10. Xavier getting closer to Wanessa

AT THE SAME TIME

XAVIER'S POINT OF VIEW:

As Wanessa walked away, her basket swinging gently in her hand, I rooted to the spot, watching her retreating figure like a fool. She didn't look back, but something about the way she carried herself graceful yet cautious made my wolf stir restlessly.

"She was near us." My wolf growled in satisfaction, his voice vibrating through my mind.

"I know." I replied, my chest tightening with excitement. "She spoke to us, helped us. She's letting her guard down, even if just a little."

My wolf let out a low rumble of approval, his energy surging in a way I hadn't felt in years.

"She's perfect. Ours. We just need to be patient. "He said.

I exhaled slowly, running a hand through my hair as I tried to steady my racing thoughts. Being this close to her was intoxicating, and the small moments we shared felt monumental. Every word she spoke, every glance she gave me, was etched into my mind. When she had offered to help with the wood, my heart had nearly stopped. I hadn't expected her to get her hands dirty, but she'd done it anyway. It wasn't just her beauty that drew me in. it was her quiet strength, her determination, and the way she carried herself despite everything she'd been through.

"She'll realize soon enough." My wolf said, his tone confident. "She felt it too, even if she doesn't understand it yet. That pull. That connection."

I smiled to myself, the memory of her blush warming me from the inside out. She had felt it. I was sure of it. Her wolf might have been quiet, but it was still there, buried beneath the scars of her past. As I picked up the remaining pieces of wood, I couldn't stop the grin that spread across my face. For the first time in years, I felt a spark of hope, a sense that everything I'd been fighting for was finally within reach.

The villagers had been kind enough to let me stay, and I wasn't going to waste the opportunity. But most of all, I'd do whatever it took to win Wanessa's heart.

"Soon." I promised him. "She'll be ours. We just have to show her she's safe with us."

"I know and we will."I said.

Today had been no different. She'd come to the clearing where I was working, her basket swinging lightly at her side, and offered to help. The way her lips had twitched into a shy smile had made my wolf stir with pride. She was letting me in, bit by bit, but then I'd slipped.

It had been something small a villager had come too close, too friendly in my eyes, and I'd felt the possessive growl rise in my throat before I could stop it. Wanessa froze immediately, her eyes widening as she looked at me with a mix of shock and apprehension.

"Xavier?" She asked, her voice uncertain, a hint of panic creeping in.

I felt my stomach drop.

"Wanessa." I said quickly, stepping back and raising my hands slightly to show I meant no harm. "I'm sorry. That wasn't… I didn't mean to…"

Her breathing quickened as she took a cautious step away, her gaze darting between me and the villagers around us.

"Why did you do that?" She asked softly, her tone laced with unease.

I exhaled slowly, forcing my wolf to settle as I met her eyes.

"It wasn't intentional." I said, my voice gentle but firm. "Sometimes… my instincts get the better of me. I'm not angry at you. I could never be angry at you."

She still looked unsure, her fingers gripping the edge of her basket tightly.

"I promise, Wanessa." I continued, taking a careful step closer. "You don't have to be afraid of me. I'd never hurt you. Ever."

Her lips parted as if to say something, but she hesitated, her shoulders tense.

"Look." I added, lowering my voice. "I know I can come across as… intense sometimes. But it's only because I care. More than I probably should." I chuckled lightly, trying to ease the tension. "You've been through so much. I don't want to be another reason you feel unsafe."

Her grip on the basket loosened slightly, though she still looked wary.

"It's just… you seemed so different for a moment." She admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I know." I said softly. "And I hate that I scared you. I'll work on it, I swear."

There was a long pause before she nodded, though the tension in her frame hadn't completely melted away.

"Wanessa." I said again. "You can trust me. I'll prove it to you, no matter how long it takes."

Her gaze lingered on mine for a moment, and I thought I saw a flicker of understanding in her eyes. She nodded again, this time more firmly, and I felt a small wave of relief wash over me. The rest of the day, I stayed close but careful, making sure to give her space while also showing her I was there. By the evening, she seemed more relaxed, but the memory of her startled expression lingered in my mind.

"We'll do better." I told my wolf firmly. "She deserves better from us."

My wolf growled in agreement, but his tone was softer now, almost pleading.

"She'll see it soon. She's ours."He said.

In a few days I had been watching Wanessa, my focus never straying far from her, even as I helped Noah repair the village's fence. She'd seemed a little slower, her steps more measured, and there was a faint pallor to her usually lively face. At first, I thought she might just be tired, it wasn't easy living in a place like this, and she was always doing more than her share of work. But when she stumbled, nearly dropping the basket of herbs she was carrying, I knew it wasn't just fatigue.

I was at her side in an instant.

"Wanessa?"I asked.

Her hand flew to her head, and she swayed slightly.

"I'm fine." She murmured, her voice unconvincing as her eyes fluttered.

"No, you're not." I said firmly, catching her just as her legs gave out.

She felt far too warm, her skin flushed with a fever I hadn't noticed earlier.

"Xavier." She mumbled weakly, her voice faint.

"I've got you," I said, scooping her into my arms.

She barely weighed anything, and the way her head lolled against my chest made my wolf growl with worry.

Noah came running, his brow furrowed.

"What happened?"He asked.

"She's feverish." I said, my voice tight. "Where's her place?"

Noah nodded and gestured toward one of the cottages. "There. Take her inside. I'll bring water.""He said.

I didn't wait for more instructions, carrying her as gently as I could. Her eyes fluttered open briefly, and she looked up at me with a dazed expression.

"Why…?" She whispered.

"Because you're important." I said softly, settling her on the small cot in her home. "More than you know."

Noah brought water, and I did everything I could to cool her down, using damp cloths and fanning her gently. Hours passed, and though her fever didn't worsen, it didn't break either. I was going to stay as long as I have too, to mae sure she is alright.