Arranged To The Beast Alpha
Protection

LEAH

I settled back in the plush seat of the car, staring out the tinted window as the city blurred by. The plan was simple: head to the shop, pick out a dress, get in, get out. I wanted it to be that straightforward, but of course, life didn't work that way for me anymore.

A convoy of guards followed behind us, their headlights like unwanted stars in my rearview. I felt my blood simmer, knowing they'd be stationed around every corner, a shadow always in my line of sight.

Some people felt safe with protection. I felt trapped. Suffocated. Every step I took was already mapped out for me, constantly tracked, constantly watched. And leading them was Kai-, a dutiful Beta fulfilling, whose only goal was to make sure none of those guards turned out to be an assassin. Because I knew that could happen any day now.

The car finally rolled to a stop outside a high-end dress shop. The lights sparkled through the glass, and the sign read Beauty and All in an elegant, swirling script.

Cleo gave me a wink as the driver opened our doors, and we stepped out into the cool air, the guards fanning out around us like shadows.

We made our way inside, greeted by a red-haired woman with a welcoming smile. "Welcome to Beauty and All, Luna Leah," she said, her voice warm and smooth. "I'm Tina. I've handpicked some of our best dresses for you."

I could feel Cleo's side-eye. "Is she being extra, or what?" she whispered, nudging me. I almost laughed but managed to keep it together. I was supposed to be used to this kind of welcome, right?

"No, it's... nice," I replied, glancing at Cleo and Tina. But then something odd caught my eye. Cleo and Tina-there was something similar about them like they shared a certain look. They had the same sharp eyes and a mischievous twist to their smiles.

"Well, Mom, there's your seal of approval," Cleo drawled, throwing herself onto a nearby couch. "Go on, do your thing."

Tina flashed her daughter a look but quickly recovered, turning to wave at someone behind us. "Beta Kai," she said, dipping her head just slightly. I turned to see that Kai had followed us in, standing there with his usual unreadable expression while the rest of the guards stayed outside.

"This way, Luna Leah," Tina said, her voice formal but warm as she motioned toward a doorway. I followed her, and Cleo trailed close behind.

The room we entered was lined with elegant gowns, each one more breathtaking than the last. My gaze drifted over them, but then it landed on a particular dress-the ocean blue gown with black, shimmering stones.

My heart skipped. I had worn that exact dress on the night of the attack. It had been torn and destroyed beyond repair while the guard was trying to take me. Yet here it was, every detail intact.

"You... have this?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper as I walked closer, brushing my fingers over the fabric.

"Yes," Tina replied. She snapped her fingers, and suddenly, sewing tools began to dance through the air on their own, threads and needles moving with a mind of their own, it was so beautiful. Magic. I felt my breath catch.

I had heard of witches before but had never seen one's work up close. They were rare, mostly choosing to live among humans these days, but some, like Tina, had stayed. Once, they'd been part of the werewolf council, but that was a long time ago. Now, most witches were content to live quietly on the edges of our world.

"It's an honor to meet you,* I almost said, the words bubbling up with a mix of awe and curiosity. But I bit them back, reminding myself to stay collected and composed. It was one thing to feel like a starstruck kid; it was another to show it. "Come, dear," Tina said, breaking my trance. "I have more dresses to show you. Beautiful options. Let's make this a memorable day." she said and opened another door that led to a closet.

I had several changes of dresses, but my mind still lingered on that one dress I wanted. Somehow, it didn't ignite much of the assault I faced in the guard's hand; what was staring at me was a dress I imagined in my head.

A heavy sigh left my throat as I thought of what was to happen in two days: my marriage to Damien; I would be his wife and the Luna of this pack.

I made my decision, choosing a white dress, its lace and embroidery sparkle like diamonds against the ivory fabric, don't they? The fitted bodice hugs me in all the right places, and the sweetheart neckline makes me feel like a princess. I love how the delicate straps rest on my shoulders, leading to a skirt that flows like a river of silk.

It was the best I could replace after the blue dress. "Done." I sigh fixing the last button on my shirt.

I stared at my reflection; dark circles were hidden under the makeup I put on. Only my saggy eyes could be visible.

Suddenly a shadow flickered before my eyes, just on the edge of my reflection. One second, I was staring at my tired face in the mirror, and then-there it was. This dark, quick movement cut through the air behind me, so close I could've sworn I felt it brush the back of my neck.

I froze. My heart stammered, thumping hard enough I could feel it in my fingertips. I didn't even want to breathe; it felt like that shadow might still be there, hovering, watching, if I so much as blinked. Was another assassin back? I swallowed, eyes locked on my reflection, trying to steady myself, but that same flicker of fear tightened its grip on me. Slowly, I turned, almost bracing myself to see...what, exactly? Some kind of nightmare? Are the men trying to kill me? Nothing. Just the empty, too-quiet bathroom and my towel hanging limply over the shower rod. I glanced back at the mirror, half expecting to see that shape lurking there, taunting me, but all I saw was my own pale, wide-eyed reflection staring back.

"What the hell was that?" The words slipped out before I could stop them, a whisper, so faint it almost didn't feel like my own voice. I felt a chill prickle up my spine, and it was more than just a shiver-it was this strange, creeping sense that something was....wrong. Wrong.

Whatever that was, it can't be assassins; I am highly protected by those guards; Beta Kai was also here; no one could have gotten past them. I am just being paranoid.

"Come on, Leah," I mumbled to myself, forcing my gaze back to the mirror. "You're just tired. Exhausted. Everything is fine."

Everything is fine.