Chapter 48 I Need to Talk

Chapter 48 I Need to Talk


"That’s Alpha over there!"

Ruella turned to look in the direction Claire had pointed, and sure enough, Alpha Calix was walking down the pack house corridor. He looked busy, with two cabinet council members on either side of him, and it seemed they were heading toward the throne room to begin a meeting about the festival everyone was talking about.

Before Calix disappeared from view, Ruella lifted her dress and ran as fast as she could.

"It’s been five days since our conversation in the backyard, and I’m only seeing you again now. It’s been so hard to find you lately," Ruella muttered to herself as she ran.

Claire didn’t bother chasing after her and chose instead to walk leisurely.

Meanwhile, Calix was seen conversing with the two cabinet council members flanking him, unaware that Ruella was heading toward them.

"It seems we need to set boundaries for the hunting grounds this time, Alpha, and we must establish rules to prevent them from using explosives or equipment that could damage the environment and the surrounding ecosystem during the hunt," one of them said.

Calix gave a slight nod. "I agree."

"And as for-"

"Calix!"

The voice cut off their conversation.

Calix stopped in his tracks and turned his head.

At the end of the corridor, Ruella could be seen jogging toward them. Her dress moved with her slightly hurried steps, her long, flowing hair dancing in rhythm.

Calix waited for Ruella to reach him, his brow furrowed.

The two council members beside him also stopped, exchanging brief glances. It was clear they didn’t appreciate Ruella’s presence, someone they had momentarily forgotten about.

Ruella finally reached them, slightly out of breath. She bowed her head briefly, trying to catch her breath before stating her purpose.

"Hey, what happened? Why were you running like that?" Calix asked.

"Calix… hi, I need to talk to you," she said.

Calix thought for a moment. "But I have a meeting in a few minutes. Did something happen?"

Ruella opened her mouth, about to speak. "I just-"

But Calix raised his hand, as if to stop the words before they could come out.

"Not now," he cut in. "I really have to go to the throne room now, the cabinet council members must be waiting. There’s no Beta Orion here to represent me in starting the meeting."

Ruella fell silent, her heart sinking, but she had to understand the situation.

"Oh… all right, I understand," she murmured softly with a faint smile. "Then when can we talk?" she asked.

There was a brief pause.

Calix glanced at the two council members beside him, who looked to be growing uncomfortable.

Then he said, "You two may proceed."

The two council members immediately bowed respectfully.

"Yes, Alpha."

Without asking any further questions, they turned and continued toward the throne room, leaving Calix and Ruella in the middle of the corridor.

Calix took a step closer.

Ruella stood still, waiting for an answer.

Calix raised his hand, then carefully placed it on Ruella’s shoulder.

"Here’s the thing, once this meeting is over, I’ll let you know, and we can talk," said Calix. "Okay? Nothing urgent, right?"

Ruella shook her head. "Nothing, Cal. But are you sure we’ll actually talk?"

Calix frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"

Ruella bit her lower lip for a moment.

"I just feel like you’ve been pulling away a little, keeping your distance like before, like before I was kidnapped in the Frostfang Forest." She paused, searching for the right words. "You won’t make up an excuse to avoid talking to me after that important meeting of yours, will you?"

Silence.

Calix blinked a few times, then chuckled softly. He hadn’t expected Ruella to think that way.

"What?" Calix frowned.

"Ever since that letter," Ruella continued more softly, "I thought… maybe you’ve started to hate me and don’t want to see my face anymore."

Calix shook his head slowly. "No. Of course not."

Ruella fell silent, still not believing him.

"I haven’t been keeping my distance from you," Calix said.

"Then why has it been so hard for me to see you these past few days?" Ruella asked, still not entirely convinced.

Calix sighed softly.

"I’ve been busy," he answered honestly. "There’s a lot to take care of. I haven’t had much time lately."

He paused for a moment, then added, "I haven’t even been able to have dinner in the dining room."

Ruella stared at him for a few seconds, trying to be sure.

"So you aren’t avoiding me?" she asked again.

Calix looked back at her with a serious expression, making Ruella worry, but then he smiled.

"No," Calix replied, chuckling softly.

Ruella felt the weight on her shoulders lift slowly, and the tension filling her heart began to ease. She felt relieved.

"I’ll let you know once the meeting is over," he said.

Ruella nodded. "Thank you for taking the time to explain the situation to me."

"You deserve it. Are you feeling better?"

Ruella nodded again. "Yes, thanks to you."

"In that case, I’ll be going now." Then he turned and walked away toward the throne room.

Ruella remained standing where she was, watching Calix’s back grow increasingly distant.

"Thank goodness…" she murmured softly. "Everything’s fine. He isn’t avoiding me." She smiled with relief.

Shortly after, Claire approached. "Is everything clear?"

"Yes, we’re fine," Ruella replied as she walked out of the hallway. "It seems the fact that we can communicate telepathically made Calix believe we are truly mates destined by the moon goddess, that’s why he changed and became warm toward me," she said.

"Perhaps that’s the case. If not, what else could have caused his attitude toward you to change, milady?" Claire replied, glad to see Ruella happy.

But slowly, the smiles on their faces faded when they spotted the annoying, two faced figure standing not far from them. It was Rubina, along with her friend Daisy, whom she treated like a servant.

Rubina smiled mockingly with a condescending gaze. This time, she didn’t even bother hiding her cunning.

"Someone looks happy," Rubina said. "As if that happiness were real, how pitiful."

"Yes, very pitiful," Daisy chimed in.

"What do you mean by that?" Ruella asked, feeling offended.

Rubina covered her mouth, feigning surprise. "Whoa, look who’s talking to me now? Didn’t you clearly say you didn’t want to talk to me or see me? You drama queen, you attention seeker. So disgusting."

Claire couldn’t stand seeing Ruella insulted like that and was about to fight back, but Ruella held her back.

"She’s gone too far, you can’t just stay silent," said Claire.

Ruella shook her head, then pulled Claire’s hand to leave. "Don’t waste your energy on a sly woman like that."

Rubina could still hear what she had just said, and it managed to provoke her. "How dare she speak to me like that."

"Calm down. Just report it to Calix. I’m sure Calix will stand up for you," said Daisy.

Rubina smiled confidently. "Of course. I won’t let her get away with insulting me."