A Werewolf's Unexpected Mate-Chapter 4 - : Aching Dawn

[Next day: Morning]

Ovelia's POV

The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft golden glow across the room. I stirred awake, the cool sheets brushing against my bare skin, a stark reminder of my vulnerability. My eyes fluttered open, and I glanced around, half-expecting to see Ace lying beside me. But the space next to me was empty, the sheets neatly tucked as if he had never been there. A wave of memories from the previous night crashed over me, and I felt a dull ache in my back, a physical echo of what had transpired.

I sat up slowly, my body stiff and sore, and wrapped the blanket tightly around myself. My cheeks burned with embarrassment as I realized I hadn't showered before falling asleep. Exhaustion had claimed me, my tears drying on my cheeks as I succumbed to the weight of my emotions.

A soft knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. My heart skipped a beat. Could it be Ace? I hesitated, then called out, "Come in."

The door creaked open, and Ann stepped inside, her bright smile a stark contrast to the heaviness in my chest. "Good morning, Lady Ovelia! Breakfast is ready in the dining area," she announced cheerfully, her voice like a ray of sunshine piercing through the gloom.

"Sure, thank you," I replied softly, smiling. Ann's presence was a small comfort, but the weight of last night still pressed heavily on my mind.

Ann bustled around the room, opening the curtains wide to let the sunlight flood in. The room was beautiful, spacious, and elegant but felt like a gilded cage. My gaze fell on the bed, and I froze. The bloodstains on the sheets were a stark reminder of what had happened. Ace had taken my virginity, and we weren't even married yet. A wave of confusion and loss washed over me, leaving me feeling hollow.

I wrapped the blanket tighter around myself, shielding my bruises from Ann's curious eyes, and went to the bathroom. The cool tiles beneath my feet sent a shiver up my spine, each step heavy with the weight of my emotions.

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"Lady Ovelia, are you going to take a shower? Wait, let me get your outfit ready," Ann said, her voice bright with enthusiasm. She opened the wardrobe and pulled out a dress, handing it to me with a warm smile.

"Thank you, Ann," I replied, returning her smile as best I could.

Once inside the bathroom, I turned on the water and stepped under the stream, letting it wash over me. But no matter how hard I scrubbed, I couldn't erase the memories of last night. The ache in my back, the sting of his words, the way he had looked at me—it all lingered, a shadow I couldn't shake.

When I stepped out, dressed and composed, I found Ann changing the bedsheets. She held up the blood-streaked sheet, her eyes sparkling with a grin. "Lady Ovelia, has Sir Ace marked you last night?" she asked eagerly.

"Marked?" I questioned, confusion knitting my brows.

Ann adjusted her hair, pulling it to the side to reveal a bite mark on her neck. "This!" she said, her voice tinged with excitement.

I shook my head, unable to find the words. Her face fell slightly, disappointment flickering across it. I didn't know how to respond to her mention of a "mark." Still uncertain, I reached for Ann's hand and said, "Let's go eat. I'm starving."

Her smile returned, radiant and reassuring, and together, we headed to the dining area, the air thick with unspoken words and unresolved feelings.

•Dining hall•

We've arrived at the elegant dining area. My eyes widened at the feast laid before us, magnificent dishes shimmering on the table and maids standing respectfully along the sides. I took my seat, the chair exuding comfort.

"Where's Ace?" I asked Ann, concern slipping into my voice.

"He doesn't eat breakfast, lady Ovelia," she replied softly, her gaze a mixture of worry and respect for Ace's routines.

As I began eating, I noticed the maids and Ann remained standing, their posture poised and attentive. An array of sumptuous dishes surrounded me, yet I found myself dining alone.

"Why don't you join me?" I offered, attempting to break the tension. "There's more than enough food."

"No, thank you, lady Ovelia," Ann gently declined, her voice polite but firm. "We only eat what's left after you're done."

I couldn't help but reflect on my past—when I was left with stale and cold scraps. Yet, they were fortunate; the leftovers here would be fresh, clean, and delicious.

After I finished, a thought struck me. I wanted to bring a touch of comfort to Ace. I piled a generous serving of pancakes, waffles, and a steaming cup of coffee onto a tray.

"Ann, would you mind accompanying me to Ace?" I asked, a hint of uncertainty in my voice. "I'm still unfamiliar with the palace's twists and turns."

"Of course, lady Ovelia," she replied, reassuring me with a smile breaking through her initial seriousness. "This way."

