I promise the glasses joke is worth it for the events of the next few chapters, lol!
The drive to Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters was uneventful, but Gwen Stacy couldn't help but glance out the window every few seconds, her thoughts racing. Wanda Maximoff sat beside her in the backseat of Jean Grey's car, calm and collected as ever, while Jean handled the wheel with practiced ease.
"Where exactly is this place again?" Gwen asked, breaking the silence.
"Salem Center, Westchester County," Jean replied. "It's about 50 miles north of Manhattan. The school is tucked away from the rest of the world—it's safer that way."
Wanda smirked faintly. "Safer for you, or for everyone else?"
Jean chuckled. "A little of both."
As they pulled up to the sprawling mansion that housed Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, Gwen let out a low whistle. "Wow. You guys really went all out."
"It's not just a school," Jean explained, leading them through the gates. "It's a sanctuary for mutants—a place where they can learn to control their abilities and find a sense of belonging."
Wanda's expression softened slightly. "That's... admirable. We're working on something similar in Sokovia."
Jean turned to her, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "I'd love to hear more about it later."
"You will," Wanda replied, her crimson eyes glinting faintly.
As they stepped inside the school, a tall man in a dark suit and the signature ruby-quartz glasses approached them. He carried himself with an air of authority, but there was something stiff about his demeanor.
"Jean," he said, his voice calm but tinged with curiosity. "You brought company?"
"These are Wanda Maximoff and Gwen Stacy," Jean said, gesturing to her companions. "They helped me deal with one of Magneto's Brotherhood members. They're here to talk about... recent developments."
The man nodded, extending a hand toward Wanda. "I'm Scott Summers, but most people call me Cyclops."
Wanda shook his hand briefly, her crimson aura flickering faintly. "Good to meet you."
Gwen, however, stiffened slightly as her spider-sense tingled. Her reflective lenses narrowed as she caught Cyclops's gaze lingering just a little too long on her. "Uh, could you stop looking at my butt?" she said flatly.
Cyclops froze, his mouth opening and closing as if trying to come up with a response. Jean's eyes widened, her cheeks turning a faint shade of red as she instinctively stepped closer to Wanda.
"I'm not—" Cyclops began, but Gwen cut him off.
"Seriously," she said, crossing her arms. "It's not subtle."
Wanda smirked, her crimson eyes locking onto Cyclops with a predatory gleam. "Four eyes, look at her face, not her ass."
Cyclops blinked behind his glasses, his face turning red. "I wasn't—"
"Sure you weren't," Wanda said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "But just in case, let me make this clear: we're here to talk about Magneto, not to deal with your wandering eyes."
Jean shifted uncomfortably, her gaze flicking to Cyclops before dropping to the floor. Storm was right, she thought. He really does have a problem. I owe her an apology.
As Wanda stepped forward, her presence commanding, Jean couldn't help but take in the way she moved—confident, deliberate, and completely unapologetic. Maybe Storm was right about more than just Scott, Jean thought. Maybe I've been too quick to trust men in general.
Her thoughts drifted to Storm's teasing comments about Cyclops's habit of staring. At the time, Jean had brushed it off as friendly ribbing, but now... she wasn't so sure. Storm warned me, and I didn't listen. Maybe it's time I start rethinking a few things—like who I let close to me.
Instinctively, Jean moved closer to Wanda's side. As she did, she caught a faint, almost intoxicating scent. It wasn't perfume—it was something subtler, warmer, and utterly captivating. Does she always smell this good? Or is it just her? Jean wondered, her cheeks flushing slightly as she struggled to keep her composure.
Meanwhile, Wanda's mind was abuzz with amusement. She could feel the shift in Jean's demeanor and knew exactly what had caused it. In her mind, she spoke to Fracture.
"It worked, didn't it?" Wanda thought.
**"Oh, it worked,"** Fracture replied, her tone smug. **"That new pheromone trick I helped you with? Absolute gold. She's practically swooning."**
"Good," Wanda thought, her smirk widening slightly. "A woman with harem aspirations needs every advantage she can get."
**"You're welcome,"** Fracture quipped. **"I'm basically the best wing symbiote ever."**
As the group continued through the mansion, Cyclops cleared his throat, his voice breaking the tension. "So... you said you're here about Magneto?"
"Nice save," Gwen muttered under her breath, earning a smirk from Wanda.
"Yes," Wanda said aloud, her tone sharp but focused. "We've encountered members of the Brotherhood who hinted at a large-scale operation. Magneto's recruiting aggressively, and we believe he's planning something involving a machine."
Cyclops nodded, his professional demeanor returning. "That tracks with what we've heard. Magneto's been quiet for too long—it was only a matter of time before he made a move."
"Quiet isn't the word I'd use," Wanda said, crossing her arms. "He's using vulnerable mutants as cannon fodder, and the Morlocks are caught in the crossfire."
Jean frowned. "The Morlocks? Are they okay?"
"For now," Wanda replied. "But they're not safe. I'm working to relocate them to Sokovia, where they'll be protected."
Jean's expression softened. "That's... kind of amazing."
"It's necessary," Wanda said simply.
As the conversation shifted back to Magneto, Jean found herself stealing glances at Wanda. There was something magnetic about her presence—her strength, her poise, the way she commanded respect without demanding it. Maybe it's not just her scent, Jean thought, a small smile tugging at her lips. Maybe it's everything about her.
Meanwhile, Wanda couldn't help but notice Jean's closeness, the way she seemed to gravitate toward her. Another redhead, Wanda mused, her lips twitching upward. At this rate, I'll have a full collection.
As the group entered a larger meeting room, Wanda turned to Cyclops. "We need the X-Men's help. Magneto's machine could be catastrophic if he gets it running."
Cyclops nodded, though his gaze flicked briefly to Gwen before returning to Wanda. "I'll inform Professor Xavier. He'll want to meet you."
"Good," Wanda said. "The sooner we act, the better."
As Cyclops left the room, Jean remained behind, her attention still focused on Wanda. "You really are something else, Wanda."
Wanda arched an eyebrow. "Something good, I hope."
Jean smiled, her cheeks tinting faintly pink. "Definitely."
Gwen, standing nearby, rolled her eyes. "You two are worse than me and Wanda."
Wanda smirked, her crimson aura flickering faintly. "Give it time, Gwen. You'll catch up."
Fracture's voice echoed in Wanda's mind, her tone dripping with amusement. **"Oh, this is going to be fun."**
Join my patreon today to read up to chapter 269 in advance your support is my inspiration join for only 3 to 5$
patreon.com/everstone