Arranged To The Beast Alpha
OLD ACHE

DAMIEN

I paced, watching the doctor as he worked, slow and methodical. Every quiet click and measured movement frayed my patience. I needed answers, and I needed them now.

Kai's words kept replaying in my head: Don't scare him, Damien. He won't be able to do his job if he's afraid of you. So, I held back, barely, my wolf just under the surface, itching to tear through this room. Finally, the doctor looked up. "Alpha Damien." The moment he said my name, I stepped forward, bracing myself.

He cleared his throat. "I've given her the treatment she needs to recover. The trauma was shallow-no lasting damage. She'll be fine."

A small bit of tension eased, but I couldn't fully relax. Not until she was up, standing, talking. As he packed up, he added, "She'll need rest and care. I'll send her meds over once I'm back at my office." Kai stepped in, thanked the doctor, and showed him out, but I barely noticed. My eyes stayed on Leah, lying so still.

Andy and Cleo had tried to check on her, but I kept them out. They hadn't caused this, but right now, their shock felt like guilt. They felt they had let her down, and that was enough reason to keep them away.

There was a mole in this place. Someone was leaking information, putting Leah in danger, and I was going to replace them. But first, Leah had to wake up. She had to be okay. I wasn't leaving her side until she was back to herself, standing here, ready to fight again.

She wasn't even my Luna yet, and already, someone was after her just like my mother. That old ache settled in my chest. I had sworn that I would never feel it again, but here I was, sitting by this stranger. I would never admit it, waiting and hoping she would wake up.

FLASHBACK (20 years ago.)

It was my 10th birthday and I was looking forward to my mom showing up. The maids had everything ready on her command, school friends and pots of other children had gathered. Father was seated amongst his high-ranked members, so carefree about Luna's absence.

I, on the other hand, was a workload of worry.

"Damien, you shouldn't be out here." Nanny Rita grabbed my hand, but I snatched it from her, a silent growl escaping my lips. It was a purr to her; she wasn't scared, nor did she care for my anger.

"Let's go in, your mother will be here soon." She said a lot calmer this time.

I rolled my eyes and scurried off to sit by the steppings. I had been in and out all night listening to every liar who tried to send me back with false hope.

This time I won't leave until I see my mother. "Damien, don't be stubborn, come in." She also joined me on the steppings.

A sigh tore from her lips, and she took my hand again; she tugged on it, and I glanced up at her. "Your mother had a very important task to carry out. At your father's behest, she was sent to the Raven Hood pack to get an alliance...." "What's an alliance?" The word sounded foreign to me.

"It's like a practice of bringing two different things together, like trying cake and ice cream. They are so different but they go so well. That's what an alliance means."

I rubbed my chin thinking about Nanny Rita's words, but my conclusion was not so alluring. "So my mother left because she wants to get my father ice cream and cake? But it's abundant there.".

Nanny Rita laughed and shook her head. "Oh my boy, your knowledge is as vast as the real Werewolves. Coke with me; I will have something mixed up for you, then you can carry on with your birthday party, okay."

A smile tugged at my lips, a note to myself: I will have ice cream and cake, then return to wait for my mother.

I stood up excited for the treat Nanny Rita was going to offer, she also stood up and took my hand, but as we took a few steps forward, a car honked behind us.

I swerved, excited. My mother had returned. I left Nanny Rita's hand and raced towards the vehicle.

"Damien!" She yelled behind me, but I didn't stop, not until I got to the car. Two men hurried out like they were being chased. They opened another door and brought out someone who was covered in blood, legs twisted in a way I could have never seen before.

As the men placed the person on the floor, shock reverberated through my body. "Mother!" My scream echoed, so loudly in my ears as if someone else screamed with me.

I raced towards her, falling on my knees and hugging her despite her appearance. She was barely conscious.

"Mother," I called. She didn't reply, but she stirred, her eyes fluttering open and close.

"Mother," I called again, no response.

"What happened?" I heard my father's voice behind me. "Alpha Darus attacked, it was a trap. The Luna suffered before we could get there." The men spoke. "And." He paused his eyes to reach my path. Tears streamed down my face as I stared at them hoping they would add something positive.

"I cannot say it here, Alpha Arthur." He said as he slowly pointed at me.

My father's cruel gaze met mine, but only a scoff left his mouth. "Spill."

"She was raped, her legs broken and twisted,s-she might never walk again." Those words clipped to my brain, fear and pain hitting me in one night." FLASHBACK ENDS

Damien's POV

I felt Leah stir beside me, and my whole body went on high alert. When her eyes blinked open, relief crashed over me, taking away the tension I hadn't realized was wrapped around every nerve. She was back. She was okay. Her gaze found mine, a little dazed, but steady. She tried to sit up, wincing and pressing a hand to her head. I was at her side in a second, hands ready to steady her as I gently eased her back against the pillows. "You're safe," I said quietly, seeing a flicker of fear in her eyes. Whatever happened before she lost consciousness was haunting her, even now.

"T-thank y-you," she whispered, her voice so soft I had to strain to hear it. The sound of it, fragile and raw, hit me in a way I couldn't explain.

"I'm just glad you're okay," I replied, and without thinking, I pulled her into a hug, holding her close, maybe tighter than I should have. I felt her stiffness against me, and I immediately released her.

What was I thinking, she's still traumatized by the attack. The thought alone of someone daring to trespass and have my Luna killed made my blood boil.

They had done enough damage to my mother and each of them met their end in my hands. But it's not enough; they love the beast, and they crave to have it.

Andy and Cleo walked in as the door creaked open, their apologetic looks on their faces. I rolled my eyes and got up.

I stopped by the door where they stood awaiting my command. "Take care of her until I return," I ordered before darting out.