, caught in his grip, and I couldn't even tell if I wanted to escape. There was something exhilarating about it, about him. In this twisted game, I was no longer a background player. I was part of something far more dangerous. And Michael? He was the one pulling the strings, keeping me closer than I ever wanted to be.