9. Clara showing Xavier's worth

AT THE SAME TIME

XAVIER'S POINT OF VIEW:

I watched her as she ate, her movements slow and deliberate. She was trying to hide it, but I could see the hunger in the way she tore at the bread, the relief in her expression as the warmth of the soup spread through her. It wasn't much just a simple meal, but it felt like a victory. She was letting me take care of her, even if she didn't fully trust me yet. Her wolf was there, too. Faint, but present. I could feel it, a fragile thread of connection that sent a surge of possessive pride through me. Her wolf was responding to mine, even if she didn't realize it.

Finally. For a while, I'd been waiting for this moment, for some sign that she could feel what I felt. The bond was there, simmering beneath the surface, but she kept it buried under layers of fear and distrust. She was here, sitting by the stream with me, eating the food I'd brought her. It was a small step, but it was enough to make my chest swell with pride. As she finished the last of the soup, I stood and stretched, pretending not to notice the way she glanced at me when she thought I wasn't looking.

"I'll bring more food later." I said casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"You don't have to." She replied, her voice quiet but firm. "I can take care of myself."

"I know you can. But you don't have to."I said.

Her lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to argue, but she didn't. Instead, she looked away, focusing on the empty bowl in her lap. I took a step closer, my voice softening. 

"Wanessa, you've been doing everything on your own for too long. Let me help you. Just for a little while."I said.

Her shoulders tensed, and I could see the war waging inside her. She wanted to refuse, to push me away, but there was a part of her, a small, hesitant part that wanted to say yes.

"Fine. Just for a little while."She agreed.

I smiled, unable to hide my satisfaction. 

"Good."I said.

As I turned to leave, I felt a flicker of warmth in the bond, a faint echo of her wolf reaching out to mine. I couldn't stop the grin that spread across my face as I walked back to the village. She was letting me in, piece by piece, and I would do whatever it took to earn her trust. Later that evening, I brought her another meal, careful not to overwhelm her with too much attention. She was still skittish, like a wounded animal, and I knew I had to tread carefully. But every time she accepted the food without protest, every time she allowed me to sit near her without flinching, it felt like a victory. By the third day, she even thanked me, her voice so soft I almost didn't hear it.

"Did you say something" I teased, leaning closer.

She glared at me, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. 

"I said thank you. Don't make me regret it."She said.

I chuckled, raising my hands in mock surrender. 

"I wouldn't dream of it."I said.

Her wolf stirred again, stronger this time, and I could feel the bond growing. She might not have realized it yet, but she was starting to trust me. And I wasn't going to stop until she trusted me completely.

IN A MORNING

WANESSA'S POINT OF VIEW:

I stood by the stream, rinsing out the cloth I'd used to clean some herbs. The sun was warm on my back, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I wasn't constantly looking over my shoulder. Sundown village had a way of making you feel safe, even if you didn't fully belong. But then I saw him. Xavier. He was walking toward the village square, carrying a massive stack of wood over one shoulder like it weighed nothing. His shirt clung to his chest, damp with sweat, and his muscles rippled with every step. I froze, my breath catching in my throat. How could someone be that strong?

"Enjoying the view?"I heard a female voice.

I spun around to see Clara, one of the village women, smirking at me. Her dark eyes sparkled with mischief, and her hands were planted firmly on her hips.

"What?" I stammered, feeling heat rush to my cheeks.

Clara nodded toward Xavier, who was now stacking the wood near the communal firepit. 

"I said, are you enjoying the view? Because I'd say you're staring hard enough to set him on fire."She said.

"I wasn't staring!" I protested, my voice a little too loud.

Clara raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. 

"Sure, you weren't. And I'm the queen of the wolves."Clara said.

I rolled my eyes, turning back to the stream to hide my embarrassment. 

"I was just… surprised, that's all. He's stronger than he looks."I said.

"Stronger than he looks?" Clara repeated with a laugh. "Honey, that man looks like he could wrestle a bear and win. And from the way you're blushing, I'd say you noticed more than just his strength."She said and grinned.

I groaned, burying my face in my hands. 

"Can we not do this right now?"I asked.

"Oh, we're doing this." Clara said, her tone teasing but kind. "You're new here, Wanessa, so let me give you some advice. A man like that doesn't just show up in a village like ours for no reason. If I were you, I'd stake my claim before someone else does."She said.

I peeked through my fingers, watching as Xavier wiped his brow and nodded to one of the elders. He was polite, respectful, and somehow managed to look both intimidating and approachable at the same time.

"He's not here for me." I said quietly, more to myself than to Clara.

