A Werewolf's Unexpected Mate-Chapter 100: The Wolf’s Jealousy and a Brother’s Vow

[Ace’s POV]

The monkey’s chattering grated on my nerves as it scrambled from Shin’s shoulder into their waiting wagon. But that irritation was nothing compared to the hot, coiling tension that seized my gut when first Kai, and then Shin, reached out to pat Ovelia’s head in farewell. It was a casual, friendly gesture, but to the wolf snarling inside me, it was a claim. A challenge. My muscles tensed, a low growl building in my throat.

"Don’t—" I started, the word a sharp warning.

Ray’s large, hand clamped over my mouth before I could finish, cutting off the sound. He pulled me back half a step, his chest a solid wall against my shoulder. "Shhhhh," he murmured, his breath a warm, amused huff against my ear. "Let them say goodbye."

Across from us, Philip bit his lip, his shoulders shaking with the effort of suppressing his laughter. Damn him.

"Sir Ace is jealous," Ann whispered conspiratorially behind her hand, though her eyes, alight with pure, unadulterated amusement.

"Oh, what a fascinating expression you’re making, Sir Ace," Colt teased, his grin a brilliant. My glare, I hoped, conveyed the promise of imminent and painful retribution. Seeming to sense the genuine threat, Ray finally removed his hand.

Kai offered Ovelia a gentle, reassuring smile. "Don’t worry, Lady Ovelia. We’ll meet again soon."

"I’m not sure when," Shin added, his voice uncharacteristically soft. He stared intently at a point just past her shoulder, his ears flushing a faint, telltale pink. "But I’m certain we will."

Kai gasped, clutching his chest with theatrical flair. "Wait, Shin! That’s the first time I’ve ever seen you make that face! You look almost... friendly!"

"Oh, shut up, Kai!" Shin snapped, the pink on his ears deepening to a furious red.

"You never even call me ’Lieutenant’!" Kai complained, only to be utterly silenced by the sheer, glacial force of Shin’s withering glare.

Ovelia finally released her gentle grip on their trousers, a soft, melodic chuckle escaping her. The sound seemed to dissolve the remaining tension, coaxing reluctant smiles from all of us. "Thank you, and please take care," she said, her warmth genuine.

Kai turned his smile to the rest of us. "General Ray, Lieutenant Colt, Philip—I’ll never forget our pillow fight this morning. That was truly fun." The memory of the chaotic, feather-filled brawl softened his knight’s demeanor into something younger and lighter.

"Me too," Colt, Ray, and Philip echoed in unison, their matching grins a testament to the unexpected camaraderie forged in this quiet village.

As they turned toward their wagon, the easy, unguarded happiness on their faces was unmistakable. It was proof, plain and simple, of how much they’d enjoyed their brief time here.

Colt straightened his trouser, brushing off a speck of dust with impeccable precision. "General Ray, everyone—my men and I should depart as well." He turned to Mrs. Melinda and Chief Gareth, offering a crisp, respectful bow of his head. "Thank you for your hospitality and the excellent meals. I truly hope this village prospers and finds peace after we leave."

"Thank you, Colt. Travel safely," Mrs. Melinda replied, her voice thick with emotion.

Chief Gareth gave a single, firm nod of approval. "Look after yourselves."

Ray uncrossed his arms, his expression shifting into that of a commanding officer. "Lieutenant Colt, this is an order—return to the kingdom alive. All of you."

"Of course, General," Colt laughed, the sound easy and confident. Then, to my utter exasperation, he reached out and patted Ovelia’s head—again! "Become a fine lady and our future queen," he told her, his tone fond but sincere.

"I’ll try my best," Ovelia replied, her cheeks blooming with a fresh wave of pink.

Why did everyone feel the need to touch her? My fingers twitched at my sides, the urge to swat their hands away a physical itch.

Then I saw it. A faint shimmer in the air beside Ovelia’s dress pocket. The fairy emerged for a split second, hovering just beside her. He looked directly at her, his tiny face unusually solemn, before he vanished, the air around him wavering as his invisibility engaged. My eyes snapped to Ann. Her sharp intake of breath and the slight widening of her eyes confirmed it. She had seen him, too.

