Ovelia's POV
A tall, handsome man was approaching me, and I felt paralyzed by fear.
He gently cupped my chin, and as our eyes locked, I could feel myself trembling.
"I'll make you my mate," he whispered, his voice soft yet commanding.
My heart raced, yet the fear lingered, knotting in my stomach. He placed a firm hand on my arm.
"Ouch," I winced, feeling the pressure on my bruises.
His gaze shifted to my arm. He pulled my sleeve up slightly, revealing the bruises that marred my skin. He didn't ask about them, but the concern in his eyes pierced through my fear.
He took my hand, leading me forward. I followed him, hesitant but unable to resist the magnetic pull he had over me. We climbed into his carriage, a magnificent sight. It gleamed like gold in the moonlight. Tentatively, I tapped it, checking if it was merely painted wood or truly made of precious metal.
"It's pure gold," he stated proudly
I looked up at him, astonished, and a smile broke across my face despite my apprehensions. My gaze returned to the carriage in wonder; I had never ridden in anything like this before. I had only ever seen such beauty in pictures, but now, I was a part of this extraordinary moment, a thrill dancing in my veins.
As the carriage began to move, I felt a mix of excitement, uncertainty, and fear.
I glanced at Ace, who sat across from me, shrouded in an unsettling silence, as if the very air around us thickened with unspoken words. The moonlight spilled through the window, illuminating the dense woods beyond, a quiet witness to our tension.
"I am Ace, Ace Draven, the next Alpha king of the Silverhowl kingdom," he declared, his voice powerful yet chilling, sending a shiver down my spine.
His revelation startled me, a wave of anxiety washing over me. An Alpha king? The gravity of his title loomed large, and my heart raced; I was in the presence of someone formidable—an unsettling mix of dread and intrigue twisted in my gut. He exuded a wild strength, yet the intensity in his gaze seemed almost predatory.
"I'm Ovelia, Ovelia Ashford," I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper, trying to ground myself.
His piercing stare held mine for a moment too long before he stood up, an air of power surrounding him. He approached me deliberately, each step echoing in my ears. "Ovelia," he said, his tone low and demanding.
Suddenly, he grasped my arm, spinning me to face him, the sudden movement causing my heart to leap. I felt his warmth close, the scent of pine and musk enveloping me. He pressed me against the carriage wall, his intentions unmistakable, as he leaned in for a kiss.
As his lips met mine, I found myself struggling to breathe, the world narrowing to just this moment. Yet, a visceral sense of self-preservation kicked in, and I resisted, pushing against him. But his grip was firm, almost possessive, and soon, his tongue invaded my mouth, igniting a fire I didn't know I could feel. My senses spun as his left hand roamed, sending electric jolts through my body while his right descended dangerously low.
Overwhelmed, I bit his lip, a desperate move meant to regain my agency. He recoiled slightly, staring at me with surprise mixed with intrigue, his lip bleeding. A wicked smirk played on his face, and my heart raced even faster, excitement and fear intertwining in a dizzying dance. I was teetering on the edge of desire, unsure if I wanted to fall or retreat. Would I succumb to this dangerous allure?
•Silverhowl Kingdom•
Even now, I feel it's midnight. As our carriage entered the kingdom's gate, I saw a line of werewolf citizens in human form happily greeting Ace upon his return. Their joy radiated in the cool night air.
The kingdom was immense; even in the darkness, its beauty shimmered thanks to the soft glow of lights illuminating the majestic buildings.
When we arrived at the palace, the guards opened the grand door. "Welcome back, Sir Ace!" they chorused, their voices filled with respect and warmth. Ace and I stepped inside, and I was overwhelmed. The palace's interior was exquisite. Every piece of furniture seemed to gleam with opulence. It struck me then; it was all real - true kingdoms, majestic palaces, and werewolves weren't just figures in my coloring books.
As I followed Ace deeper into the palace, I noticed some werewolves whispering among themselves. They cast furtive glances in our direction, their smiles teasing. A mix of shyness and embarrassment washed over me; I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was the subject of their chatter. Some were laughing softly, likely because they had heard Ace had chosen his mate and Luna.
Just then, a maid approached us, her demeanor respectful yet friendly. "Sir Ace, King Raymond is waiting for you in the throne room," she informed, her voice steady.
Ace nodded politely, then gently took my hand, drawing me closer to him. "Come on," he said, his tone reassuring, a bright smile lighting up his face. I felt a flutter of nerves and excitement as we walked on together. His hand was warm, grounding me amidst the swirl of emotions bubbling within.
