A Werewolf's Unexpected Mate-Chapter 22: Village Arrival and Inn Peril

[Evening]

•Meadowlark Village•

Ovelia’s POV

As we entered Meadowlark Village, the vibrant lights from shops and homes bathed the streets in a warm, golden glow. The village was alive with energy, far larger and more bustling than Timberline Village. People moved about with purpose, vendors grilled food that sent tantalizing aromas wafting through the air, and the sound of laughter and chatter created a symphony of life. Meadowlark pulsed with a vitality that made my heart race with excitement.

"Wow, I’ve never seen a village like this before," I exclaimed, my face pressed against the wagon window, my eyes wide with wonder. The sights and sounds were overwhelming in the best way, and I couldn’t help but feel a childlike joy bubbling up inside me.

Ace turned to me, his smile bright and genuine. "I’m glad you’re enjoying it." he said, his voice warm and filled with affection. His eyes lingered on me for a moment, and I felt a flutter in my chest.

Kai, seated across from me, tilted his head, studying my reaction with curiosity. "I can tell from your reaction, Ovelia. It feels like you’re experiencing travel for the first time," he remarked, his tone light but observant.

I beamed at him, nodding eagerly. "It is my first time seeing a place like this. Everything feels so new and exciting!"

"Shall we head straight to the inn?" Ray asked, glancing around at the lively crowd.

"Yes, I know you’re all starving," Ace replied, grinning as he glanced at each of us. We shared a collective smile, though Kai seemed distracted, his eyes scanning the wagon as if searching for something.

"Did anyone see my sword earlier?" Kai suddenly asked, his voice tinged with urgency. His hand instinctively went to his side, where his weapon should have been.

"No, Sir Kai," Ann replied, her brow furrowing in confusion.

"I didn’t see a sword on you when Ace put you in the wagon," I added, my voice soft but tinged with concern.

"The sword you used earlier? I must have left it back on the path where I carried you," Ace admitted, his expression shifting to one of guilt.

Kai’s face fell, and he let out a heavy sigh. "What?! Prince Ace, that sword is crucial to me! General Gio gifted it to me when I was promoted to lieutenant," he said, his voice tinged with sadness. His shoulders slumped, and for a moment, he looked utterly defeated.

Ace’s expression softened, and he reached out, placing a hand on Kai’s shoulder.

"Please, don’t call me prince. Sir or Just Ace is fine. I can lend you my sword temporarily," he offered, his tone sincere.

Ann’s eyes widened, and she quickly interjected, "But, Sir Ace, that sword was given to you by King Raymond," Her voice was laced with concern, and she glanced between Ace and Kai, clearly torn.

I wanted to jump into their conversation, but I found myself content to simply listen, captivated by their camaraderie and the unspoken tensions that seemed to linger beneath the surface.

Suddenly, Ray chuckled, breaking the tension. He reached behind him and tossed a sword toward Kai, who caught it with practiced ease.

"Is that your sword, Kai? I picked it up just after Ace lifted you!" Ray teased, a playful grin spreading across his face.

Kai’s eyes lit up, and he held the sword tightly, relief washing over him. "Thank you!" he said, his voice cheerful and filled with gratitude.

Kai stood tall, his sword firmly in his grasp, and turned to me with a genuine smile. His eyes were warm, but there was a flicker of something else—regret, perhaps, or the weight of his mission.

"Nice to meet you all, especially you, Human Princess of the Silverhowl Kingdom," he said, his voice warm and welcoming.

Princess? Oh, right. I almost forgot—I’m married to Ace, a prince, which makes me a princess, even without royal blood. The realization hit me like a wave, and I felt a strange mix of pride and uncertainty. Before I could respond, Kai’s smile widened, and he gave a playful bow.

"I hope we meet again," he added, his tone light but sincere. "Take care of yourselves."

With that, he dashed toward the moving wagon, leaping aboard with a grace that startled us all. As he jumped down on the other side, he turned back, his figure silhouetted against the golden glow of the village lights.

"Thank you, and take care, everyone!" he shouted, his voice carrying over the noise of the bustling crowd. He raised his sword in a final salute, the blade catching the light like a fleeting star, before he turned and disappeared into the sea of people.

For a moment, I stood frozen, watching the spot where he had vanished.

"I really enjoyed the little time we spent with him," Ray said, his tone wistful as he leaned back against the wagon. He crossed his arms, his gaze lingering on the crowd as if hoping to catch one last glimpse of Kai.

