A Werewolf's Unexpected Mate-Chapter 30: Apple Forest Secret

Ovelia’s POV

The moment Ace’s lips left mine, the world rushed back in a dizzying wave. My fingers instinctively rose to touch my tingling lips as I stared at him, my cheeks burning.

"Why did you—" My voice came out embarrassingly breathless.

He flashed that infuriating, lopsided grin. "Sorry," he said, not sounding sorry at all. "Just felt like it."

A glance at Ray and Ann revealed their poorly concealed amusement—Ray’s shoulders shook with silent laughter while Ann pretended sudden fascination with the passing trees. My face burned hotter.

"We’re almost at Apple Forest!" Ray announced with boyish enthusiasm, deftly changing the subject.

"Apple Forest?" I latched onto the distraction gratefully.

Ace shifted beside me, his warmth radiating through the space between us. "According to legend," he began, his voice taking on that storytelling cadence I loved, "centuries ago, a starving traveler found a fainting female fairy by the roadside." His fingers absently plucked at a loose thread on his sleeve. "When he shared his last bit of water with her, she offered him a wish."

Ray picked up the tale, his orange eyes catching the sunlight. "The traveler wished for a tree that would never stop bearing fruit, so no one would ever go hungry on this road again." He gestured ahead as the first apple trees came into view. "The fairy planted an entire forest in thanks."

"Do fairies really exist?" The question slipped out before I could stop it, childlike wonder coloring my voice.

Ray chuckled. "In sixty years, I’ve never seen one."

"It’s just a story," Ace added, though his eyes held a mischievous glint.

Ann turned, her braid swinging. "When I was small," she confided in a hushed tone, "elders whispered that fairies live in a world beside ours—hidden but watching." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

A shiver of delight ran down my spine. "If they’re real," I whispered, "I’d love to meet just one."

Their smiles wrapped around me like sunlight—until a sudden gust of wind sent leaves dancing around us, as if the forest itself was laughing at my wish.

[Afternoon]

•Apple Forest•

The afternoon sun spilled through the emerald canopy above, painting the forest floor in flickering gold. The wagon wheels crunched over fallen leaves as we ventured deeper into the woods, the air thick with the honeyed perfume of ripe fruit. Then—my breath caught.

Every tree stood like a proud sentinel, their branches sagging under the weight of countless apples. Not just any apples—these were flawless, ruby-red jewels, their skins gleaming as if polished by the very sunlight that nurtured them.

"Wow..." My voice came out in a hushed gasp. "Every tree is overflowing with apples!"

Beside me, Ann—usually so composed—clapped her hands together, her black eyes sparkling with childlike wonder. "It’s apple season!" she exclaimed, her voice lighter than I’d ever heard it. "Look how they shine! Like they’ve been dipped in syrup!"

Ray chuckled from the driver’s seat, his broad shoulders relaxed as he guided the horses beneath a particularly bountiful tree. "Let’s take a break here," he suggested, reining the horses to a stop. "The horses could use a rest—and we could use a feast!" With a grin, he leapt down from the wagon, his boots landing softly on the mossy earth.

"Ann and Ovelia, stay in the wagon," Ace instructed, though his tone was more playful than commanding. He followed Ray, his movements fluid, like a shadow slipping between the trees.

As the men moved away, Ann’s fingers suddenly found mine, her grip tight. I turned to her, surprised by the intensity in her usually calm gaze.

"Lady Ovelia..." Her voice was thick, barely above a whisper. "Thank you. For accepting me, even though I... I used to be an assassin."

The weight of her words settled between us. I could feel the roughness of her palms—calluses from years of wielding blades, now holding onto me like an anchor. Without thinking, I squeezed back.

"It’s nothing," I murmured, meeting her eyes. "From the moment we met, I knew you weren’t a bad person. The past doesn’t define you."

A slow, trembling smile spread across her face, so rare and precious that it made my chest ache. Then, in a rush of emotion, she pulled me into a fierce embrace. I hugged her back just as tightly, feeling something unspoken weave between us—trust, gratitude, maybe even the beginnings of sisterhood.

A playful shout broke the moment.

"Ray, grab the apples from the top of the tree!" Ace’s voice rang out, laced with mischief.

