C5 Defiant Waters

"Are you out of your mind? You're aquaphobic, and you're making a bet on a dive?" William's voice was forceful as he held Isabella's shoulder firmly against the wall.

He was livid at Isabella's foolish bet, and her defiant demeanor only added to his frustration. That's why he stormed into the ladies' room before the bet commenced to confront her.

"William, you're causing me pain," Isabella protested, attempting to free herself from his grip, but he held on firmly.

"Just back off," William ordered sternly.

'William has always been domineering and quick-tempered, but deep down, he cares. I'm sorry, William, but I must tame you and expose your enemies,' Isabella thought resolutely.

"Why should I heed your advice? It's my life," Isabella shot back sharply, stunning William.

'She seems really upset with me,' William thought, realizing his own rudeness when she had approached him, yet unable to admit his mistake.

"You've been acting out ever since I turned you down, but your behavior was uncalled for and not my fault. Out of respect for our friendship, I've been polite, so stop this rebellion," William asserted again in a commanding tone.

"Friendship?" Isabella scoffed, her tone laced with sarcasm. "The day I confessed, I crossed the line of mere friendship. Let's not pretend otherwise, and your rejection shattered any illusion of friendship between us. So stop pretending and release me."

Isabella wrenched herself away from William's grip and stormed out of the restroom, only to be met with a large group of students staring at her with disdain and mockery, their eyes filled with disgust because she had been alone with William in the ladies' restroom.

She tightened her fists to contain her boiling anger and marched through the sea of onlookers, brushing off their scornful remarks with determined indifference.

'Isabella, you're putting on a bold front, but you're just being reckless. Risking your life to prove yourself against Penelope? It's like you're asking for trouble. Although I shouldn't be concerned, I can't ignore you because of the debt the Crescent Moon pack owes to your late mother,' William thought, watching Isabella standing on the platform, ready to begin the diving competition against Penelope.

Meanwhile, on the opposite platform, Penelope noticed William's unwavering gaze on Isabella and simmered with jealousy. 'Isabella, how dare you try to catch William's attention? I'll make sure you regret it. You brought this upon yourself.'

'Yes, I was aquaphobic in my past life, but out of love for William, I embraced every aspect of his life. It took immense effort to match William, the state champion swimmer, but I've done it,' Isabella thought with a hidden smirk.

With the referee's whistle, they both dove deep into the water, and Isabella surfaced in no time. She swiftly swam to the end point, while Penelope struggled to break the surface.

"Help her!"

"She's going under!"

The loud clamor jolted William out of his thoughts. He was stunned and amazed by Isabella's swimming abilities. He was about to leap into action, but the lifeguard made a swift move and had already rescued Penelope.

"William, sweetie, why didn't you jump in to rescue me? Were you too shocked?" Penelope said coquettishly, leaning against William with her head resting on his chest while their friends gathered around, feigning concern.

"Sort of..." William replied, still baffled by Isabella's unexpected performance.

As he pondered over Isabella's feat, William gently comforted Penelope, who had just narrowly avoided a perilous situation. Meanwhile, Isabella watched from a distance, shaking her head at Penelope's melodramatic antics.

She tied the silk robe of her swimwear around her waist, strode over to them, and asserted, "Well, Penelope, I've won. So, as we agreed, it's time for you to withdraw from the inter-athletics meet." After delivering her message and enduring the hostile stares from the crowd, Isabella turned to leave. However, William stood up and grabbed her arm.

"Isabella, how can you be so heartless? Can't you see she's still shaken up from what just happened? Have some compassion," William reprimanded.

Isabella yanked her hand from William's grasp and replied bluntly, "If the tables were turned and I lost the bet, would she even consider that I was just saved?" She raised an eyebrow, locking eyes with William, who was rendered speechless. "No, she wouldn't, would she? She'd already be flaunting her victory. William, it's one thing to be blinded by love, but spare me your theatrics."

