Chapter 187: What’s bothering you?

"Let’s go to our inn first," he said.

Oshan had rented an inn for them in the market area.

It wasn’t too cheap, but it wasn’t expensive either, as most merchants and temporary stall owners stayed in this kind of inn.

Prominent figures from the packs usually rented inns on the mountain slopes, where the buildings offered greater protection and more elaborate decorations.

Moon and the others quickly found Oshan, and together they settled into the inn.

This time, however, Oshan took his leave from Moon.

He wanted to return to his surviving clan members, who were still in the deeper part of the West. He had no interest in this kind of wolf gathering.

Moon didn’t try to stop him.

He already had a contract binding him, so even if he left and never returned, he couldn’t betray it.

Before leaving, Oshan also sent Amelia to the inn to take care of Marina.

It was already late at night, and sunrise was only moments away. After eating a little downstairs, they went up to their room.

After a full day and night of constant activity, they were all exhausted. For the next hour, they quietly went about their own tasks, showering and freshening up.

Nox set up a formation to seal off the room while Ugo tidied the bed and made it ready.

Moon watched them busily preparing everything without asking him to do anything, so he simply sat back and leisurely sipped his tea.

Axe returned after finishing his bath and went straight to bed.

Moon’s eyes darted toward the adjoining room.

Oshan had rented them a two-room suite, but since arriving, no one had even entered the other room.

Moon wanted to go there and cultivate, but Axe dragged him toward the bed.

"Let’s just sleep. You’re tired."

"Um, actually, meditation is as good as sleep for me. I don’t need to sleep," he murmured.

But Axe still insisted that he rest.

In the end, they all tangled up together on the bed and messed around for a little while before falling into deep sleep.

They slept until late morning.

Moon woke to the sound of voices drifting up from the street below.

For a moment, he lay still, staring at the wooden ceiling.

The bed was warm even in this winter.

Someone’s arm was draped across his stomach, and another body was pressed against his back.

He turned his head slightly.

Axe was still asleep, his face buried in the pillow.

Ugo’s breathing was slow and even beside him.

Nox had somehow ended up half on top of the blankets, one leg hanging off the side of the bed.

Moon carefully pushed the arm away and sat up.

He went to the window and opened the curtain. The bright sunlight welcomed him warmly.

The room was quiet except for the soft sound of their breathing.

Outside, the plaza was already awake. Carts rolled past, people called to one another, and the smell of roasting meat drifted in through the open window.

He went out without waking them and freshened up.

He looked down at the ground floor from the balcony. The downstairs area was designed for dining, and it was already full of people.

By the time he returned, Ugo was sitting up and rubbing his eyes.

Axe groaned and rolled onto his back.

Nox was the last to move, muttering something under his breath as he dragged himself upright.

"You’re up early," Ugo said, his voice still rough from sleep.

"Early? The street is already crowded. Hurry up. We’re going to the market," Moon replied.

After Axe, Nox, and Ugo freshened up, they went downstairs together.

Moon instructed Amelia to take Marina with her and not to go too far. He also gave Amelia a communication jade that Axe had made and explained how to use it.

Amelia took the jade pendant, reassured him that she knew what to do, and prepared to leave.

Finally, Moon gave Marina a little of the face-alteration elixir from the witches’ stock he had.

He wasn’t comfortable using it because it was easy to see through, but since he couldn’t make one himself, this would at least allow Marina to go out for a while.

All he could hope was that no enemies of Vadira’s were following him on top of his own.

The dining hall of the inn was already half full.

Groups of young wolves sat around the tables, talking loudly as they ate.

Some wore their packs’ distinctive clothes, while others simply hung their pack insignias from their belts.

Most of the people staying at this inn were ordinary travelers or merchants, but a few members of smaller packs had also come to eat.

A waiter led them to an empty table near the wall.

They ordered thick slices of roasted meat, soft bread, a bowl of stewed roots, and a pot of tea.

Moon tore off a piece of bread and ate quietly while listening to the conversations around them.

"I heard the prince from the Howling Tundra Pack arrived last night."

"He’s not the only one. Someone from the Northwind Pack is here too."

"Do you think any of them will make the top fifty?"

"Top fifty? I think he’ll enter the top ten. No one knows the grade of his wolf spirit yet, but I heard it’s very strong and fierce."

"My cousin said the Eclipse Fang members are already watching candidates in the eastern camp."

Bits and pieces of conversation kept drifting toward their table.

Moon looked at Nox, who was eating slowly with his head down.

There was a gloomy air around him. Moon couldn’t help reached out and ruffled his hair.

"What are you thinking about? You’re not eating."

Nox lifted his head slightly, tilting it to one side.

His gaze darted toward Ugo and then Axe, but he remained silent. However, Moon could tell that he was shifting his legs uncomfortably under the table.

Moon frowned.

"What’s bothering you? You have to tell me. I’m not a mind reader, Nox."

This time, Nox lifted his head and looked straight into Moon’s eyes.