21. Overprotective royal family

A FEW HOURS LATER

WANESSA'S POINT OF VIEW:

The tension in the room was suffocating. I didn't want to be here. I shouldn't be here. The Elder, an old man with deep silver hair and wise, sharp eyes, stood before us. His presence demanded respect, but I could barely hear his words over the storm inside my head.

"I am Elder Magnus." He introduced himself. "I have spent decades studying the rifts, the connections between worlds, and the souls affected by them."

Rifts. Connections. Souls. It all sounded like nonsense. But deep down, something in me twisted uncomfortably, as if my very being was reacting to the truth in his words.

"You are one of the rare cases." Elder Magnus continued, his aged eyes locking onto mine. "A soul torn from its original home and placed into another. You were never meant to exist here, yet the rift bound you to this world. And now, two souls share one vessel."

I took a shaky breath. It was the same thing they kept saying. That I wasn't just Wanessa. That there were two people in me.

"And what if I don't believe you?" I challenged, my voice sharp.

Elder Magnus didn't even blink.

"Then deny it all you want. But denial does not change the truth."Magnus said.

"You're saying I was, what? Stolen from my own world? Forced into this one? And now, I can never go back?"I asked.

"The rift chooses. It does not ask permission."He said.

No. I wasn't some chosen person. I wasn't some soul meant to exist in two places. I had a life. A home. And now, it was gone.

"I can't be here. I shouldn't be here!"I growled.

The room blurred as I spun on my heel and ran.

"Stop."King William's voice was like a hammer to my chest, freezing me mid step. "You are not running." He said. "If you try to run, you will not be left alone. My sons will stay by your side at all times."William said.

"What?"I growled.

The King leaned back slightly, but his tone remained firm. "

That means day and night. You will sleep in the same room as them. If you refuse, they will carry you."He said.

I stared at him.

"You- you can't be serious!" I hissed.

King William's gaze didn't waver.

"Dead serious."He said.

"You guys aren't actually going along with this, are you?"I asked.

Terrence gave a lazy shrug.

"Orders are orders."Terrence said.

Michael sighed, rubbing his temples.

"It's not like we have a choice, Wanessa."Michael said.

Xavier… just smirked.

"Honestly?" He said, stepping forward. "I don't mind at all."

"No." I breathed. "No way."

I took another step back, but the second I did the shift took over. My vision sharpened, my body lowered, and white fur covered my skin. My wolf had taken over. And I ran. I dashed for the door, aiming for the corridor but before I could make it strong arms wrapped around me.

"Seriously?" Xavier muttered as he lifted me like I was nothing.

I snarled, twisting in his grip, kicking wildly.

"Let me go!"I growled.

Michael groaned.

"She's worse in wolf form."Michael said.

"She's small but still a damn menace." Terrence muttered.

I howled in frustration, but Xavier only tightened his hold.

"You heard my father." He murmured. "You're not going anywhere."

I turned into my human form and tried to run. I didn't want to be carried by either of them.

I growled because I hated this. I hated being carried. More than that, I hated how easily they did it. Terrence had been the first to try, and I fought like hell. He barely lifted me a few inches off the ground before I twisted and nearly took a chunk out of his arm. He swore loudly, dropping me instantly.

Michael was next. He was smarter, quicker but not enough. I hit so violently that he lost his balance, and we both tumbled to the floor.

"I'm not dealing with this." He grumbled, rubbing his sore shoulder.

"She fights like a feral cat." Terrence muttered, shaking his head.

They glared back. Then Xavier stepped forward. I stiffened, ears flattening against my head as he crouched beside me. I shifted into wolf form again knowing it be harder for them to pick me up. His violet eyes held amusement, but there was something else there too, something more intense.

"Are you done fighting?" He asked softly.

I growled.

"Didn't think so."I growled.

And then, without warning, he scooped me up like I weighed nothing. I should have fought. I should have thrashed, bitten, clawed, but the second his arms wrapped around me, warmth seeped into my fur, his scent surrounding me. And then I purred. The sound rumbled deep in my chest, completely involuntary, completely traitorous. Silence fell over the entire room. Xavier got still. Everyone else? Stunned.

"Did she just…?" Michael trailed off, eyes wide.

"No." I snapped immediately.

"You did," Terrence accused, pointing at me.

Elder Magnus, who had been watching with a knowing smile, hummed thoughtfully.

"How interesting…"He said.

I squirmed in Xavier's grip, trying to force my body to react differently, to not give in to the warmth.

But the second he adjusted his hold, pulling me closer causing another purr. A deep, undeniable vibration rippled from my throat. Xavier's lips curled into a slow, victorious smirk.

"You like this." He said smugly.

I wanted to die. I was humiliated.

"I- shut up." I snapped, trying to turn my face away.

Michael looked genuinely offended.

"You're telling me she nearly killed us when we tried, but him? Him? She's, she's practically melting into his arms?"Michael said angrily.

Terrence crossed his arms, scowling.

"Unbelievable."Terrence growled.

Even the King and Queen were watching with a mixture of amusement and curiosity. Elder Magnus chuckled, shaking his head.

"It seems your soul has already made a choice."He said.

Xavier, looking entirely too pleased with himself, shifted his grip slightly.

"See? I knew you liked me."Xavier said.

"I don't." I muttered.

Instead, I let out yet another purr.