Arranged To The Beast Alpha
Vulnerable

LEAH

My brows remained creased as the annoying swirling sound of those machines remained printed in my brain. It made me more angry than I initially was.

Damien had sent in people to seal the windows with thin burglaries, to ensure I made no attempt to escape again.

At this point, he was more than a beast to me. He is a cruel man who cares only about his feelings and not about others. I wonder how he felt when he killed his own father.

I wanted out, out of this room and probably this marriage, just one glance at the burn on my palm reminded me of the vows I repeated.

"Luna Leah." The door was pushed open by the guard on duty, and a maid walked in, bowing, a small smile plastered on her face. "It's time for dinner," she said, while I rolled my eyes.

I got up and followed behind her, as we arrived at the dining room, my fist clenched seeing Damien sitting there. His gaze pinned on me, I ignored him and took a seat.

The dining room was intimidating with his presence, but I remained composed.

My heartbeat was a steady drum in my chest as I waited for the maids to begin serving.

I could still feel his gaze on me. Did he not plan to look away, or what?

Our eyes met and I tried not to flinch.

Every nerve in my body was on edge. I was in survival mode, ready for another confrontation, another verbal jab, or worse, the silence that could choke a room. The first course was laid in front of us, but neither of us made a move. My hand found its way around the glass of water, fingers trembling slightly.

Goddess, this is not how to be nonchalant or confident.

I wasn't sure if he noticed, and I wasn't sure if I wanted him to. He watched me carefully, his eyes searching mine, but for what, I couldn't guess.

Did he feel guilty after my outburst, I doubt that, after the changes he made in that room, there was no way this man could feel remorseful.

"Why aren't you eating?" he finally said, his voice low and steady.

A scoff escaped my lips before I could stop it. Bitter and sharp, it sliced through the heavy silence.

"I am not hungry" I replied

"Eat." He commanded. My blood boiled at the authority in his voice. I wanted to yell that I wasn't hungry, but my stomach grew. I swallowed my words and dug into my food.

I noticed Damien wasn't eating; he just kept staring at me like some scientist watching his new project.

"I planned another honeymoon, to get away from the pack before the grand summit." He said and I choked on my meal.

I coughed, trying to get the piece of meat stuck in my throat.

I grabbed the hem of my flare gown and wiped my mouth. Only the maid came to my aid offering water to quench the burn in my throat. As for Damien, he didn't move an inch, though the iciness was gone.

As the maids retreated, I focused on Damien, "Another honeymoon, but there's no..."

"It is tradition." He simply replied.

I didn't trust this sudden trip, was he still trying to get us to consummate? Alone time with Damien meant we would surely do it.

He was up to something. My eyes narrowed as I tried to read between the lines, searching for hidden motives. "And a grand summit?" My voice cracked at the end, despite my attempt to keep it steady. I knew what a grand summit was, the gathering of every Alpha of the realm to one chosen pack.

"Yes. We will both leave for the Shadow pack, and I hope you be on your best behavior."

"I am not going. You have been warning me about joining politics, and now you are taking me to another pack for more political reasons." I barked.

His jaw tightened, a shadow crossing his face, but he didn't respond with anger. Instead, he exhaled slowly, like he was fighting an internal battle.

"I don't have a choice, I am doing this because it's compulsory. If it weren't, you would not dare leave this pack in the name of that cursed word."

A flash of confusion swept through me, mixed with suspicion. But Damien is the most feared beast, if he went alone, it wouldn't matter, no one would question him. So why is he acting like the words of others matter? Or is this to throw a facade of happy marriage bliss? Is his position as Alpha being threatened?

I swallowed "Fine." I noticed the tension in Damien's shoulders seemed to ease just a touch.

The beast has a weakness after all. That should be my new focus, everything else can be flushed down the drain, especially Royanna's request.

"I have conditions if that is fine with you," I stated before he would conclude my acceptance.

"And?" his brows knitting into a frown.

"I want a separate room, honeymoon, and the grand summit. I would like my privacy very much." I replied and heard him groan, slightly.

"We will replace a way forward that works for both of us." He paused, and the air between us felt heavy, thick with unspoken regrets. "I won't grant your request until I am sure they are possible to secure."

I frowned, what the hell?

"And..." he trailed off, his gaze finally leaving me. "I am sorry for what happened yesterday."

I stared at him, stunned. Damien didn't just apologize. This wasn't the man who had cornered me, yelled at me, slammed me against a very hard wall, or forced me to paint just to see me in pain again. This was different. It felt real. Vulnerable,

even.

We finished dinner in silence. I pushed my chair back, the scrape too loud. Damien's gaze lingered, a mix of frustration and satisfaction.

"Good night," I said, my voice a weak shield, and left without looking back. My steps echoed down the hallway, the mansion cold and full of shadows.

"I planned another honeymoon." His words still buzzed in my mind, unsettling and raw. I swallowed hard.

The door to my room shut behind me, and I sagged against it. The quiet was heavy. I kicked off my heels and went to the shielded window, staring out at the city lights, trying to clear my thoughts.

The grand summit was coming, and that meant I would see my father again and possibly Adrian that devil. Father will request more information, and if I don't give him any, Sarah will suffer.

I paced, the need for answers gnawing at me. If I could understand his cracks, I could use them. But I needed insight from someone who has been in the pack the longest and probably knows a thing or two about Damien, someone like Andy and Cleo even, but I have to start from somewhere.

The plan formed in my mind. Tomorrow, I will have a talk with Andy.