My Fated Mate Can Have Her-Chapter 65: The Outer District

Violet

Drifting noises separate from the running wheels of the carriage reached my ears. I pressed my face to the window, stunned by the chaos as we emerged from the last burst of trees.

It was just the outskirts, but it was far busier in its own way.

There were wagons, smaller carriages, and wolves moving around, carrying heavy objects and wares. Some appeared to even be marketing them in small groups. Children darted between legs. Wolves in human form haggled over goods while their counterparts in wolf form prowled the streets freely.

It was loud, and messy in a way that differed from the routine organization of the inner district.

"Welcome to the Capital’s outer district," Ila mentioned, but my eyes remained glued to the surrounding area, transfixed as the speed of the vehicle slowed while we progressed inside. Within seconds the dirt roads and ground became tiled.

I sat back in my seat, still looking at the window. My heart pounded with something that felt dangerously close to excitement.

The small buildings became larger as the creature turned different routes.

I turned to Ila. "Who is directing the... animal?"

Ila’s brow shot up. "Oh..." Then she smiled. "It’s a drake. It’s a very smart creature. It’s also commonly used to move carriages as a main mode of transport."

I frowned. "Is it not dangerous? It looks—"

"It’s an herbivore. It doesn’t eat flesh. Drakes are perceptive to lunar instincts or waves of its riders or main carrier. You just faintly alert it when you arrive at your destination and it stops." Then she shrugged. "Or better yet, you could just hire a carriage rider."

My eyes widened. I had never heard of a creature like that.

Ila looked to the side. "We’re here."

The carriage rolled to a stop, and through the small window, I caught my first real glimpse of the outer district.

"I will leave you to go ahead of me. I intend to stop by a few noble houses while we’re here." Ila adjusted her dress as she stood up from her seat, facing me. "Ana will take you to our quarters."

I stood up. "Ana?"

Ila just smiled and pushed the door open. She first stepped out before helping me down the carriage. I clutched my bag as my feet found steady hard ground.

Then I saw her.

Her brown hair was pulled back, with the same long braid hung over her shoulder. I stared at the familiar face. The woman who had tended to me when I had first woken up in that camp. She stood waiting beside the carriage, and her eyes widened slightly when she saw me.

"Why do you look so surprised?" Ila addressed her. "I told you who I would bring."

Turning to me, Ila properly introduced us. "Violet, this is Ana. Ana, this is Violet. I am sure you recognize one another."

"Yes..." I weakly mumbled. Of course, I remembered her.

Ana’s lips spread in a small, but strange smile. "It’s nice to see you again." She reached out and grabbed the bag from my grip before I could protest. "Here, let me."

"Ana will take you to our quarters," Ila said, already glancing toward the row of elegant buildings lining the street. "It’s not far from here. I’ll join you all later this evening after I’ve finished my rounds."

Ana nodded. "Alright."

Ila turned back towards the carriage, climbing into it. She spared us one last glance and smiled. "Enjoy your day."

The carriage door closed shut and the drake started moving down the wide road. There were other similar creatures on the road, though sparse, with a few other carriages, and others riding the animal itself. Most people walked on the wide streets.

Some wolves stared at us, while others stared at the departing carriage.

"I am pleased to see you have recovered."

I turned back to face Ana.

She continued, "You look... far livelier than before."

I noticed the faint surprise in her eyes as she studied me, along with the hint of confusion her face expressed. As if I wasn’t quite what she had expected.

’Ila seemed surprised too when she saw me.’

"Please, follow me," Ana said with a faint nod, turned around, and started walking.

I followed her.

As we walked, I couldn’t stop staring.

Every surface of the ground was paved with stone tiles, and buildings flanked us on both sides everywhere we turned. Many were particularly high rising structures with around three to four floors, and they seemed so grand. Some seemed to be residential buildings and others were shops.

Vegetation didn’t mingle with the environment like it did in the inner district, but there were occasional trees, bushes and flowers decorating the beautiful streets. And for some reason, the buildings had similar colours of mostly earth tones. Warm browns, rich creams, and varying shades of orange that made the stone structures appear to glow under the sun.

They seemed grand and elegant, yet somehow so simple.

"It’s beautiful," I whispered, watching the unfolding scenery.

Ana glanced at me sideways, a faint sense of pride seeping into her relaxed face. She also looked around. "It is. The outer district is the heart of the capital."

Balconies jutted from upper floors, draped with flowering vines and colorful fabrics that fluttered in the breeze.

The passing wolves didn’t spare us a second glance as we moved. It felt like I was invincible. There were more children on the streets, and I noticed more elderly wolves that I don’t think I ever saw in the inner district.

They sat in the open, watching the world pass by.

The inner district from the little I had seen had its own beauty and a sense of orderliness, but this place felt alive.

A lot moved around in their wolf form too, but I noticed two larger wolves moving around, likely patrolling. Ana directed a nod in their direction which they silently acknowledged before their eyes shifted to linger on me longer than necessary.

Other than that, there were glances, but nothing like the inner district’s heavy, judging scrutiny.

Here, I was just another face in the crowd.