|| CASSENDRA'S POV ||

The castle's courtyard, bathed in the soft glow of the moon, became a stage for an unforeseen confrontation. Isabella, her jealousy stoked into a fiery rage, confronted me with accusations that hung in the air like a storm about to break. "This is your fault! You've brought harm upon us with your newfound powers," she spat, her words laced with venom.

I took a deep breath, the presence of the wolf, my guardian, standing beside me providing a quiet reassurance. "I didn't ask for this. The power within me is a force that has chosen to protect, not harm."

Isabella scoffed, her anger undeterred. "Protect? More...