Ovelia’s POV
The sudden shift in atmosphere made the hairs on my arms stand up. Philip’s words had wiped all traces of laughter from the room, leaving behind faces hardened with grim determination. A cold shiver traced its way down my spine as I watched Ace’s jaw tighten, his fingers flexing unconsciously at his sides. This wasn’t just another strategy eting - whatever Philip had seen in the forest had changed everything.
I swallowed hard, my throat dry. We hadn’t co to Thunoa Village for a leisurely vacation. The bandits terrorizing these roads - attacking rchants, ambushing travelers, disrupting vital supplies bound for Silverhowl’s lantern festival - needed to be stopped.
I may not be the strongest as the others, but I yearned to support them in any way I could.
The wooden chair scraped against the floor as I stood. All eyes turned to - Ace’s dark gaze, Philip’s raised eyebrows, Ray’s curious tilt of his head. My fingers twisted in the fabric of my tunic, the rough weave familiar against my skin.
"Um," I began, my voice smaller than I intended. I cleared my throat. "I don’t think everyone has eaten yet?" The words tumbled out in a rush. "If it’s okay... maybe we could eat first? You’ll need your strength for... for whatever cos next."
The silence stretched for a heartbeat too long before Ace’s shoulders relaxed slightly. "Sure, Lia." His voice was softer now, the dangerous edge from monts ago smoothed into sothing warm. "Philip, your report can wait until after we’ve eaten."
My chest fluttered at the way he said my nickna - that single syllable carrying more tenderness than I’d ever thought possible. These past days had changed sothing between us. Where once there had been polite distance, now there were shared glances, quiet words exchanged in firelight.
"I’m feeling hungry too," Philip said as he sank into a chair at the table, "It’s hard to think straight when your stomach’s empty."
Ray, sitting beside Philip, nodded eagerly. "It’s best to have our plans discussed with full bellies. A satisfied mind is sharper and more accurate."
"I agree," added Chief Gareth, taking a seat next to Philip, his presence commanding yet warm.
A warm glow spread through , easing the constant knot of worry in my stomach. At this mont, even the smallest gesture felt aningful. Although I couldn’t contribute much, I was determined to give my unwavering support to them.
I smiled warmly and said, "I’ll just heat up the leftover dishes from earlier. There’s still plenty, so I know it will be enough for all of us." I bead at them, and they smiled back, expressing their gratitude.
"I’ll help you, Mother," Ann said, her voice filled with eagerness.
"Ann, Lia - I’m getting used to calling you Lia now, Ovelia." His lips quirked in that half-smile that made my pulse skip. "Oh, and you don’t have to hide your identity anymore. Philip and the Chief know who you really are." His tone was light, but his eyes showed a reassuring warmth.
"Wait, what true identity?"
The new voice made us all turn. Mrs. linda stood at the foot of the stairs, one hand still on the banister, her sharp eyes flicking between us all. A single gray curl had escaped her bun, framing her puzzled expression. The wooden beads of her necklace clicked softly as she tilted her head, waiting for an explanation.
The mont stretched taut as silence filled the room. My fingers twisted in the fabric of my tunic, the rough weave grounding as I gathered my courage.
"I’m sorry for deceiving you all," I began, my voice barely above a whisper. The words tasted bitter on my tongue. "I’m Ovelia Ashford, the..." My throat tightened as I glanced at Ace, the heat rushing to my cheeks like wildfire. The weight of my next words pressed against my ribs - revealing our bond to everyone felt more vulnerable than facing a bandit’s blade.
Before I could continue, warm fingers brushed against my shoulder. Ace stepped closer, his arm settled around with surprising gentleness.
"You’re not Ovelia Ashford anymore," he murmured, his breath stirring the hair near my ear. He removed his contact lens, revealing those striking silver eyes that made my pulse stutter. When he spoke again, his voice carried through the room with quiet authority. "She’s Ovelia Draven, my mate. And I’m Ace Draven, second prince of Silverhowl Kingdom."
My heart hamred against my ribs so violently I feared everyone could hear it. The warmth of Ace’s hand at my shoulder burned through the fabric of my dress as I turned to et his gaze. His lips curved in that rare, reassuring smile.
