Chapter 5 The Rogue Attacks
They had been traveling for almost half a day without a break, after slowing down suddenly they spurred the horses to move faster. Ruella who didn't understand anything looked confused. She thought they would rest because the forest they entered now was very shady.
Ruella looked up, staring at the sky that was covered in lush leaves. The sunlight only managed to penetrate slightly, just enough to light their journey.
"Cal," Ruella called out, "When are we going to rest? These poor horses, they must be exhausted too." She asked.
"Sssh..." Instead of answering, from atop his black horse, Calix raised his right hand, making a firm hand gesture pointing right and left. Instantly, the warriors understood the gesture.
The troops that had been walking casually with random positions now formed a protective formation. Two lines of warriors moved quickly, splitting the left and right sides of the road, keeping a tight guard on both sides.
In the center, Ruella and Claire's freight train was located, flanked tightly by several horses with bags of supplies. Behind them were the beta Orions that remained on the track but were more alert.
Ruella, looked over anxiously.
"Why did our formation change? What's wrong?" She asked, her voice sounding low, almost swallowed by the sound of hooves.
Calix brought his mouth to Ruella's ear, his voice low. His breath brushed against Ruella's nape, making the girl gasp slightly.
"This forest is famous for rebellious rogues who like to stop in the middle of the road, stealing food or valuables," he said as he swept his gaze around, making sure there was no suspicious movement.
Ruella's body shivered instantly. Spontaneously, she buried herself into Calix's chest, seeking protection. "I'm scared..."
Calix suddenly stiffened, both hands automatically clenching the reins tighter.
Calix swallowed with difficulty, "Can you not be so clingy like this?"
Instead of stopping, Ruella shifted her seating position into a tighter and closer one, making the Alpha, known for his strength, growl under his breath.
"I... I don't have to be afraid, right? Because I ha-have you, Cal," Ruella whispered. "Just so you know, your name is even famous in the Bluemoon Pack. Everyone says Alpha Calix is a really good fighter!" she continued as she looked up, looking at Calix with trusting eyes.
Calix sighed heavily, restraining himself.
"Stop moving around, and... Shut up. My ears are ringing from your ramblings," he said gruffly, turning his gaze forward.
"Oh... I- I am sorry." Ruella gave a small, slightly disappointed nod, then busied herself with returning to admiring the beauty of the passing forest.
Calix focused more on paying attention to the surroundings. The atmosphere of the forest was increasingly quiet, only the clatter of horses and the swish of the wind could be heard. He knew that this kind of silence was even more dangerous.
He had heard that nature that was too quiet was not a good sign.
His senses were never wrong.
Just as he expected, suddenly several figures jumped out. Rough-looking and shabby rogues with no form, each carrying a dagger and some even a sword. Calix didn't know where they stole those weapons from.
"Make a circle!" Beta Orion ordered.
Claire, who was inside the circle, looked panicked and frightened.
Before Calix could give the signal, Ruella raised her head with a tense face.
"Cal?" she asked frantically.
Calix growled lowly, angry and frustrated.
"Just calm down," he said quickly while pointing one hand at the sword hanging at his waist.
Calix jumped down from the horse, as did the others. It would be difficult for them to fight from horseback. They were also afraid that the rogues were targeting horses.
Ruella was confused to be left on the horse alone.
Calix squeezed Ruella's left hand lightly, "Look at me. Stay still and don't panic, okay?"
Ruella took a long pull, then nodded slowly. Her chubby cheeks lifted again, forming a sweet curve that was briefly captured in Calix's view.
'What the fck, she's smiling in this situation,' Calix thought. Surprisingly, it wasn't disgust that dominated his feelings at the sight of that smile, but rather calmness and perhaps even half-enchantment.
For some reason, he felt his right hand longing to touch those round cheeks.
But Calix hurriedly shook his head, discarding that silly thought.
'She's the daughter of the enemy pack, Calix. Don't be stupid,' he scolded himself.
"Alpha, we need you!" One of the warriors shouted.
Calix immediately returned to reality and found that all around, the Silverpaw Pack warriors had taken up defensive positions. Beta Orion, who was at the back line, prepared to issue orders if needed. The rogues who were about to attack seemed hesitant when they realized how solid and strong the Silverpaw formation was.
"So, you're an Alpha, hm?" A rogue with burns covering almost half his face opened his voice. "What's so cool about being an alpha when there are still miserable pack members?"
Calix drew his sword slowly while directing his horse to stay in the center. He gave Ruella a quick glance, making sure she was sitting quietly.
"Oh, is she your mate that's been talked about?" Rogue turned to look at Ruella. "Not only are you incompetent at managing the pack, now you're taking a girl from the enemy pack to be Luna of the Silverpaw pack."
The second Rogue with long hair stepped forward, then spat, "Disgusting."
"You're right." Calix said. "So what, are you impeding our journey just to chat?"
"You think?" The rogue started preparing to attack.
"Of course not." Calix smiled wryly.
"If they dare to attack, it's like they're looking for death," he muttered to himself.
Disgusting? So that was it. It wasn't the first time Ruella was considered disgusting.
"Damn, Alpha. Attack them all! Don't be afraid!" Shouted Orion.
Two rogues attacked from the front, two on the left and right sides, and the last attacked from the back, which was well handled by Beta Orion.
Alpha Calix handled the rogue with a nasty scar and surprisingly fought well. Calix, who had been holding back the attack, was now forced to attack to turn the tide.
"Shit, looks like they're trained." Calix muttered with his eyes focused on watching his opponent's every move.
The scarred Rogue looked exhausted, overwhelmed against Calix. Because of his anger, he acted stupidly by continuing the robbery when they had the option to escape into the darkness of the forest.
One by one the rogues began to be defeated, the remaining Calix was still playing around. Ruella, who was watching the fight, looked anxious.
"Claire?" Ruella glanced at Claire, who was also left on the horse by the coachman.
"Your Highness, everything will be fine." Claire said, "Don't be afraid."
Ruella nodded. "Are you alright? I wanted to come to you, but I can't get off this horse," she said.
"I'm fine, your hi--Get down!!!" Claire's voice was shrill.
The rogue threw a dagger at Ruella, instantly Calix panicked and quickly ran over to her.
"NO!" Calix shouted, his breath caught in his throat as he tried to run faster.