25. Found and gone again

AT THE SAME TIME

XAVIER'S POINT OF VIEW:

The castle's corridors lay dark and silent as Michael, Terrence, Isabella, and I burst out into the chill night. I couldn't shake the feeling that every moment without her was a betrayal of everything I cherished. We pushed deeper into the forest until the familiar sounds of the castle faded into distant echoes.

Suddenly, in a moonlit clearing, we stopped dead in our tracks. There, striding calmly through the silver beams of light, was a magnificent white wolf. Its coat was pure as snow, and it moved with an effortless grace that belied the tension of the night. My breath caught this had to be her.

"Is that… Wanessa?" Michael whispered, his voice trembling with disbelief.

"I knew it. That's her. Look at her so free."Terrence said.

Isabella, ever hovered yet uncharacteristically sad, stepped closer.

"I didn't expect her to be so… at peace out here." She said, her tone laced with regret.