8. What does Michael doing here?!

A FEW HOURS LATER

XAVIER'S POINT OF VIEW:

When I reached the edge of the village, I was met by a familiar face, Brennan, the village hunter. He was tall, rugged, and had a look in his eyes that spoke of years of experience with creatures like the one I'd just taken down. He had a few scars to prove it, too.

"Is that...?" He started, his voice a mix of disbelief and admiration.

I dropped the beast's body with a thud onto the ground before him, grinning despite myself. 

"Yeah, I figured I'd bring this back for you. I thought it might make for a nice prize." I said.

Brennan's eyes widened. He knelt beside the creature, inspecting it closely. 

"You took this down by yourself? Kid, that's... impressive."He said.

I raised an eyebrow, feeling a rush of pride. 

"Had no choice. It was me or it. And I wasn't about to let it win."I explained.

Brennan chuckled, running a hand through his beard. 

"I'll say. You've got guts. Not many would've even thought about taking one of these on." He stood up, wiping his hands on his trousers. "You've earned yourself more than just a few coins for this. You might be new around here, but you've already made a name for yourself."

He reached into his bag, pulling out a heavy leather pouch. He handed it to me without hesitation. 

"Here. A generous reward for your bravery. And you've earned a place among the hunters, if you want it."He said proudly. 

I took the pouch, weighing it in my hand. The clink of coins sounded inside, and I couldn't help but smile. This was a real reward, far better than any system task had given me.

"I'll take it." I said, pocketing the pouch. "And the offer? I'll consider it."

"Good. You've got skills, kid. I've seen many come and go, but you've got what it takes. The village could use more like you." Brennan's voice was full of respect now, something I hadn't expected.

Before I could say anything else, the System chimed in with its usual interruption.

"Task complete: Beast defeated. Reputation boost with Willowdale achieved. Reward: 500 Coins, Hunter's affiliation offered. Additional reward: Increased combat skill progression - 10%."The system said.

The system's voice felt almost... secondary in this moment. I was standing in front of a real person, someone who recognized what I had done, who didn't care about the game rules, just the fact that I had stepped up and faced danger. That felt different.

"Thanks." I said, nodding at Brennan. "This means a lot."

"You've got a good head on your shoulders," Brennan said, clapping me on the back. "Just remember: the woods aren't always as forgiving as today. But you've got the makings of a true hunter."

With that, he turned to head toward the village, leaving me standing there for a moment. The reward, the recognition... it felt better than I had expected. Next day I stood in the dense, almost suffocating quiet of the forest, trying to calm my breathing. The air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth, and the towering trees loomed overhead, blocking most of the sunlight. I shouldn't have wandered this far. Not alone. But I needed a break from the Alphas constantly eyeing me like I was some kind of rare trophy.

A twig snapped somewhere to my left, and I froze, every muscle tense. My pulse thundered in my ears. Someone was watching me. I could feel it a prickling awareness at the back of my neck, like invisible fingers tracing my skin.

"Who's there?" I called out, trying to sound braver than I felt. 

The only response was the rustle of leaves and the distant caw of a bird. I swallowed hard, forcing down the rising panic. Maybe it was just an animal. Maybe I was imagining things. But deep down, I knew better.

The next morning, Willowdale was bustling as always, but I couldn't shake the feeling from the forest. I glanced over my shoulder for the hundredth time, almost colliding with a cart piled high with vegetables.

"Watch it, Omega." The vendor snapped, not even looking up.

"Sorry." I muttered, stepping aside. 

The marketplace buzzed around me, but I kept scanning the crowd. Then I saw him, Michael. Standing near the edge of the square, arms crossed, eyes fixed directly on me. My stomach dropped.

Of course, it was him. The Alpha who couldn't seem to leave me alone. Tall, broad shouldered, and just arrogant enough to make my skin crawl. He pushed off the wall and sauntered over, a slow, predatory smile curving his lips.

"You were out late last night." He remarked casually, voice low and teasing.

My heart skipped a beat. 

"What are you talking about?"I asked.

He raised an eyebrow, eyes glinting with amusement. 

"I saw you in the forest. Didn't anyone ever tell you it's dangerous to wander off alone?"He said.

My throat tightened. 

"Were you following me?"I asked.

Michael chuckled, leaning in just close enough that I could feel his breath against my ear. 

"Let's just say I'm looking out for you. Can't have you getting into trouble, now can we?"He grinned.

I pushed him back, more forcefully than I intended. 

