A Werewolf's Unexpected Mate-Chapter 24: Desire and Promise

Ace’s POV

My body moved before my mind could catch up—muscles coiled, instincts flaring. One swift step and my arms were around Ovelia, catching her just before gravity could drag her down. Her weight settled against me, warm and unsteady.

"Ovelia, are you really okay?" My voice came out rougher than I intended, laced with a protectiveness that surprised even me.

She blinked up at me, her pupils dilated, a dreamy smile playing on her lips. Her hand rose, her fingertips brushing my cheek with startling tenderness. "Hmmm, I’m okay, Ace," she murmured, her laughter light but unmistakably slurred.

I glanced at her nearly empty beer mug and groaned internally. "She’s drunk," I muttered, realization dawning. "One mug, and she’s already like this?"

Across the table, Ann and Ray exchanged knowing looks, their amusement palpable.

"Ann, take Ovelia—" I began, but Ray cut in, his grin wicked.

"Shouldn’t the husband take care of his mate when she’s had too much to drink?" he teased, waggling his eyebrows.

I shot him a glare, but Ann was already nodding enthusiastically. "Yes, sir! Ray and I will handle the bandit intel. We’ll update you later." Before I could protest, they vanished into the crowd, leaving me with a giggling, unsteady Ovelia.

I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair. Carefully, I hooked an arm around her waist, steadying her as she swayed. Her warmth seeped into me, her floral scent mingling with the faint bitterness of ale. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Grabbing the keys from the cashier, I called for help carrying our things upstairs. Every fiber of my being thrummed with a strange mix of exasperation and protectiveness.

"You’re really something, Ovelia, "I muttered under my breath, a reluctant smile tugging at my lips.

•Inn Room•

The room was modest but clean—a single oil lamp cast flickering shadows across the wooden walls as I guided Ovelia inside.

"Ovelia, still with me?" I asked softly. Her head lolled against my shoulder, her breath warm against my neck.

"Yeah..." She pawed clumsily at her collar. "Ace, I’m burning up. Need... shower."

I steered her toward the bathroom, my grip firm but gentle. As the door clicked shut behind her, I busied myself with our packs, forcing my thoughts away from the sound of running water.

Focus. I fed the carrier pigeon, its beady eyes watching me as I recalled Ray’s message winging its way to Shadow Ridge Prison. Hopefully, it’s enough to—

*CRASH.*

The sound from the bathroom sent my heart into my throat. I wrenched the door open—and froze.

Ovelia sat on the tiled floor, utterly bare, her skin glistening under the lamplight. Water sluiced down her shoulders, and for one paralyzing second, my wolf roared to life, hunger surging through me like wildfire.

Protectiveness warred with something far more primal. My fingers twitched, aching to trace the curves of her body.

I swallowed hard. Control yourself.

I closed the door and, kneeling beside her, gently helped her lean against the wall. Relief washed over me as I scanned her body; aside from a lingering cut on her left arm, she seemed unharmed, and the bruises had faded.

"What happened to you?" I asked, my voice filled with concern.

"There was an earthquake," she murmured, her eyes barely focusing.

A chuckle escaped me despite the tension coiling in my gut. "Earthquake? You’re just drunk, Ovelia."

Helping her stand, I tried to ignore the way her body pressed against mine, the heat of her skin searing through my clothes. She turned to face me, her fingers brushing my damp shirt, her touch sending sparks through my veins.

"Ace," she whispered, her voice husky. "It’s hot. I need to take a bath."

Her gaze locked onto mine—heavy, unguarded. The air between us thickened, electric.

I turned the shower back on, forcing my eyes to stay fixed on her face as I helped her wash. But then she sank to the floor again, staring blankly ahead, water cascading over her.

"Ovelia, can you cover your chest with your hand?" I asked, a hint of embarrassment in my voice.

She looked at me, her eyes filled with a mix of defiance and sadness. "Why should I? You’ve already seen me without clothes," she replied softly, a tinge of melancholy lacing her words.

A wave of guilt washed over me as I recalled the moments we’d shared before. I felt weak; even after all these years, I couldn’t control the desires of my wolf.

Ovelia dumping half the shampoo bottle on her head ("It’s snowing!") and her sudden philosophical musings ("Do wolves like baths?*), I was equal parts exasperated and endeared.

An hour later, I was certain I’d earned sainthood.

Then she stilled, her wet lashes lifting. "Ace... do you hate me?"

The question struck like a physical blow. "No," I said immediately, cupping her face. "Never."

Her smile—soft, trusting—unraveled something in my chest.

But as I toweled her off, her fingers brushing mine, the tension returned tenfold. She leaned into me, her breath warm against my skin. "Thank you," she whispered.

At this moment, I felt my wolfish desire bubbling inside me. My hand slid into her damp hair, tilting her face up. Our lips met, and for one searing moment, she kissed me back, her mouth sweet and yielding.

But as the heat of the moment intensified, the image of Eliana flashed into my mind. I recoiled, my heart pounding, a wave of guilt washing over me.

I searched her eyes, and she mirrored my gaze, a mixture of confusion and desire dancing between us.

Taking both of her hands, I held them firmly and said, "Ovelia, from this moment on, I want to respect you. As of now we see each other as a friends, right?" My voice was steady, but my heart wasn’t. "Friends don’t... do this."

She studied me, then—with a spark of mischief—extended her pinky. "Promise?"

A chuckle escaped me. "I can’t promise I won’t want to. You’re my mate, even if I haven’t marked you yet." My pinky hooked around hers. "But I’ll try."

Her laughter was music. For a moment, it was just us—two souls tangled in something fragile and sweet.

Suddenly, Ovelia wrapped her arms around me in a warm embrace. Just then, a knock on the bathroom door startled us. I stepped back, but the floor was slippery, and in an instant, we lost our balance, tumbling to the floor together.

"Ovelia?! Are you okay?!" I heard Ann’s voice, worry lacing every word.

*Silence.*

"Then—I’ll just—" Ann stammered.

"WAIT, ANN—" I said in panic.