Across the room, Mrs. linda’s wooden beads clacked together as she brought a hand to her chest. "Oh, Lia," she breathed, her eyes widening. "So you’re Princess Ovelia." Her gaze darted to Ann, who stood frozen by the hearth, clutching a towel. "I suppose Ann isn’t your real daughter, then?"
Ann and I exchanged a glance, the familiar amusent passing between us like a shared secret. The firelight caught the golden flecks in her black eyes.
Mrs. linda let out a sudden laugh, the sound bright in the tense room. "That explains why I thought sothing was off! You two don’t look anything alike." She waved a hand between us. "But honestly, I stopped questioning it days ago - the way you fuss over each other, anyone would believe you’re mother and daughter."
Ann set the towel on the table. When she turned, her shoulders were squared with uncharacteristic formality. "I’m Ann Raven," she announced, her voice only trembling slightly. "I may appear sixteen, but I’m actually twenty-five." A faint pink tinged her cheeks as she glanced at . "Which makes calling Ovelia ’mother’ rather awkward. I’m her personal maid," she added quickly, then hesitated before finishing in a softer tone, "And her friend."
The words wrapped around my heart like sunlight. Before I could think better of it, I crossed the room in three quick strides and pulled Ann into a tight embrace. Her initial stiffness lted away as her arms ca up around , her familiar scent filling my nose. For a mont, we simply held each other - the woman who had stood by , the woman who had beco so much more than a maid.
When we pulled apart, Mrs. linda was beaming at us, her hands clasped beneath her chin. "Ovelia and Ann," she said warmly, her eyes suspiciously bright. "I’m so pleased to finally know the true selves of both of you."
Ace cleared his throat, leaning against the table with casual grace. "I understand age matters greatly to humans," he said, tapping his fingers against the worn wood. "But for werewolves?" He shrugged, the movent making his shirt pull taut across his shoulders. "It’s just a number. We interact based on appearance and respect that." His silver eyes glead as they landed on Ann. "So Ovelia, if you see Ann as your little sister..." A smirk tugged at his lips. "Well, she certainly acts like she’s sixteen most days, completely oblivious to it."
"Sir Ace!" Ann’s shriek echoed off the rafters as her face flad scarlet.
The tension in the room shattered as laughter bubbled up around us.
The fire crackled in the hearth as I noticed Ray, his usual playful deanor replaced by uncharacteristic solemnity. The orange glow flickered across his face as he removed the lenses, revealing his orange eyes. He took a deep breath that expanded his chest visibly before speaking.
"I think it’s ti for to reintroduce myself properly," Ray said, his voice carrying a weight I’d never heard before. He stood straighter, shoulders squaring as if donning an invisible mantle. "I’m Ray Draven, first prince of the Silverhowl Kingdom."
The wooden floorboards creaked as Chief Gareth surged to his feet, his weathered face alight with recognition. "By the old gods," he breathed, his calloused hands trembling slightly. "You’re the general of the 1st Division - the hero who liberated the slave caravans!"
Ray’s fingers twitched at his sides, his smile turning wistful. "That... that was twenty years ago, Chief. But yes, that was ."
Mrs. linda’s wooden beads clattered as she pressed both hands to her mouth. When she spoke, her voice quavered with emotion. "Both of us were among those slaves you saved."
The air left my lungs in a rush. Ray’s eyes widened, his usual confidence faltering for a heartbeat before his expression softened into sothing profoundly tender. "I may not rember every face from those dark days," he said, his voice thick, "but seeing you both living free, building this life..." He swallowed hard. "Nothing could honor more."
Chief Gareth stood ramrod straight, his work-roughened hands forming fists at his sides. When he bowed, it was with the precise formality of a soldier paying respects to his commander. "Thank you," he said, the words rough with emotion. "For my life. For linda’s. For giving us this future."
Mrs. linda mirrored the gesture, her usually impeccable bun coming slightly undone as she dipped her head. The firelight caught the gray streaks in her hair as tears glistened on her cheeks.
Ray moved swiftly, closing the distance to grasp their shoulders. "Please, rise," he murmured, his usual playful tone replaced by earnest warmth. "Your gratitude touches more than you know." When they straightened, his smile returned - brighter than I’d ever seen it, his orange eyes shimring.
