A Werewolf's Unexpected Mate-Chapter 77: A Taming of Two Kinds

Ovelia’s POV

I turned my attention to the bandits as Ace, Philip, Kai, and the Silverhowl troops left with the green-and-black-haired witch toward the big cage. They were bound tightly with magic chains, some with handcuffs on their wrists, and all had duct tape over their mouths. Most were unconscious, except for Khaleed, who glared at Ann and me with a mixture of anger and fear.

Khaleed had done terrible things, but I couldn’t help feeling that death wasn’t the proper punishment for him. He needed to reflect on his sins and face the consequences of his actions.

I noticed something strange—each bandit had a unique mark on their chest. "Ann, why do these bandits have marks on their chests?" I asked, curiosity tugging at me.

"Those are symbols indicating they’re stray werewolves," Ann explained, her voice calm but tinged with a hint of sadness.

"Stray werewolves? They don’t belong to any pack?" I asked, my brow furrowing.

"They used to have packs, but they were cast out by their pack leaders because of their wrongdoings. That’s why they became strays. The different symbols represent the packs they once belonged to," Ann said, her gray eyes scanning the bound figures.

So, their individual symbols, once badges of honor, now served as a poignant testament to the price of their misdeeds. It was a stark reminder that terrible actions always carried greater consequences.

My gaze drifted to the fairy resting in the pocket of my dress, nestled against my chest. He was still unconscious, his tiny body fragile and delicate. I hoped he would regain his strength soon.

"Ovelia," Ann said, breaking my train of thought, "I’m sure Sir Ace and the others smelled the fairy, but they didn’t ask about it."

I froze. I hadn’t even considered that. If the other werewolves learned about the fairy, they might do something terrible to him.

"Ann, what should I do if they start asking questions about him? I want to keep his existence a secret as much as possible," I said, my voice low and urgent.

"You can confide in Sir Ace and Ray. I’m sure they’ll have a better solution to keep the fairy safe. The fairy smells like flowers, so if the other werewolves ask about the scent, just say it’s a special kind of flower you treasure. I’m sure they won’t press further," Ann said, her tone reassuring.

She was right. I could trust Ace and Ray. I’d tell them about the fairy when the other werewolves weren’t around.

"Thank you, Ann," I said, a smile spreading across my face.

Ann smiled back and patted my head gently, much like Ace often did. In her werewolf form, she towered over me, her presence both comforting and protective. I wondered why she hadn’t transformed back into her human form yet.

Philip’s POV

As we stepped into the dimly lit tent, the sight before us took my breath away. The stolen treasures were laid out in disarray, each item telling a story of loss and desperation. A polished wooden chest sat in the center, its intricate carvings depicting mythical creatures that seemed to come alive in the flickering lantern light. I carefully opened it, revealing vibrant spices—glimmering strands of saffron and rich cinnamon sticks that promised warmth and flavor.

Nearby, an ornate blue vial caught my eye, shimmering with rare blue pepper—a fortune hidden within. Delicate porcelain teacups, carelessly stacked, bore floral designs that whispered of a traveling merchant’s shattered dreams.

I spotted a luxurious silk scarf embroidered with golden threads and adorned with sparkling gemstones. Its previous owner was indeed a noblewoman lamenting her loss. Scattered golden coins glinted like stars among the riches, each one a silent testimony to the plundered lives of those who had dared to travel these roads.

And there, nestled among the bounty, were emeralds and rubies, their vibrant colors catching the light, embodying both beauty and despair. I couldn’t help but feel the weight of the stolen stories surrounding us, a reminder of the merciless bandits who thrived on the misfortunes of others.

Suddenly, the tent flap opened, and one of the werewolves stepped inside. "Sir Philip, the wagon is ready outside. We can start loading the stolen items," he said.

"Just call me Philip. I’m just a wandering merchant, after all," I replied with a smile, and he nodded.

"Philip, I saw some sacks in here. We can use them to carry the items so they won’t scatter when we load them onto the wagon," the second werewolf suggested.

"Good idea. Let’s start retrieving these items. Also, you two," I said, pointing to the other two werewolves from Crimsonheart, "can you keep watch outside? Just in case any bandits try to ambush us."

"Understood," they said in unison before stepping out of the tent.

I grabbed a sack, and together with the two werewolves, we began retrieving the stolen items. Amidst the bandits’ loot, I finally found my stolen wares: the "Sunset Hues" silks, their vibrant colors dulled but their intricate patterns still unmistakable; the "Forest Nymph" combs, their polished surfaces scratched but their delicate carvings still evident; and other items I had bought in different villages. One by one, I placed them into the sack. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

After a few minutes, we finished retrieving the stolen items and stepped out of the tent.

"Good work, everyone," I said, wiping the sweat from my brow.

"My back hurts. I can’t believe those bandits stole so many items in just one month," the first werewolf groaned.

"Finally, we can return these to their rightful owners," the second werewolf said, his voice filled with relief.

We loaded the sacks of stolen items onto the wagon. The third and fourth werewolves brought two more wagons, perfect for transporting the bandits and their prisoners back to Thunoa Village.

To my left, I spotted a magnificent black stallion, its coat gleaming like polished obsidian. The thought of riding such a creature filled me with excitement and a sense of possibility. I glanced around and found a bag of apples nearby. Taming a wild horse wouldn’t be easy, but the thought of faster travel, covering more ground, and a new efficiency in my trade... was intoxicating.

I approached the stallion cautiously, offering apples as a gesture of trust. It took patience and several attempts, but eventually, the stallion accepted my offer and showed signs of taming.

Finally, I found a new horse.

I hopped onto its back and looked at the four Crimsonheart werewolves. "Let’s go back to Ace and the others," I said, and we set off.

After all of this, I could finally return to the Amethyst Kingdom.