IN A MORNING
XAVIER'S POINT OF VIEW:
The soft glow of dawn filtered through the narrow opening of our cave, but there was no warmth in my heart this morning. I moved through the dimly lit cavern, my footsteps echoing off the ancient stone walls, and immediately noticed the tension in the air. The others Michael and Terrence were huddled in low voices, their worried faces illuminated by flickering torchlight. Something was wrong.
"Where is she?" Terrence demanded in a hushed tone, his eyes darting about as if searching for an answer among the shadows.
I stopped short and frowned.
"Wanessa is gone. She's vanished from her chamber, and no one's seen her anywhere in the cave." My voice was low and angry.
Before I could speak again, Priestess Isabella stepped forward from the darkness. Her usually calm demeanor was laced with concern.
"Xavier, perhaps we should organize a search immediately-" She began.
I cut her off sharply, she appeared here again. I hated this woman since the moment I saw her.
"Organize a search? Isabella, don't you understand? I warned you before, Wanessa isn't here because she's fed up with all of us! She's tired of the constant surveillance, of everyone, my brothers and you always hovering around her." I clenched my fists so hard I could feel the tremor in my arms.
"Xavier, we need to-"Michael started.
"No, Michael! This is on all of you. How can you let her slip away again?" I barked, my anger echoing off the cave walls
Isabella's eyes narrowed slightly as she took a step closer.
"Xavier, please, calm down. We must find her before-"Priestess tries to speak again.
"Find her? I've heard enough of your half measures and your misplaced sympathies!" I snapped. "Wanessa has made her choice, and I'm sick of waiting for her to come back on her own. If she wanted to stay, she would. Instead, she's running from us, from me!" My voice softened into a dangerous growl.
Isabella reached out, her tone softening even further.
"I know you care, but anger won't bring her back. Let us work together-"She tried to say something again.
"Don't lecture me, Isabella!" I shouted, my gaze hardening. "I'll do what needs to be done. I'm leaving this cave to search for her on my own. If she's truly out there, I will find her. And until then, keep your opinions to yourself."
With that, I stormed toward the cave's narrow exit, leaving behind the murmurs of my brothers and Isabella's regretful sighs. Like that helped a bit. As I stepped out into the cold morning light, my resolve hardened I would find Wanessa, no matter how far she had run. I ran through the cave's narrow exit into a cold, gray morning, my heart heavy with anger and fear that she could get hurt without me.
"Wanessa… where are you?" I called, my voice swallowed by the silence of the woods.
I could feel the wild stirring inside me, not just my own, but that of my wolf, Charlie. In moments like this, when the weight of loss pressed hard against my chest, I always turned inward, seeking counsel from Charlie, the voice of my true nature. I closed my eyes and listened.
"Xavier." Charlie's deep, rumbling tone echoed in my mind, warm and familiar. "You must follow the scent. She left traces, lingering like ghostly footprints in the frost."
I sniffed the air, trying to detect any hint of her presence. "I can't believe she's really gone, Charlie. Every time I think I'm close, she slips away."I said.
A low growl from within reminded me that my wolf's instincts were as sharp as ever.
"You know what you must do, my friend. Follow the trail of memories and hope." Charlie urged, the tone both compassionate and determined.
I set off down a winding path, my boots crunching on the frozen leaves. My mind raced with memories of Wanessa the softness of her purrs when I held her close, the subtle changes in her eyes, and the way her anger could quickly turn to sorrow. With each step, I muttered, "Wanessa, I'm coming for you. I won't let you vanish into the night."
The forest grew denser, and soon I could no longer see the castle behind me. The air grew colder, the trees forming a silent chorus of rustling leaves overhead. I stopped at a small clearing, pausing to catch my breath.
"Xavier, remember." Charlie whispered." Your duty is to protect her, no matter how far she runs. She is your burden and your joy, her pain is yours to share."
I clenched my fists, nodding to myself.
"I won't fail her, Charlie. I'll bring her back, even if it means wandering these frozen woods forever."I said.
Just then, I caught a faint, familiar scent, a mix of wildflowers and something uniquely hers. My pulse quickened.
"Wanessa?" I called out, voice trembling with hope and desperation.
The scent led me deeper into the forest, and I moved as silently as possible, guided by both instinct and love.
"I'm here, Wanessa. I'm coming for you."I whispered.
Charlie's soft growl filled my mind, as if urging me on. "Keep moving, Xavier. The night is long, but you are not alone."He said.
I returned to the castle a few days later, my heart heavy and my mind filled with the echoes of endless searches. Wanessa was still nowhere to be found. The corridors, usually bustling with purpose, seemed oddly empty as I made my way through the halls, until I turned a corner and froze. In the great hall, under the soft glow of torches, I saw Michael and Terrence laughing and joking with Isabella. They were so at ease, so joyful, that it cut me like a knife. Their carefree smiles and easy camaraderie were a stark contrast to the agony of missing Wanessa.
"What the hell?" I muttered under my breath.
It became clear: my brothers were having fun with Isabella, as if they'd never cared for Wanessa at all. The realization stung bitterly. They'd never truly loved her they'd only admired her beauty and novelty until she vanished. Unable to hold back my anger any longer, I stormed off toward the private chambers. It was time to end this. I not going to let my older idiot siblings to treat her like this. I am going to make them pay.