A Werewolf's Unexpected Mate-Chapter 95: Sweet Farewells and Hidden Wings

[Ovelia’s POV]

The morning air stung my cheeks as we stepped outside, crisp and fresh after the warmth of the inn. The fairy dart into my dress pocket, his tiny body pressing against the fabric as his prism wings emitted a faint glow.

"I’m full," came his muffled voice, followed by the sound of tiny hands patting a satisfied stomach. "All the food was delicious." His words slurred slightly with contentment.

My lips curved upward despite myself. His simple joy cut through the morning’s tension like sunlight through clouds. But when I glanced up, I found Shin, Colt and Kai staring at my pocket with varying degrees of suspicion. Colt’s nostrils flared visibly, his werewolf senses undoubtedly detecting something unusual.

"Lady Ovelia, what’s that s—" Colt began, his head tilting in open curiosity.

Ace’s fingers tightened around mine before he could finish. "We should split up now," Ace declared, his tone leaving no room for argument. "It’s the most efficient way to complete our tasks."

I exhaled quietly through my nose. Ace’s intervention had come just in time—Colt looked ready to press for answers about the strange scent clinging to me.

The fairy let out an exasperated huff. "Damn those werewolves!" His whisper carried an edge of frustration. I felt him squirm deeper into the pocket’s lining. "Their noses are too sharp!"

The inn door creaked open behind us, and Chief Gareth’s heavy footsteps thudded across the wooden porch. "I’ve told the merchants about returning their stolen goods," he announced in his rumbling voice. "They’ll meet us at the storage house soon."

"My thanks, Chief," Ace responded with a respectful dip of his chin, though his expression remained unreadable.

Ann turned to me, the corners of her black eyes crinkling slightly. "Lady Ovelia, we’ll go ahead now."

A knot formed in my stomach at her words. The fairy’s warning about Ann’s curse still weighed on my mind, though I kept my face carefully neutral.

"Take care," I managed, hoping my voice didn’t betray my unease. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Philip’s lips curved in response, but his sharp blue eyes studied me for a beat too long. "You too," he murmured, his tone softer than usual.

Chief Gareth jerked his head toward the village center. "Let’s get everything organized in the storage house first." Without waiting for confirmation, he strode off with Ann and Philip following, their figures soon blending into the morning crowd.

I reached out to Lady Firera in my mind. "Lady Firera, what do you think about Ann’s curse?"

Her response was immediate, calm. "Not a curse. Dark mana traces. The fairy calls it that because werewolves shouldn’t harbor such energy. It’s harmless to you—that’s why I never mentioned it."

"Dark mana?" I pressed.

Though I didn’t fear Ann, the thought of something foreign coiled inside her unsettled me. Was she even aware? Was it hurting her?

Kai stretched his arms high, rolling his neck until it cracked. "We should get moving too. Those prisoners won’t chain themselves."

Shin adjusted his collar with precise fingers. "I know the route. Follow me."

"Be safe," I called as they departed with their men, their forms quickly disappearing between the thatched cottages.

Beside me, Ray and Colt exchanged a glance that spoke volumes—the silent communication of knights who’d fought side by side for years. Then came the sickening cracks of shifting bones, the wet sounds of reforming muscle. Their clothes tore as fur sprouted across expanding bodies, the scent of wolf musk thick in the air. Within moments, two massive werewolves stood before us, their men completing the same transformation.

Ray shook out his fur, orange eyes gleaming with amusement. "We should get moving," he growled, his voice deeper and rougher in this form.

Colt issued a sharp bark, and his knights fell into formation with disciplined precision.

Ace’s grip on my hand remained firm. "Stay alert," he warned, his voice low. "There could still be bandits hiding in those woods."

Ray flicked one ear dismissively, baring his teeth in a wolfish grin. "Let any bandits try. I could use the exercise." With that, he led the group away at a loping run, their paws kicking up dust as they vanished down the forest path.

I turned to find Ace watching me, his silver eyes steady. "Let’s go," he said simply.

Mrs. Melinda stepped forward, clasping her work-roughened hands together. "Follow me."

As we began walking, the fairy’s grumble vibrated against my chest. "Nosy werewolves."

And in the quiet space of my mind, Lady Firera’s presence remained—a silent, watchful guardian.

[Ace’s POV]

The morning sun cast long shadows across the dirt path as we walked, its warmth pressing against my back through the fabric of my tunic. The scent of freshly turned earth mingled with wildflowers blooming along the roadside, their petals still damp with dew. Beside me, Ovelia practically vibrated with excitement, her steps light and quick as she eagerly scanned the road ahead. Her fingers tightened around mine every few steps, the pressure fleeting but insistent, as if she couldn’t contain the energy bubbling inside her.