The mont shattered with Philip’s dramatic clearing of throat. All eyes turned to where he stood by the window, moonlight casting sharp shadows across his face. "Since we’re sharing secrets," he announced with a flourish, "I’m the rchant spy of the Athyst Kingdom!"
Silence. Then Ray’s stomach growled with such violence it echoed off the wooden beams. Laughter erupted - Ann’s high giggles, Chief Gareth’s rumbling chuckles, even Ace’s rare quiet huff of amusent. My own laughter mingled with theirs as Ray turned scarlet, rubbing his abdon sheepishly.
"Hello? I’m serious!" Philip insisted, his voice climbing an octave. He crossed his arms, the leather of his bracers creaking. "Ace! Ray! Tell them!"
I couldn’t help but feel he was joking.
"Yes, he’s a spy," Ray teased, his laughter echoing, but it only deepened the skepticism around us.
"See? Prince Ray even says so!" Philip exclaid, crossing his arms defiantly, his jaw tightening with frustration.
"Congratulations on your new title, rchant spy!" Ann chirped, her eyes dancing as she patted his arm consolingly. Philip slumped against the wall with a defeated groan.
Seeing his genuine disappointnt, I moved toward the kitchen. "We’ve lingered too long," I said gently. "I’ll heat the food before Ray’s stomach declares mutiny."
Mrs. linda nodded briskly, her practical nature reasserting itself. "I’ll help, guestions can wait. Right now, these n need feeding." She shooed us toward the kitchen.
"I’ll help," Ace offered unexpectedly. His hands looked absurdly out of place among the cooking utensils, but the determined set of his jaw dared anyone to comnt.
With that, we all made our way to the kitchen.
•Kitchen•
The kitchen’s warmth enveloped us as we stepped inside, the lingering scent of rosemary and roasted at from earlier als clinging to the wooden cabinets. The refrigerator humd softly as I pulled its handle, a rush of cool air brushing against my skin and carrying the faint tang of chilled vegetables. Ace moved beside , his shoulder nearly brushing mine as he peered inside.
Mrs. linda stood at the porcelain sink, the water gushing from the faucet in a steady stream as she scrubbed her hands with quick, efficient motions. The sharp citrus scent of soap cut through the kitchen’s aromas. Beside her, Ann patted her fingers dry on a checkered towel, the fabric’s rough texture rasping faintly against her skin.
"Ann," Mrs. linda called over the running water, her voice carrying that particular lilt she used when organizing her kitchen domain. "Could you help make so soup? It’s perfect for this chilly night." She turned off the tap with a decisive twist and poured water into a heavy-bottod pot, the liquid sloshing against the tal.
"Sure!" Ann’s response ca bright and imdiate, her fingers already reaching for the well-used chopping board. The wood bore countless knife marks from years of al preparations.
Ace’s deep voice rumbled beside , his breath warm near my ear. "Are we taking everything out of the fridge?" His fingers hovered near a ceramic dish, the curiosity in his tone blending with his usual quiet confidence.
I swallowed hard, forcing my voice to remain light. "Yeah, just put it on the table." The words ca out slightly strained, the unease coiling in my stomach at odds with my attempt at cheerfulness.
"Okay, I’ll carry them." Ace’s smile flashed white in the kitchen’s warm light, the confident curve of his lips making my pulse skip despite my growing discomfort. I nodded, watching as his strong hands carefully lifted containers of leftovers, his movents precise.
Then it hit —a scent cutting through the kitchen’s comforting aromas: the tallic tang of blood, faint but unmistakable, clinging to Ace’s shirt. My breath caught in my throat as the mory crashed over —the coppery sll of my own blood soaking through fabric after particularly harsh punishnts from my non-biological parents, the way it would stiffen the material as it dried. My fingers curled into fists at my sides, my nails digging into my palms as I fought to keep my expression neutral.
The refrigerator door swung shut with a soft thud as Ace turned, completely unaware of the storm raging inside . His silver eyes t mine briefly as he carried containers of leftovers to the table, the scent of iron and violence trailing after him like a ghost.
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