Chapter 56 Uneasy Feeling

Chapter 56 Uneasy Feeling
That evening, the main corridor of the pack house was bathed in the warm glow of golden pendant lights. There weren’t many servants about. Most of them had begun to return to their rooms to rest, with the exception of those on security duty.

Ruella walked side by side with Kyle, chatting lightly from time to time. Ruella looked far more relaxed than when she was with the others. Even with Calix, she still seemed quite nervous.

Her hair fell simply down her back, while a small smile appeared several times as Kyle cracked a few simple jokes.

“You really did step on my foot quite hard just now. I even suspected you might have done it on purpose,” said Kyle in a dramatic tone.

Ruella immediately defended herself. “Of course not. It was because your timing was too sudden, so I was startled and lost control of my movements.”

Kyle chuckled. “Nice excuse. Use that when practising dancing with Calix too. He might not be as patient as I am when teaching you.”

“Don’t scare me like that.” Ruella snorted softly.

“I doubt you’re afraid of him. Compared to the others, you actually look the bravest.” Kyle put on an innocent face.

Ruella rolled her eyes, but the corners of her mouth turned up.

“In what way do I look brave?”

“In the way you stayed by his side,” Kyle said.

Ruella turned to look at him. She’d never counted that as bravery. She simply had no better option than to stay. “Is that so...”

“Yes, that’s very brave. If it were anyone else, they’d probably have run away on the very first day they met Alpha Calix. You know how his words can be so annoying sometimes, haha.”

They both chuckled.

But Ruella’s steps suddenly slowed as she saw someone just entering the main door of the pack house.

The tall figure she’d been searching for had finally returned. Calix was back.

Ruella’s eyes lit up without her realising it.

“Calix!”

She immediately walked quickly towards him with Kyle.

Calix, who had just taken off his leather gloves, raised his head slightly when he heard Ruella calling him. His gaze immediately found the girl and Kyle.

“They’re together again,” Calix thought to himself.

For some reason, they’d been together constantly over the last few days.

Calix watched the two of them for quite a while, then sighed in resignation.

Ruella stopped right in front of him. “Have you just got back?” she asked.

Calix gave a slight nod. “Hm.”

Kyle greeted him casually as well.

“Good evening, Alpha.”

Calix replied briefly. “Oh, you’re here.”

Kyle shrugged. “I’m staying in the annex with Orion because it’d be a hassle to go back to my private home. There’ve been loads of meetings lately.”

“Meetings, of course.” Calix smiled wryly. His gaze briefly flickered at the close proximity between Kyle and Ruella before returning to its usual blank expression.

Ruella, unaware of this, remained as relaxed as ever.

“We’re heading to the dining room,” said Ruella lightly. “You should come straight away too. Once you’ve finished dinner, you can go to your room and rest.”

Actually, Calix had intended to go straight to his room and skip dinner because he felt so exhausted. It wasn’t just physical exhaustion. His mind was in just as bad a state.

But now, after seeing Kyle standing beside Ruella, that uncomfortable and reluctant feeling resurfaced. It made him change his mind.

“All right, if you insist,” he replied.

Ruella immediately gave a small smile. “Good.”

“Actually, Ruella wasn’t forcing you. She was just suggesting it,” said Kyle.

“Just keep quiet,” retorted Calix.

They began walking together down the long corridor towards the dining hall. Ruella was in the middle of them, while Kyle and Calix walked on either side of her.

“Where have you been? You seem so busy you can’t even work from here,” she asked casually.

Calix replied without much expression. “I had business at head office. You know the festival is just around the corner.”

“Is that all?” Kyle raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, that’s all. As if it were a trivial matter. The festival is quite draining on my energy and focus,” said Calix.

Clearly, he couldn’t say what was really on his mind.

“I understand. You don’t need to get angry,” said Kyle. “I asked because Ruella was looking for you earlier.”

Ruella nodded. “Yes, I was looking for you earlier.”

Calix turned to her, frowning. “What for?”

“It’s no big deal. I just wanted to practise the dance a bit earlier. I mean, I need more time to practise,” replied Ruella.

Calix frowned slightly.

“I don’t think one day’s practice will be enough.”

“We can practise after dinner,” said Calix.

Ruella shook her head immediately. “Oh? N-no need.”

Calix looked at her.

“I’ve already practised with Kyle.”

Calix slowed his pace in surprise. “Is that so?”

Ruella nodded innocently. “Yes. Kyle’s quite a good teacher.”

