22. Xavier's bond with Wanessa

AT THE SAME TIME

WANESSA'S POINT OF VIEW:

I was not purring. No. Absolutely not. But my body had betrayed me in every possible way. Xavier carried me effortlessly, his arms strong and steady, his scent drowning my senses in a way that made my eyelids heavy. I wanted to fight it. I needed to fight it. But warmth wrapped around me, lulling me into a traitorous comfort I could not afford. I tried to push away, to fight against the pull of exhaustion, but then his fingers brushed against my ears.

Purr. The sound rumbled in my chest before I could stop it. Xavier let out a quiet chuckle.

"She's already falling asleep."He whispered.

Michael scoffed, crossing his arms. "I hate this."

"She fights everyone else, but the moment you hold her, she purrs?" Terrence muttered darkly, glaring. "Unbelievable."Terrence groaned.

Xavier smirked.

"She just knows I'm the best option."He said.

Michael let out a growl, fists clenching.

"Let go of her."Michael said.

"Make me." Xavier shot back.

My head drooped against his shoulder. Why did he have to be so warm? I forced my eyes open and bared my fangs weakly.

"Put me… down."I said.

Xavier raised a brow, not even slowing his pace.

"You can barely keep your eyes open. Where do you think you're going?"He asked.

Michael stepped forward, his expression dark.

"If you actually care about her, you'd put her down."Michael said.

"She's fine," Xavier said smoothly, ignoring them both.

Terrence exhaled sharply

"Of course you would be the one she lets hold her." He said.

"Don't be jealous." Xavier said lightly.

Michael's lip curled.

"I'm not jealous."Michael said.

Elder Magnus cleared his throat, his tone amused.

"Now that she's settled, we can finally begin."Elder said.

The King and Queen sat nearby, their expressions unreadable. The King leaned forward, clasping his hands together.

"You believe she has two souls in one body?"King asked.

"It is not a belief." Elder Magnus corrected. "It is the truth."

I stiffened, ears twitching.

"Then how did it happen?" Queen Clara asked, her sharp gaze flickering to me.

"You're saying she was transported here?" Michael asked.

"More than that." Magnus said gravely. "Her body here was always meant to exist. But something went wrong the night of the incident, seven years ago. A rift tore between two worlds, and a soul from another place her place collided with this body, merging into one."

I clenched my fists.

"I told you," I whispered. "I told you, and none of you believed me."I said.

Xavier's hold on me tightened.

"Wanessa-"Xavier started.

I shoved against his chest, wriggling free.

"Let go of me!"I said

But my body was weak.

I barely stumbled two steps before my vision spun. My balance tipped. And Xavier caught me.

"Stop running." He muttered. His voice was softer now. No teasing. No smugness. Just… something warm.

I tried to push him away, but my fingers curled into his shirt instead. My breath was shallow, my limbs shaky. My emotions were too raw. Too much.

"You believe me now?" I groaned.

"Yes." He murmured. "I believe you."

Michael and Terrence both watched with clenched jaws.

Michael's voice was cold.

"You're too close to her."He said.

"She doesn't seem to mind." Xavier said, arms still wrapped around me.

Terrence let out a low, warning growl.

"Step away from her."Terrence growled.

Xavier ignored them.

I wanted to be angry. But warmth wrapped around me again. My body sagged, exhaustion winning once more.

And then I purred again. It slipped out before I could stop it.

Xavier's smirk returned.

"Well, well." He said. "Looks like she's comfortable with me."

Michael's entire body tensed.

"I hate this." Michael said.

Elder Magnus hummed, his gaze sharp.

"It is fascinating."Elder said.

King William exhaled, rubbing his temples.

"What does this mean?"He asked.

Elder Magnus studied me, then turned his sharp gaze to Xavier.

"Her instincts have chosen." He said.

Silence. Thick. Heavy. Deadly. Xavier froze. Michael and Terrence stiffened, their eyes darkening. Elder Magnus lips twitched.

"She's chosen a mate."Elder said.

"Who?"Michael asked.

Terrence narrowed his eyes.

"Who?"He asked.

Magnus' gaze flickered to Xavier.

I could feel Xavier's smirk without even looking.

Michael's growl shook the room.

"No. Absolutely not."Michael growled.

Terrence ran a hand through his hair, his shoulders tense. "This is ridiculous."He said.

Xavier leaned closer, his breath warm against my ear. "You heard him, princess." He murmured. "You like me best."

I blushed and looked away. I knew it made sense a bit more than it should be, so I hoped that our peaceful life could last a little longer. In a few days the morning light filtered softly through the high castle windows, I was still remembering from the events of the past days. As I sat in the quiet of my chamber, I heard a knock at the door. My heart thumped erratically, and I braced myself for more revelations. A servant entered, bowing low. 

"Lady Wanessa, His Majesty requests your presence in the great hall."Maid said.

I took a deep, shaky breath and followed the servant through the corridors. In the great hall, King William stood at the head of the table, his expression grave yet determined. Around him, the royal family and trusted advisors murmured quietly. As I approached, his voice, calm and resonant, broke the uneasy silence.

"Wanessa." The King began. "I have an announcement. Lady Isabella has arrived at the castle."

The name struck me like lightning. Isabella, the name, the presence I had only heard of in whispers, in the legends of the game that we all played. I felt an inexplicable pull, as if a long-forgotten memory stirred deep within me. In that instant, I knew, this was the REAL female lead of that story, the one who was destined to play a crucial part in our lives.

"Lady Isabella… has she truly come? The priestess Isabella?" I asked, my words almost a whisper.

"Yes, Wanessa. Her arrival is confirmed. I have been told that her presence is as commanding as it is mysterious."He said.

I could hardly breathe as his words washed over me. And now, with her arrival announced by the King himself, the weight of that realization pressed upon me.

From across the hall, Prince Michael leaned forward and asked me worriedly.

"But what does this mean for us? For you?"Michael said.

"It means." I said, pausing as if choosing my words carefully. "That everything I thought I knew about myself might be a lie."I said.

"The arrival of Lady Isabella is no mere coincidence. It is said that she is the true guiding force in the destiny that now unfolds before us."King William said.

I watched him and sighed lightly. It seems that now we only can wait and see what this woman will bring to us.