Chapter 9: Ovelia's Pain and the Weight of Responsibility

•Palace Exit•

Ace's POV

The palace exit loomed before us, its grand arches casting long shadows in the dim moonlight. The air was thick with tension, the silence broken only by the faint rustle of leaves in the night breeze. Thankfully, the guards were stationed at the entrance, leaving our path clear. This was our only way in without drawing attention—attention we couldn't afford, not with Ovelia's condition. Her injuries were severe, and if the human guests from the royal family caught even a glimpse of her, the fragile peace between humans and werewolves would crumble.

I crouched low, Ann got of my back. She held Ovelia tightly, her arms trembling under the weight of her unconscious body. Ovelia's head lolled against Ann's shoulder, her face pale and her breathing shallow.

I shifted back into my human form, the transformation leaving a faint ache in my bones. The cool night air bit at my skin, but I barely noticed. My focus was entirely on Ovelia.

"I'll carry her," I said, my voice low but firm. Ann nodded, her eyes wide with worry, and carefully transferred Ovelia into my arms. She felt so small, so fragile, her body limp and cold against my chest. I adjusted my grip, cradling her closer, as if my warmth could somehow shield her from the pain.

"Ann," I whispered, my voice urgent but barely audible. "Call for the doctor. But keep it quiet. No one else can know."

Ann gave a quick nod, her lips pressed into a thin line, and hurried off into the shadows. I watched her go for a moment before turning my attention back to Ovelia. Her face was ashen, her lips slightly parted, and her breathing uneven. The sight of her like this—so vulnerable, so broken—made my chest tighten with guilt. She was my wife, yet I had failed to protect her.

I tightened my grip on Ovelia and made my way to her room, each step feeling heavier than the last.

•Ovelia's Room•

I laid Ovelia gently on her bed, the sheets cool against her feverish skin. The gash on her left arm was still bleeding, the crimson stain spreading across the fabric of Ann's makeshift bandage. I pressed down harder, my hands trembling as I tried to stem the flow.

A wave of guilt crashed over me, sharp and unrelenting. The wolf within me growled, a low, guttural sound that echoed my own self-loathing. She was my wife, my mate, and yet I had failed her. My fingers brushed aside the strands of hair clinging to her face, my touch lingering for a moment too long. Her lips were parted slightly, her breathing uneven, and the sight of her like this tore at something deep inside me.

The door creaked open, and I turned to see Ann rushing in, followed by the doctor and Ray. My jaw tightened at the sight of Ray—I had told Ann to keep this quiet, but of course, he had to be here. The doctor moved swiftly, his face a mask of concentration as he approached the bed. I stepped aside, my hands still stained with Ovelia's blood, and pulled up a chair to give him space.

Ann stood by the door, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. Tears glistened in her eyes, but she held them back, her lips pressed into a thin line. Ray, on the other hand, was a storm waiting to break. His eyes darted to Ovelia's arm, and his face paled.

"What happened to her?" Ray's voice was low, but it trembled with barely restrained panic. He took a step closer, his fists clenched at his sides. "That cut—it's deep. How did this happen?"

The doctor didn't look up, his hands already busy assessing the wound. "I need to stitch this closed," he said, his tone clipped but calm. "The bleeding won't stop otherwise."

I moved closer, my chest tightening as I saw the full extent of the injury. The gashes were deep, the skin torn and ragged.

Ray's anger erupted before I could react. He swung his fist, the blow landing hard on my cheek. The impact sent me stumbling back, my hand flying to my face. I tasted blood, metallic and sharp, and wiped it away with the back of my hand.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" I roared, my voice echoing in the small room. My own anger surged, hot and blinding, but beneath it was a gnawing sense of guilt.

Ray's expression was a mix of rage and desperation. "You were supposed to protect her!" he yelled back, his voice cracking under the weight of his emotions.

Ray gripped the collar of my shirt tightly, his voice a mixture of anger and concern. "You're her husband, yet you let her slip out of your sight! You're too busy flirting with that, Eliana! Ovelia is a vital figure in this kingdom! If the humans, especially those from the Royal Family, discover something has happened to her and it's at the hands of werewolves, we will lose their trust, leading to a war like in the past! Remember, Ace, you're the next Alpha King!"

I stayed silent, acknowledging the truth in his words. Deep down, I was grappling with self-blame, desperately trying to hide the turmoil within me.

"Sir Ray, enough!" Ann's voice cut through the tension, sharp and commanding. "The doctor can't focus if you two keep arguing like this."

Ray released his grip, the tension in the air lingering.

The doctor glanced up, his expression stern. "I need a thick cloth for her to bite down on. This will hurt."

Ann moved quickly, fetching a cloth and gently placing it over Ovelia's mouth. Ray gripped Ovelia's legs to keep her still, while I held her right arm. Ann took her left hand, her grip firm but gentle.

As the doctor began stitching the wound, Ovelia stirred, her body jerking against the pain. Her muffled cries tore at my heart, and I leaned closer, my face inches from hers. Our eyes met, hers filled with pain and confusion, mine with guilt and desperation.

"Just hold on a little longer," I whispered, my voice barely audible. I pressed my lips to her forehead, the gesture as much for my comfort as hers.

When the doctor finally finished, the room seemed to exhale in unison. But the relief was short-lived—Ovelia's eyes fluttered shut, and she fell unconscious once more.

