•Ace's Office•
[Ace's POV]
The heavy oak door groaned in protest as I pushed it open. The familiar scent of old parchment and ink—my scent—was now layered with the lingering, sweet fragrance of Eliana's perfume. It was the scent of my heart, and now it smelled like a requiem.
She was there, curled in the large chair behind my desk as if trying to anchor herself to the last place that felt like ours. When she saw me, a smile touched her lips, a quick, fleeting thing that vanished before it could truly warm her eyes. My own gaze swept the room. Ray was gone. His absence was a small mercy; I didn't have the strength for his judgment on top of executing my own.
"Eliana," I began, my voice rough with the residue of my father's command. I cleared my throat, but the gravel remained. "Where's Ray?"
She leaned back, the chair creaking softly. Her fingers drummed a silent, restless rhythm on the armrest. "He stepped out. Said he had something to take care of." Her eyes didn't leave my face, scouring my features for the verdict. "So," she breathed out, the word hanging between us, charged and heavy. "What did you and King Alpha Raymond talk about?"
A lead weight settled in my gut. I dragged a hand through my hair, feeling the phantom pull of the crown. "We talked about Ovelia," I admitted. The name was a key turned in a lock deep within me. My wolf didn't just stir; it rose to attention, a low, possessive rumble in my blood that was both thrilling and shaming. It wanted. It had already chosen. I focused on a crack in the stone floor, unable to look at the woman my human soul loved while the beast in my blood betrayed her. "Eliana…" The words were shards of glass in my throat. "I need some time."
The silence was a void. I forced myself to look up.
All the color had drained from her face. Her eyes were wide, shimmering with a shock so profound it stole the air from my lungs. "What?" she whispered, the sound fragile and breaking.
The man in me, the one who had built a life with her for ten years, wanted to fall to his knees and beg forgiveness. But the Prince, the pawn in a political game, and the wolf, tethered to another by a chain of instinct, held me rigid. "I need to… to figure things out," I managed. It was a coward's paraphrase for 'I am being torn in two.'
She stood abruptly, crossing the space between us. Her hand came up, her palm warm and soft against my cheek—a touch that was my definition of solace. It took everything I had not to crumble into it. "Is this about Ovelia?" she asked. Her voice was low, but a core of steel ran beneath the devastation.
"Partly," I confessed, the admission a self-inflicted wound. "But it's more than that. I…" I finally met her gaze, willing her to see the civil war raging in my soul. "I'm not sure what I feel anymore." It was the truth. My heart, my human heart, was hers. It beat for her. But my wolf… my wolf was a separate entity with a will of its own, and it was unequivocally, possessively fixated on Ovelia. The conflict was a constant, screaming static in my mind.
She searched my eyes, and I saw the tears she refused to shed. Her jaw was tight. "If you need time, take it," she said, her voice impossibly steady. "But don't let that time be spent falling for someone else before you even know what you want." She was drawing a battle line with a general's calm, fighting for a war I was already losing.
She leaned in, and her lips met mine. It was a kiss of memory, of a thousand yesterdays. I kissed her back, pouring every ounce of my love and anguish into it, a final, desperate attempt to prove to myself that this was real.
When she pulled away, her breath was shallow. "Promise me, Ace." Her voice was low and held the weight of an oath. "If you find yourself falling for Ovelia, you will tell me. Then we will end this properly."
The command was my anchor. It was the one piece of honor I could cling to in the face of this biological mutiny. A promise I could make to the man, not the beast. "I promise," I said, the words a vow. It was a commitment to fight, to resist the pull, to champion my chosen love over my destined bond for as long as I humanly could.
A faint, sorrowful smile touched her lips. "I'll be back later," she whispered. She turned, her spine straight, her shoulders squared against the world, and walked out without looking back.
The door clicked shut. The silence she left behind was a physical pressure.
I was alone.
The conflict did not quiet; it roared. My heart throbbed with a raw, human agony for Eliana. But beneath it, my wolf pushed forward, impatient and single-minded. It was not confused. It was certain. The lingering trace of Ovelia's scent on my clothes was not a memory; to my wolf, it was a claim. It was a pull toward a possession I never asked for, a connection that felt less like love and more like fate's shackle.
I had made a promise to Eliana. A promise of honesty. But as I stood there, a terrifying thought uncoiled in the depths of my mind, a thought that belonged to neither the man nor the wolf entirely, but to the desperate space between them:
Could Ovelia, can make me fall for her?
The question wasn't about love. It was about surrender. Could her simple presence, the fact of her being my mate, erode a decade of devotion? Was my love for Eliana a fortress, or was it just a sandcastle before the inevitable tide of my nature?
My duty had married me to a symbol of peace. My wolf had claimed a possession. And I was trapped in the middle, a king's son, a lover, and a beast, watching the woman I loved walk away while silently fearing that the woman I was bound to wouldn't even have to fight to win. She just had to be. And that terrified me more than anything.
