A Werewolf's Unexpected Mate-Chapter 50: Evening’s Secret

[Evening]

Ovelia’s POV

The wagon wheels creaked as we rolled along the dirt path, the last golden streaks of sunset fading into twilight. I turned to Ace, unable to ignore the nagging curiosity any longer.

"A," I began, studying his profile in the dimming light, "where did you three go earlier?"

Ace’s fingers tensed slightly on the reins before he glanced at me, his brow furrowing. "Was Chief Gareth at home when you left?"

The deflection sent a prickle of unease down my spine. I pressed my lips together, my fingers tightening around the paper bag in my lap. "He was there before Ann and I went out," I said slowly. "I don’t know if he’s still there now."

Ace nodded. "Alright. Thanks." His voice was calm, but something in his tone felt off—like he was choosing his words too carefully.

I shifted my attention to Ray, determined to get an answer. "R, where did you—"

"I can already see Chief Gareth’s house," Ray cut in abruptly, pointing ahead. His voice carried a forced lightness, his grip on the reins tightening just enough for me to notice.

Philip groaned from the back of the wagon, his voice thin with exhaustion. "I’m starving." The words came out more like a whimper than a complaint.

I started to turn, instinct pulling my gaze toward the wagon bed, but Ace’s arm suddenly curled around my shoulders, drawing me against his side. His body was warm, solid—comforting, yet the gesture felt deliberate, like he was steering my attention away.

"Just a little longer, Philip," Ace said, his voice steady but his smile strained at the edges. "We’re almost there."

The lanterns from Chief Gareth’s house glowed in the distance, casting long shadows across the path. Ray brought the wagon to a stop, the horses huffing as they settled.

"Yes!" Philip nearly shouted, his weariness vanishing in an instant. "I can finally eat!" His grin was wide, his earlier fatigue forgotten.

The wagon creaked to a complete stop, its wooden frame settling with a tired groan. Ray and Ace dismounted first, their boots hitting the packed earth with twin thuds. Ace immediately turned, offering me his hand; his grip was gentle as he helped me down. Behind them, Philip and Ann clambered out.

The front door burst open before we could knock, revealing Chief Gareth’s broad frame silhouetted against the warm light spilling from inside. His eyebrows shot up when he saw us.

"You’re back already!" His deep voice carried genuine surprise. "Melinda’s just reheating supper. Come in, all of you."

Philip didn’t need to be told twice. "Finally! I’m starving!" He bolted past Chief Gareth before the words fully left his mouth, his footsteps echoing through the house.

Ray stretched his arms overhead, the movement casual but his eyes sharp. "I’ll bring those empty crates to storage."

"I’ll help!" Ann chimed in, already moving toward the wagon with purposeful strides.

Ace gave a curt nod. "Thanks." His voice held appreciation, but his shoulders remained stiff beneath his shirt.

Empty crates? My fingers twitched at my sides. Something about how quickly they’d all moved - how deliberately they’d positioned themselves between me and the wagon - made my pulse quicken.

Then Ace’s tone shifted, turning serious as gravel. "Chief, where’s Khaleed?"

The air between the men grew heavy, charged with something unspoken. I inched closer, the paper bag of grilled corn crinkling in my grip.

Chief Gareth rubbed his beard thoughtfully. "After our chess game, he left convinced you wouldn’t return." A satisfied gleam entered his eyes. "I let him walk away clean - no reason to make him suspicious."

Ace’s shoulders relaxed a fraction. "Good call." His gaze flicked to me for the briefest moment before he stepped closer to Chief Gareth, lowering his voice to a whisper I couldn’t catch.

Chief Gareth’s expression darkened instantly. His eyes snapped to the wagon, his jaw tightening. My breath hitched. What had Ace told him? Why had he looked at me first? The paper bag’s handle dug into my palm as my grip tightened unconsciously.

The wagon sat innocently in the yard, its contents now the focus of everyone’s attention except mine. Ray and Ann moved with deliberate slowness, their backs blocking my view as they unloaded the crates.

Ray and Ann flashed me warm smiles as they carried the empty crates into the house, their footsteps fading into the interior. My gaze drifted back to Chief Gareth and Ace, who were still huddled together, their voices low and urgent. The way Ace’s shoulders tensed as he spoke made my stomach twist with unease.

I turned toward the wagon, its shadowed interior hiding whatever secret they were keeping from me. "Lady Firera," I called out mentally, "do you know what’s inside that wagon?"

Silence. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

She didn’t answer.

So even she doesn’t want me to know.