At that moment, our collective anxiety transformed into a flicker of joy, but just as quickly, Ovelia lost consciousness once more.

The doctor began to wipe away the blood from Ovelia's arm. As he removed the blood, mixed with foundation, his eyes widened in shock at the bruises that marred her skin.

Ray's gaze snapped to me, his eyes blazing. "What are these?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

"Lady Ovelia said to me before that she got those bruises when her non-biological parents were beating her. I also saw the large bruise on her back," Ann said, her voice trembling with emotion.

A wave of guilt washed over me; it felt like the weight of responsibility settled heavily on my heart for that bruise on her back.

The doctor gently turned the unconscious Ovelia around, and I felt my anger rising toward him. But Ray held me back, reminding me that the doctor was only doing his job. At that moment, we all caught sight of Ovelia's swollen back, the wounds shocking us into silence.

"That bruise wasn't like that yesterday," I spoke, my voice barely above a whisper filled with disbelief.

My blood boiled as I remembered the black werewolf that had hurt Ovelia. I should have killed him when I had the chance. I carefully slid off Ovelia's dress, leaving her in her bra and panties. The doctor began to assess her bruises and wounds, his hands steady but focused.

Once the doctor finished Ovelia's treatment, he stood up and said, "Change her bandages regularly, and apply an ice pack to her bruises to reduce the swelling." His demeanor was calm, yet the seriousness in his eyes underscored the gravity of the situation.

I looked at Ann, and she nodded in understanding, her eyes reflecting a mix of worry and determination.

The doctor stepped out of the room, his expression grave. Ray was already at the door, but he paused, turning to me his expression unreadable. "Who did this to her?" he asked, his voice cold.

"A werewolf from the Shadow Pack," I replied, my voice dripping with anger.

Ray's face darkened and I wasn't surprised. After all, the Shadow Pack is our ally. But I still don't understand why that werewolf hates me so much that he wants me to suffer by killing Ovelia.

"Everything that's happened here will reach King Raymond, and I assure you, the guests won't hear a word about it." Ray said, his tone grim. 

I opened my mouth to respond, but just then, Ray exited along with the doctor, leaving me with a heavy heart.

Ann remained by Ovelia's side, her grip on the Ovelia's hand so tight it seemed she feared letting go would sever their connection entirely.

Her shoulders trembled, and her voice was a fragile whisper, barely audible over the quiet hum of the room. "Lady Ovelia," she began, her words catching in her throat. "I'm so sorry. I'm your personal maid, yet I've failed you. I wasn't there when you needed me most. You've been so kind to me, even though we've only spent a single day together. Please… wake up."

Tears streamed down Ann's cheeks, each one a testament to the guilt and sorrow that weighed heavily on her heart. Her usual sharp edges, the hostility that had once made her so unapproachable to the other maids, had melted away the moment she met Ovelia. Now, all that remained was a raw, aching vulnerability.

I stepped closer. Placing a hand on Ann's shoulder, I tried to steady her with my presence. "No one wanted this to happen," I said softly, my voice calm but firm. "You mustn't blame yourself. I'll keep watch over her now. It's time for you to rest."

Ann's breath hitched as she wiped her tears with the back of her hand, her movements quick and almost angry, as if she were scolding herself for showing weakness.

She turned to me, her eyes blazing with a newfound resolve. "Sir Ace," she said, her voice trembling but resolute, "from this day forward, I swear to protect Lady Ovelia—even if it costs me my life." Her words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of a promise she intended to keep, no matter the cost.

I nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "I'll be counting on that," I replied, my tone gentle but unwavering. For a moment, our gazes locked, and I saw the fire in her eyes—a determination that had been absent before Ovelia entered her life. Then, with a final glance at her unconscious mistress, Ann turned and walked out of the room, her steps measured but her shoulders still stiff with unspoken emotion.

Once alone, I turned my attention to Ovelia. Her face was serene, almost peaceful, as if she were merely lost in a deep sleep rather than teetering on the edge of something far more perilous. I pulled a chair beside her bed and sat down, taking her hand in mine. 

"I'm sorry," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. "From the very beginning, all I've brought you is pain. I should never have listened to my wolf. I should never have made you my mate. I should never have brought you to this palace. Now I wonder if you'll ever find happiness by my side." My words were heavy with regret, each one a confession I could no longer keep buried. The rage and sorrow within me churned like a storm, threatening to consume me.

For a moment, I allowed myself to imagine a different life for her—one where the black werewolf had never appeared, where Ovelia had escaped this kingdom and claimed the freedom she so desperately deserved. The thought brought a bittersweet ache to my chest. She could have spread her wings, explored the world, and lived without the chains of duty and danger that bound her here. A small, selfish part of me felt a flicker of happiness at the idea, even as my wolf growled in protest, its possessive instincts refusing to let her go.

I glanced at Ovelia's peaceful face, the faint rise and fall of her chest the only sign that she was still with me. Exhaustion crept over me, the weight of the day pressing down until I could no longer fight it. I leaned forward, resting my forehead against the edge of her bed. The warmth of her presence, even in this state, was a small comfort against the storm raging within me. My eyes fluttered closed, and though sleep claimed me, my heart remained tethered to her, filled with a desperate hope that she would awaken—and that, when she did, I could find a way to make things right.