"I agree," Ace said, his voice thoughtful. "He seemed like a fun person to be around. Plus, he’s strong—I’d love to fight him one-on-one someday." His eyes gleamed with competitive spirit, but there was a hint of respect in his tone.

Ann and I exchanged a glance, and we both nodded in agreement.

An unexpected sadness washed over me, a hollow ache in my chest that I couldn’t quite explain. Maybe it was the way he had smiled at me, or the way he had called me "princess" without a hint of mockery. Maybe it was just the fleeting nature of our encounter, a reminder of how quickly people could come and go in this world.

"Lady Ovelia, is there a problem? You look lost in thought," Ann said, her voice gentle but filled with concern. She leaned closer, her eyes searching mine.

"No, hehehe," I replied, forcing a smile. I didn’t want to burden her with my feelings, but the weight of my thoughts was hard to shake.

Ace’s voice broke through my reverie. "It looks like you don’t want to be a princess," he said, his tone light but probing.

I shook my head quickly. "No, it’s not that. I just don’t know how to act like a princess. I don’t have the confidence to prove that I deserve the title. After all, I am merely a sacrificial figure and the non-biological daughter of the mayor of Timberline Village." My voice wavered, and I couldn’t hide the sadness that crept into my words.

Ray turned to me, his expression serious but kind. "Don’t look so down. You’ve already become a princess. All you need to do now is prove that you’re worthy of the position," he said, his voice firm but encouraging.

Ann nodded in agreement, her eyes shining with determination. "Sir Ray is right. And I almost forgot to mention, Lady Ovelia—a courtesy instructor will arrive at the palace soon to teach you the etiquette needed to be a respected princess."

I sighed, the weight of reality settling heavily on my shoulders. "It’s not easy being a princess," I murmured, more to myself than to anyone else.

Ace’s smile was soft but filled with understanding. "Yes, becoming a princess isn’t simple, especially when you’re not from a royal family. But you can learn everything, and I believe you will," he said, his voice steady and reassuring.

"Sir Ace is right, Lady Ovelia. So cheer up!" Ann encouraged, her eyes sparkling with hope.

I felt a wave of happiness wash over me, their words lifting my spirits. "Thank you everyone," I said with a broad smile, my heart feeling lighter.

"We’ve arrived at the inn!" Ray announced, his voice filled with relief.

"Let’s go, Ann and Ovelia," Ace called out, his enthusiasm brightening the atmosphere. He helped me down from the wagon, his touch gentle yet reassuring. Ann followed closely, balancing our belongings with ease.

"I’ll park the wagon over by the inn and tend to our horses. I’ll join you inside soon," Ray said, his voice steady and filled with a sense of responsibility.

"Sure, I can take care of ordering food for you," Ace replied, shooting Ray a warm smile. Ray’s lips curled into a grateful expression in return.

As I glanced at the inn, I noticed it was two stories tall, brimming with life. We hadn’t even stepped inside yet, but the sounds of laughter and chatter spilled out, creating an inviting ambiance.

•Meadowlark Village Inn•

As we stepped into the inn, the warm glow of lanterns and the hum of lively conversation enveloped me. The air was thick with the mouthwatering aroma of food—rich, savory, and comforting. Diners filled the room, their laughter and chatter blending into a symphony of life. I couldn’t tell if they were all human or werewolves in human form, but the atmosphere was so inviting that it didn’t matter. The delicious scents wrapped around me like a warm blanket, making my stomach growl in anticipation.

"Meadowlark Village is famous for its hotpot, especially the delicacy of bear paw," Ann told me, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, as if sharing a secret.

"Bear paw? I didn’t know that was edible!" I exclaimed, my voice bubbling with joy and curiosity. The idea was both fascinating and a little shocking, but I was eager to try it.

Ace chuckled softly, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he looked at me. "You look so innocent when you’re joyful or encountering something new for the first time," he teased, a playful grin tugging at his lips.

I tilted my head, feigning suspicion. "Is that a compliment?" I asked, raising a teasing eyebrow.

Ace shrugged, his grin widening. "It’s up to you to decide if you want to take it as one," he replied, his tone light and confident. He turned and walked toward the cashier, leaving me to ponder his words.

I noticed Ann suppressing a laugh, her hand covering her mouth as her shoulders shook slightly. Her amusement was contagious, and I couldn’t help but smile even wider.

"Good evening, sir and ma’am. Are you dining in or staying overnight?" the cashier inquired, her tone friendly and welcoming. She had a warm smile that put me at ease.