A few minutes later, Ray and Ann emerged from the house, their expressions shifting from cheerful to weary as they stepped back into the evening air.

"A, Ann and I just put the empty crates in storage," Ray announced, stretching his arms with a tired sigh. His usual energy was dimmed, his movements slower than usual.

Ace tilted his head slightly, his brow furrowing. "Have you eaten yet?"

Ray shook his head, crossing his arms—a gesture that said he was exhausted but not backing down. "Not yet. I’ll eat later, after we finish what we need to do. Philip won’t be joining us either—said he had something to handle first."

Curiosity prickled at me. "A and R, what exactly are you planning next?"

Ace stepped closer, his fingers brushing through my hair in a familiar, affectionate gesture. His smile was soft, but his eyes held something guarded. "We can’t answer that right now, Lia." His voice dropped slightly, warmth lacing his words. "I want to continue what we were doing earlier, but R and I need to take care of something with Chief Gareth first."

His gaze flicked to Ann, who gave a firm nod—silent understanding passing between them. My stomach tightened. This has to be about the bandits.

"We’re heading out now," Ace said, but before he could take another step, his stomach let out a loud, protesting growl. His eyes widened in surprise, then he grinned sheepishly.

"Hold on," I said, darting into the house.

Inside, Philip was already happily munching on something, his cheeks slightly puffed with food. On the table sat the paper bag of pan de coco, its sweet aroma mingling with the smoky scent of the grilled corn as I placed the paper bag beside it.

My hands moved quickly as I scanned the table, grabbing a plastic bag. The warm, buttery scent of pan de coco filled my nose as I carefully placed three pan de coco inside, followed by three grilled corns; their smoky aroma mingled with the sweetness.

Philip watched me with curious eyes, a crumb clinging to the corner of his mouth. "Mind if I have some?" he asked around a mouthful, his voice hopeful.

"Of course!" I said, smiling as he eagerly grabbed another piece. "There’s plenty for everyone."

Knowing Ace was in a hurry, I rushed outside, my pulse quickening with each step. The evening air was cool against my flushed cheeks as I approached him, holding out the plastic bag.

"I remembered you didn’t eat lunch," I said breathlessly. "You must be starving. Here’s some pan de coco and grilled corn—"

My words cut off as Ace leaned in, his lips brushing my forehead in a soft, lingering kiss. The warmth of his touch sent a jolt through me, and my fingers instinctively flew to the spot, my face burning.

When I dared to look up, Ray, Ann, and Chief Gareth were watching us with knowing smiles.

"Thanks," Ace said, taking the bag from my hands. His voice was light, but his gaze darkened with something possessive. "We’re leaving now. Stay inside Chief Gareth’s house until I’m back, okay?"

I nodded, my throat suddenly tight. "Be careful."

Ray, Ace, and Chief Gareth climbed onto the wagon, their figures outlined against the fading evening light. The wooden seat creaked under their weight as Ray took the reins.

"We’ll be back soon, Lia," Ray called over his shoulder, his usual confidence reassuring. With a flick of the reins, the wagon began to move.

A sudden pang of loneliness struck me as I watched them go. The wagon’s open back taunted me with its secrets, the contents just out of view.

Then Ann’s hands covered my eyes, her touch gentle but firm.

"Ann?" I asked, startled as she pulled away.

"Sorry, Lady Ovelia," she murmured, her voice uneasy.

I grabbed her wrist, desperation clawing at me. "Ann, please—what’s in that wagon that you’re all hiding from me?"

She hesitated, then sighed. "Three werewolf bandits. In human form." Her eyes searched mine. "We didn’t want you to see them... after what happened before."

The memory of the werewolf attack in Silverhowl forest flashed through my mind. To my surprise, a small smile tugged at my lips. They’d been protecting me—unnecessarily, but sweetly.

Philip’s voice cut through the moment as he stepped outside. "Why are you two still out here, Ann and Princess Ovelia?"

Ann and I froze. Then, in a blur of movement, Ann was in front of Philip, her nails sharpening into claws at his throat. "How do you know her real name?" she hissed.

Philip didn’t even flinch. He simply smiled. "The princes told me. No time to explain—I’ve got to go."

Ann relaxed slightly, withdrawing her hand. "He’s telling the truth," she admitted quietly.

Philip gave us a cryptic smile before striding off, leaving questions hanging in the air.

Mrs. Melinda’s voice floated from the doorway. "What are you two doing out here? Come inside—it’s cold out here."

Ann and I exchanged a glance, then smiled in unison. Without a word, we followed her inside, the familiar warmth of the house wrapping around us like a comforting blanket.