JULLY 22ND
WANESSA'S POINT OF VIEW:
The last thing I remember before everything went dark was the screech of tires and the sudden, searing pain in my chest. A truck. A truck, and then nothing. When I woke up again, I wasn't in the world I knew. I wasn't me anymore, either. I was... her. The woman who had never been anything more than a background character in a game I had once played not long time ago. It was called 'Nightfall: The Werewolves Hunt'. It was a reverse harem game that I liked a lot before. I spent hours playing so I knew instantly that I was born as omega.
Reborn into this new life, I was nothing special. Just an omega. The lowest of the low in this world, where alphas and betas ruled this world, and omegas were mere pawns. No one cared about me. No one looked at me twice. I wasn't important. I was insignificant. And I was fine with that. I had no desire to be anything more. No ambition. No power. I just wanted to survive. To live quietly. So I left 'Black Moon' pack. Soon 7 years had passed and I turned 25 years old. It was nothing special, nothing grand. Just a quiet, simple day. I had picked some wild berries from the forest near the edge of the Black Moon territory, just to celebrate the way I always had, alone, in peace. The soft sun on my skin, the sweet, tangy taste of the berries, the gentle rustle of the trees around me... It was perfect.
"Happy birthday to me."I whispered to myself.
But then I heard the sound in the forest. A faint groan, almost lost in the wind. I froze, berries still in hand, I wasn't sure what it was, but I couldn't ignore it. Maybe it was a lost traveler or an injured animal. Either way, I had to check. I crept forward, the underbrush crunching beneath my feet, until I found him.
A man, collapsed on the ground, blood staining his clothes, his face twisted in pain. My first instinct was to run, but something in me refused to leave him there.
I knelt beside him, my heart beating faster as I tried to steady my breath. His clothes were torn, his body battered. I reached out, trembling, my hands unsure. "Hey, are you okay?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
His eyes fluttered open, and when they locked onto mine, something inside me jolted. It was like he was staring into my soul.
"Please." He groaned, his voice barely audible. "Help me."
Without thinking, I nodded. I wasn't sure how, but I knew I couldn't just leave him there. I had to do something. I gently lifted his head, trying to keep him stable as I examined his injuries. His body was covered in deep cuts, bruises, and...blood. I pulled my shawl off, using it to press against the worst of the wounds.
"Hold on, okay? Just hold on. I'll get help."I whispered.
But when I tried to pull my hand away, he grabbed it tightly.
"No." He growled, his voice low and commanding, though laced with pain. "Don't leave me."
I swallowed, my breath catching in my throat.
"I... I have to get help. You're hurt."I said.
He didn't let go. His fingers tightened, almost desperate, and I realized, in that moment, that this man wasn't just anyone. There was something about him, something... royal. Dangerous. I tried to pull my hand away again, but he refused to let go, his grip only tightening. His gaze never wavered from mine, as if he was memorizing every inch of my face.
"Don't go." He muttered, his voice hoarse. "Please... don't leave me."
But something in me, some deep, forgotten instinct, told me that leaving wasn't an option. It was clear, that he was an alpha and I had no other choice but to listen to him.
"I stay, but let me treat your wounds first."I said before gently pushing him away.
I sighed as I pressed the damp cloth against the man's wounds, cleaning away the blood as best as I could.
"You're not making this easy." I muttered under my breath, glancing at his face.
His eyes were almost closed, exhaustion and pain clearly taking their toll, but there was still a sharpness in his gaze a silent warning not to test him. Realizing I couldn't treat him properly out here, I made a decision.
"Alright, you win. I'll take you somewhere safe."I said.
It seems that was all he wanted to hear it. He didn't respond, but his grip loosened just enough for me to pull him to his feet. He leaned heavily on me, his towering frame nearly toppling us both. I gritted my teeth, dragging him toward the small cave I called home. It wasn't much just a hollowed out space in the rock with a makeshift bed and a few supplies but it was all I had. By the time we reached the cave, my muscles were screaming in protest. I guided him to the bed and eased him down, his weight nearly crushing me in the process. His eyes never left me, watching my every move as I grabbed fresh bandages and began wrapping his wounds.
"You're lucky I found you." I muttered, mostly to myself. "If someone else had stumbled across you..." I trailed off, shaking my head.
He still didn't speak, but his hand found mine again, gripping it tightly as if to steady himself. I ignored the strange flutter in my chest, focusing on finishing the task at hand. When I was finally done, exhaustion hit me like a wave. I sank down on the opposite side of the cave, leaning back against the cool stone wall.
"Don't move too much." I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "You need to rest."
His gaze followed me as I curled up, too tired to care about the stranger in my space. Sleep claimed me quickly, and I didn't notice the way his eyes lingered on me long after my own had closed.
AT THE SAME TIME
XAVIER'S POINT OF VIEW:
She was unlike anyone I'd ever met. Even in the dim light of the cave, her features were delicate, her expression soft as she slept. Her breathing was steady now, her body relaxed, completely unaware of the storm she'd stirred in my chest. I was the youngest prince of the kingdom, a title that carried more weight than I ever wanted.
Her scent lingered in the air, subtle but soothing, wrapping around me like a balm. She didn't know who I was, and for once, I didn't care. At this moment, I wasn't the prince. I wasn't anything but a man captivated by her quiet strength. I leaned forward slightly, unable to resist the urge to get closer. Her hair spilled across her face, and I reached out, brushing a strand away. My fingers lingered against her skin, the warmth of her touch grounding me in a way I hadn't felt in years.
How could someone like her exist? So unassuming, so utterly unaware of the power she held over me. She had no idea what she'd done by staying, by helping me. My lips twitched into a faint smile as I realized I was utterly and completely mesmerized. I didn't know who she was, but one thing was certain, she wasn't leaving. Not now. Not ever.