AT THE SAME TIME
ISABELLA'S POINT OF VIEW:
The morning light seeped through the grand windows of the castle, casting golden streaks across the polished floors. I had barely slept. Even after the elaborate dinner, the polite conversations, and the lingering glances from Michael, my mind had been racing. I wasn't supposed to be here.The castle, the nobles, the strange attention—none of it was part of my original plan. I needed to get back to my village, to my people. Before the system decided to throw another surprise at me. So, before dawn fully broke, I made my move.
Moving quickly, I adjusted the cloak I had 'borrowed' from one of the maids, keeping my head low as I slipped past the halls. The guards barely paid me any mind, most of them were rogues, and rogues didn't bow to authority unless they chose to.
"Just a few more steps." I muttered, spotting the large entrance doors ahead.
But just as I reached for the handle, a shadow loomed over me. A familiar tall and broad shadow. My breath hitched as a strong hand caught my wrist effortlessly, warm and firm, like it had expected me to do this all along.
"You're leaving already?"I heard a voice.
Michael. I turned around, facing the rogue king himself. His silver eyes gleamed in the morning light, filled with something dangerous, not anger, not disappointment. Something else. Something I really didn't want to deal with this early in the morning. I cleared my throat.
"Yes. I have responsibilities."I said.
Michael didn't release my wrist. If anything, his grip tightened just slightly, enough to remind me that he was stronger, faster. A predator who didn't let things slip away.
"You could have at least said goodbye." He said smoothly, his voice too damn calm for someone who had just caught me sneaking out.
"Would you have let me leave?"I asked.
His lips quirked up into an infuriating smirk.
"Not a chance."He said.
I sighed, trying to pull my hand back, but he held firm.
"Michael, I have a village to run."I said.
"And I have a future queen to keep safe."He said.
I froze. What?
"Excuse me?" I choked out, staring at him like he had just grown a second head.
Michael chuckled, finally letting go of my wrist, only to press his palm against the door, blocking my only exit.
"You heard me, little rogue." His voice dipped lower, smooth as silk but sharp as a blade. "You think I sent you all those letters just for fun? You accepted my gifts. You accepted my invitation. What kind of man would I be if I let my future mate just walk away without a fight?"
Future what?! I growled lightly at him. The system had been annoying before, but this? This was insanity. Taking a deep breath, I shoved at his arm, which didn't budge at all, and glared at him.
"Listen, Your Majesty-"I started.
"Michael." He corrected with a lazy smirk.
I gritted my teeth.
"Michael. I don't know what kind of ideas you've got in that overconfident head of yours, but I'm not staying here. I have a home. I have a village. And I'm not-"I started.
"You're not what?" He challenged, tilting his head. "Interested?"
I opened my mouth then shut it. I wanted to say yes. I really did. But the smug look on his face told me he knew I was lying. Damn it. Michael leaned in, his breath warm near my ear.
"Then why are you blushing, little rogue?"He whispered.
I shoved him for real this time and stepped back, scowling at my own damn face for heating up.
"Move."I said.
"Hmm." He crossed his arms, pretending to think about it. "No."
"Michael-"I started.
"Tell me." He interrupted smoothly, his silver eyes glinting with amusement. "What's so important that you're this eager to leave me behind?"
I paused. That was... actually a good question. The system hadn't given me a task today. There was no emergency back at the village. So why was I so desperate to leave? Because you're scared, a small voice in my head whispered. Not of him hurting you, but of what he makes you feel. I clenched my jaw. No. I refused to entertain that thought. Michael, ever perceptive, seemed to catch something in my silence. His smirk softened, just slightly.
"Stay for one more day." He said, almost persuasively. "Then you can go back to your little village."
I narrowed my eyes.
"And if I say no?"I asked, visibly annoyed.
Michael exhaled dramatically.
"Then I suppose I'll just have to carry you back inside."He said.
"You wouldn't dare."I said.
Michael grinned.
"Wouldn't I?"He asked and grinned.
Damn it. This stupid, frustrating, arrogant, ridiculously handsome rogue king was going to be the death of me. I shoved Michael hard, using every ounce of strength I had. To my absolute annoyance, he barely budged just took a single step back, amused rather than surprised. I didn't wait for him to recover. I turned and ran.
"Really?" Michael's voice rang out behind me, mocking. "You think you can outrun me, little rogue?"
I didn't answer. I was already sprinting. My feet barely touched the castle steps before I lunged forward, heading straight for the open courtyard. The rogues who stood guard blinked in confusion, some stepping back as ran past them.
"Oi! Is that the-?"One of them asked.
"Yep, that's her."Another guard said.
"Why is she running?"Third one asked.
"Better question, why is the king chasing her?"Another guard asked.
Oh, great. Now I had an audience. I didn't have time to care. Michael was fast. Too fast. I could hear the sound of his boots hitting the stone ground as he gained on me effortlessly, his footsteps smooth, unhurried. Damn him! Was he even trying?
"Almost got you." Michael teased, his voice way too close.
My heart pounded. Nope. Not happening. And then the system flashed in front of me.
"Relationship Status Updated! Michael - 50% (Flirtatious Interest - High), Xavier -40%(Frustration & Jealousy Detected), Damien - 30% (Growing Curiosity), Adrian - 30% (Growing Curiosity), "System said.
This is NOT the time! Before I could even register the numbers, the next notification popped up.
"Emergency Evasion Activated! Shifting in 3…2…1…" System said.
Oh, hell no. A familiar heat rushed through my body, and before I could stop it, everything changed. My bones stretched, reshaped. My vision sharpened. The wind rushed against my now-furred body, and suddenly, I was no longer sprinting on two feet, I was running on four. Gasps erupted from the courtyard as the rogues who had gathered witnessed the transformation.
"A black wolf…"One rogue said.
"That's rare!"Another said.
"Wait, did she-?" Third one started.
"Why is she shifting now-?!" Another one asked.
I growled at their voices, ears twitching, fur bristling in frustration. Stupid system! Stupid Michael!
I barely had a second to react before I heard the low, rich sound of laughter. Michael's laughter.
I turned my head just in time to see him standing there, silver eyes glowing as he leaned casually against a stone pillar. He wasn't even chasing me anymore, he was just watching, smirking like he had expected this.
"Now that." He murmured, his voice smoother than silk, "is the most beautiful thing I've seen all week."
I snapped my jaws in his direction before kicking off the ground, running faster, away from him. Michael didn't follow. No, he just grinned. Because he knew. I had to come back.