A Werewolf's Unexpected Mate-Chapter 83: Midnight Departure

Philip’s POV

I finished checking my belongings and ensured my horse was in good condition. Our mission was complete, and I’d fulfilled my purpose here in Thunoa. It was time to return to King Alfred and report everything that had happened here.

I mounted my horse, and just as I steadied myself in the saddle, the sound of approaching footsteps broke the quiet. I saw Ace walking toward me, his expression unreadable but his eyes sharp.

"Where are you going?" Ace asked, his voice calm but firm.

I glanced at him, knowing he already knew my destination. My gaze drifted through the tents, spotting Ray and the others still preparing to leave, double-checking supplies and securing the wagons.

"Hey, are you daydreaming?" Ace said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I’m not daydreaming. Why are you asking where I’m going when you already know? My work here is done. I need to return to the Amethyst Kingdom and report to King Alfred about what happened here," I said, my tone matter-of-fact.

"Are you leaving without saying goodbye or thanking everyone?" Ace asked, his arms crossed.

"’Thank you’—can you tell that to everyone for me? And I hate goodbyes, so tell them that too," I said, nudging my horse to move.

Ace smirked, raising his voice as I started to ride away. "Are you sure you’re leaving so early? Chief Gareth promised me we’d drink the best and most expensive alcohol after this mission. He might even give some away for free."

I pulled on the reins, bringing my horse to an abrupt stop. Free expensive alcohol? That was a merchant’s weakness. I turned my horse around and rode back to where Ace stood, his grin widening as I approached.

As I approached him again, I couldn’t suppress my own smile. "I think I’ll stay in the village for a while," I confessed, the prospect of camaraderie and fine drink warming me more than the sun overhead.

Ace’s smile grew even broader. "Good choice," he said, clapping me on the shoulder.

I glanced toward Ovelia, who was talking with Ann. I wanted to speak with her before I left.

Ovelia’s POV

I watched Ann lead a horse toward me, her expression calm but focused. I quickly checked the fairy in my pocket, relieved to find him still asleep.

"Princess Ovelia," Lieutenant Colt’s voice broke through my thoughts, pulling my attention toward him. "I’ve been meaning to ask—what’s in your pocket? There’s a scent coming from it that I’ve never smelled before," he said, his tone curious.

I quickly turned my gaze to him, masking my apprehension. "I—"

"Yeah, Lady Ovelia, I smelled it too. When I was saving you and Ann earlier, I saw you holding something in your hand. What is it?" Kai interjected, a playful smile dancing on his lips.

Fear raced through me, my heart drumming like a caged bird. I needed to lie, Yet the memory of my non-biological parents’ harsh hands tightened around my throat when they caught me lying made my hands tremble. I clenched them into fists, trying to steady myself.

"Lady Ovelia, are you alright?" Kai’s brow furrowed with concern, his genuine nature evident in his tone.

"Y-yes," I stammered, forcing a smile that felt more like a grimace. I clutched my hand, willing it to cease its shaking. "I’m fine."

"I think it’s just a flower," Ray said, his steady and unwavering gaze piercing through my facade. A glimmer of a smile played on his lips as if he sensed my struggle. "A unique flower that we’re only just discovering."

Could he possibly know my secret? That I was hiding something more precious than a mere bloom?

"Really? So, it’s unique? Can we see it?" Kai leaned in, his interest piqued, the playful nature in his eyes morphing into genuine curiosity.

"I can’t—" I bit my lip, struggling to come up with an excuse. I didn’t want to reveal the fairy.

Suddenly, Ann approaches, leading a majestic horse whose coat shines under the moonlight. "Lady Ovelia can’t show you the flower," she announces, a hint of protectiveness in her voice. "Sir Ace gave it to her. That flower is only for her eyes."

"Oh, that’s why!" Kai breathes out, relief washing over his features. He glances at me, his brown eyes filled with concern. "Sorry for scaring you, lady Ovelia.".

Scaring me? He must have misunderstood my trembling. "No, you didn’t scare me. By the way, thank you for saving me and Ann earlier during the witch attack," I said, my voice sincere.

"Of course," Kai replies with a faint shrug, a playful smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "It’s my job to save anyone in danger."

"Ovelia," Ray interjects, his voice steady, "could you call Ace? We’re ready to head back to Thunoa Village. The villagers we saved must be eager to see their families again."

"I think it’s unnecessary," Lieutenant Colt pipes up, his tone reassuring. "Sir Ace and Philip are already on their way here." pointing toward the two approaching figures.

"Why are you all looking at us like that? Is there dirt on our faces?" Philip joked, his tone lighthearted.

"You took your time. It’s already midnight—we need to go now," Ray said, his voice tinged with impatience.

"Sorry for being slow," Ace teased, though Ray ignored him. Kai and Colt exchanged amused smiles.

Ann handed the horse’s reins to Ace, and he accepted it. Kai and Colt also mounted their horses, ready to depart.

"Ann, why aren’t you returning to your human form?" I asked, noticing her still in her werewolf form.

Everyone turned to look at her, their expressions curious.

"I can’t," Ann said simply.

I recalled how Ann’s shirt had torn during her transformation into a werewolf, the fabric ripping apart as if it were made of paper. I took off the blazer she had lent me, feeling its soft texture against my skin.

"Here, Ann. I’ll return this so you can shift back into your human form," I said, extending her blazer toward her, my voice steady but tinged with concern.

"But it’s cold here, Lady Ovelia," Ann protested.

"Just take it. I’ll keep Ovelia warm myself," Ace said, surprising everyone, even me. His tone was playful but protective, the kind of confidence that demanded attention. "Everyone, turn around so Ann can transform back to her human form," he commanded, his voice booming with authority. Instinctively, we all obeyed, faces turned away, whispering among ourselves.

As the sound of shifting flesh and bone echoed from behind, I could feel the tension in the air. A moment later, Ann announced, "I’m done," and everyone turned back to face her.

"Ann, hop on the horse. Don’t worry; I only see you as a younger sister," Ray said, his voice softening, a reassuring smile brightening his features. Ann’s expression transformed into relief as she climbed onto the horse behind him, their camaraderie palpable.

Suddenly, I felt strong arms lift me effortlessly. I gasped as Ace hoisted me up. "Get on the horse," he urged, an undeniable warmth in his voice. I complied, my heart racing as he joined me, our bodies pressed together on the narrow saddle.

"Move closer," Ace said, his voice low and coaxing.

"But—" I started, but before I could object, he wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me in tighter.

"Now you can feel my warmth, and I can feel yours," he said softly, his breath warm against my ear.

Heat flushed my cheeks, a mix of embarrassment and something deeper stirring within me. As the wind whipped around us, I drifted between the exhilaration of leaving in the bandit’s hideout with everyone and the warmth of his embrace, a dreamy sleepiness threatening to pull me under.