A flicker of movement caught my eye—the fairy had relocated from her pocket to perch on her shoulder, his tiny legs swinging carelessly against the fabric of her dress. The morning light caught in his prism wings, casting miniature rainbows across Ovelia’s collar.

I can see him. So he’d included me in his barrier.

When he noticed my gaze, the fairy glanced at me briefly, his expression unreadable before turning back to the path ahead. His wings gave an indifferent flick, the motion dismissive but not hostile. Under normal circumstances, that look would have earned a warning growl. But the fairy had saved Ovelia, and his presence now was more protective than threatening. I could tolerate his attitude for that. For her.

Ovelia’s grip on my hand suddenly became firmer. "Ace," she said, her voice dropping to a near-whisper, "are we really leaving the village today?" The disappointment in her tone was unmistakable, weighing down each word.

I stopped walking, turning to face her fully. The morning light caught in her hair, turning the strands into molten gold. Without thinking, I reached up and gently patted her head, my fingers brushing against silken tresses. "Yes," I said, keeping my voice steady despite the odd tightness in my chest. "But don’t waste today being sad. Enjoy it instead, so you won’t have regrets when we go."

Her expression shifted, the sadness giving way to a small but genuine smile that crinkled the corners of her red eyes. "Yes," she agreed. Then, softer: "Thank you, Ace."

The sight of that smile sent a strange warmth radiating through my ribs.

The fairy groaned dramatically, flopping backward against Ovelia’s shoulder. "Don’t get too sweet with each other. I’m still here, you know."

Ovelia and I both laughed, the sound mingling in the crisp morning air, the tension between us dissolving like sugar in tea.

Up ahead, Mrs. Melinda walked with her shoulders slightly hunched, her usual brisk pace slowed just enough to notice. Even from behind, the slump in her posture betrayed her own sadness about our impending departure.

"Mrs. Melinda," I called, lengthening my stride to catch up. The packed earth felt firm beneath my boots. "Are we going to that shop you mentioned earlier?"

She paused, turning to face us with a thoughtful hum that vibrated in her throat. "Yes, at Old Man Heron’s shop," she said after a moment, her fingers absently smoothing her apron. "What you need is in that shop." A faint smile touched her lips. "It’s near my house."

"We’ll pass the wagon on the way," I noted, glancing toward the path ahead where I knew the vehicle was stored.

Ovelia perked up instantly, her entire body leaning forward with renewed energy. "Do they sell pan de coco there too?"

The fairy’s tiny head snapped up so fast I worried he might hurt himself. "Oh! The sweet bread with coconut filling?" His wings fluttered eagerly, creating a soft humming sound.

Mrs. Melinda chuckled, the sound rich and warm. "Yes, Ovelia. They have pan de coco."

Ovelia and the fairy both lit up like lanterns, their faces transforming with identical expressions of delight. "Yes!" they exclaimed in unison, the fairy’s high-pitched voice harmonizing with Ovelia’s.

Mrs. Melinda shook her head, amusement crinkling the corners of her eyes. "You really love that bread, don’t you?"

Ovelia nodded vigorously, her earlier melancholy forgotten in the face of this simple pleasure. A few loose strands of hair escaped her braid with the motion, framing her flushed cheeks.

"I’ll buy plenty so you can take some home," I found myself saying.

"Really?!" they both gasped, their matching expressions so earnest it was almost comical—eyes wide, mouths slightly open in identical shock.

I couldn’t help but grin, the expression feeling unfamiliar on my face. "Promise." Reaching out, I gently pinched Ovelia’s cheek between my thumb and forefinger, the skin warm and soft beneath my fingers.

She caught my hand between both of hers, her fingers surprisingly strong as they pressed against my palm. "Thank you, Ace," she said, beaming up at me with such unguarded happiness that it stole my breath.

My pulse stuttered. I pulled my hand back quickly, suddenly hyperaware of the heat creeping up my neck. Was I blushing?

Mrs. Melinda tactfully pretended not to notice, gesturing ahead where the path curved. "The shop is just up ahead."

As we rounded the corner, the wagon came into view, tucked beside Chief Gareth’s house under the shade of an old oak tree. The sight of it reminded me of the others—Ray and Colt dismantling the cage, Shin and Kai preparing the prisoners, Ann and Philip organizing the stolen goods. A quiet hope settled in my chest that everything would go smoothly for them, that we’d all reunite without incident before departing this unexpectedly welcoming village.