By the time I woke up the next morning, Felix was already up, busy making breakfast.

The smell of something warm and delicious filled the small home, making my stomach grumble even before my eyes fully opened.

I groggily turned my head, blinking at the sight of Felix moving around. “Mmm… you didn’t have to wake up so early, you know,” I mumbled, voice still thick with sleep.

Felix replied without even turning around. “Had to wake up earlier than you.”

I frowned, rubbing my eyes. Why? He could have slept in more.

I yawned, stretching lazily, and sat up. “Anyway, how did you sleep?”

Felix casually shrugged. “Normal.” Then he glanced at me. “You?”

I ran a hand through my tangled hair, still halfway asleep. “Surprisingly comfortable.”

I let out a small sigh, hugging my sleep blanket for a second before finally dragging myself to my feet. “Honestly, with how cold it gets at night, I thought I’d freeze—even with so many layers—but it was surprisingly warm…”

Felix didn’t say anything.

So I plopped down near the fire and let the warmth fully wake me up.

Days Passed

The hours turned into days, and soon, only four days remained before Allmer’s promised return.

Training with Felix had been going great, with Ace and Iker joining in since their hunt duty was over.

Well, mostly great.

I still hadn’t managed to break free from his grip, but I was getting better at predicting movements and dodging. Which, according to Felix, was good enough.

Every morning started with a delicious breakfast—something made from the rice-like grain or a wheat substitute Allmer had brought.

Felix and I took turns cooking, though most of the time, I just assisted.

Not that I minded.

I mean, I could cook. I was pretty decent, actually. But cooking was never something I liked doing.

Felix, on the other hand, was damn good at it.

When I first made something similar to spicy stir-fried potatoes using the stone fruit, Felix had stared at me in shock.

“You can cook?” he had asked, completely dumbfounded.

I had rolled my eyes. “Obviously.”

“I just thought… you know, females don’t really know how to cook.”

I had smirked. “Well, I do.”

That had shut him up.

But I made a mental note—once Felix left after winter, I was definitely dragging Allmer into cooking proper meals with me. I don't think I can go back to my fruit diet again.

Today was one of those rare relaxed days.

After training, the three of us—Felix, Ace, and I—had collapsed onto the soft grass, enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun, Iker preferring his tree branch to lay down, keeping an eye so that no random male comes nearby seeking me to be his mate.

Felix had left a few minutes ago, saying he needed to get some special herbs from the healer.

That left me and Ace lying on our backs, staring up at the sky, while Iker lounged in a tree, barely moving except for the occasional slight shift.

The air was perfect.

Chilly in the mornings and evenings, but just right in the afternoons.

A soft breeze swept over us, making the tall grass sway. The rustling leaves mixed with the distant sounds of the village, a peaceful hum in the background.

I felt my body relax completely. The warmth of the sun, the soft grass beneath me, the steady breathing of Ace beside me—it was enough to make me half-asleep.

Then, his voice broke the silence.

“Shira.”

I blinked, turning my head to look at him.

Ace was staring up at the sky, his black hair upside down, strands shifting with the gentle wind.

In that moment, he didn’t look like his usual wild wolf self.

There was something… calm about him.

“…Yeah?” I murmured, waiting for whatever he was about to say.

The moment Ace’s words left his mouth, the peaceful air around us shifted.

"Will you accept me as your mate?"

I went still.

For a moment, I just stared at him, trying to process what I’d just heard.

Ace… asked me to be his mate.

He didn’t sound nervous. Didn’t stutter. Didn’t fumble with his words.

No, he sounded calm.

Like he had thought about this for a while and finally decided to just say it. Again.

I stayed silent.

I knew Iker was near.

Ace knew it too.

If Ace was asking me here, where Iker could clearly hear everything, it meant something.

He had spent a lot of time with Iker on hunting trips. If he trusted him enough to say this in front of him, then maybe Ace had come to understand something about him.

Because it was clear—Iker had been subtly showing his interest in me.

Not once had he said anything outright, but if I didn’t know better, I might have taken his actions as simple kindness.