"I won't relinquish my position; it was and will always be mine." Penelope stood up and shouted, gripping Isabella's arm to prevent her from leaving.

"Shaken up, heh?" Isabella arched an eyebrow at William, pushing aside Penelope's hand from her arm with her other hand.

William ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. Despite knowing deep down that Isabella had been wronged, he couldn't help but overlook it in favor of Penelope, his beloved and indulged girlfriend.

Observing William's silence, Penelope motioned to her omegas, who promptly rallied to her side, verbally assaulting Isabella.

"Isabella has no right to take Penelope's spot. Penelope is the only one deserving to represent our club."

"That's correct. Isabella isn't suitable to be the face of our club in the athletic meet."

"We'll all stand against it. Who knows what tricks she used to win this challenge."

As protests erupted around her, Isabella remained unperturbed. Locking eyes with Penelope, she spoke firmly, "Penelope, tell your entourage to quiet down, or admit to everyone here that you're going back on your word. After all, it was you who issued the challenge, not me."

"William, please, you have to help me. I need to compete in the athletic meet," Penelope pleaded, tears welling in her eyes as she tugged on the sleeve of William's robe.

"I warned you about making foolish bets. I'm sorry, but I can't assist you," William responded in his usual cold tone, gripping her shoulder briefly before releasing it with a sharp jerk.

Penelope squeezed her eyes shut, allowing tears to cascade down her cheeks as she began to cry. "William, please don't do this to me. It's like this wizard must have cursed me; how else could a champion swimmer lose to her, someone who's aquaphobic?"

"What?" Isabella furrowed her brow in confusion.

Despite being supernatural beings and the humans around them being aware of their identities, she had never resorted to using her powers for malicious intent.

"Penelope, don't be absurd. Wizards don't resort to nefarious deeds, and Isabella is still a novice," William asserted sternly.

"Honey, you can't be lenient with her just because she's your friend. As the future Alpha King, this will tarnish the reputation of our community and club, a legacy that has been upheld since your great-grandfather's era."

"Enough!" Isabella's voice thundered, a sharp contrast to her usual demeanor. "I've had it with your nonsense, Penelope. It seems you've banged your head somewhere."

"You witch!"

Penelope was about to retaliate with a threat, but Isabella cut her off.

"You clueless fool! If I could win anything with magic, I wouldn't waste it on a trivial swimming bet. I'd have already won over your boyfriend. Better luck next time."

With her final words of warning, Isabella spun on her heels and strode away from the crowd, parting it like Moses parting the Red Sea.

The following day, Isabella entered the Monte Carlo club gate and was greeted by a cheerful voice.

"Hey, Isabella, check this out!"

Isabella looked up to see a familiar face—Alex, a dear friend from her past. 'Alex? He must still be alive by this time of the year.'

Alex had been one of her closest companions, remaining by her side after William's rejection. Despite being an omega of the Crescent Moon pack, he was a formidable fighter. However, his untimely demise had been shrouded in mystery following their victory in the battle against William for alpha status.

"What's up, Alex?" Isabella inquired after greeting him with a warm hug.

"The latest buzz on the Monte Carlo club forum. Penelope Miller, the swimming champion, challenged Isabella Cooper and lost in a swimming bet," Alex revealed, showing Isabella a video of the heated exchange between her and Penelope that had been uploaded to the forum.

Isabella was momentarily stunned, but soon she erupted into laughter. "Who's behind this? Did you have a hand in it?" She asked Alex.

"Definitely not me. Penelope's arrogance rubbed many the wrong way. Someone must have seized the chance."

Sharing a laugh and exchanging a high-five, Alex and Isabella walked away from the scene together.

Penelope and her sycophantic friends overheard their conversation, seething with animosity.

"Penelope, Isabella getting too big for her boots."

"Yeah, she needs to be taken down a notch."

"Don't fret, girls. Next week is William's birthday, and I'll be announced as his mate by the Moon Goddess. As Luna to the future Alpha King, my first order of business will be to rid ourselves of the witch, Isabella."