IN A WHILE
WANESSA'S POINT OF VIEW:
The river was calm today, the gentle ripples glinting under the sunlight. I sat at the edge, my fishing line cast into the water, enjoying the rare peace. Fishing wasn't just about catching food it was a moment to breathe, to let the world fade away. As soon as I caught my second fish today I heard some steps behind me. Turning, I saw a man approaching, his tall frame and confident stride immediately putting me on edge. He was handsome in a sharp, intimidating way, with dark hair and striking green eyes that seemed to assess me in an instant.
"Excuse me." He said, his voice smooth and polite. "I seem to have lost my way. Could you help me?"
I hesitated for a moment, but his demeanor didn't seem threatening. Still, I kept my guard up as I set my fishing rod aside and stood.
"Where are you trying to go?"I asked.
"To the nearest village." He replied, his gaze steady.
I pointed toward the forest path behind him.
"Follow that trail for about an hour. It'll take you straight to the village."I said.
"Thank you. And may I ask your name?"He said.
I blinked, unsure why he'd want to know, but decided it was harmless.
"Wanessa."I said.
His smile widened slightly, and he nodded.
"A lovely name. Thank you, Wanessa."He said.
I turned back to my fishing line, assuming the conversation was over, but before I could sit down, a sudden shift in the air made me freeze.
"Terrence." A familiar voice growled.
I spun around to see a man who I saved standing a few paces away, his golden eyes blazing with intensity. His presence was overwhelming, his entire body radiating tension as he glared at the man Terrence, apparently.
"Ah, Xavier." Terrence said casually, turning to face him. "I was just getting to know your... friend here."
Xavier's jaw tightened, and he stepped closer, his gaze never leaving his brother.
"You're lost, remember? Leave."He said.
Terrence chuckled, clearly amused, but he didn't argue. With a small bow of his head toward me, he said,
"Thank you again for your help, Wanessa." Then he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, utterly confused.
"Who was that?" I asked, looking at Xavier.
He didn't answer right away, his gaze fixed on where Terrence had disappeared into the trees.
When he finally looked at me, his expression softened slightly, though the tension in his body remained.
"Just someone who doesn't belong here." he said calmly. "Are you okay?"
"Of course." I said, frowning. "Why wouldn't I be?"
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. He was nervous about something.
"Just... be careful who you talk to."He said.
Before I could ask what he meant, he turned and walked away, leaving me more confused than ever. It seems those two know each other, but at least I know the name of man I life saved not long time ago.
AT THE SAME TIME
XAVIER'S POINT OF VIEW:
I couldn't get back to the castle fast enough, my wolf snarling in my head the entire way. Terrence. Of all the people who could have stumbled upon Wanessa, it had to be him. By the time I reached the castle, my mood was foul, and it only worsened when I heard my brothers voices echoing through the grand hall.
"She's an omega. Sweet, earthy scent. She's different. Oh yeah. Her name's Wanessa. I met her by the river. She's different, Michael. Not like the others."Terrence said.
I stopped dead in my tracks, my blood running cold. Terrence was talking about Wanessa my Wanessa.
I clenched my fists, the familiar heat of jealousy surging through me.
"Her name's Wanessa?" Michael asked, a note of surprise in his voice. "That's... different. You sure about her, Terrence?"
Terrence chuckled, and I could hear the amusement in his voice, the way he was savoring every second of this. "Oh, I'm sure. She's not like the others. She helped me with directions. Very kind. A little too kind, if you ask me."Terence said.
I could practically hear the smirk on his face. I forced myself to stay still, listening, even though every word was like a dagger to my chest.
"She didn't seem to know who you were?" Michael asked, his tone curious but light.
"Nope." Terrence replied, his voice almost fond. "She didn't care about any of that. Just a simple woman, living her life. But I could tell she was special."
"Special?" Michael echoed, clearly intrigued now. "You really think so?"
"Yeah." Terrence said, his voice dropping slightly, almost contemplative. "I think she could be... very special."
The conversation hit me like a punch to the gut. I could hear it now, my brothers were already interested. Terrence had planted the seed, and they were already growing curious about her. The thought of them meeting Wanessa, of them getting to know her, sent a sharp pang of possessiveness through me. I wanted to step out and confront them, to remind them who she belonged to, but I held myself back. I couldn't afford to show weakness, not now. Not when everything was already starting to unravel. But I knew the truth. My family would meet her. It was inevitable.
At the evening my brothers, Michael and Terrence, were talking to our parents, their voices low but filled with an undeniable intensity. I could smell the tension in the air before I even fully entered the room. As I approached, I caught the faint scent of an omega, a sweet, earthy fragrance that immediately made my wolf stir. I stopped dead in my tracks. The scent was familiar, but what really caught my attention was that it was everywhere. It wasn't just on me. It was on my brothers, too.
I walked into the room, my eyes narrowing as I looked at my brothers and parents. Michael, Terrence, and I were all standing there, the same omega scent clinging to us like a second skin. My heart began to race, and I could see the realization dawning on my parents faces.
"Xavier. What's going on here? Why does it smell like... her? All of you?"
I clenched my jaw, but I couldn't stop the heat rising in my chest. My brothers were looking at me, and I could see it in their eyes jealousy. Terrence spoke first, his voice dripping with teasing amusement.
"Well, looks like we've all met the same woman. And I think we all know who she is now, don't we?"Terrence said.
Michael shot him a sharp look.
"You're not the only one who met her, Terrence." He turned to me. "Xavier, you've been acting strange. I thought you were hiding something."
I felt my wolf stir again, a possessive growl building in my chest. I hadn't wanted to admit it, but it was true. We'd all met her. And I wasn't the only one who had felt the pull of the bond. But I wasn't about to let them think they had any claim over her.
I took a deep breath, stepping forward.
"You've all met her too?"Michael asked.
"Of course." Terrence said with a sly grin. "I bumped into her by the river, and I could tell she was... different. She didn't know who I was, but she helped me when I needed it. Sweet girl."
"Same here. She's... unique. But I didn't realize she'd be the one to get all three of us in a knot."Michael said.
I could feel my father's eyes on me now, studying me with an intensity I hadn't felt in years.
"So, she's the one, then? The omega you've been so obsessed with?"Dad asked.
I didn't answer immediately. I couldn't let them get too close to her. I couldn't let them think they had any claim over what was mine. But before I could say anything, my mother spoke, her voice filled with a mix of surprise and concern.
"You three... you've all met her?"Mom asked.
We all nodded, but there was a heavy silence that followed. My father, ever the calm one, leaned back in his chair and let out a low laugh.
"Well, well." He said, his voice filled with amusement. "Looks like we've got ourselves a bit of a situation here. Three of my sons, all with the same scent on them. I suppose that means she's the one."
I could see the tension in my brothers' faces. Michael's jaw was tight, and Terrence was trying to hide the gleam of competition in his eyes. They were all feeling it the jealousy, the possessiveness. And so was I.
But my father, ever the pragmatist, simply laughed again, his deep voice rumbling through the room.
"I want to meet this lucky lady. She's certainly caused quite the stir in this family."Dad said.
My mother, on the other hand, looked less amused. "Xavier, Michael, Terrence... you all need to be careful. If she's truly your mate, you can't just keep her to yourselves. There are... consequences."She said.
I could feel the weight of her words, but I wasn't ready to share her.
"I'll decide when she's ready to meet the rest of you," I said, my voice sharp, even though I could feel the tension between us all.
I wasn't about to let them take what was mine. They knew she was special, and they knew she was mine.