[Ovelia's POV]
The rustling of the grass grew louder, closer, and more menacing. My heart pounded in my chest as I clutched the edge of the wagon, my knuckles turning white. The tension in the air was palpable, and I could feel the weight of danger pressing down on us.
Ray and Ace climbed down from the wagon, their movements deliberate and calm, but I could see the tension in their shoulders, the way their hands hovered near their swords. Suddenly, four men emerged from the bushes, their smiles wide and unsettling. They looked human, but something about their eyes sent a chill down my spine.
"They're werewolves, but in human form for now," Ann whispered to me, her voice low and urgent. Her eyes were wide with caution.
"Oh, merchants! I wonder what's in their wagon," said one of the men, his sly grin stretching across his face as he eyed Ace. His tone was mocking, and his eyes gleamed with a predatory hunger.
"The wagon's massive; it must hold a lot," added another man, his curiosity piqued as he stepped closer, his gaze flicking toward me and Ann.
I watched as Ace swiftly drew his sword, the blade gleaming in the dappled sunlight. His voice turned serious, cutting through the tension like a knife. "Ann and Ovelia, no matter what happens, stay inside the wagon." The urgency in his tone sent a shiver down my spine, and I nodded, my throat too tight to speak.
In an instant, the four men transformed into werewolves. Their fur shimmered in various colors—black, silver, brown—each more menacing than the last. Their claws extended, their teeth bared, and their growls echoed through the forest, sending a wave of fear crashing over me.
"Don't worry, I can give you strength when it's needed," Lady Firera's voice echoed in my mind, calm and reassuring.
"Okay, thank you, Lady Firera," I replied mentally, my eyes darting around the wagon, searching for anything I could use to protect myself and Ann. But there was nothing—no weapon, no tool, nothing. Fear surged through me, tightening my chest.
"Don't worry, Lady Ovelia," Ann reassured me, her voice steady despite the danger. "I'll protect you."
Suddenly, another werewolf broke through the grass, barreling toward us with terrifying speed. His eyes were locked on me, and I could see the hunger in his gaze.
"ANN!!" I screamed, my voice raw with panic.
In a flash, Ann unsheathed two daggers hidden at her side, her movements swift and precise. Her eyes were fierce, her determination unwavering. But before she could strike, Ace dashed toward us, his movements a blur. With a powerful kick, he sent the incoming werewolf crashing into a tree. The impact was brutal, the sound of the werewolf's body hitting the trunk echoing through the forest.
"Don't worry, I'll protect the two of you!" Ace shouted, his voice commanding and filled with authority. His eyes burned with protectiveness.
"Boss! Their wagon isn't carrying much, but there are two stunning ladies inside. One smells human, and the other... is a werewolf," the werewolf Ace had kicked reported, his voice laced with pain as he clutched his stomach. His words sent a fresh wave of fear through me.
"Ann, if that werewolf touches Ovelia, you have my order to kill him!" Ace said, his voice intense and filled with authority. His eyes blazed with protectiveness, and I realized just how much he cared for my safety.
Now, I understood that werewolves could recognize a person's identity through their scent.
"If the human female is beautiful, we could sell her at auction for a much higher price," another werewolf sneered, his voice dripping with twisted excitement as he looked at Ace.
Before the werewolf could savor his thought, Ray moved with lightning speed. He seized the werewolf's arm and twisted it brutally, the sickening crack of bone echoing through the forest. The werewolf screamed, the sound raw and filled with agony, as he fell to the ground, clutching his shattered limb.
"You can't touch them. I swear, I will kill every last one of you if you lay a finger on them," Ray declared, his voice steady yet fierce. His eyes burned with a protective fire, and I felt a surge of gratitude toward him.
"You little piece of shit! Everyone, attack!" snarled the werewolf standing behind the others, his voice filled with rage and frustration. His command sent the remaining werewolves lunging forward, their claws slashing through the air.
Ray unsheathed his sword, the blade gleaming as he deflected the slashing claws of the werewolf in front of him. His movements were fluid and precise, a dance of strength and skill. Ace was equally formidable, his sword flashing as he struck with deadly accuracy.
"It seems like both of them are enjoying this," I remarked, watching intently as Ray and Ace fought with a fierce determination.
"I think it's because it's been a while since they've fought, and the werewolf they face now is weak. That's why Ray and Ace are only using swords," Ann replied, her voice thoughtful yet excited. Her eyes were glued to the battle, her daggers still at the ready.
As each werewolf approached our wagon, Ace and Ray sent them sprawling with powerful kicks, their strength and finesse on full display.
"They haven't even transformed into full werewolves yet, but those two are incredibly strong," muttered one werewolf, staggering after being kicked by Ace. His voice was filled with disbelief, and I could see the fear in his eyes.
"Ace, it's amusing to play with them, but we can't afford to waste more time in this skirmish," Ray cautioned, his voice urgent as he glanced at Ace.
I noticed the five werewolves recoil in shock, their eyes wide with realization.
"A-Ace? As in Ace Draven? The second prince of Silverhowl Kingdom?" stuttered one werewolf, his voice trembling as he took a step back.
