IN A MORNING
WANESSA'S POINT OF VIEW:
Morning light spilled through the castle windows as I moved through the corridors. had to leave. I didn't belong here. After last night, after Xavier told everyone what Wanny had said about me thinking I was from another world, I couldn't stay. They didn't understand. They wouldn't. And worst of all? I wasn't sure if I understood anymore either.
The cold air touched my skin as I reached the side entrance of the castle, the one the servants used to bring in supplies. I pulled the cloak I had stolen from the wardrobe tighter around my shoulders and reached for the heavy wooden doors. But before I could push them open a shadow moved. I turned sharply and I saw it. Xavier. Michael. Terrence. All three of them stood there, blocking the doorway, their gazes locked onto me like they had been expecting this. I took a step back, but Xavier sighed and crossed his arms.
"You're not leaving, Wanessa."Xavier said.
"Move." I snapped, gripping the edge of my cloak.
Michael shook his head, looking more disappointed than angry.
"We knew you'd try this. After last night… you've barely spoken. And now, you're just going to run?"Michael said.
"I'm not running!" I shot back, my voice sharp, defensive. "I just I need to get out of here!"I said.
"You need to stay and figure out what's happening," Terrence said, his voice firm but calm. "Running away won't change what you are, Wanessa."
"I don't even know what I am!" I hissed. "You don't understand! None of you do! I don't belong here!"
Xavier's gaze darkened, frustration flashing across his face.
"Then where do you belong?"Xavier asked.
I opened my mouth, but I hesitated. Because the truth was, I didn't have an answer. Terrence stepped forward, lowering his voice.
"You were born here, Wanessa. You have a pack. A past. Just because you can't remember it doesn't mean it's not real."He said.
I stiffened, my fingers curling into fists.
"I don't care what you say." I muttered, my voice shaking. "I know what I feel. And I don't belong here."
That's when Wanny's voice slid into my mind.
"You're lying to yourself, Wanessa."She said.
I froze, my breath catching in my throat.
"Wanny, don't start." I growled aloud, my wolf's presence pressing against me like an unshakable force.
Xavier, Michael, and Terrence exchanged glances, but they didn't interrupt.
"You're running because you're scared." Wanny said simply. "You don't want to believe that this is your world. Because if you do, you'll have to face whatever you ran from."
"Shut up! I didn't run! If I was meant to be here, I'd remember! But I don't!" I growled.
Wanny didn't answer. Because she knew I was right.
"You're not leaving, Wanessa." Xavier repeated, but this time, his voice was softer. "Even if you don't believe you belong here… we do."
I hated that they thought I was just confused. That they thought they knew me better than I knew myself. That even after everything, they still refused to see what I saw, that I wasn't one of them. Suddenly, a loud, angry grumble filled the tense silence. My stomach.
I clenched my jaw as my traitorous body betrayed me, the hollow ache of hunger twisting inside me like a knife. Damn it.
Michael raised an eyebrow, arms still crossed.
"You haven't eaten, have you?"Michael asked.
"I'm fine." I muttered, wrapping my cloak tighter around myself as if I could hide the obvious signs of my weakness.
But another growl from my stomach made it clear I was not fine Terrence sighed.
Come on." He turned, already walking toward the dining hall. "If you won't stay because we told you to, then at least stay because you need food."He said.
"I said I'm fine." I repeated, but Xavier placed a hand on my back, steering me forward.
"You're not." He said simply, leaving no room for argument.
I gritted my teeth, but I didn't have the energy to fight them off. My head felt light, my legs heavier than usual. I had been so focused on leaving that I hadn't even realized how much I needed food until now. I followed them, my steps reluctant as we made our way to the grand dining hall. The long table was already set, fresh bread, roasted meats, fruits, and dishes I didn't even have the energy to name waiting for us. Michael pulled out a chair for me, but I stood there, staring at the food.
I didn't want it. The smell was rich, the presentation flawless, but it wasn't right. It wasn't mine.
I swallowed hard, my stomach twisting again, but not just from hunger this time.
"Wanessa?"Terrence asked.
I clenched my fists.
"I don't want this." I said.
Xavier's brow furrowed.
"You need to eat."He said.
"I don't want this." I repeated, my voice sharper now, more desperate.
This wasn't the first time this had happened. Every meal they had given me so far, I had eaten little, just enough to keep myself going, but it wasn't enough. No matter how much I tried to tell myself food was food, it didn't taste right. It didn't feel right. I wanted my world's food. Even though I couldn't explain why, even though I couldn't even fully remember what it was supposed to taste like, I wanted it.
"Wanessa, we've been through this. You barely eat as it is-"Michael started.
"Because I don't want this!" My voice cracked slightly, my chest tightening.
Terrence exhaled slowly.
"Then what do you want?"He asked.
Their worry only grew as they watched me stand there, not moving, my hunger obvious but my refusal just as strong. I want my home food, I don't want anything else. I sat stiffly at the long dining table, my hands curled into fists on my lap, my stomach still growling despite my refusal to eat. Xavier, Michael, and Terrence watched me with growing concern, their expressions tightening each time I pushed away the food in front of me.
I couldn't explain it. I was hungry. Starving.It wasn't what I wanted. It wasn't what I needed. Soon I heard door open and I saw a face that I haven't seen for a long time.