"I don't need your protection."I said.

He didn't even flinch, just looked down at where my hands had connected with his chest, then back up, his gaze sharper now. 

"I'm not the only one watching you, Xavier. You're valuable here, don't forget that."Michael said.

My fists clenched, but I forced myself to stay calm. 

"I never asked to be valuable. I just want to be left alone."I said.

Michael's expression softened just a fraction, like he almost understood. Almost. 

"That's not how this place works. Adapt, remember?"He said.

Before I could think of a response, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing in the middle of the marketplace, pulse racing and thoughts spinning. It's right here now. 

I crept through the dense underbrush, every muscle in my body tense and alert. The forest was quiet today, too quiet. Usually, I would hear the skitter of small creatures or the rustle of leaves, but now, it was just... still. I adjusted the grip on my makeshift spear, trying to ignore the prickle at the back of my neck. A breeze swept through the trees, carrying with it a scent that made me freeze, smoke and something primal, like charred wood wrapped around a musky, earthy smell. Instinct said to run, to get as far away as possible from whatever that scent belonged to. My instincts had been heightened since the transformation, but they still felt foreign, out of sync with who I used to be. As I moved closer, the scent grew stronger, thicker, almost suffocating. Then I saw him. Collapsed against the trunk of a twisted oak, an Alpha. His dark hair was matted with blood, his clothes torn and singed. One of his legs was bent at a strange angle, and his chest rose and fell with labored breaths. 

"Hey." I called softly, not daring to step closer. My voice came out steadier than I felt. "Are you... are you okay?"

The Alpha's eyes snapped open, fierce and bright, focusing on me like a predator assessing prey. My stomach twisted, and I fought the urge to run. Then his gaze softened, just a fraction, and he coughed, a rasping, painful sound.

"Help..." His voice was barely a whisper, rough and raw, and he looked at me with something like desperation.

But then he groaned again, trying to sit up, and failed miserably. Dammit. I wasn't heartless. I glanced around, checking for any sign of others. No one. Just us. Cautiously, I moved closer, kneeling beside him while keeping my weapon angled defensively.

"Don't try anything." I warned, though I wasn't sure what I could do if he did. "Let me see your leg."

"Why..." He mumbled, eyes fluttering closed again. "Why are you helping me?"

"Just... try not to die." I muttered, focusing on splinting his leg with a broken branch and strips of my shirt.

The scent of burnt wood surrounded me, making my head spin, but I forced myself to keep moving, to help. If I survived this, I was definitely going to question my sanity later.

"What's your name?"I asked.

"Jaxson Black."He said and I nodded.

Jaxon leaned heavily against me, his arm draped over my shoulder, his weight far more than I had anticipated.

"Can you...walk a little faster?" I grumbled, sweat slicking my palms.

His chuckle was weak but genuine.

"I'd like to see you try with a shattered leg."He said.

I shot him a glare.

"I'm not the one who got myself ambushed."I said.

His smile faded, eyes turning sharp.

"Not like I had much of a choice."He said.

That silenced me. There was a weight to his words, something unspoken simmering beneath the surface. I wanted to ask, to pry, but it wasn't my business. I was already risking enough hauling an injured Alpha through the woods. I should've left him there. Should've just walked away.

"You're not afraid?" He asked suddenly, voice low.

"Of what?" I muttered, not bothering to look back.

"Me."He said.

I paused mid step, glancing up at him. His expression was strained but curious, like he genuinely wanted to know. I scoffed, shaking my head.

"Should I be?"I asked.

His smile didn't reach his eyes. "

Most Omegas wouldn't have even gotten close. You… you walked right up to me."He said.

I bristled.

"You were dying. Not exactly a threat."I said.

His gaze lingered on me, heavy and assessing.

"You'd be surprised."He said.

A shiver crawled up my spine, but I ignored it, focusing instead on the winding path ahead.

"I'm not like most Omegas." I replied stiffly. "Get used to it."

He huffed out a laugh, the sound brittle and sharp.

"I think I'm starting to."He said.

Jaxon stiffened beside me, his grip on my shoulder tightening.

"What is it?"He asked.

I scanned the trees, my breath caught in my throat. "Something's watching us."I said.

His eyes darted around, every muscle in his body coiling tight.

"We need to move. Now."He said.

He didn't need to tell me twice. I hooked my arm around him tighter, forcing my legs to move faster despite the weight dragging at me. I had safe spot close buy and my only option was to take him there.