[Afternoon]
•Kitchen Area•
Ovelia's POV
The afternoon sun streamed through the kitchen windows, casting a golden glow over the countertops. I had spent hours in the library, poring over books about werewolves, trying to understand the world Ace belonged to. Lunch had come and gone, and once again, I'd eaten alone.
Now, Ann kept me company in the kitchen, where I decided to bake cookies as a snack for Ace. I had some experience in baking because my parents often made me bake and cook. The recipe book lay open on the counter, its pages stained with flour and butter. I followed the instructions meticulously, my hands trembling slightly as I measured the ingredients.
"Ding!" The oven chimed, pulling me from my thoughts.
"Lady Ovelia, the cookies are done! They smell amazing!" Ann exclaimed, her voice bubbling with excitement. She clapped her hands together, her eyes sparkling as she opened the oven. The warm, buttery aroma filled the room, wrapping around us like a comforting blanket.
We waited a few moments for the cookies to cool, the anticipation building between us. Finally, I couldn't resist. I picked one up, the warmth seeping into my fingers, and took a bite. The flavor exploded in my mouth—crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, with just the right amount of sweetness. A smile spread across my face, my chest swelling with warmth as I savored the sweet, buttery flavor. For the first time, I felt a flicker of confidence in my abilities.
I offered a cookie to Ann, who hesitated for a moment before taking it. Her eyes widened as she bit into it, and a bright smile lit up her face. "These are delicious, Lady Ovelia! Sir Ace will love them!" she declared, her voice filled with genuine admiration.
I clasped her hands in gratitude, my heart swelling with warmth. "Thank you for helping me," I said, my voice soft but sincere. Ann's smile faltered for a moment, and I noticed the glimmer of tears in her eyes. She pulled me into a tight embrace before I could ask what was wrong.
"Thank you, too, Lady Ovelia," she whispered, her voice slightly muffled against my shoulder.
I hugged her back, feeling a deep connection forming between us. After a moment, she pulled away, wiping her eyes and quickly busying herself with preparing hot chocolate to accompany the cookies.
The kitchen was filled with laughter and the comforting scent of chocolate and baked cookies. It felt like a moment of pure joy, a brief respite from the tension that had been building in the manor. As I arranged the cookies on a plate, I couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope. Maybe this small gesture would help bridge the gap between Ace and me.
•Ace's Office•
I knocked softly on the door before pushing it open. Ace sat at his desk, his head bent over a stack of papers. The room was dimly lit, the heavy curtains drawn to block out the afternoon sun. His sharp gaze flicked up as I entered, and I felt my heart skip a beat. There was a hint of irritation in his eyes, but I pressed on, determined not to let my nerves get the better of me.
I placed the cookies and hot chocolate tray on his desk, my hands trembling slightly. He glanced at the tray, then back at me, his expression unreadable. The silence stretched between us, heavy and suffocating. My mind drifted to the morning's mishap—the spilled coffee, the ruined paperwork. I had been so clumsy, and I could still see the faint stain on the corner of his desk.
"Aren't you leaving yet?" Ace snapped, his voice sharp and impatient. I flinched, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. But then, to my surprise, he reached for a cookie and took a bite. His expression softened, and a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Are they okay?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
He nodded, his tone more relaxed now. "Not bad at all," he said, leaning back in his chair. The tension in the room seemed to ease, and I felt a warm flutter in my chest.
"I'm glad you like them," I replied, smiling tentatively.
He picked up another cookie, his eyes meeting mine. "You should bring snacks more often," he teased, a playful glimmer in his gaze.
For a moment, it felt like we were finally connecting, the walls between us beginning to crumble.
But then, without warning, he stood, his chair scraping against the floor. He moved toward me with deliberate steps, his presence overwhelming. My breath hitched as he stopped just inches away, his eyes dark and intense.
"Ovelia," he murmured, his voice low and husky. "Can I take off your dress?"
My heart raced, and a wave of anxiety washed over me. I hesitated, the memory of his anger from the previous night flashing in my mind. I didn't want to risk triggering his werewolf transformation. Before I could respond, he stepped behind me, his fingers brushing against the zipper of my dress. I felt the cool air against my skin as the fabric slid down, leaving me in nothing but my bra and panties.
