My Fated Mate Can Have Her-Chapter 66: Silent Threat

Violet

Ana spoke up, breaking my trance. "Despite being required to stay in the inner district, some nobles still live here. But we do have some pack wolves who go to the inner district in order to remain closer to nature." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"I guess it has its charm," was all I could say.

Though I didn’t necessarily agree. The inner district was harsh.

Further down, a massive marketplace sprawled across an open large building. Colorful awnings shaded stalls selling everything from gleaming objects to fine fabric to baskets of fresh produce.

The scent of roasting meat and fresh bread nearly made my mouth water.

I took the environment in with awe. The capital was far more beautiful than I imagined. The air here felt warm and inviting. Some window boxes overflowed with flowers. Laundry hung from lines strung between balconies. And the sound of someone playing a stringed instrument drifted from an open window above.

Ana noticed my wide-eyed look. "You’ll have plenty of time to explore. But first, let’s get you settled."

We turned down a quieter street, then another, until the crowds thinned slightly. The buildings here were larger, more spaced out, and closer to the dense forest in the near distance. Three of the structures had wide gated entrances.

We got to the end of the street and Ana stopped before a fence made of an odd mixture of earth and stone. She pushed the wide wooden gate open and I slowly walked into the enormous courtyard.

It was even larger than the one surrounding Kael’s estate. The ground wasn’t paved with stone like the city streets. It looked like a wide dust path arena with vegetation, a few trees, bushes, and patches of grass seemingly worn smooth.

There was a large building at the end of the fenced area, almost as large as Kael’s estate but with only an upper floor. The walls of the brown pillared structure seemed to be made of stone, with steps leading up to an open arched entrance.

Several smaller buildings were scattered around the courtyard.

"This is where we’ll be staying," Ana said, leading me through the courtyard. "It’s one of several properties maintained for the Supreme Alpha’s retinue whenever we’re in the outer district."

A few wolves moved about the grounds, some carrying supplies. Others lounged under the shade of the trees, engaged in quiet conversation.

But I could feel their stares.

"Sorry, there aren’t a lot of us here yet. Most of the wolves are out in the city right now," Ana explained as we approached the main entrance. "And some are still arriving from the inner district."

It did not please me to hear that.

More wolves being here made me a bit uneasy, but I tried to ignore it.

The interior was another different view I was unfamiliar with. The stone floors were polished to a soft gleam. There were open verandahs, and windows that brought in plenty of natural light into the wide hallways.

The building seemed larger inside. There were more wolves in some open halls we passed through. Some looked up from their conversations, offering greetings to Ana while their gazes lingered on me with curious surprise.

Ana guided me down a hallway on the upper floor that led to another part of the building. "Ila mentioned you’d be more comfortable in the inner quarters. Ila will be staying here as well, along with myself and a few other wolves. It’s quieter than the main house."

Doors lined this hallway and Ana stopped at one near the end, pushing it open.

"Your room."

We stepped inside. It was small, a bit smaller than the room at the estate.

A clean bed with a thick blanket occupied one wall. There were two large windows overlooking an open verandah, its curtains pulled at the sides. A small simple wardrobe stood in the corner, and the stone walls were the same warm cream color as the exterior. The floor was carpeted with a strange flimsy wooden material, and there was another door within the room.

Ana placed my bag on the floor beside the bed. "The door leads to the washroom. You can freshen up there." She straightened, looking at me. "But there is also a shared bathing pool in the center of the building if you are interested."

"Thank you." I sat on the bed looking around at the room.

There was a curious glint in her green eyes as she stared at me for a moment. Then she smiled, and there was genuine warmth in it.

"Forgive my forwardness, but you’re glowing."

My mouth parted in surprise as I looked at her. "What?"

She shook her head. "You just seem so different... and stronger. I..." Her words trailed and she averted her gaze to the windows before returning them back to me. "Please, don’t mind me."

She walked towards the door. "Meals are served in the food hall, but you’re welcome to eat in your room if you prefer. I’ll bring something for you now. And if you need anything else after, my room is right next to yours."

[ - ]

True to her words, Ana had brought me something to eat shortly after I had freshened up. I had eaten the delicious food, taken a brief nap and for a while after waking up, I had been content with just standing by the window and watching the verandah outside.

But as the afternoon stretched into early evening, restlessness crept in.

Ila hadn’t returned yet. I would have liked Ana to show me around the building, but I didn’t sense her in her room, so I decided to explore the area.

The hallway was quiet when I stepped out, though I could hear distant voices and movement from other parts of the structure.

Doing my best to avoid passing wolves, I made my way to the open archway leading to the verandah I had seen outside my windows.

It overlooked a small enclosed garden. Lush green grass, flowering bushes, and a few carefully placed stones creating a natural border.

I leaned against the stone railing, breathing in the surprisingly sweet scent of fresh earth and flowers.

I was beginning to relish in the fact that no one else was here to disturb my peace when I sensed a new presence entering the area.

I turned my head and my blood immediately ran cold.

Corin.