"Both," Ace replied, his voice clear and decisive. He stood tall, his posture relaxed but commanding.

"We only have one room available on the second floor, sir. It has two beds, accommodating up to four people, and includes a private bathroom." the cashier explained politely, her smile never wavering.

Ace’s eyes lit up. "We’ll take that. Also, I’d like to order your best-selling hotpot, which is good for four people." He turned to us, a playful glint in his eye. "Ovelia, Ann, do you want a beer?"

Ann shook her head gently, her voice soft and polite. "No, thank you, A. I’m not in the mood to drink right now."

I felt a sudden wave of curiosity about the taste of beer. Mustering courage, I said, "Um... could I try one, just to taste it?" My cheeks flushed, and Ace responded with a warm smile.

"Sure, add three beers to the order," he told the cashier.

"Your total is 107 spina," the cashier said as Ace handed over the money.

"Your room is still being cleaned," the cashier continued. "After you eat, you can pick up the key from me." Ace nodded in agreement, and we began searching for a table.

We chose a spot by the window, excitement bubbling within me at the sight of a large hotpot in front of us. It was my first time seeing one, and I felt a surge of joy and anticipation.

Moments later, Ray walked into the inn. His gaze scanned the room until he spotted us. Grinning, he approached and took a seat

Our seating arrangement was as follows:

Left Row: Ann and Ray

Right Row: Me and Ace

Our attention was drawn to a group of men at a nearby table, deeply engaged in a hushed but intense conversation about bandits. Ray, clearly intrigued, leaned forward, then stood and approached them, intending to ask questions. But before he could speak, a large man at another table abruptly stood, slamming his hands on the table. The loud crash startled everyone in the inn, silencing the room.

"Where’s the beer I ordered? I’ve been waiting here forever!" the large man shouted, his voice booming with frustration. His face was red, and his eyes were bloodshot, clearly intoxicated.

The waitress, a young woman with trembling hands, tried to respond calmly. "But you haven’t paid yet," she said, her voice shaking with fear.

"Didn’t I just say I’ll pay later when my companion arrives?" he snapped, his voice rising even higher, filled with irritation. He leaned closer to the waitress, his imposing figure towering over her.

The waitress’s hands trembled as she clutched the tray to her chest. Her voice wavered as she tried to reason with the large man, but his bloodshot eyes and clenched fists made it clear he was beyond listening. She glanced toward the innkeeper, who was already calling for guards, but help felt agonizingly far away.

The large man’s temper flared, and he began to wreak havoc. One by one, he hurled plates across the inn, the sound of shattering ceramics echoing through the room.

The cheerful chatter of the inn died in an instant, replaced by gasps and the clatter of overturned chairs. Patrons ducked under tables or backed away, their eyes wide with fear as plates shattered against the walls. The once-cozy atmosphere now felt charged with danger.

A few brave souls attempted to restrain the raging large man, but he seemed unstoppable, fueled by anger and alcohol.

The group of men who had been discussing bandits earlier exchanged grim looks as the drunken man continued his rampage. One of them muttered, "This kind of thing’s been happening more often lately. Ever since those bandits started causing trouble, folks have been on edge."

Suddenly, the large man gaze fixed on Ray with a menacing scowl. "What are you staring at?!" he roared, his voice echoing through the inn, dripping with disdain.

Before we could react, he tossed aside the men trying to hold him back. In a fit of fury, he seized a knife from the table and hurled it toward Ray.

My heart raced as I saw the knife leave the man’s hand, its glint catching the light as it hurtled toward Ray.

"Ray!!" I shouted, panic coursing through my veins.

Without thinking, I leapt from my seat, my body moving on its own. I can’t let him get hurt, I thought, my mind a whirlwind of fear and determination. This was my chance to prove I wasn’t just a bystander—I could protect the people I cared about.

"Ovelia!" Ace and Ann yelled in unison, their voices filled with alarm as they rose from the table. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

As the knife hurtled toward Ray, I reached him just in time, positioning myself in front of him. The room erupted into chaos, with screams and chatter filling the air. My heart pounded as I watched the knife fly toward me, time seeming to slow down.

"What are you doing? Are you out of your mind?!" Lady Firera’s voice echoed in my mind, sharp and incredulous.

But I didn’t have time to respond. The knife was already in the air, and all I could think about was protecting Ray. My breath hitched as I braced myself, the world narrowing to the glint of the blade and the deafening sound of my own heartbeat.