“And you’re quite a clever student,” Kyle replied.

“Thank you.” Ruella smiled.

Calix glanced slowly at Kyle, and he returned the look with a relaxed smile.

For some reason, Calix didn’t like seeing that smile. And he liked the thought of Ruella dancing with Kyle even less.

“Come on, Cal. Dance practice is nothing.”

It was a trivial matter. Utterly trivial. Yet something inside him felt unsettled.

Ruella clearly hadn’t noticed.

“So you can just go and rest later,” Ruella said to Calix sincerely. “You look tired. We can practise tomorrow night.”

Calix merely muttered softly. “Hm.”

They were almost at the dining room when the sound of footsteps was heard from behind.

“Calix.”

Everyone turned.

Orion walked over with Rubina.

Rubina looked as neat as ever, her dress a soft colour and her hair perfectly styled. Yet her eyes immediately fell on Ruella.

“Kyle,” Orion greeted casually. “So you’re here too.”

Kyle nodded. “We were just about to eat.”

“Good,” said Orion. “We’ll join you. It’s too quiet in the annex.”

They were about to continue on, but Rubina managed to draw attention by taking a step back.

Orion frowned. “Why?”

Rubina lowered her head slightly before speaking softly.

“I... I’d better go back.”

Kyle let out a small sigh. “Have you suddenly fallen ill?”

Orion asked straight away, “Yes, why do you suddenly want to go back?”

Rubina gave a faint smile, but it was clearly forced.

“I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable.”

Her gaze drifted vaguely towards Ruella.

Silence.

Ruella gave no response. She simply stood there silently.

Orion immediately retorted, “If she’s uncomfortable, then it’s not you who should give in.”

Ruella lowered her head slightly.

Kyle clicked his tongue softly.

“Orion,” he said, “you’re at it again.”

Orion glared at him. “Am I wrong? It’s only logical. The one who feels uncomfortable should leave. Besides, Rubina has been eating with us for ages.”

“Your words will only stir up trouble,” said Kyle.

“Me?” Orion laughed. “You think I don’t know you all always take Ruella’s side over Rubina’s?”

Kyle folded his arms across his chest. “That’s because you’re always cornering her.”

Rubina immediately took Orion’s arm gently. “Never mind, I’ll just go back to the annex or head home.”

“In that case, we’ll go together,” said Orion.

Calix, who had been silent all this time, finally let out a long sigh. He looked absolutely exhausted now.

Exhausted.

His gaze shifted to Ruella. Then to Orion.

“Ruella doesn’t mind. So stop this nonsense and let’s go to the dining room.”

Those words silenced everyone.

Ruella herself hadn’t said a word from start to finish. She didn’t want to say the wrong thing and make matters worse.

Orion snorted softly but eventually gave in.

“In that case, let’s go,” said Kyle.

Kyle moved first, his hand guiding Rubina as she walked.

Rubina looked a little startled but followed anyway. “Take it easy, Kyle!”

Orion walked behind them, still looking annoyed.

Now only Ruella and Calix remained behind.

Then suddenly, Calix wrapped his arm around Ruella’s waist. It made her jump in surprise and freeze for a moment.

Her body tensed immediately. Her eyes widened slightly.

“C-Calix...”

Calix leaned down slightly, bringing his face closer.

“If you’re not comfortable,” he whispered softly, “you can eat in your room. I’ll keep you company if you’d like.”

Ruella turned her head quickly.

Their gazes met very closely.

Ruella’s heart immediately began to beat faster.

His voice was too soft, and they were too close.

To be honest, Ruella was very tempted. She wanted to spend some time alone with Calix. But when she looked ahead, towards Kyle, she realised that if she left suddenly now, she would feel bad towards Kyle.

Ruella bit her lower lip gently.

“I’m fine,” she said finally. “Besides, I’ve already promised Kyle we’d have dinner together.”

Again.

That name again. And this time Calix was genuinely annoyed.

It was strange. Kyle was his own best friend. They’d even grown up together and trusted each other for years.

But now, hearing Ruella constantly bring Kyle’s name up in every sentence made something inside him feel uneasy.

Very uneasy.

Calix kept his expression neutral, though his jaw tightened slightly.

“Well, it’s up to you,” he said at last.

Yet his hand didn’t immediately let go of Ruella’s waist. And Ruella, too happy yet nervous at the same time, didn’t protest or ask to be released. She simply went with the flow.