The two halves of my soul still tearing each other apart, I knew the battle was just beginning. And I was terrified of which side would win.
•Palace hallway•
[Eliana's POV]
The cool, dim silence of the hallway closed around me like a shroud. The moment the office door shut, the breath I had been holding rushed out in a shaky gasp. I leaned my back against the cold stone wall, its unyielding solidity the only thing holding me up.
I knew this day would come. Some part of me had always known. Both of us understood our love was a forbidden thing, a secret kept in shadows. King Raymond had said it. Ray had sneered it. But we pushed on anyway. We were reckless, convinced our bond was stronger than tradition, stronger than the will our wolf.
We made promises in the dark, vows that we didn't care about destined mates as long as we had each other. But now… now I see it. The conflict in his eyes. His wolf wants Ovelia. It recognizes her. And how can I fight a pull written in his very blood?
The thought of him falling for her—really falling for her—sends a sharp, physical pain through my chest, so acute I have to press a hand over my heart. My eyes burn, but the tears won't fall. They're trapped behind a wall of grim acceptance.
And yet… beneath my own human anguish, I feel it. A faint, primal sense of relief from my wolf. She understands the old ways, the sacredness of the mate bond. She knows the price of defiance, the greater consequences of being selfish.
I push myself away from the wall, forcing my feet to move. Each step is an effort. I want to trust him. I have to believe that the man I love, the man who promised me a future, will keep his word. But the fear is a cold knot in my stomach. Can I really let him go if he asks? Can I give him up without shattering into a thousand pieces?
The hallway seems to stretch on forever, a stone path leading away from the man I love and toward an uncertain, lonely future. I wrap my arms around myself, but no amount of pressure can ease the ache. I just have to wait. And hope that his promise is stronger than fate.
[Afternoon]
•Ovelia's Room•
[Ovelia's POV]
I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, my thoughts swirling like leaves in a storm. Lunch had been hours ago, and the quiet of the afternoon left too much room for my mind to wander. A soft knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts.
"Lady Ovelia, it's time to tend to your wounds," Ann said as she entered, her voice gentle and reassuring. She carried a tray of bandages and salves, her movements calm and precise.
I sat up slowly, wincing as the movement tugged at the gashes on my left arm. Ann approached, her hands steady as she began to clean the wounds. Her touch was firm yet soothing, and I felt a wave of comfort wash over me.
"Ann," I began, my voice hesitant, "what is love?"
She paused, her hands stilling for a moment before she looked up at me. Her eyes were thoughtful, a small smile playing on her lips. "Love?" she repeated, her voice soft. "It's like moonlight on a dark night, Lady Ovelia. It illuminates your path, even when everything seems unclear."
I frowned, trying to grasp her meaning. "Moonlight? How can something so intangible be so powerful?"
Ann resumed her work, her fingers deftly applying salve to my wounds. "It's more than a feeling," she explained, her voice warm with emotion. "It's a connection, an instinct. Like the bond within a pack, it draws you close to others, creating something unbreakable."
Her eyes meeting mine. "Loving deeply means opening yourself up to pain. It's like a storm—it can leave chaos in its wake, but it also brings growth."
"So why take the risk?" I pressed, my heart aching with every word.
"Because the joy that comes after the storm is unmatched," Ann replied, her voice filled with conviction. "Love fills your heart, makes you feel alive. It's worth every vulnerability, every scar."
I furrowed my brows, still unsure. "How do you know when you love someone?"
"It's in the little things," Ann replied, her gaze steady and warm. "Wanting to protect them, sharing your secrets, feeling their happiness like it's your own. It's instinctual."
I thought about Ace, about the way he made me feel. I hadn't felt those things with him, which meant I probably didn't love him. The realization was both relieving and unsettling.
"But what if they don't love you back?" I asked, the question spilling out before I could stop it.
"That's a possibility," Ann acknowledged, her tone softening. "But love is selfless. Sometimes, just caring for someone deeply is enough. We learn, even from heartache."
Her words settled over me like a heavy blanket. "It sounds… overwhelming," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
"It can be," she said, her smile gentle. "Like transforming under the full moon—exhilarating yet terrifying. But without it, life feels hollow, empty."
I nodded slowly, her words resonating deep within me. "So love is both chaos and beauty?"
"Exactly," Ann replied, her eyes lighting up. "It teaches us about ourselves, our strengths, our weaknesses. It's the most vital part of being alive."
I sighed, feeling the weight of her words. "I think I understand… but it sounds so complicated."
"It is," she said, her tone matter-of-fact. "But that's what makes it special. Embrace the journey. Love will find you when the time is right." She finished bandaging my arm and stepped back. "By the way, it's done."
"Thank you, Ann," I said, standing and wrapping my arms around her in a grateful hug. As I held her, I felt a bittersweet ache in my arm, but I could move it a little more now. Maybe understanding love was the first step to healing my heart, too.
