Chapter Two: By The Moon's Fang
Immediately, the Alpha stepped out; he was blinded with light and people, but he just focused on putting each foot in front of him while profusely clenching his calves to ensure that he did not fall on his face.
The Alpha's goal was simple: walk to the end of the stage, survive the buzz and the introduction section without disgracing himself.
So that is exactly what he did, he kept putting one leg in front of him, he ignored all the flashing lights and the questions being shot at him as he moved to the end of the stage, where he could see three more humans.
"When you get to the end, drop your catch phrase," a voice said in his ears. He almost stumbled due to the suddenness of the advice, but the only thing that kept him walking was the fact that he is the Alpha.
Ah, yes, the earphones that were attached to his ears as he was about to step out,' what did Lollyjerry say about this?' Yes, something about Selene guiding him through the earphones.
The Alpha's heart kept beating so fast and loud, and it did not help that his wolf Kin was having a field day while laughing his ass out.
"You are distracting me, you mutt," but Kin just kept laughing.
"Oh come Jules, make sure to say your catch phrase when you get to the end of the stage, oh oh, and you can add a dance step or two too," Kin said mid laugh.
'Wai,t did she say catch phrase?' the Alpha thought as Kin started to laugh loudly and annoyingly in his head.
'Oh goddess, how did I end up in this mess? Is this how my life is going to end? Humiliated human female with a weird fixation for bright colors and face painting?' The Alpha thought as he got to the end of the stage.
Everyone's eyes were on the Alpha like they were expecting him to do something, which was confusing to him. The Alpha summoned up courage to look at the sea of humans, and he almost regretted it immediately because there were so many people all holding up their devices, pointing them at him and the rest people on the stage.
" Hey, Jewel, I love you."
"Jewel, are you going to find true love on the island?"
"Jewel I can't wait to vote for you."
Then it became quiet, and it seemed everyone was waiting for the Alpha for something.
" Hey Alpha Jules, ain't you forgetting something?" Kin, his wolf said suspiciously calm.
And that was when it hit the Alpha that he was supposed to say his catch phrase. While the Alpha stood there, confused as to what to say, the host, thinking that the Alpha had just forgotten, decided to remind him.
" Say your catch phrase, Jewelry," The Host said.
Not knowing what to say and with everyone watching him, he just blurted out.
"By the Moon's left fang… we do not slay in silence!"
The whole room freezes. Someone coughs. The audience is half-terrified, half-obsessed.
Then one influencer whispers, "Wait, that's actually kind of iconic."
The crowd began to chant it, and the Alpha, who was ready to be laughed off the stage, smiled slowly 'Thank you, goddess, for that nonsense I just said ' Then he bowed dramatically, which made all the onlookers start laughing.
The host points the Alpha to another entrance at the end of the stage, and the Alpha awkwardly makes his way there, shins and calves engaged.
Now standing alone, the host looked breathtaking in a green dress which accentuated her curves. She smiled beautifully as the crowd cheered as she stood center stage.
"Good evening, Everyone!, And welcome to the most daring, most scandalous and possibly the most unhinged social experiment ever to grace your screen." pregnant pause.
"Fliiiiirrrrrrtttttt to Suuuuuvivvvve," She announces with both hands open, smiling ear to ear as the crowd goes wild, their phones flashing.
" In a tropical island, Nineteen of the boldest singles you have ever met would test their limits, not just in love but in survival.... Because what is romance without a little danger!!!"
The big screen behind her came alive with dramatic waves, jungle hunts and shirtless contestants walking around half-clothed, holding machetes.
"Each week our contestants would face challenges that would test their strength, loyalty and maybe even their sanity"
"From building shelters, to hunting for food, to love triangles, you name it, they'll survive it. And remember, on Flirt to Survive, if you can't handle the heat… you'll get out of the kitchen."
The audience began to chant,
"Flirt or fall! Flirt or fall!"
The host laughed happily, raising a hand, and the crowd immediately grew quiet
"Now let's meet the faces behind the flirt!"
An iPad was passed to her by another crew member. One by one, the names rolled off her tongue as spotlights hit each contestant:
"Jenna 'Queen Vibes' Cortez, the Miami influencer with over 10 million followers!"
"Tyson Drake, ex–pro athlete and self-proclaimed heartbreaker!"
"Maya Love, our wilderness therapist, who swears she's here for the experience!"
"Leo Brooks, the tattooed poet with trust issues!"
"Ava Sinclair, fashion model and competitive swimmer!"
"Zane, the DJ who says he 'doesn't catch feelings, just flights!'"
She continued until all nineteen were on stage—each striking poses, smirking, waving at the crowd—until her eyes landed on the last contestant, petite and terrifyingly beautiful in her red heels.
"And finally—our wildcard. Jewelry, James Johnson!"
The Alpha froze. The cameras zoomed in on him. The crowd cheered at his smoldering, confused glare.
"Our very own TikToker and beauty influencer with 5 million followers. Can she survive both heartbreak and survival chaos? Let's find out, shall we?!"
She grinned at the crowd, lowering her voice into a teasing tone.
"Oh, and before we head to the island… rumor has it, a special guest contestant will be joining them later. A man so dangerous, the internet calls him the Phantom Beast. You may know him as billionaire Raymond Humphrey…"
The audience gasped, phones flying up to record.
"But for now, it's time to get to know our flirts! Contestants—one question for you all."
She pauses in unnecessary drama, then she paces dramatically, her heels clicking like a countdown.
"If you had to describe your ideal partner using only one word… what would it be?"
The contestant starts answering her.
"Dangerous."
"Rich."
"Honest."
"Loyal."
"Chaotic."
One by one, they answered.
Then the mic was given to the Alpha. Cameras zoomed in again.
He blinked. " Uh ...My what?"
"Your ideal partner, Jewelry," the host repeated with her brightest grin. "One word."
The Alpha stared at the crowd blankly, Kin growling in his head.
"What's a partner?"
"There is always a new word to learn with these humans!"
The silence continued. The host leaned in as if she was about to remind the Alpha of the question again..
The Alpha cleared his throat and said, with a straight face:
"...Obedient?"
The crowd erupted in chaotic laughter and scandalized gasps. Someone in the front row dropped their drink.
The host blinked, then grinned.
"Well, ladies and gents. I think we just found our Alpha."
The audience screamed as the lights flashed and the theme song kicked in:
"Love. Danger. Loyalty. Only the strongest hearts will… Flirt to Survive!"
The Alpha just stood there as everyone cheered.
' This was getting out of hand. How was he supposed to survive everything these humans threw at him?
Most importantly, how would he tell them he wasn't Jewelry James Johnson but Alpha Kael Manori, King of the Redmond Pack, from the past?
A werewolf. Trapped in the body of a human female.
And somehow expected to flirt… to survive
.
He could not help but remember how everything started since he opened his eyes.