Chapter 6 Wanna Bet?
Brugh.
Calix managed to pull down Ruella's hand, causing both of them to fall on the ground with Ruella on top of him.
The warriors who had finished their part immediately took over the fight, pounding on the rogue with the burn scars.
Calix ruffled Ruella's hair that covered her face. "Are you okay?"
Ruella paused with bated breath, her heart almost leaping out of her chest.
"Sorry..." Ruella rushed down from above Calix's body.
Calix pointed at Orion. "Go to him, I still have to finish this problem."
Ruella nodded. Claire rushed over to Ruella and led her to the beta Orion, who was tying up the rogue he had taken down.
"Alpha, we have them all tied up!" The warriors said.
Calix cleared his throat softly, he still imagined Ruella's actions a few moments ago. "Good job!"
"Should we finish them off?"
"Yes, we should. But not here." Calix turned to Ruella and Claire, who were comforting each other. "Take them into the forest and finish them there."
"Why not just here, Alpha? Why do you have to consider that troublesome princess? Let her see how we spare the criminals." Said the warrior, "You don't like her either, so it shouldn't matter."
Alpha Calix sighed and just looked at him sharply. The warrior immediately shut up and went to do his duty as ordered.
"Orion, give her a drink. The princess, who is used to being coddled away from danger, must be shocked to death by this incident," Calix said as he cleaned his sword.
He didn't know that Ruella's life in the bluemoon pack wasn't as idyllic as the princess' story in the fairy tale. Far from being pampered, to get her rights as a child, Ruella had to beg and was still ignored.
Ruella looked down. She wanted to scream and refute, but if Calix knew that she was treated like a family stain, then Calix would treat her just as badly or even worse.
"Finally..." Ruella looked up, welcome the fresh breeze after feeling sore from riding for half a day. "Ouh what a beautiful place... I just know that there is a natural lake that is this big. During my time in the bluemoon housepack, I only visited the lake in the residence. I even forgot the last time I wandered in a public place. Always stuck in my room."
The sun light was bright, but the heat did not feel stifling as the trees around contributed a lot of coolness.
"Your Highness, please don't go too far!" Shouted Claire, who was cleaning up their tableware that had been used for lunch moments ago.
Ruella turned her head, giving a thumbs-up and a nod. "Okay."
The gallant horses that had held their weight for hours looked down, drinking from the lakeside, wagging their tails, making Ruella want to touch them. But she didn't want to be kicked by touching just any horse that might only know its owner.
Meanwhile, the warriors sat relaxed on the grass with Alpha Calix and Orion discussing the next travel route. The atmosphere was quite peaceful, at least for a while.
Ruella chuckled as many beautiful butterflies surrounded her. Without her realizing it, Calix was watching her movements closely.
"Are there no butterflies in the bluemoon pack? She looks so happy to see those little animals," Calix thought to himself.
Ruella picked wildflowers of various colors, no matter what kind, as long as they were pretty, she would automatically like them.
"What is this flow-"
"Not that one!" Calix shouted when Ruella was about to pick a red leafy flower.
Ruella startled for a moment, then turned her head. "Why?"
"You'll get hives," Calix replied.
Orion laughed, "Are you stupid or what? Haha! You don't know anything,"
"Ey, she's a princess, if she wants flowers she should just ask her maids." Said another warrior, chipped in.
They laughed loudly together. Ruella, who was laughed at, looked sad and chose to pick another flower. She hoped Calix would defend her a little, but she also didn't blame Calix for hating her and the others.
"I thought that if the moon goddess had united us as mates, then we would automatically fall in love when we met. It turned out to be the same, it took time for us to get close." Ruella said to herself, feeling disappointed. "A really long time..."
After a while, Ruella gathered the flowers in her grasp, then turned to Calix.
With hesitant steps, Ruella walked towards the group of warriors, Claire following a few steps behind. "Come on, Rue, don't hesitate. It's fine to take the first step if you like him."
Arriving in front of Calix, Ruella held out the flowers with both hands, her face showing a sweet smile.
"These are for you," Ruella said, her voice clear and full of sincerity. "And thank you... for protecting me from that rogue attack before."