"It looks like they saw through your disguise," Ray observed, his brows furrowing as he glanced at Ace.
"It's because you said my name!" Ace snapped, irritation spiking in his tone while he fixed the position of his glasses. His playful demeanor from earlier was gone, replaced by a sharp intensity.
The humor faded, and the tension in the air grew thicker. The werewolves exchanged anxious glances, their earlier bravado crumbling as they realized who they were facing.
The five werewolves were gearing up to launch another attack when suddenly, Ray and Ace sprang into action. They moved with a speed and precision that left me breathless. Ray charged at three of the werewolves, his fists connecting with brutal force. The impact sent them tumbling to the ground, unconscious. The sheer power behind his strikes was awe-inspiring.
Meanwhile, Ace struck the necks of the remaining two werewolves with lightning speed. His movements were clean and practiced, and the werewolves fell to the ground, their eyes rolling back as consciousness slipped away.
I exhaled in relief—we were safe and unharmed.
"My wolf wants to kill them, but I can't. We need to capture them alive, and that makes my wolf furious," Ace said, his voice tight with restraint.
"I understand what you're feeling right now," Ray chuckled lightly, attempting to lighten the mood, but his eyes reflected a more serious concern.
Ann opened her bag, pulling out a heavy glowing silver chain. Her expression turned serious.
"We call this 'magic chain'. Lady Ovelia, this chain is made by witches. When it is bound to a werewolf, it saps their strength, weakening them and preventing them from transforming. We are also werewolves, which is why when we use this, we wear iron gloves so that it doesn't come into contact with our skin." Ann explained, her tone grave.
"Witches truly exist in this world?" I asked, my heart racing with both fear and excitement, realizing that the stories I had only read about were now reality.
She nodded with a smile, her eyes shining with the magic of her revelation.
As Ann stepped down from the wagon, she handed the chain to Ace. He took it with a determined grip. Ray began to pull five werewolves toward a massive tree, Ace swiftly securing them with the chain. With a shimmer of light, the bandits transformed back into their human forms.
"I'm writing a letter to Shadow Ridge Prison to report these five rogue werewolf bandits," Ray announced, his voice steady and authoritative.
He moved to the front of the wagon, retrieving a ink, quill, paper, and a single carrier pigeon. Turning to me, he said with genuine concern, "I hope you're okay, Ovelia."
"I'm fine, thank you for your concern," I replied, forcing a smile, though I could still feel a little knot of fear coiling in my stomach. I didn't want to worry him further; he had enough on his mind already.
Ray began to write on a piece of paper, then tied it to the leg of a pigeon.
"Go to Shadow Ridge Prison and deliver this letter," he instructed the bird, watching as it took flight, a mixture of urgency and hope in his gaze.
Ann climbed into the wagon, sitting beside Ray. Ace joined us, settling in across from me.
"Were you scared earlier?" Ace asked, his brow slightly furrowed, concern etched on his face.
"A little," I replied with a gentle smile, trying to mask the lingering fear.
He moved then, shifting to sit beside. The warmth of his body beside mine was a solid, comforting presence against the lingering chill of adrenaline.
"What I did back there," he began, his voice low, almost hesitant. "Protecting you… that is my way of caring for you. And for my wolf… that act is its way of loving you. Did you feel the difference?"
I looked into his silver eyes, so close now. A warm flush crept up my neck and into my cheeks. His sincerity was a tangible thing.
"So that is love," I murmured, placing a hand over my heart, which was now beating for a different reason. "It feels… warm. And it makes my heart flutter."
"Exactly," he said, a faint smile touching his lips. "Love has many languages. Bringing me snacks, for example, that is your language. It is a kind of love."
He leaned back slightly, his expression turning thoughtful. "There are different kinds. The love of a friend—which is how I, the man, am coming to care for you. The love of family, like what I have for Ray, however grudging." He shot his brother a wry look. "And then there is the love of a mate. The deep, irrevocable bond. That is what my wolf recognizes in you. A love that wants a lifetime."
A quiet, expanding joy filled my chest. He was keeping his promise. He was moving forward with me, step by deliberate step, choosing to build a friendship even within the confines of our forced marriage.
"Thank you, Ace," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "Thank you for explaining it to me. And for… for keeping your promise."
"You are welcome," he replied, his voice soft.
"Ahem!" Ray's exaggerated cough shattered the moment. He was grinning, his eyes dancing with mischief. "I do hate to interrupt this… educational moment, but are we permitted to continue our journey, or shall we wait for their friends to arrive?"
Mortification washed over me. I saw Ann beside him, her shoulders shaking with silent laughter.
I glanced at Ace. A faint, charming blush colored his cheekbones. A soft, incredulous laugh escaped me.
"Ray," Ace said, his voice a mixture of annoyance and amusement. "Drive."
As the wagon began to roll again, the familiar crunch of wheels on the forest path, I felt a fragile sense of happiness settle within me. I was learning. About this world, about danger, about the complex, terrifying, and beautiful spectrum of love. I sent a silent plea out into the rustling trees as we traveled. Please. Let the road to Meadowlark be peaceful. Let this be the only danger we face.