Maybe that’s what he wanted.

To show his interest without forcing anything on me.

Maybe that’s why he never asked me directly.

But now, Ace was asking.

“…Why’d you ask this now?” I asked quietly.

At that, he finally looked at me. His eyes were steady.

“Figured I’d regret it forever if I didn’t even ask properly once,” he admitted. “I know I had plenty of chances earlier, but back then… I was afraid. Afraid of losing what we have now and not sure enough to be prepared for what will come after.”

His gaze softened. “But after seeing that tiger take so many risks, I figured I should stop being a coward.”

I let out a small breath.

Felix really did act without hesitation, didn’t he?

Ace stayed silent for a moment, then continued, “I also want you to know… I didn’t approach you and become your friend with this in mind.” His voice was firm. “I just started falling without knowing.”

I felt something shift in my chest.

I knew that.

I always knew that.

Ace had always been different.

Always standing by my side without expecting anything in return. Always looking out for me in his own quiet way.

My fingers curled slightly in the grass.

I liked Ace.

That was undeniable.

But did I like him enough to accept him as a mate? And can I be a good enough mate to him?

I took a deep breath and finally met his gaze.

“Ace, you know there’s monogamy in my world, right?” I asked, my voice steady despite the mess in my head.

He smirked. “Doesn’t mean you’ll reject polygamy if given the chance, right?”

I frowned, about to argue, but then he added, “I’ve seen how you enjoy the view during the fights.”

My face instantly turned red.

All those times I had—well, appreciated—the view of shirtless, well-built males throwing each other around like ragdolls during their little wrestling matches… He had noticed?

Ace’s smirk grew. “Knew it.”

“I was just—!” I tried to protest.

But he cut me off, his tone teasing but still gentle, as if trying to ease the slight awkwardness.

“I know you won’t mind another handsome hunk joining to pamper you.” His eyes twinkled mischievously. “You enjoy it too much.”

I groaned, covering my face with my hands.

Why was he like this?!

Taking a deep breath, I tried to steer the conversation back on track.

“And what happens to us when I go back to my world? Because I for sure am going to.”

My voice was serious now.

I knew Iker was still nearby, listening.

But I trusted him.

I trusted that he wouldn’t go around whispering that I was a witch from another world or some nonsense like that.

Ace, however, answered without hesitation.

“Then I’m coming with you too.”

I blinked.

“What?”

“You’ll need someone to introduce to your family,” he said smoothly. “And Allmer… huh, he doesn’t exactly fit the ‘normal male’ image.”

That made me snort.

Yeah. My albino, giant, terrifying, beautiful snake-man mate would probably make my parents question a lot of things about me.

Ace grinned at my reaction, but I still had more to ask.

“And what if I’m not able to love you both equally?” I voiced my biggest insecurity.

Because it was a fear.

It had taken me so long to even accept Allmer properly.

And now, I was considering Ace.

Could I really… balance that?

Ace, however, simply tilted his head and said,

“Then I’ll just snatch you to another room until I feel loved again.”

I burst out laughing.

“Seriously?!”

“Seriously.” His smirk widened, but there was still warmth in his gaze. “Think about it and let me know. Whatever you decide, I’m fine with it.”

I met his eyes.

He meant it.

This wasn’t some desperate confession, nor was it a demand.

It was just… Ace being Ace.

And somehow, that made my heart lighter.

I nodded. “I’ll talk with Al first and then tell you. Though… I’ve seen his subtle way of pushing you towards me plenty.”

Ace chuckled at that, and for a moment, we just looked at each other.

Maybe it was the way the sunlight hit his hair.

Or maybe it was the softness in his eyes.

But before I could stop myself, I reached out.

Fingers brushing through his dark hair.

My hand moved almost instinctively, trailing upward until—

I touched his wolf ears.

Soft.

So soft.

I barely got a second to process it before Ace jerked violently, face turning bright red.

My hand paused.

“…Is that an erogenous zone?” I asked, suspicious.

“…Yes.” His voice was stiff. His entire face was stiff.

I blinked.

Then smirked.

“…Interesting.”