Chapter 112

• Xavier turned to face the chaos behind us, an expression of fury darker than I had ever witnessed flickered in his eyes. They transformed from their usual hue to an ominous black, before glowing a brilliant yellow that pierced through the gloom like the sun itself. He let out a single growl that reverberated through me, sending chills down my spine and making my knees quiver. In an instant, the werewolves froze, their ravenous instincts stifled. I watched in disbelief as they turned from their intended target, their furious lunges turning into high-pitched yelps as they retreated to the guards, who stood there in stunned silence.
• Relief folded into me, albeit briefly, as I thought to myself, At least he did something. He acted just in time to prevent me from becoming prey for those feral beasts. Yet, it was with a heavy heart that I observed the vacant look return to his eyes, rendering him once again a shell of himself. He had only roused from his stupor to protect me; my safety mattered, but to him, it seemed he was merely an afterthought in the face of peril.
• As the gates slid open, we were forcibly ushered inside. I was led down a short hallway and then shoved into a windowless office. The stale stench that had invaded the car now permeated the small room, and I felt a wave of nausea wash over me. In the center of this cramped space, a plain metal desk sat silently. Behind it sat a woman with jet-black hair, streaked with silver, which framed her face elegantly. Her nose was small and tipped slightly upward, adding to her overall striking appearance. Her pale skin was liberally speckled with freckles, and her arched eyebrows, each adorned with a silver piercing, drew attention to her intense gaze.