Ovelia’s POV
The golden light of sunset draped over Thunoa Village, painting the thatched roofs in warm hues as Ann and I wandered through the marketplace. The air carried the comforting scent of woodsmoke and baked goods, but beneath the peaceful atmosphere, unease prickled at my skin. Ace, Ray, and Philip had been gone too long, and the thought of them facing danger made my fingers tighten around the fabric of my skirt.
"Lady Ovelia!" Ann whispered excitedly, tugging at my sleeve. She pointed toward a vendor tending a small grill, where kernels of corn sizzled over glowing embers. "Would you like a snack? That man is selling grilled corn!"
"I appreciate it, Ann, but I—" Before I can finish, she grabs my hand and pulls toward the vendor.
"I’ll pay, Lady Ovelia," she insisted, her eyes bright with enthusiasm. "Sir Ray gave pocket money before we left Silverhowl!"
The rich, smoky aroma of charred corn filled my nose as we approached, making my stomach growl in response.
The vendor—a middle-aged man with sun-worn skin—looked up from his grill and grinned at us. "Ah, two lovely custors! What can I get for you?"
Ann tilted her head. "Do you sell anything besides grilled corn?"
The man chuckled and lifted a woven basket, revealing golden-brown rolls nestled inside. The mont the lid ca off, the warm, buttery scent of freshly baked bread enveloped us, mingling with the faint sweetness of coconut.
"Pan de coco," he announced proudly.
"Wow, that looks delicious, but I’ve only just heard about Pan De Coco," I replied, my curiosity piqued.
"Lady —sorry, I anmother," Ann corrected herself quickly, cheeks flushing, "this is a local specialty! The filling is shredded coconut mixed with molasses—soft, sweet, and a little crunchy."
The vendor’s eyes crinkled with amusent. "You know your treats, young lady!"
Ann stiffened slightly at being called "young lady," her laughter light but flustered.
"Would you like to try so?" she asked , nudging with her elbow.
I didn’t hesitate. "Yes, please!"
Counting quickly—Ace, Ray, Philip, Mrs. linda, Chief Gareth, Ann, and myself—I ordered, "Eight grilled corns and eight pan de coco, please!"
The vendor tallied the cost. "That’ll be fifty-six spina."
Ann dug into her coin pouch without hesitation, handing over the paynt with a satisfied smile. The man packed our treats into two paper bags, the warmth seeping through to my fingertips.
"Here you are—fresh and hot!" He winked. "And I’ve added two extra pan de coco for you."
Gratitude bubbled up in . "Thank you!" we chid in unison before turning back toward Chief Gareth’s house, the sky deepening into shades of violet and amber.
Ann couldn’t resist. She tore open the bag and thrust a pan de coco into my hands. "Try it!"
I happily accepted the pan de coco from her hand, taking a bite. A smile spread across my face as the flavors danced on my palate. "Mmm, this is delicious! It’s not too sweet and soft, and the coconut filling has a perfect crunch. I’ve never tasted anything like this before!" I exclaid, beaming at Ann, who mirrored my joy.
Suddenly, the wind picked up, rustling the leaves around us.
"Who took my bread!?" a woman shouted from the bakery, her voice laced with panic.
"My apples are missing too!" yelled another woman who had just bought fruit from the vendor.
"This happened yesterday right before dark!" the angry at vendor added, frustration evident in his tone.
"It feels like we’re being haunted!" muttered an elderly woman selling vegetables, her eyes wide as she clutched her wares.
Ann and I froze, exchanging wide-eyed glances.
"Ann..." My voice wavered. "Do you believe in ghosts?"
She nodded slowly, her fingers tightening around the paper bag.
"That’s not a ghost," Lady Firera’s voice cut through my thoughts.
"Then what is it?" I demanded ntally.
"You’ll see soon enough."
A cold shiver raced down my spine. I grabbed Ann’s wrist, ready to bolt—when the familiar creak of wagon wheels made us both turn.
Ace’s POV
The wagon wheels creaked as we rolled into Thunoa Village, the last golden rays of sunset stretching our shadows long across the dirt road. In the back, the three captured werewolves lay motionless, their breathing slow but steady. The cuffs around their wrists glead dully in the fading light, ensuring they wouldn’t wake and escape before we questioned them.