As we walked through the grand hallways, I sensed the warmth of her presence beside me, a friend guiding me through the unfamiliar territory of nobility.

•Ace's Office•

Ann and I stood nervously outside Ace's office.

"Lady Ovelia, this is where I leave you," Ann said, her voice trembling slightly, tinged with concern.

I smiled reassuringly, then gently knocked on the door. As I turned the handle and stepped inside, I found Ace seated at his desk, a storm brewing in his eyes. It seemed I'd unwittingly disrupted his morning. We locked gazes for a tense thirty seconds, the air thick with unspoken words.

"What are you doing here?" Ace initiated, his tone sharp, slicing through the silence.

"I just brought you breakfast," I replied, aiming for a light-hearted tone as I placed the pancakes and waffles on his desk.

Ace's voice cut in sharply as I set the coffee down, "Didn't Ann tell you I don't eat breakfast?!" His irritation was palpable, echoing in the small space.

Fear jolted through me, catching me off guard. In my panic, I spilled the coffee onto the papers scattered on his desk. My heart raced, a drumbeat of anxiety, as I fumbled to wipe the papers dry, but as I did, one tore beneath my fingers. I glanced at Ace, his fury etched deeply into his features.

"GET OUT!!" he thundered, his voice filled with rage.

My heart pounded like a war drum, and a wave of dread washed over me.

"I'm... I'm so sorry," I stuttered, my voice shaking with fear. I turned and quickly left his office, the weight of his anger heavy on my shoulders.

Outside, I leaned against the wall, trying to steady my breath. Every pulse in my body felt amplified, the sting of his words still ringing in my ears.

Ace's POV

Anger simmered beneath my skin, a low, constant burn. She should hate me. She should despise me after what I did last night. But instead, she brought me breakfast, her kindness starkly contrasting with the cruelty I had shown her. My wolf, however, was pleased; its satisfaction was a low hum in the back of my mind. He had chosen Ovelia as my mate, and no matter how much I tried to deny it, the bond between us was undeniable.

Was the pain I caused last night not enough? I wondered bitterly. Do I have to hurt her more to make her hate me? If that's the case, I couldn't hurt her further. Ovelia is already in pain; the bruises on her body were a testament to the cruel surroundings she lived in, but I couldn't deny the logic of it. If she hated me and rejected me, maybe my wolf would finally let go of this bond. Maybe I could be free to love Eliana, the woman who indeed held my heart.

But as I looked at the spilled coffee and torn papers on my desk, the guilt surged again, threatening to drown me. Damn it, I thought, running a hand through my hair. I hate this feeling.

•Palace Library•

I found myself in the palace library, the scent of aged parchment and polished wood enveloping me. Beside me sat Ann, her delicate fingers tracing the words on the pages. I was a novice in the world of werewolves, and the mark Ann had mentioned lingered in my mind like an unfinished thought.

"Ann," I ventured, my curiosity edging through the silence, "what's this mark you keep talking about?"

She glanced at me, her expression one of restraint. "Lady Ovelia, I'm not allowed to talk about werewolves," she replied softly, a hint of regret in her voice. Her eyes briefly flickered with something more profound, a longing to share but bound by unseen chains.

As I immersed myself in the texts, I began to understand. Werewolves, I discovered, marked their partners as a profound symbol of commitment—a bond forged in instinct stronger than mere desire. I could almost sense the weight of their loyalty in those ancient words.

"It's like they have two sides," I mused aloud, my voice tinged with wonder. "Their human side, full of logic and emotions, and then their wolf side, wild and instinctual."

Ann nodded, her gaze distant, as if she were momentarily lost in thought. "Yes," she said, her tone drifting like a whisper through the library's stillness. "The wolf embodies their true emotions—their cravings, their deepest longings. It's... primal, almost overwhelming."

Her words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. I could see the conflict within her—part fascination, part fear. I leaned closer. "What happens when their instincts clash with their human emotions?"

Ann turned to me, her eyes sparking with unspoken stories. "That's the struggle, isn't it?" she replied, her voice barely above a murmur. "To balance desire with reason... It's a tumultuous dance."

I pondered her words, realizing that her reluctance to speak was not just about rules but the complexity of emotions tied to these creatures. Here we were, two souls amidst the vast expanse of knowledge, on the brink of discovering a world that intertwined love and instinct in a tapestry of deep connection and, sometimes, heart-wrenching conflict.