A Werewolf's Unexpected Mate-Chapter 26: Bandit Intel and Bonds

Ace’s POV

My gaze lingered on Ovelia’s wound, watching as the stitches strained against skin that was healing too quickly. She shouldn’t be recovering this fast... The thought coiled in my mind like smoke—proof of the other soul dwelling within her.

Ray’s voice pulled me back. "Ann and I split up to gather intel more efficiently." he said, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. "I tracked down those merchants we saw earlier—the ones whispering about bandits. Turns out they’re victims themselves." His fingers tapped restlessly against his thigh. "They revealed robberies at Thunoa Village over the past month.

"A month?" The words tasted like rust in my mouth. My wolf bristled under my skin. "You’re certain?" .

"Absolutely," Ray replied earnestly. "Some victims stayed in Thunoa Village; others have been recovering here in Meadowlark Village."

Disbelief curdled in my chest. How had the Amethyst Kingdom missed this? Roads under siege for weeks, and not a single warning had reached Silverhowl’s borders.

"Sir Ace," Ann cut in, her hands deftly securing Ovelia’s fresh bandage. "I’ve learned that nearly everyone in Meadowlark Village is unaware of the bandits’ activities. It seems the news hasn’t reached here yet."

"So only the victims know," I murmured, my brow furrowing. The weight of that realization hung heavily in the air.

Ann nodded. "And there’s more." Her voice dropped. "The bandits are using new magic chains—witch-forged. Designed to ambush werewolf merchants heading to Thunoa."

Ray’s chair screeched as he bolted upright. "Magic chains?!" 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"Yes," Ann admitted, her brow furrowed. "I couldn’t believe it either when I heard. I asked for proof, but they couldn’t provide any. I don’t know if we can trust this intel."

I exchanged a glance with Ray. "If those chains were real," I said slowly, "we’ll need to be careful. We have no idea what effects they might have on us werewolves."

Ann gave Ovelia’s shoulder a gentle squeeze. "All done, my lady."

"Thank you, Ann," Ovelia replied, her smile warm despite the pain etched on her face.

If Ann’s intel was right, those chains could have been procured from the black market. My instincts screamed that there was more to uncover. My wolf stirred restlessly within me, pushing me to delve deeper into this unsettling information.

Ovelia’s POV

The weight of their discussion pressed against my chest like a physical thing. From Ann’s gestures and how she spoke, it was clear that she was more than just an ordinary maid.

Ace exhaled deeply, the sound carrying the exhaustion of the day. "Great work, everyone. We’ll leave Meadowlark Village at dawn to reach Thunoa Village by afternoon." He paused, scanning our faces before continuing, "Let’s rest now. I’ll explain our next steps tomorrow when we arrive in Thunoa."

We nodded in agreement with Ace’s plan.

My attention snagged on Ray’s mischievous grin as he flopped onto one of the beds.

"Ann, sleep beside me," he declared, patting the space next to him.

Ann’s spine straightened like a bowstring. "B-but Sir Ray—"

"Relax," Ray said, wedging a pillow between them with exaggerated care. "Here’s a pillow in the middle to serve as our border. I have no intention of causing you any trouble," he reassured her gently.

Ann forced a smile, her eyes betraying her uncertainty as she replied, "Okay, Sir Ray. But I’m going to take a bath first."

"Alright, I’ll go right after you," Ray insisted,

Ann was urging Ray to take a shower first, but he refused. So, Ann decided to grab her clothes and headed into the bathroom instead.

"Ovelia, you should rest. I’ll shower after Ray," Ace said with a warm smile.

I returned his smile and lay down, but sleep eluded me. Every time I closed my eyes, the bathroom memory surged back—the heat of Ace’s lips, the way his hands had trembled when he pulled away. Friends, I reminded my traitorous heart. Just friends.

Ace’s POV

Moonlight painted silver streaks across Ovelia’s sleeping face. The rise and fall of her chest was hypnotic, her lips slightly parted. Peace looked good on her.

"Ace," Ray’s voice cut through the quiet, uncharacteristically serious. "Don’t you regret bringing her?"

His question made me pause, reflecting on the day’s events. I had to admit our mission was perilous. This morning, we were ambushed by werewolf bandits. Yet, amidst that chaos, Ovelia discovered the truth about her past—where she had been seen and why her non-biological parents tormented her.

At that moment, I saw a side of her I hadn’t seen before. She seemed fragile, yet she never wavered through everything she had endured. I knew she was strong, but beneath it all, I worried that her kindness might be her downfall—a naivety that led her to choose compassion over revenge.

"Ace, are you okay? Just a yes or no will do," Ray teased, a playful smirk dancing across his face.

I returned his smile, a small, weary one. "No, I don’t regret bringing her," I replied, the weight of the truth pressing down. "Furthermore, this is our father’s command; I am unable to disobey."

Ray’s smile faltered. Leaning back against the wall, he fixed his gaze on me. "Ace," he said, his voice firm and laced with concern, "I need to remind you: there’s a twenty-three-year age gap between you two. She’s old enough to understand intimacy, but she’s still so young and naive. Don’t take advantage of that, even if she is your mate."

"I know," I said, my voice low and serious.

The memory of my past actions, my impulsive, disrespectful behavior, flooded back. I regretted every moment, every touch, every word that had hurt her. I wanted to change, to be better, to earn her trust.

Ray let out a chuckle, "Now you look so serious," he said, breaking the tension.

Ann stepped out of the bathroom, her presence brightening the room. Ray then disappeared into the bathroom for his turn.

"Ann, when we reach Thunoa Village, please keep an eye on Ovelia. We’re facing bandits there, and I worry she might be in danger," I said earnestly, the weight of responsibility heavy on my shoulders.

"I promise, Sir Ace. I’ll protect Lady Ovelia with my life if needed. I sense it, too; the wolf within me wants to safeguard her," Ann replied, her smile warm and reassuring.

"Thank you, Ann," I said, feeling relieved. I knew I could rely on her; her background as a former assassin instilled a sense of trust I didn’t take lightly.

As Ray finally emerged from the bathroom, I grabbed my clothes and headed in for a quick shower.

As the warm water cascaded over me, memories of the day flooded back—taking care of Ovelia when she was drunkenly vulnerable had been surprisingly enjoyable. I felt our bond strengthening, but I couldn’t shake the uncertainty of how long I could keep this friendship alive.

After my shower, I dressed quickly and slid into bed, facing away from Ovelia. Then— Warm arms encircled my waist.

"Did I wake you?" I whispered.

"Thank you, Ace," she mumbled into my back, her breath tickling my spine. Still half-asleep, then.

I turned, gathering her against my chest. Her scent—honeysuckle and something uniquely Ovelia—filled my lungs. Today had been a revelation: her strength, her compassion, the quiet steel beneath her softness.

Happiness, bright and unfamiliar, bubbled in my veins.