Arranged To The Beast Alpha
Honeymoon?

LEAH

The reception had kicked off, and after a quick change into something more comfortable, I finally got to settle in at a table with my sister, Cleo, and Andy, who had just escaped from the kitchen after working all day. "This is so amazing, Cleo and Andy. The meals I just can't wait to dig in." I said truthfully.

"Well, it's our Alpha's wedding, and he got married to a pretty damsel. It was important for us to perfect it." Cleo said while Andy shook her head.

"Alpha Damien will have our heads if this night doesn't turn out perfect." We laughed at her bluntness. She was damn right.

However, the crowd of guests was vast; it didn't seem like they were scared of the Alpha as the rumors made it seem, or maybe they were just pretending to be happy.

The room was buzzing with laughter, clinking glasses, and the hum of voices, all mingling together in a warm, happy kind of chaos.

Damien was somewhere near, talking with the guards, looking a million miles away even though he was right there.

I found myself glancing at him when I thought he wouldn't notice, feeling the way my stomach clenched each time my mind wandered back to that day. The day I lost control. I had vowed then and there to never touch a paintbrush again. There were too many possibilities tied to it now.

A gentle touch on my arm snapped me back. I turned to see Sarah watching me, her brow knitted in concern. She signed, *What's wrong?*

I just shook my head, giving her a quick smile and brushing it off. "Nothing," I mouthed, hoping she would let it slide. Cleo and Andy had poured their hearts into making this night as perfect as it could be, and it didn't feel right to let my thoughts drag me away from the good parts.

Then I spotted Tina in the crowd. I gave a little wave, and she lit up, hurrying over to join us. She gave Cleo a quick kiss on the cheek before pulling me into a warm hug. "Hey, you guys! And happy married life, Luna Leah!" Her joy was infectious, and I couldn't help but smile. Seeing her here made me realize where Cleo had gotten that spark in her; Tina was a firecracker in her own right.

Our table was piled with amazing food, thanks to Andy, and I let myself enjoy every bite, savoring it. It was like every flavor pulled me back to the moment, grounding me.

I felt a presence behind me, and a warm breath brushed my neck. I tensed and turned, feeling an instant flicker of irritation when I realized it was Adrian. My brother, of course. He slid into a seat at the table, flashing that smarmy grin of his. "Congratulations, sis. Happy married life," he said, the words polite enough, but I could hear the bite hidden beneath the surface. Only I knew how he really meant it.

Tina's voice cut through the tension like a knife. "Ladies only," she said, her voice hard enough to make Adrian's smirk falter. He gave her a look, trying to keep his grin steady, but it slipped.

"Of course," he mumbled, getting up and leaving, which let me breathe out in relief. I shot Tina a grateful smile, and she gave me a wink in return.

After finishing up my meal, I looked at Sarah, and we both seemed to have the same idea. We excuse ourselves, leaving the chatter and music behind, and made our way up to the terrace. The cool night air hit my face as we reached the top, and it was like I could finally let my guard down.

The moment we settled into the chairs, I pulled Sarah into a hug, and everything just broke free. All the tears I'd been holding in, every weight I'd been carrying it all came pouring out, and I felt her shaking, too, her tears mingling with mine.

"I love you, Sarah," I whispered, pulling back just enough to look at her. I wiped away her tears, and she did the same for me, our fingers brushing in the shared, silent promise that we were here for each other, no matter what. Sarah signed to me, Everything will be alright, sister. I believe you're in good hands.

Her words made me pause. In good hands? I wasn't sure why she would say that. There was something strange about it, something that left a nagging feeling in the back of my mind. But I pushed it aside, reaching to take her hands again. Then I noticed it. A mark on her hand a faint, dark bruise on the same spot where I'd gotten one the night I'd lost control of my painting. My heart skipped a beat.

"How did you get this?" I asked, feeling my voice tighten. Sarah quickly pulled her hand away, hiding it from view.

"Sarah," I pressed, "did Dad do this? Did he hurt you?"

She shook her head quickly, signing back, No. It just happened.

I stared at her, unable to shake the feeling that something was off. The bruise, the strange feeling that seemed to linger around that night - it was all piling up in my mind, each piece making less sense than the last. "Luna Leah." A maid interrupted us, she bowed before saying, "Alpha Damien requests your presence back in the reception."

I stood up and Sarah followed. We walked back to the reception hand in hand.

She only kept going when I stopped by Damien's side. "Luna Leah." A gray-headed man with a wonky smile greeted me; his attire spoke volumes of his authority. And his aura and Alpha he is. "Alpha Dylan at your service, welcome to the world of politics." He said and chuckled.

"I called her here for you to extend your greetings, not remind her of responsibilities." Damien chimed in and the Alpha lost his smile.

"Forgive me, Luna Leah." He said, his eyes brightened as if something had caught his eyes.

"Oh dear, there you are my pumpkin." Alpha Dylan said; I didn't look back; instead, I maintain my composure until a lady with black and blue hair emerged from behind me.

"Luna Leah.” She said her voice was coming out cold. "I am Royanna." She said and bowed ever so slowly, I was almost compelled to do the same. A strange aura radiated around her. "Thank you Royanna," I replied as curtly as I could muster.

"I believe we are here discussing your honeymoon plans and not politics." Royanna's composure and mode of conversing screamed elegance.

But one word struck me. Honeymoon?