Philip slumped against the wagon’s side, rubbing his stomach with a groan. "I’m starving... How much farther to Chief Gareth’s?" His voice was rough with exhaustion, his usual sharpness dulled by hunger.
I clenched my jaw, ignoring the hollow ache in my own stomach. Food would have to wait. We needed answers—now. Who was leading these bandits? Where was their hideout? The questions burned in my mind, urgent and relentless.
"Ace." Ray’s voice snapped from my thoughts. He nodded ahead. "That’s Ann and Ovelia."
My pulse jumped.
There they were—Ann clutching a paper bag of what slled like fresh bread, and Ovelia standing beside her, her worried expression softening the mont our eyes t. Sothing warm and unfamiliar curled in my chest, tightening my breath.
Love? Maybe. But what kind? I still didn’t have the words for it.
Ray tugged the reins, halting the wagon. Before I could second-guess myself, I vaulted down, my boots kicking up dust. Ovelia’s gaze locked onto mine, her lips parting slightly in surprise.
"Don’t hesitate," my wolf growled inside . "Just embrace her."
In three strides, I closed the distance between us and pulled Ovelia into my arms. She gasped, her body stiffening for a heartbeat before lting against . The scent of lavender and sun-ward skin flooded my senses, erasing the exhaustion, the hunger, the lingering tension from the fight. Her fingers clutched the back of my shirt, anchoring .
Hours apart had felt like years.
I buried my face in her hair, breathing her in, and for the first ti since we’d left the village, the world felt right again.
Ovelia’s POV
Ace’s arms wrapped around so suddenly I nearly dropped the warm grilled corn clutched in my left hand. His body pressed against mine, radiating warmth and the faint scent of sweat and leather from the road. My left hand, still gripping the paper bag of grilled corn, hovered awkwardly in the air before I finally relaxed into the embrace. The steady thump of his heartbeat against my chest sent relief flooding through - they were safe. All of them.
"Back at adowlark Inn," Ray’s teasing voice cut through the mont, "you two claid you were just considering friendship." His orange eyes sparkled with mischief as he leaned against the wagon.
I jerked away from Ace as if burned, my face suddenly hot. Ace stepped back too, his cheeks flushing pink beneath the fading sunlight.
"She’s still my wife," Ace muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. The way his fingers trembled slightly betrayed his casual tone. A warm flutter stirred in my chest at his words.
When I dared to look around, I found everyone staring. Ann stood beside , her lips pressed together in a poorly concealed smile. Ray’s expression mirrored hers, one eyebrow arched knowingly. Even Philip had poked his head out from the wagon, grinning like a fool. The weight of their collective gaze made my ears burn.
"What’s that you’re holding? Pan de coco?" Ace asked suddenly, tilting his head toward my hand.
Before I could answer, he leaned in and took a bite directly from the pastry I held. "Delicious," he mumbled, his breath warm against my fingers.
I looked down to see a shiny trail of saliva glistening on the treat. Without thinking, I wiped my hand on his shirt. Ace blinked, his face blank with surprise.
"It was... slippery," I explained laly, imdiately regretting my childish action.
Ray and Philip burst into laughter, their guffaws echoing across the quiet street. Ann turned away, but I saw her shoulders shaking with suppressed giggles. I braced for Ace’s irritation, but when I glanced up, he was smiling - a real, genuine smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes.
"You two heading back to Chief Gareth’s?" Ace asked, gesturing to the wagon. "Ride with us."
"Sure!" I agreed too quickly, then glanced at Ann for confirmation. She nodded, already moving toward the wagon.
Ann climbed up first, but as she peered into the wagon bed, her cheerful expression froze. Her fingers tightened around the wooden edge.
"Mother," she said, her voice oddly formal, "I’ll sit in the back; you take the front." Her forced smile didn’t reach her eyes.
Frowning, I let Ace help up to the front seat. His hand lingered at my elbow a mont longer than necessary. Just as I turned to look behind us, Ace’s voice stopped .
"Lia," he said softly, his breath tickling my ear, "just watch the road ahead." Though his tone was light, sothing in his words felt like a warning.
As the wagon lurched forward, an uneasy feeling settled in my stomach. The way Ann had reacted, how Ace kept from looking back - sothing was in that wagon they didn’t want to see. The cheerful atmosphere from monts ago now felt strained, like sunlight breaking through the clouds.
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