We pulled apart, peering out the wagon window just in time to see Ray’s incredulous expression.

"What? Are you serious?!" He threw his hands up, his claws glinting in the sunlight. "I’ve got claws, not wings!"

Ann and I exchanged glances, pressing our lips together to stifle laughter.

With effortless grace, Ace scaled the tree, his movements quick and precise. He plucked an apple from the highest branch and tossed it down. Ray caught it midair, his reflexes sharp even in his human form.

"You’ve lived in this world for ages, and you still can’t climb a tree?" Ace teased, swinging down with a smirk.

Ray shot him a wolfish grin. "Hah! I’m a werewolf, not a monkey."

Ace’s smirk deepened, clearly enjoying the back-and-forth. Then, with a huff of mock frustration, Ray strode toward the tree—and punched the trunk.

*Thud.*

A cascade of apples rained down, thumping against the soft earth.

"See?" Ray crowed, dusting off his hands. "No climbing necessary."

Ace rolled his eyes, but his lips twitched in amusement. The playful tension between them was infectious, and I found myself grinning despite myself.

Together, they gathered the fallen apples, loading them into the wagon. Ace hopped back inside while Ray lingered, murmuring soothing words to the horses as he fed them water and a few apples. When he finally joined us, his expression was relaxed, the earlier mischief still dancing in his orange eyes.

"Sorry it’s just apples for lunch," Ace said, though his smile suggested he wasn’t truly apologetic. "But don’t worry—once we reach Thunoa Village, I’ll treat you all to a proper meal."

"Apples are fine," I reassured him, taking one from Ann’s outstretched hand. "They’re healthy. And filling."

Ace’s gaze lingered on me, a playful gleam in his eyes. "Don’t be too nice to me, or I might kiss you again."

Heat flooded my cheeks, and I instinctively scooted back, putting a few more inches between us. The memory of that earlier kiss flashed into my mind.

"Ace, you pervert!" Ray barked out a laugh, shaking his head.

Ann pressed a hand to her mouth, her shoulders trembling with silent giggles.

As Ann washed the apples, Ray carefully packed the extras into a sack, his movements efficient. Once clean, Ann passed one to each of us. I took a bite—

Crisp. Juicy. Sweet.

The flavor burst across my tongue, rich and intoxicating. "Hmm! It’s so sweet!" I couldn’t help the delighted sigh that escaped me.

Their smiles only deepened my blush, warmth spreading through me at the simple joy of sharing this moment.

"In fairy tales," Ray mused, taking an exaggerated bite, "apples like these grant you strength. So savor every bite!"

"But Sir Ray," Ann interjected, her voice laced with amusement, "it’s still just a fairy tale."

Laughter bubbled up among us, light and carefree, blending with the rustling leaves.

Being with them like this—no titles, no pretenses—was wonderful. My heart swelled with gratitude.

But as I took another bite, something nagged at me. This apple... it wasn’t just sweet. The texture was softer, almost velvety, and there was no trace of tartness. It tasted too perfect, like something spun from sugar and dreams.

Was it just my imagination, colored by Ray’s fairy-tale jest?

Ace, Ann, and Ray didn’t seem to notice anything unusual, so I brushed the thought aside, content to lose myself in their company.

Then—

The horse reared with a panicked whinny, its hooves striking the air. The wagon lurched violently.

"Ah—!" Ann, Ace, and I grabbed the walls, our fingers digging into the wood for balance.

Ray was on his feet in an instant, his body coiled with tension. He moved to the horse in three swift strides, murmuring low, soothing words as he stroked its neck. The animal calmed under his touch, but its ears remained pinned back, its nostrils flaring.

"Are you all okay?" Ray’s voice was steady, but his eyes flickered with unease.

"Yeah," Ace replied, though his jaw was tight. "What spooked it?"

Ray shook his head, scanning the trees. "I don’t know. But we shouldn’t stay here." He climbed into the driver’s seat, his grip on the reins firm. "We need to move."

Ace nodded, his usual playfulness gone. "Right. Thunoa Village isn’t far."

Ann gave my hand a reassuring squeeze before moving to sit beside Ray. The wagon jolted forward, leaving the Apple Forest—and its unnaturally perfect fruit—behind.