A Werewolf's Unexpected Mate-Chapter 31: Thunoa’s Troubling Secrets

Ace’s POV

The Apple Forest faded behind us as the wagon rolled forward, giving way to an endless sea of emerald fields. The land stretched out in vibrant waves, swaying gently under the caress of the wind. A narrow dirt road carved its way through the greenery, leading toward distant mountains—towering sentinels with peaks so high they vanished into the clouds.

I stole a glance at Ovelia. Her lips were parted slightly, her wide eyes drinking in the landscape with unguarded wonder. The golden sunlight caught in her hair, turning the strands to shimmering halo.

"We’re almost at Thunoa Village," I said, keeping my voice light, though my wolf stirred restlessly beneath my skin.

"Really, Ace?" She turned to me, her excitement bubbling over like a spring. "But do humans and werewolves really live together in Thunoa?" Her fingers clutched the edge of the wagon, knuckles whitening with anticipation.

I couldn’t help the grin that tugged at my lips. "Originally, it was a human settlement. But now? Werewolves walk its streets just as freely. They’ve learned to coexist—peacefully, for the most part."

Ray, who had been silently scanning the road ahead, finally spoke. His voice was low, thoughtful. "Thunoa’s small. Technically under the Amethyst Kingdom’s rule, given its human roots. What’s strange is that the kingdom hasn’t lifted a finger to stop the bandits terrorizing it." His fingers flexed against the reins, betraying his irritation.

Ovelia’s brow furrowed. "Do they use carrier pigeons to send word to the kingdom? What if the messages never make it?"

The question hit like a spark to dry tinder. Ray’s head snapped toward her, his orange eyes sharpening. "You might be onto something, Ovelia. Even if they don’t use pigeons—what if the bandits ambush the messengers? Human or werewolf."

A cold certainty settled in my gut. She’s right.

"You’re amazing, Lady Ovelia!" Ann burst out, her usual composure crumbling into sheer admiration.

Ovelia ducked her head, a blush creeping up her neck. "It’s nothing, really. I just... read something like that in a book once."

The warmth in her smile was contagious. For a moment, the tension melted away, and even Ray’s shoulders relaxed.

But reality came crashing back. "Still," I said, rubbing my temple, "we’ve got no proof. And that letter we got last night—why would the Crimsonheart Kingdom send backup here? It doesn’t add up."

Ray’s jaw tightened. "Could be a trap. We’ve got no idea what’s waiting in Thunoa. Stay sharp." His voice left no room for argument.

We all nodded, the weight of his warning pressing down on us.

Then—

"Everyone, look! I can see the village!" Ovelia’s voice rang out, bright as a bell.

In the distance, nestled between the rolling fields, Thunoa’s thatched roofs and wooden fences came into view. The sun hung low, painting the village in hues of amber and gold.

"Finally," Ray exhaled, his relief palpable. "Made it before sunset."

Ann smiled softly beside him, her quiet optimism a balm to the unease coiling in my chest.

"Before we arrive," I said, voice dropping into seriousness, "remember—only the chief knows we’re coming, and he doesn’t know who we are. So no real names. Ray is ’R.’ I’m ’A.’ And Ovelia?" I met her gaze. "You’re ’Lia’ here."

Ovelia, Ann and Ray nodded, their expressions solemn.

But as the wagon rolled into the village, my wolf snarled inside me. Every instinct screamed that something was wrong. The air smelled too still. Too quiet.

Ovelia’s POV

Thunoa Village was larger than Timberline but nowhere near as lively as Meadowlark. Stalls lined the dirt paths, selling vegetables, fruits, and cured meats. Yet the square was eerily empty—only a handful of villagers hurried past, their eyes downcast.

"It seems... ordinary," I murmured, though the words tasted hollow.

"It feels safe," Ann admitted, but her hand hovered near the dagger hidden beneath her cloak. "Almost too safe."

Ray’s growl was barely audible. "Don’t let your guard down."

Then—

"I can sense mana from someone—but it’s gone instantly. Don’t wander off. It might be friend or foe." Lady Firera’s voice echoed in my mind, sharp as a blade.

My breath hitched. I wanted to tell Ace, but how would I explain how I knew? Teeth gritted, I swallowed the warning.

"Ray," Ace said abruptly, his voice like gravel. "To the chief’s house. Now."

"On it! But start, Ace—practice calling me ’R’ already," Ray shot back, though his attempt at levity fell flat.

Ace sighed, rubbing his temples as if warding off a headache.

