Unrivaled - Alessia Russo

(Alessia's POV)

I wake up wrapped in Izzi's arms, and for a moment, the world outside this bed doesn't exist.

Her hold on me is loose but firm, like even in sleep she wants to keep me close. Her breath is warm against the back of my neck, slow and steady, and her body is pressed so perfectly against mine that I can feel the soft rise and fall of her chest.

My favorite place in the world.

I don't think I've ever felt this safe before.

I let myself stay still, drinking in the feeling of waking up next to her, of knowing that she's here because she wants to be, because she chose me. It still feels unreal sometimes—that she's mine, that I'm hers. That Izzi Charles, the girl the world sees as untouchable, unknowable, is here, holding me like I'm the most precious thing in the world.

My girlfriend.

The thought sends a little thrill through me.

I bite my lip, trying not to smile too much, because the last thing I want to do is wake her up. She deserves to sleep, especially after yesterday. After everything she did for me, for my team, for the truth.

The warmth in my chest flickers slightly.

Yesterday still lingers in the back of my mind, the panic, the exhaustion, the weight of it all pressing down on me. But through it all, Iz was there. Steady and sure, asking for nothing in return. Just being the person I needed.

Carefully, I reach for my phone, moving slow so I don't wake her. Iz is a light sleeper, and the last thing I want is to pull her from the peace she so rarely lets herself have.

The screen floods with notifications the second I unlock it. My stomach tightens as I scroll through them.

The statement the girls put out is everywhere. Support is pouring in—fans, former players, people who understand. My heart swells at the overwhelming love, at the sheer force of people standing with us.

But then—

Is Izzi moving to Arsenal?
Is she using this as a way to force a transfer?
Is this really about Arsenal, or is it about her career?

I blink, my jaw clenching.

Are they serious?

Izzi never made this about herself. She could have stayed out of it. She could have let Arsenal handle their own mess, let me handle it on my own. But she didn't. Because that's not who she is.

She did this because she cares.

Because she loves me—

My breath catches, my fingers tightening around my phone.

I—I mean, she hasn't said that. I haven't said that. It's too soon, right? But still, the thought lingers, curling warm and soft in my chest.

I exhale, locking my phone, trying to push down the frustration rising in my throat.

A sleepy murmur breaks through my thoughts. "Less..."

"What's wrong?"

I barely have time to react before Izzi tightens her hold on me, nuzzling her face into my shoulder, her voice thick with sleep.

My heart melts.

The world sees Izzi as sharp edges, as a force of nature that never bends, never breaks. They see the fierce competitor, the best in the world, the one who never shows weakness.

But I get this version of her.

The one who pulls me closer in her sleep, who presses soft kisses to my shoulder just because she can, who holds me like I'm the most important thing in the world.

I shake my head, whispering, "Nothing."

Izzi hums, clearly not believing me, but doesn't press. Instead, she shifts, her nose brushing against my neck as she sighs contentedly.

I melt all over again.

We stay like that for a while, wrapped up in each other, in the quiet safety of the morning. If I could stay here forever, I would.

But eventually, reality calls.

"Lessi," Izzi murmurs against my shoulder, her voice still laced with sleep.

I hum, not wanting to move.

She chuckles, the sound low and soft. "Don't you have a game today?"

I groan dramatically, making her laugh again.

"Yeah," I grumble, finally forcing myself to sit up. "And you're coming with me."

She stretches, rubbing a hand down her face before smirking. "You think your family will survive a whole match with me?"

I roll my eyes, reaching for a hoodie. "I think you should be more worried about them."

Iz just smirks, but there's something warm in her expression, something soft and steady. Something that tells me she's not just coming to the game because she has to.

She wants to be there.

For me.

And despite everything—the headlines, the speculation, the chaos surrounding my club—I know today is going to be okay.

Because Iz is with me. And that's all I need.