The atmosphere was instantly silent. The warriors stared straight at Ruella. Beta Orion glared sharply, and several other warriors exchanged glances with mocking expressions. No one spoke or objected to Ruella's presence directly, but the atmosphere of disapproval was palpable in the air.
"Oh, our Alpha got a new fan! This time it looks like it's going to be hard to get rid of," said one of the warriors.
Calix glanced at the wildflowers, his face flat. He rose to his feet, accepted the flower without so much as a word. Then, without warning, he pulled Ruella's wrist roughly, making the girl stagger forward.
"Awssh, my hand hurts," Ruella winced as her wrist was gripped hard. "It hurts, Cal."
"Alpha Calix!" exclaimed Claire in shock, immediately running over to stop him. But Calix glanced sharply at Claire.
"Leave us. I need to talk to her. Alone." he ordered sternly.
Claire hesitated, looking at Ruella as if asking for confirmation.
"It's okay, Claire... I'm fine," Ruella said quickly, forcing a smile.
Reluctantly, Claire backed away slowly, leaving them behind. "Scream loudly if he hurts you, okay?"
Ruella nodded, "Of course, I'll call you right away."
After Claire left, only then did Ruella show any real reaction. Ruella bit her lower lip to endure the pain.
"It hurts, please loosen your grip a little..." she whispered.
Calix released his grip roughly. Ruella's wrists were reddened, the grip marks clearly visible. Calix's eyes stopped at the marks. There was a momentary flash of guilt, but he quickly ignored it.
"Look, don't act like we're a couple brought together by love or some other good reason," Calix said coldly.
Ruella raised her head. "But... we were brought together by the moon goddess. Isn't that a good reason too?"
Calix snorted, his tone sardonic. "You're good at giving arguments, huh? Okay. Just so you know, I'm uncomfortable, and everyone here doesn't like you. You realize that too, right?"
Ruella turned her head, looking at the warriors who pretended to be busy with each other.
Slowly, Ruella sighed. Then she said, "If I could make them like me... would you try to accept me? Try... to love me?"
Calix laughed softly, his laughter full of mockery.
"Aren't you overestimating yourself? I mean, it looks impossible from any angle."
Ruella smiled slightly, not because she was happy, but because she had found an opening to get one step closer to him.
"Wanna bet?" she challenged boldly. "Or... are you afraid of losing? Afraid that I can actually win them over?"
"You're really amazing," Calix pushed his hair back. "You'd just be wasting your time and energy."
"Oh, deep down you must know that I'm capable of taking my place among your people. Yeahh, that must be why you didn't bet on it." Ruella smiled defiantly while girdling her waist.
Calix squinted, appraising the girl. Then, he replied, "You're not that good, Your Highness. We shall see."
"I can't wait either, my husband."
Without another word, Calix turned to leave, still carrying the flowers Ruella had given him in his tightly clasped hands.
"That flow--"
Ruella was about to chase after him, but Calix turned his head briefly and said, "Don't follow me. I'm sick of you sticking around me."
Ruella held her pace, her heart sinking for a moment. She looked down, then slowly backed away, choosing to walk towards the edge of the lake again.
She crouched down, staring at the reflection of her face on the surface of the lake, letting the wind caress her long hair.
Even though she had just been treated harshly, a small smile appeared on her face.
"Yeah, at least he didn't throw away the flowers I gave him." Ruella touched her red wrist.
"Ruella!" Claire ran a little closer, her breathing ragged. "Are you okay? Alpha Calix didn't hurt you, right?"
Ruella nodded slowly, rubbing her still-red wrist. "Take it easy, Claire. I'm fine," she said.
Claire took Ruella's hand, rubbing it gently.
"Are you sure you don't want to go back home? They all... won't accept you easily here."
Ruella smiled determinedly.
"I won't give up. Even at the blue moon, nobody wants me. So it makes no difference. At least here I still have a chance, I can try to win their heart over. Moreover, Calix is my mate. Although it's thin, but we have a bond of destiny by the moon goddess."
While they were chatting, something moved from the center of the lake, making the water ripple.
"Claire..." whispered Ruella, her face tense. "What is that?"