"Lady Ovelia, aren't we going to bake a snack for Sir Ace?" Ann asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
I hesitated, then shook my head. "Not just yet. But, Ann, could I request a mini fridge in this room? Since you're not allowed to join me in the dining area, I thought it might be nice to enjoy snacks here together when we bake. Plus, any leftovers can be stored in the fridge."
Ann's face lit up with excitement. "Really, Lady Ovelia? Of course! I'll tell the head maid right away."
"And if it's just the two of us, could you call me Ovelia instead of Lady? It feels more friendly that way," I added, hoping to bridge the gap between us.
Ann hesitated, concern flickering in her eyes. "But, Lady…"
"Maybe you won't mind if I say it's an order?" I replied, my tone playful yet sincere. "I want you to see me as a friend, not just your mistress, "
In truth, I had never had a friend in my life, but I had always longed for that connection, a feeling nurtured by the tales I read as a child.
She smiled a warm, genuine smile at me before wrapping her arms around me in a brief embrace, saying, "Okay, Ovelia, but only in this room."
I hugged her back, the warmth of the moment enveloping us. After a few seconds, we reluctantly pulled away from each other.
"Ovelia, I'm going to the maid's office to speak with the head maid about your request," Ann said, her tone tinged with urgency and happiness.
"Alright, thank you, Ann," I replied, feeling grateful.
With one last beaming smile, Ann exited my room. As soon as she left, I also stepped out, making my way to the palace terrace. I needed to breathe in the fresh air; I'd been cooped up in my room for too long.
As I walked, memories flooded my mind, bringing the familiarity of Ace's office closer with each step.
Eliana approached. When her eyes met mine, a sun-bright smile spread across her face—a stark contrast to the coldness in her eyes. She leaned in close, her voice a whisper that cut like a knife: "Loser." A soft, mocking laugh followed. The word stung, but I brushed it off without breaking stride, continuing toward the terrace.
•Palace Terrace•
The view from the terrace took my breath away. From this height, I could see almost the entire expanse of the Silverhowl Kingdom. The small houses and shops looked like tiny specks in the distance, and the figures moving below were indistinguishable—human or werewolf, it didn't matter. They all seemed to live in harmony, their lives intertwined in ways I couldn't fully understand.
I leaned against the railing, the warm glow of the afternoon sun bathing the kingdom in golden light. For the first time, I felt a longing to step outside, to explore the world beyond the palace walls. But fear gripped me—what if another werewolf was waiting to harm me?
I looked up at the clouds, my mind drifting back to the events of last night. It felt like a second life, as if I had been given another chance after narrowly escaping death at the hands of that black werewolf. I had run from the pain inflicted by my non-biological parents, only to find myself in a palace, married to a man who loved someone else. But maybe it was time to accept that this was my life now.
Even though my husband didn't love me and I had almost died, living in this palace wasn't so bad. They protected me because I was one of the humans who symbolized peace between humans and werewolves. I had Ann as my personal maid and friend, I ate delicious food, and I had expensive clothes and accessories. As for Ace… I wondered if we could just be friends. A part of me didn't want to compete with Eliana, but Ace was my husband. It didn't feel right to give up on him so easily. My head hurt just thinking about it.
I reached my hand toward the sky, as if trying to grasp the clouds. Maybe I should just go with the flow and let fate guide me.
"What are you doing here?"
I turned at the unexpected voice and found Ace standing near me, his expression a mixture of surprise and… something else. A hint of something softer than I'd seen before.
He reached for my hair, but I instinctively stepped back, a reaction that caught him off guard.
He sighed deeply as if the world's weight rested on his shoulders. "This morning, father spoke to me. He reprimanded me for what happened to you."
The weight of his words hung heavily in the air. I could see the conflict swirling within him.
"I saw Eliana, she even called me a loser," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
A soft chuckle escaped Ace as he replied, "Are you jealous?"
I turned away, gazing once more at the houses and shops. Jealous? I'm not jealous, I just couldn't accept that she called me a loser. But she might be right.
He approached, placing a hand gently on my shoulder. It wasn't possessive, but rather… comforting. "Why didn't you bring me snacks?" His tone was teasing, but there was a warmth in his eyes that surprised me.
"My left arm hurts," I said, also feeling it was pointless to compete against Eliana.
He studied my face. "You've been staring at the kingdom for a while. Want to get out of the palace?" His voice was soft, almost hesitant.
I turned to face him, gazing into his eyes, "Really?" I asked, my heart racing with excitement. "But I don't have any money…"
He smiled, a genuine smile that reached his eyes. "It's on me." He gently cupped my face. "Isn't that how it should be? The guy pays for the date."
"Date?? Hmm, you mean a friendly date!" I corrected him, tugging at his hand.
"A friendly date," he agreed, his voice laced with a hint of something more. The uncertainty remained, but for the first time, a flicker of hope ignited within me.
I lead him out of the palace while holding his hand.
"That's not the way," he chuckled, directing me gently.
I paused, my face burning with embarrassment from my excitement. I glanced at him and smiled, making his cheeks flush in response.