Philip chose that moment to sigh dramatically, scratching the back of his head in a show of nonchalance. Before my brain could even process his movement, he stepped forward and pulled Ovelia into a full embrace.

"Hey, you piece of—!" Ray’s hand was a brand over my mouth again, his other arm locking around my chest to restrain me. Damn it all to hell!

"If you don’t mark her," Ray’s voice was a low, serious tease growled directly into my ear, the words meant for me alone, "you’ll lose her. It’s that simple."

The words landed like a physical blow, a truth I was desperately trying to outrun. I clutched my fist so tightly I felt the bones protest, the sharp points of my nails threatening to break my own skin. This feeling, this raw, possessive fury—it was a storm I could not contain. The control I prided myself on was crumbling, and the part of me I’d always been forced to defend—the pure, primal wolf—was surging to the surface, demanding its claim.

[Ovelia’s POV]

When Philip’s arms wrapped around me, my heart gave a frantic, startled leap against my ribs. It was so unexpected. Then, he did something even more surprising—he dipped his head and actually sniffed my hair! A jolt shot through me. "Philip?!" I gasped, stiffening in his arms.

He released me, his familiar merchant’s smile back in place, but his eyes held a new, softer warmth. "I’ll remember your scent, my little sister," he said, his voice low and genuine. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"Little sister? But... why?" My pulse continued to hammer, a frantic drumbeat of confusion and a strange, budding hope.

He didn’t answer directly. He simply smiled, gave my head one final, affectionate pat, and then turned to Ace. "Take care of my little sister Ann," he said, as if bestowing a great duty.

"Of course!" Ann replied instantly, her voice ringing with conviction, though her lips were twitching.

Ace’s glare was so intense it felt like the air around him had dropped ten degrees. Ray, still holding him back, offered a strained, awkward smile over his shoulder.

Philip then faced Mrs. Melinda and Chief Gareth. "Thank you for everything—especially for treating a wandering merchant like family. I’ve truly enjoyed my time here." He placed a hand over his heart. "I’ll make sure to promote your village’s delicacies in every market and kingdom I visit."

Chief Gareth’s weathered face crumpled, his eyes growing suspiciously misty. "Thank you too, Philip. In this short time, you’ve made two old people feel like we have a son." Mrs. Melinda try to hold back her tears, pulling Philip into a bone-crushing, tearful hug that made him laugh softly.

As my heartbeat finally began to steady, an unexpected, hollow ache took its place in my chest. As Philip turned to finally leave, my hand shot out of its own accord, clutching the fabric of his tunic. "You called me your little sister," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. My other hand pressed against the ache in my chest. "Do I... do I need to pretend again?"

Philip’s expression softened into something so tender it made my eyes sting. He cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing it gently before he patted my head. "No pretending needed. Not ever again. Please, just consider me your brother, even if we share no blood."

A brother. The word felt foreign on my tongue, yet it spread through me like a swallow of warm tea on a cold day. The mere thought of having family, of belonging to someone in that way, was a balm on an old, lonely wound. "I understand," I whispered, tears finally spilling over. "Thank you, Philip." I threw my arms around his neck, hugging him with all the strength I had. His arms wrapped around me just as tightly, a solid, reassuring anchor. When we parted, he gave my head one final, lingering pat. "We’ll meet again," his voice thick with a promise, before turning and walking away for good.

The rhythmic clop of the horses’ hooves and the crunch of wagon wheels kicking up dust filled the air as Kai, Shin, Colt, and Philip departed.

I cupped my hands around my mouth, drawing in a deep breath. "Take care, everyone!" I shouted, my voice carrying down the empty path. In the distance, they turned one last time, small specks against the landscape, smiling and waving back until they were gone.

I bit my trembling lip hard, trying to force the tears back, my heart a tumultuous mix of sorrow and the unwavering certainty that we would, indeed, meet again. I was so lost in the moment that I nearly jumped out of my skin when a pair of strong, familiar arms suddenly wrapped around me from behind, pulling me back against a solid, warm chest. The unexpected embrace stole the air from my lungs—leaving me breathless from the surprise, and from something else, something warmer and more terrifying, that I couldn’t yet name.