With every step, I couldn't help but think about the significance of what was to come. The regal air of the palace wrapped around us, and despite my previous fears, I found a spark of hope igniting in my heart.
We stood before the grand door, the weight of the moment heavy in the air. Suddenly, with a creak and a shudder, the massive door swung open on its own. As it parted, I caught sight of a regal figure—the King seated upon an intricately adorned throne. This had to be King Raymond; flanking him were werewolf soldiers, their eyes glinting with a fierce loyalty.
As we entered, the soldiers erupted into applause, their powerful hands clapping in rhythm. An air of expectation filled the chamber as Ace and I walked down the center aisle, nerves prickling my skin. When we reached the throne, Ace and I knelt, bowing our heads in reverence.
"At last, after 80 years, Ace, you've found your mate," King Raymond spoke, his voice deep and resonant, echoing off the stone walls.
The king words hit me like a bolt of lightning. "Eighty years?" I pondered, bewildered. How old could Ace truly be? It was hard to believe when I looked at him; we seemed so similar in age.
"Tomorrow night, your wedding will be held. Ace, assign a personal maid for your mate," King Raymond commanded, his expression stern yet laced with an undertone of approval.
Ace nodded, a flicker of responsibility crossing his face, and we stepped back from the throne, the weight of the King's decree settling between us.
As we exited, I cast a glance back at Ace, confusion swirling within me. He still hadn't spoken a word to me, an unsettling silence that filled the air with unasked questions and unvoiced fears. Each step felt heavy with unspoken emotions, and I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for us both.
We entered a room filled with maids standing in a line, and simultaneously, they greeted Ace and me with forced smiles.
"Choose the maid you want," Ace said coldly, his expression devoid of warmth.
I scanned the faces of the maids, sensing their reluctance to serve me. Their glances reminded me of the cold stares my adoptive parents had given me when I found out that they are not my real parents. Among them, I noticed a young maid standing slightly apart. She was looking directly at me, her eyes pleading and hopeful. She seemed different, and I instinctively felt drawn to her.
I approached the young maid, towering over her by a few inches. She looked younger than me, perhaps four years my junior. I reached out and gently took her hand, turning back to Ace.
"I want her," I declared with a surprising firmness, surprising even myself.
"Anna, from this moment on, you will be Ovelia's personal maid. Your sole purpose is to serve her," Ace commanded, his tone leaving no room for disobedience.
I glanced around at the other maids, noticing their astonishment. To my surprise, Anna suddenly embraced me, her warmth wrapping around me like a comforting blanket.
"Ma'am Ovelia, I won't let you down," she whispered, her voice filled with determination. "You won't regret choosing me."
In that moment, a flicker of hope ignited within me. Maybe this wouldn't be a life of servitude but rather the beginning of a bond—a friendship built on mutual respect and understanding.
•Palace Dining Area•
Ace and I were seated at the lavish dining table, surrounded by an overwhelming spread of food. I had never witnessed such a feast in my entire life, and it all looked utterly delicious.
I watched as Ace began to eat. Unsure of how to use the cutlery, accustomed as I was to eating with my hands, I observed him closely. Once I figured out the proper technique, I took my first bite of the meat. Suddenly, tears streamed down my cheeks. It was a mix of flavors so divine, a stark contrast to the leftovers I was used to eat at the home of my so-called parents.
Ace noticed my tears and gently lifted my chin, directing my gaze toward him. With a surprising tenderness, he licked the tears from my cheek. Heat rushed to my face, and I felt my heart race.
"Don't worry," Ace said softly, his voice reassuring. "From this day forward, you'll always have meals this plentiful and delicious."
I smiled through my tears and continued eating, Ace joining me. After we finished our meal, Ace had to leave for an appointment. Anna, a kind presence, accompanied me to my new room.
We stopped in front of a door, and Anna announced, "This will be your room." As we entered, I was greeted by the sight of a grand bed. Anna opened the wardrobe, revealing an array of stunning dresses, all crafted from exquisite fabrics. She then pointed to the shelves filled with various pairs of shoes with a variety of luxurious designs.
Anna then guided me to the bathroom, which was expansive and luxurious, equipped with a bathtub, a shower, and a toilet. The array of shampoos, soaps, and lotions appeared to be of the highest quality, promising a world of comfort I had never known.
A surge of emotions welled up within me—anticipation for this new life, and a flicker of hope for the future. I felt a warmth in my heart, knowing that perhaps this was only the beginning of my journey.