AN HOUR LATER
XAVIER'S POINT OF VIEW:
I watched her walk ahead, her steps slow and unsteady. Wanessa was stubborn, I'd give her that, but she was clearly exhausted. The bag hang over her shoulder looked heavier than it should have, and her frame seemed too fragile to bear the weight. It was like she was determined to prove she didn't need anyone's help. But it seems she got too tierd and tripped moment after.
"Careful!" I said sharply, catching her before she hit the ground.
She froze in my arms, her wide brown eyes looking up at me with a mixture of surprise and frustration.
"I'm fine." She muttered, trying to pull away.
"You're not fine." I said, tightening my hold. "You're exhausted. Stop pretending you can do this on your own."
Without another word, I scooped her up into my arms. She let out a startled gasp, her hands instinctively clutching at my shirt.
"Xavier, put me down!" She protested, squirming slightly.
"Not a chance." I said firmly. "You're coming with us, and I'm not letting you collapse halfway there."
As we approached, I could feel Wanessa tense in my arms.
"Relax." I said softly. "You're safe here."
Inside, the grand hall was bustling with activity, but the moment we entered, all eyes turned to us. My parents, King William and Queen Clara, were seated at the head of the hall. Their conversation with a group of advisors halted as they noticed us.
"Xavier." My father said, his deep voice carrying across the room. His sharp blue eyes flicked to Wanessa, who was still in my arms. "Who is this?"
Before I could answer, my mother rose from her seat, her elegant features softening as she approached.
"She's an omega." She said, her voice filled with warmth and curiosity.
"She's more than that." Michael said as he and Terrence stepped into the hall behind us.
My father's brow furrowed.
"Explain."He said.
Terrence crossed his arms, his expression serious.
"All three of us... we can smell her."He said.
The room fell silent. My mother's eyes widened slightly, and my father leaned back in his chair, his gaze sharp and calculating.
"All three of you?" My mother asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Michael nodded. "Her scent... it's on all of us. She's our mate."
Wanessa stiffened in my arms, her face paling.
My father's eyes narrowed, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.
"A single omega mate for all three of my sons?"Dad asked.
"It's rare, but it's not impossible." My mother said, her gaze softening as she looked at Wanessa. "She's special."
"Special or not." Wanessa said, her voice trembling. "I didn't ask for this."
Her words hung in the air, and I could feel her panic rising. Her breathing quickened, and she clutched at my shirt as if grounding herself.
"She's overwhelmed." My mother said gently. "Xavier, take her to rest. We can discuss this later."
I nodded, holding Wanessa closer as I turned to leave the hall. But as I carried her away, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something far more complicated than any of us could have imagined.
Xavier called for a maid to get me relaxed and change into a bit better clothes since I was in the castle. The maid smiled at me, her hands gentle as she smoothed the dress over my shoulders.
"There." She said kindly. "You look much better now."
I nodded, though I felt anything but better. I didn't belong here. I didn't belong with them. The door creaked open, and I heard the familiar sound of Xavier's voice.
"Wanessa?" His voice was soft, almost tentative, like he wasn't sure if I would want him near. "Are you alright?"
I didn't answer him at first. I couldn't. I was too scared of castle, people and my new life here.
"Wanessa?" Xavier's voice was closer now, and I could feel his presence near me, steady and warm.
He placed a hand on my shoulder, and I flinched, the sudden touch making everything worse. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself, but it didn't help. My vision blurred, and I could feel the walls of the room closing in on me. My heart raced faster, and my breathing became even more erratic. I couldn't catch my breath. I couldn't think.
Before I could even react, the maid's voice cut through my panic.
"Master Xavier! She's having a panic attack!"Maid shouted.
I heard Xavier's sharp intake of breath, and then his voice, filled with urgency.
"Get the doctor! Quickly!"He shouted.
Everything was happening too fast. The world spun around me, the room swaying as if I were caught in a storm. I could hear footsteps rushing out of the room, the maid's frantic voice calling for help. But I couldn't focus on that. I couldn't focus on anything except the overwhelming feeling of dread that was slowly swallowing me whole.
AT THE SAME TIME
XAVIER'S POINT OF VIEW:
I messed up big time. I had been so focused on trying to figure out how to help her, to make her feel safe, that I hadn't noticed how much worse her panic was getting. She was terrified of castle and everyone else. Doctor just arrived, but he also seems not being able to figure out how to calm her.
"Wanessa, it's okay." I said softly, trying to reach her, but she didn't seem to hear me. It was bad.
I could see her struggling to control her breathing, but it wasn't working. The doctor stepped forward, holding a small vial of liquid in his hand.
"She needs this, prince Xavier." He said. "It will help calm her down."
I could see the fear in Wanessa's eyes, and I knew she was terrified. But I couldn't let her suffer like this. I needed to help her.
"I can't... I can't... do...this..!" She gasped, her voice barely above a whisper.
I couldn't stand to see her like this. I had to do something. I stepped closer, my heart aching for her, and gently placed my hand on her shoulder.
"Wanessa, please." I said, my voice soft but desperate. "You need this. It will help you."
"She won't be able to take it on her own." Doctor said. "You'll need to help her."
I didn't hesitate. I couldn't. I gently took the vial from the doctor's hand, uncorking it and bringing it to Wanessa's lips. She flinched, her body stiffening, but I wasn't going to let her fight this. She needed it, and I was going to make sure she took it.
"Wanessa, listen to me." I said softly, my voice soothing but firm. "You need to drink this. It will help you feel better, I promise."
I could feel my heart breaking as I watched her struggle. I didn't want to force her, but I knew she needed it.
With a deep breath, I leaned down, gently cupping her face in my hands.
"I'm here, Wanessa." I whispered, my voice low and steady. "I won't let anything happen to you. Just trust me."
Slowly, I tilted the vial to her lips, and this time, she didn't resist. I watched as she hesitated, then swallowed a small amount of the bitter liquid. She gagged slightly, but I kept the vial steady, making sure she swallowed it all. Her body relaxed a little, her breathing slowing, but she was still trembling.
The doctor stepped back, nodding in approval.
"She'll calm down soon." He said. "The medicine will take effect in a few moments."
I stayed close to her, my hands still resting on her shoulders, watching her closely. I wanted to protect her from everything that had hurt her, to make sure she never felt like this again. She didn't respond, but I could see the tension in her body start to fade. Her breathing deepened, and soon, she was asleep, her body finally could rest.