Clara snorted. 

"Oh, please. The way he looks at you? He's definitely here for you. And if you don't make a move soon, someone else will."She said.

"I don't even know him." I argued, though my voice lacked conviction.

"Then get to know him." Clara said with a shrug. "You're not going to find another man like that, Wanessa. Trust me."

I glanced back at Xavier, who had just finished stacking the wood. He caught me looking and gave me a small, almost shy smile. My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly looked away, pretending to focus on the herbs in my basket. Clara chuckled, patting me on the shoulder.

"You've got this, sweetheart. Just don't let him slip away."She said.

As she walked off, I couldn't help but steal another glance at Xavier. He was talking to one of the village children now, crouching down so they were eye level. The child handed him a small flower, and he accepted it with a grin that was so genuine it made my chest ache. Maybe Clara was right. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to get to know him. I stayed by the stream, wringing the cloth in my hands far longer than necessary. My heart was beating faster than it should, and Clara's words kept echoing.

"Stake my claim? She's ridiculous." I muttered under my breath, but my eyes betrayed me as they flicked back toward Xavier.

He was still there, now stacking smaller pieces of wood with a precision that seemed almost unnecessary. His movements were steady and deliberate, like he was putting care into even the simplest task.

"Wanessa!" Clara's voice startled me, and I turned to see her standing a few feet away with a wicked grin on her face.""You're still here? Don't tell me you're waiting for an invitation to go talk to him."

"I'm not waiting for anything." I said, trying to sound confident but failing miserably.

Clara sauntered closer, her grin widening. 

"Oh, sure. That's why you've been standing here for ten minutes, staring at him like he's the last piece of meat at a feast." She said and laughed a bit.

I glared at her. 

"I wasn't staring."I said.

"Right." She said, dragging out the word. "And I'm not about to push you into talking to him."

"You wouldn't dare."I said.

She raised an eyebrow, clearly considering it. 

"Try me."She said.

I groaned, shoving the cloth into my basket. 

"Fine! I'll go talk to him. But only to prove you wrong."I said.

Clara clapped her hands together like she'd just won a game. 

"That's the spirit!"She said proudly.

I shot her one last glare before squaring my shoulders and walking toward Xavier. My steps felt heavier with every inch I closed between us, and my palms were suddenly clammy. When I was just a few feet away, he looked up, his piercing blue eyes locking onto mine. For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

"Wanessa." He said, his voice warm and slightly surprised. "Good morning."

"Morning." I managed, my voice higher than usual. I cleared my throat, trying to sound more composed. You're… busy."

He glanced at the pile of wood beside him and shrugged. "Just trying to be useful while I'm here. It's the least I can do."He said.

I nodded, shifting my basket from one hand to the other. "That's… considerate of you."I said.

He smiled, and I felt my heart do an embarrassing little flip.

"It's the least I can do for a place that's been so welcoming."He said. 

From the corner of my eye, I saw Clara lurking nearby, clearly eavesdropping. She gave me an exaggerated thumbs up, and I had to resist the urge to throw my basket at her.

"Do you, um, need help?" I asked, gesturing to the woodpile.

Xavier's smile widened, and there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. 

"I wouldn't say no to company."He said.

I hesitated for a moment before setting my basket down and crouching to pick up a piece of wood. It was heavier than I expected, but I managed to carry it over to the stack without dropping it.

"You don't have to do that." Xavier said, watching me with a mix of concern and admiration.

"I don't mind." I said, trying to sound casual. "Besides, it's only fair. You've been helping the village so much."

His expression softened, and for a moment, I thought I saw something deeper in his eyes, something that made my stomach flutter.

"You're kind." He said quietly.

I looked away, feeling my cheeks heat up. 

"It's nothing."I said.

"It's not nothing." He said, his tone firm but gentle. "Kindness is rare these days. Don't sell yourself short."He said,

I didn't know how to respond to that, so I focused on picking up another piece of wood.

"Hey, Xavier!" Clara's voice cut through the moment, and I turned to see her grinning like a fox.

"You're doing a great job, but don't work Wanessa too hard. She's delicate, you know."

I glared at Clara. 

"I'm not delicate."I said.

Xavier chuckled, his deep laugh sending a shiver down my spine. 

"I'll make sure she doesn't overdo it."He said.

Clara winked at me before sauntering off, leaving me alone with Xavier again.

"She's… something." Xavier said, his tone amused.

"She's a menace." I muttered, earning another laugh from him.

As we continued working, the tension in my chest started to ease. Xavier was easy to talk to kind, patient, and somehow making me feel safe. It was a great feeling.