Cursed Lycan's Scarred Mate
Chapter 34: Preparing for departure

Chapter 34: Preparing for departure

While Ronan continued his meticulous massaging, Vivian sighed in bliss in her sleep. Unbeknownst to her, the therapeutic feeling was not merely a dream.

She seems quite relaxed. Ronan’s Lycan resurfaced in his mind, peering at the she-wolf through his host’s predatory amber eyes. Why are you doing it for her? Trying to make up for earlier?

I liked you better when you didn’t speak to me all these years. Ronan bit back, already feeling a throbbing headache knocking at his brain due to his Lycan’s awakening. I do what I want.

You’re contradicting yourself. Or are you actually intending to use her to break the curse? The Lycan questioned, not withholding the boldness in its questions. What exactly are you doing Ronan?

I don’t know. The man replied acerbically and dismissed the Lycan’s influence from his mind, returning to the important task at hand.

When Ronan deemed Vivian relaxed enough and her feet relieved from the soreness, he closed the ceramic pot and moved off the bed. It wasn’t as if he dedicated any sort of special care to Vivian.

He was simply taking responsibility for the fact that he wasn’t in possession of shoes for her before Clawveld and she was merely forced to have her feet bandaged to walk around.

Such an inconvenience ought to have damaged her feet; hence, he treated her feet with a massage.

That being said, the man was still conflicted between resting on the sofa for the night and slipping into bed behind Vivian and pulling her into his arms.

Just when he finally made the decision to camp on the sofa, Vivian’s soft voice caught his attention.

"Ronan..." The she-wolf mumbled in her sleep. Naturally, the Lycan Alpha was obliged to tend to her needs, thus approaching the bed once more.

"What is it, Vivian?" Ronan spoke in a hushed tone, his hand rubbing her arm soothingly. "What do you need? I’m here." His words were a deep and sincere promise.

"Cold...hold me..." Vivian murmured back, clutching Avery tighter in her arms.

Astonished by the request, Ronan’s amber eyes widened briefly before they softened again.

Who was he to refuse what she wanted?

The Lycan Alpha kicked off his shoes and slid into the bed behind Vivian, wrapping his arm over her from behind. He inhaled the alluring jasmine scent of her hair, filling his senses with the sweet smell.

Subconsciously, his lips moved off their own accord and touched the back of her exposed neck. Ronan had to restrain himself from venturing further, lest he abandon all sense of control and do something foolish.

However, it was increasingly difficult to repel his instincts to touch her when she was so dangerously close. Nevertheless, the Lycan Alpha gritted his teeth and closed his eyes.

For certain, he would not be gaining much sleep tonight.

The following morning, as expected, Ronan remained excruciatingly awake the entire night. When he noticed Avery stir, he slowly released Vivian and got off the bed.

He didn’t want to hold Vivian so intimately in Avery’s presence.

The child escaped her aunt’s arms, sitting up groggily as she rubbed her eyes. She was surprised to find Ronan practically glowering directly at her, making her quickly look down to avoid his gaze.

"Wake your aunt up," Ronan said sharply, careless with his tone towards the child. "We need to be on the move."

"Where are we going?" Avery found the courage to speak, questioning curiously.

"Somewhere," Ronan answered vaguely, unwilling to reveal more information than necessary to the child.

It wasn’t long before Vivian awakened. Ronan guided her and her niece to the bath house at the inn to freshen up and don comfortable travel clothing, which was delivered to them from Madame Sunny Shu’s atelier.

He cleaned and redressed Vivian’s burns, his worries spiking sky high now that the herbal medicine was wearing off faster than before. Then, he freshened up himself at the bath house while Vivian and Avery prepared themselves to depart from Clawveld.

Their travelling outfits were a practical travelling set. It was designed with a high-collared, forest-green wool tunic with cuffs that had patterns embroidered onto it, reaching mid-thigh for easy movement. It came with fitted leather trousers and a sturdy belt around the waist.

Accompanying it was an emerald-hooded cloak, leather boots, and fingerless gloves.

The two omega wolves appeared pleased with the outfit, admiring the way it appealed to them.

Ronan, on the other hand, wore a fitted dark leather doublet that emphasised his strong physique, worn over a black open-collared linen shirt. Slim, dark trousers tucked into his knee-high leather boots, with a wide belt.

Vivian savoured a moment to ogle his rugged yet charismatic look. The way his untamed, long, curly hair was drawn into a ponytail at the base of his head with a few strands framing the sides of his face made her heart spiral out of its usual rhythm.

Words alone were insignificant to explain or describe just how dangerously handsome this man could project himself without intending to, even with a nonchalant expression. Vivian had to forcefully avert her gaze from the prominent veins running up along his forearms.

Now that they were dressed and prepared, Ronan gathered their belongings and supplies into two backpacks, which he manned himself. They shared a brief breakfast downstairs at the inn’s dining area before leading them to the stables, where he purchased the two horses.

Vivian immediately sauntered towards the black horse beside the other white one now owned by Ronan. The animal neighed joyfully upon her approach, allowing her to pet it.

The she-wolf was impressed by the animal’s stark beauty and its friendly nature. She signalled her niece over to join her, while Ronan strapped the two backpacks to the white horse’s saddle.

The black horse was his personal choice and a favourite breed, but if Vivian adored the animal so much, then he’d gladly grant her the right to ride it.

Who was he to deny her the satisfaction of riding a creature that equally adored her?

In any case, the black horse wasn’t particularly fond of him in any way the previous evening when he purchased it. The bloody animal bit his hand when he attempted to feed it an apple, hard enough to draw blood but as a Lycan Alpha, he possessed instant rejuvenation abilities.

The wound was insignificant and temporary, but his grudge towards the black horse was permanent and unforgettable.

Especially now that Vivian treated the animal so tenderly and pressed her cheek against its head.

Ronan absolutely despised the black horse.