5. Revealing of Wanessa's previous home

AT THE SAME TIME

WANESSA'S POINT OF VIEW:

Being carried like a child by Terrence was humiliating, but no amount of squirming or protesting was enough to make him let go.

"Terrence, put me down!" I snapped, glaring up at his face.

"Not happening." He said without even looking at me, his tone firm but calm. "You'll just run off again, and I'm not chasing you twice in one day."

"I'm not going to run." I said, trying to sound convincing. "I just need to get my things from the forest."

Terrence slowed his steps slightly, raising an eyebrow as he glanced down at me. 

"Your things? What things could you possibly have out there, omega?" He asked, confused.

"My belongings. I can't leave everything behind. It's all I have."I said.

Xavier, walking ahead of us, stopped abruptly and turned to face me. His sharp blue eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, I forgot what I was saying.

"If it's important to you, we'll go." He said softly, his voice carrying an unexpected gentleness. It was kind of him.

Michael, trailing behind with his arms crossed, scoffed.

"What could possibly be worth going back for in that forest? It's dangerous enough as it is."He said.

I shot him a glare. 

"My life. It might not be much, but it's mine, prince."I said angrily.

Terrence sighed dramatically but adjusted his hold on me, as if settling in for a long haul. 

"Fine. We'll go. But don't even think about trying to run, little omega. I'll catch you before you take two steps."Terrence said.

When we reached the clearing where my shelter stood, I felt the familiar sting of embarrassment prick at my chest. The small, dilapidated structure looked even worse now, with its sagging roof and patched walls barely holding together. The ground outside was littered with broken tools and scraps of fabric I had tried to salvage. Terrence finally set me down, and I quickly stepped away from him, brushing off my skirt.

"This is where you've been living?" Xavier asked, his voice low and tense.

I nodded, keeping my gaze fixed on the ground. 

"Yes."I said.

Michael walked closer, his expression a mix of disbelief and anger. 

"This… this is worse than I imagined. How did you survive out here?"He muttered.

I shrugged, wrapping my arms around myself. 

"I managed. It's not as bad as it looks."I said.

"It's worse." Terrence muttered, crouching near the broken door frame. "This place is falling apart. How long have you been living here?"He asked, curiously.

"Seven years." I admitted quietly.

Michael's jaw dropped. It was like almost it could reach the ground.

"Seven years? Here? Alone?"He asked.

"Who left you here?" Xavier asked, his tone sharp.

"No one left me." I said, my voice rising slightly. "I chose to stay here. It's better than being somewhere I'm not wanted."

Xavier's jaw tightened, and he stepped into the small shelter, his broad shoulders almost brushing the walls. He picked up my tattered blanket, his expression darkening with every second. 

"This isn't right." He muttered.

"It doesn't matter now." I said, brushing past him to gather my few belongings. "I'm leaving it behind."

Michael stepped inside as well, running a hand through his hair. His green eyes flashed with anger as he looked around. 

"No one should have to live like this. Who let you end up here? Your pack? Your family?"He asked.

I froze for a moment, clutching my blanket. 

"It doesn't matter. I survived."I said.

Terrence stood, his fists clenched. 

"It matters to us." He said firmly. "You're ours now, Wanessa. We take care of what's ours."Terrence said.

I turned to glare at him. 

"I'm not yours. I've taken care of myself just fine without anyone's help."I said.

Xavier stepped closer, his piercing gaze locking onto mine. 

"No one should have to do it alone." He said softly.

AT THE SAME TIME

XAVIER'S POINT OF VIEW:

As I stood in the doorway of that miserable shack, my wolf growled in my chest, restless and furious. The sight of her living in such conditions made my blood boil.

Seven years. She had lived here for seven years. Alone. I glanced down at the tattered blanket in my hands, the fabric worn thin and frayed at the edges. My chest tightened as I imagined her sleeping on the cold, hard floor, wrapped in this pathetic excuse for warmth.

"This is unacceptable." I said, my voice low but firm. "No one should have to live like this."

Wanessa brushed past me, her head held high despite the shame I could see flickering in her eyes.

 "I'm fine." She said defensively. "I don't need your pity."

"It's not pity." I replied, my gaze following her as she moved. "It's anger. You shouldn't have been left here."

AT THE SAME TIME

MICHAEL'S POINT OF VIEW:

The moment I saw that shack, I felt my wolf stir with unease. The smell of damp wood and decay hit me like a punch to the gut as I stepped inside.

"Seven years." I muttered under my breath, my fists clenching at my sides. "How could anyone let her live like this?"

I turned to her, my voice sharper than I intended. 

"Who left you here?"I asked.

She didn't answer right away, her back turned to me as she packed her meager belongings into a worn leather bag.

"It doesn't matter." She said finally, her tone clipped.

"It does matter." I said, stepping closer. "You're ours now, Wanessa. And we take care of what's ours."

AT THE SAME TIME

TERRENCE'S POINT OF VIEW:

The sight of that crumbling shack made my blood boil. My wolf was pacing in my mind, restless and furious at the thought of her living in such conditions.

"Who let you live like this?" I asked, crouching near the broken door frame.

"No one let me." She snapped, glaring at me. "I chose to stay here."

Her words stung, but they only made me angrier. She deserved so much more than this.

As we left the clearing, her bundle of belongings in my arms, I made a silent vow. No one would ever abandon her again. She is going to stay with us and nobody is going to leave her alone like this ever again.