"A-Ace?" I stammered, my voice trembling as I hugged my arms to my chest.
His breath was warm against my neck as he leaned in, his lips brushing against the bruise on my back. A mix of pain and an unexpected thrill surged through me, and I bit my lip to stifle a gasp.
"Don't be shy," he murmured, his voice soft but firm. "I already saw your whole body last night. Don't worry—I'm not planning to hurt you again."
His tongue traced the edge of the bruise, and I shuddered, my knees threatening to buckle. "Ace, why are you doing that?" I asked, my voice barely audible.
"To make your bruises hate me and leave your body," he replied, his tone earnest but laced with a teasing edge. His hands gripped my shoulders, and he turned me to face him. His eyes bore into mine, intense and unreadable.
"My wolf craves you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "But as a human, I'm hesitant to accept those feelings. I can't make you my mate yet because I already have a girlfriend."
His words hit me like a punch to the gut. My heart ached, and I felt a lump forming in my throat.
Why am I feeling this? I only just met him last night. Why does my heart ache?
"If you already have a girlfriend, why did you choose me?" I asked, my voice barely audible.
"I didn't choose you," he said, his tone firm. "My wolf chose you. For ten years, he rejected my girlfriend."
Before I could respond, he leaned in again, his lips brushing against another bruise on my chest. My heart raced, and I felt a warmth spreading through me despite the confusion and pain swirling in my mind.
"Find a way to make me fall in love with you," he whispered, his voice soft and seductive. "Make me want to make you my mate. Make me see only you as a woman."
I felt a surge of anticipation as he leaned in closer. But just as his lips were about to meet mine, a sharp knock at the door shattered the moment.
Panic surged through me, and I quickly grabbed my dress, slipping it on as Ace called out, "Come in."
The door opened to reveal a tall, handsome man with striking silver-and-orange hair and piercing orange eyes. He wore a dark suit adorned with gold embellishments and a gold chain necklace glinted at his throat. His gaze flicked between Ace and me, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
"Oh, you must be Lady Ovelia," he said, his voice warm and friendly. "It's wonderful to finally meet you alongside my younger brother."
Ace sighed, running a hand through his hair. "This is Ray, my half-brother and assistant," he said, his tone tinged with annoyance.
Ray stepped into the room, reaching for a cookie from the tray. He took a bite, his eyes lighting up with delight. "These are incredible! The chefs here don't bake like this. You must be the talented baker, Ovelia." He paused, his gaze lingering on me. "Wait, it's getting late. Why are you still here? Isn't your wedding with Ace tonight?"
I froze, my heart skipping a beat. I glanced at Ace, who looked equally stunned. We had both forgotten about the wedding.
"Thank you, Sir Ray," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. "I'll head to my room now, Ace."
Both men smiled at me, and I returned their smiles before slipping out of the office. As I closed the door behind me, I leaned against it, my heart racing. The memory of Ace's touch lingered on my skin, and I felt a mixture of excitement and anxiety bubbling inside me.
•Hallway•
As I made my way to my room, my mind was a whirlwind of emotions. Ace already had a girlfriend. Was I really allowed to be with him? Did I need to fall for him and become his mate, or was this just a temporary arrangement until his wolf accepted Eliana?
"That won't work," a voice whispered, sharp and clear in my mind. "His wolf will never accept the one he's already rejected. That prince's wolf is smart—he knows who he's chosen."
I froze, my breath catching in my throat. "Are you the black shadow from my dreams?" I whispered, my voice trembling. But the voice didn't respond, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
Ace's POV
As Ovelia stepped out, I shot a glare at Ray. "You ruined my time with her," I said, my voice low and frustrated.
Ray just grinned, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Why? Were you two getting up to something naughty in this office?" he teased, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
I let out an exasperated sigh, sinking into my chair. My thoughts drifted to Ovelia, to the bruises on her skin, to the way she had looked at me with such vulnerability. My wolf howled within me, demanding that I claim her and protect her. But the human part of me hesitated, torn between duty and desire.
I forced myself to focus on the paperwork in front of me, but my mind kept wandering back to Ovelia. Tonight, we would be married, and there would be no turning back. I could no longer deny her place in my life—or in my heart.