A Werewolf's Unexpected Mate-Chapter 87: Clinic to Inn

•Thunoa Clinic•

Ace’s POV

After a few minutes, Mrs. Melinda and the other nurses finished treating our wounds. The clinic smelled faintly of antiseptic and herbs, a comforting yet sterile scent that lingered in the air. Mrs. Melinda’s hands moved with practiced ease as she bandaged the last of the Crimsonheart member cuts, her expression calm but focused.

"Thank you for treating us, Mrs. Melinda," Ray said, his voice warm with gratitude. He shifted slightly, his posture relaxed. "Mrs. Melinda, can I borrow the key to your house? I need to send a letter to my father using the carrier pigeon I keep there."

"Of course," Mrs. Melinda replied, her hands moving gracefully to her pocket, fingers brushing against the key. "Here," she continued, extending her arm with a gentle smile, the key dangling slightly in her palm.

"Thank you, Mrs. Melinda. I promise to lock the house when I leave," Ray assured her, his sincerity evident in his tone. She smiled back, relief brightening her face.

Colt, who had been leaning against the wall, suddenly straightened, his expression turning slightly panicked. "Sir Ray, don’t write in the letter that my team and I were late. Sir Nathaniel might dock our pay if he finds out."

Ray’s grin widened, his eyes glinting with mischief. "I wasn’t planning to write it in the letter, but thanks for the reminder. Maybe I’ll add it in later."

Colt groaned, running a hand over his face in exasperation. His team exchanged disappointed glances, their shoulders slumping. I couldn’t help but notice how Ray’s laughter filled the room, light and teasing.

"Don’t tease them so much, Ray," I said, my tone firm but not unkind. I crossed my arms, leaning against the doorway. "They’ve had a long day."

Ray shrugged, still grinning. "I’m just kidding. Relax, Colt. Your secret’s safe with me."

The tension in the room eased, and Colt’s team visibly brightened. Ray glanced at me, his expression softening for a moment before he turned and walked out of the clinic, the key jingling in his hand.

A male nurse approached us, carrying a stack of clean shirts. His movements were brisk but efficient, and he handed them out individually. "Here, everyone. Put these on. It’s cold outside, and we don’t want you catching a chill."

I recognized him as one of the nurses Chief Gareth had called to treat the three bandits we’d captured earlier. As he handed me a shirt, I took it with a nod of thanks. "How are the three bandits in the abandoned house?" I asked, my voice low.

The nurse blinked, caught off guard by the question. "Three bandits?" Colt echoed, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"Ah, the three we captured earlier," Philip said, his tone casual. "Are they still alive?"

The nurse nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, they’re alive. One of them nearly bled out, but we donated some blood to stabilize him. He’s doing better now, but they’re still in the abandoned house under guard."

"Thank you," I said, pulling the shirt over my head. The fabric was soft and warm, starkly contrasting the chill outside.

Kai, who had been quietly observing, tilted his head. "So, what will you do with the three bandits?"

I turned to him, my expression calm but firm. "Kai, do you remember your team was late earlier?"

He hesitated, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Yes... why?"

"I want you to transport them to Shadow Ridge Prison along with the bandits we captured earlier as your punishment," I stated firmly, my gaze steady.

Kai opened his mouth to protest, but Colt cut him off with a laugh, clapping him on the shoulder. "Don’t worry, Kai. I’m sure you’ll get a medal when your team returns."

"Fine, Sir Ace. I knew I couldn’t say no to you anyway." Kai relented, a resigned yet playful smirk creeping across his face.

"Thank you, Kai," I said, my tone softening. Without another word, I turned and left the clinic, heading toward the inn.

•Thunoa Inn•

Ovelia’s POV

The inn was alive with the hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses. A long table was laden with various dishes, each more enticing than the last. The aroma of spices and roasted meats filled the air, making my stomach growl in anticipation. If I wasn’t mistaken, this was what they called a buffet.

"Ann, what should I try first?" I asked, my eyes scanning the table.

Ann’s face lit up with excitement. "Everything, Lady Ovelia! I want to taste it all!" 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

I laughed, the sound light and carefree. "Me too, Ann." We grabbed plates and began piling them high with food. The dishes were labeled with their names and ingredients, and I couldn’t help but notice a dish made with rat meat—something Ace would definitely avoid.

As I reached for a spoonful of a fragrant stew, Ann gently touched my arm. "Lady Ovelia, let me serve you. You can sit down. We’re not in the palace, but I’m still your personal maid."

I shook my head, smiling warmly at her. "No, Ann. Don’t worry about that. I can serve myself. Besides, you’re not just my maid. You’re my bodyguard and my friend."

Ann’s eyes softened, and she returned my smile. Together, we filled our plates with an assortment of dishes. I managed to fit five different items on mine before it became too crowded.

A woman approached us, holding a bottle of amber liquid. "Two beautiful ladies, would you like to try our village’s finest spiced rum? It’s infused with cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice, aged in oak barrels for three years. A touch of molasses adds depth and sweetness."

"Yes, please!" Ann and I said in unison, our excitement palpable.

The woman poured the rum into two small glasses and handed them to us. "Here you go. If you like it, you can grab a bottle from the beverage area."

Just as I was about to take a sip, a hand reached over and plucked the glass from my fingers. I turned, startled, to see Ace standing behind me. He downed the rum in one swift motion, his expression unreadable.

"That was mine," I said, pouting slightly.

Ace’s gaze was stern, but there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "You can’t drink this. You have low alcohol tolerance. You’ll be drunk before you know it."

"But I really wanted to taste it," I protested, my voice tinged with disappointment.

Ace raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a faint smirk. "You’re too overprotective, Ace," Ray said, leaning against the table with a grin.

I looked around and just realized that Ray and the others where also here.

Before I could respond, Ace tilted my chin up and kissed me. His lips were warm, and the taste of the spiced rum lingered on his tongue as it brushed against mine. When he pulled away, my face was flushed, and the room shook and erupted into laughter.

"Now you’ve tasted it. What does it taste like?" Ace asked, his voice low and teasing.

I blinked, still processing what had just happened. "The spices are well-integrated, with the cloves and allspice providing a warming, slightly pungent flavor. The molasses adds a rich sweetness, and the oak aging contributes a subtle vanilla note," I said, my voice steady despite my racing heart. Then it hit me. "Wait, you kissed me just so I could taste it?"

The room burst into laughter again, and Ace hugged me, his chest shaking with quiet laughter. "Sorry," he murmured, his voice warm and affectionate.

I buried my face in his shoulder, my cheeks still burning because of embarrassment.

My husband was cold yet kind.