The chief’s house stood at the village’s heart, a sturdy wooden structure with smoke curling from its chimney. As we dismounted, Ace’s posture was rigid, his knuckles white where they gripped his sword hilt.

Then his gaze found mine. "Are you okay, Ovelia?" The intensity in his eyes made my pulse stutter.

"Ah—yes! I’m fine," I lied, forcing a smile. But the unease in my chest refused to settle.

•Village Chief’s House•

Ace’s POV

The wooden door groaned as my knuckles rapped against its weathered surface. Before the echo of my knock could fade, it swung inward to reveal Chief Gareth - a mountain of a man whose broad shoulders nearly filled the doorway. His beard framed a face carved by years of hard decisions, and his piercing hazel eyes studied us with the intensity of a hawk surveying prey.

"Oh, merchants!" His voice boomed through the entryway, though his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. "What brings you to our village?" He leaned against the doorframe, his massive arms crossed. "If you’re planning to venture north from here, I’d advise against it." His voice dropped to a gravelly whisper. "There are bandits lurking about these days."

The warning hung in the air between us, as ominous as a stormcloud.

Ray stepped forward, his usual playful demeanor replaced by solemn intensity. "Chief Gareth," he murmured, voice barely above a whisper yet carrying undeniable authority, "We’re from the Silverhowl Kingdom. King Raymond sent us to deal with your bandit problem."

The chief’s bushy eyebrows shot upward. "A merchant sent by the kingdom? But..." He shook his head, the silver streaks in his hair catching the afternoon light. "Never mind." With a gesture that was both weary and welcoming, he ushered us inside.

The chief’s house smelled of cedar smoke and dried herbs. Sunlight filtered through lace curtains, casting delicate patterns across the worn oak floorboards. A woman with kind eyes and flour-dusted hands - undoubtedly the chief’s wife - moved with quiet efficiency, setting out steaming cups of chamomile tea that perfumed the air with its floral scent.

"Thank you," I said, accepting the warm cup between my palms. The heat seeped into my fingers as I offered the woman a grateful smile, touched by this simple kindness. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Chief Gareth sank into his chair with a sigh that seemed to come from his very bones. "Why did it take you so long to arrive?" The words burst from him like water through a cracked dam. "I sent letters to the Amethyst Kingdom a month ago - nothing! Two weeks ago, we begged the Silverhowl Kingdom for help - silence!" His massive hands clenched into fists on the tabletop, the knuckles whitening. "People are dying out there! I sent our own guards - human and werewolf both - to track those monsters..." His voice broke, and for a terrible moment, I thought this formidable man might weep. "They never came back. We don’t even have bodies to bury."

His words struck me like a physical blow. My teacup clattered against its saucer as I shot to my feet. "Chief, we never received any letter two weeks ago!" The frustration boiled up in my chest, hot and bitter. "For seven days now, our kingdom’s supply lines have been disrupted - food and materials for the lantern festival arriving late or not at all! We’ve barely slept trying to solve this!"

Ray’s hand landed on my shoulder, his grip firm and grounding. "Easy," he murmured, his orange eyes steady. "Anger won’t help us now."

I drew a shuddering breath, forcing my racing heart to slow. When I met Chief Gareth’s gaze again, I found only blank confusion staring back at me. My words might as well have been spoken in another language for all the understanding they elicited. The silence that followed was thick enough to choke on.

"Listen," I said, struggling to keep my voice measured. "For three days, we had royal guards scouting every trade route. They found no bandits - but we learned the Wildfire Kingdom’s bridge collapsed. Merchants would have to detour through..." My eyes flicked to the window, where the village’s vulnerable outskirts were visible. "Through here. With your limited forces, capturing these bandits would be impossible, so we suspected they might be operating near your village."

I reached into my cloak and produced the damning parchment. "Before coming, we sent a carrier pigeon with notice of our arrival. The reply we received claimed you’d already captured several bandits and that minimal backup would be needed." My fingers tightened on the paper. "But if you didn’t send this... then who did?"

The color drained from Chief Gareth’s face. "We’ve received no letters. Captured no bandits."

A chill ran down my spine as I exchanged glances with Ovelia, Ray, and Ann. Their expressions mirrored my own dawning horror. If messengers were being intercepted, if someone was fabricating correspondence... the implications were more terrifying than any bandit raid.

The tense silence was shattered by the door bursting open with a crash that made us all jump. A man stood panting in the doorway, his face slick with sweat.

"Chief Gareth!" he gasped, bracing himself against the doorframe. "There’s a merchant outside!"

Every instinct in my body screamed that whatever came next would change everything.