Arranged To The Beast Alpha -
Wonderful time of the year
LEAH
I woke up to the sun warming my face, a soft, golden glow easing me into the day. For a moment, I thought Damien might be there beside me, but the couch was empty.
He had chosen it over the cramped small bed last night.
The whole situation still didn't make sense. Why did we leave the pack's comfort to blend into the human world, hidden behind strangers' walls?
I dragged myself up and wandered to the window. Outside, it was nothing special-just a rusty backyard fence, some overgrown grass, and the sun filtering in. But somehow, the light made even that tired scene look kind of beautiful. The door creaked open behind me. I turned to see Damien, face unreadable.
"Where were you?" I asked, trying to sound casual.
He just glanced at me, cold as ever. "Freshen up. We leave after breakfast." His words dropped like stones, with no warmth to hold on to. He walked out without another look.
I rolled my eyes. We leave after breakfast, my foot.
It hit me then I had nothing to wear. I glanced around and spotted a bag slumped against the bed. Rummaging through it, I found a dress, plain and simple, but it would do.
I sighed and made my way to what looked like the bathroom. Quick shower, dress on. When I returned, a plate had appeared on the small table, piled with bacon, eggs, and a hefty slice of bread.
I sat down, staring at it for a moment before digging in. The food was unexpectedly good, the kind of breakfast that reminded you, just for a second, what a real morning should feel like.
An hour passed. Then Damien came back, motioning for me to follow him out. I watched him carefully, trying to read even a flicker of what was going on in his head.
"Are we walking today?" I asked, a quiet edge in my voice.
Memories flickered in the back of my mind, fragments of the swell and pain; surprisingly, I didn't have a hard or rough night.
"No," he replied, voice flat. Right on cue, a car pulled up at the curb. He nodded toward it. "Get in."
The car stopped at a better-looking place this time, a bungalow. In the center of a busy street, there were people around, a lot of humans. Children playing around, parents I guess, gathered at one point, under a tree,discussing. "What's going on over there?" My legs tried to lead me forward, but Damien's grip on my hand made me pause. I looked at him and gulped. "We are not humans. Weird doctors lab." He reminded me. Holding my arm he led me towards the bungalow.
He jagged in the key and opened the door seconds later. As we walked in, my gaze rested on the beautiful and simple interiors, nothing too extravagant and still exquisite looking.
"Wow." I breathed out. "I have barely seen something so simple and magnificent at the same time."
"Like you..." I heard almost like a whisper.
"Hmm?" I cocked my head to stare at Damien." Settle in, we will be spending the next four days here. You can have your own room and wardrobe full of clothes. Don't bother me." "Thank you. But which one is mine?"
"Pick anyone." He walked off, disappearing into a corridor, leaving room for no more talks.
Alright Leah, he said pick any one of your choice. I followed the path Damien took and chose the first door in sight, I wasn't much of a picker.
Fortunately for me, my room had a window facing directly at the next house. I could see the conversing people, not overly convenient, but enough to watch how they smiled and laughed with each other. I was curious to know what was going on there. It wouldn't hurt to give it a trial, right? Damien will be busy being cold or lost in his head of cold thoughts.
I had a quick glance at the mirror present, and accepting that I looked good enough, I stepped out on my toes, as silently as possible locking the door behind me.
I skidded to the gathered group of people, and from a distance, glances had already been thrown at me.
"Hi." I waved, arriving in their midst; these people had pretty and welcoming smiles on their faces, and some were amused to see me.
"Hello dear, are you new here?" a woman with a short brunette bob and a warm smile approached me. Her green eyes gleamed with caution like a mother worried her child might hurt himself whilst playing.
"Yes, I just arrived with my husband. I didn't mean to interrupt your gathering, I was just curious and wanted to say hi." I explained, but the woman's smile didn't fade, it grew brighter.
"I am Athena; this is Roderick, my husband." She introduced as a man stepped forward, the wrinkles under his brown eyes told of his experience. He also had that warm smile. Was it so easy to smile all the time? I can't remember the last time I smiled so much, especially to a stranger,mother said there was nothing good about their presence. It was just her being protective.
"Do you want to join us? We are just having a meeting on our upcoming festival if you would like to join in the preparation and celebration? It's that wonderful time of the year. It's Christmas." She said as if rehearsing a school play and just landing on that key tone.
"What's Christmas?" The word sounded foreign to me, but the gasps I received from the people made my heart sink. Did I say something wrong? Was coming out here a mistake.
I felt a hand on my shoulder and I stiffened. "She has amnesia. She tends to lose her memories."I heard him behind me,and swallowed my spew as nervousness hit me.
Damien gently turned me to look at him. Oh, I saw the rage he was making behind that fake smile, and it made my heart race all the more.
"You see, love, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of a God, His name is Jesus; people celebrate this day because his birth brought about the reassurance of hope and a better future. I tell you this every year, but I don't blame you. It's not easy to always keep that in mind. Is it?" His smile grew thinner, while his grip grew tighter.
"Yes my love, thank you for reminding me."
Damien will surely have my head for this, but I won't let him get away with this one; he's tortured me enough. I wish to speak to people and not try to have failed conversations with a man like him.
"All the more reason I must sit with them and learn more, maybe join the preparation and celebration as well." I chuckled and grabbed his hand, releasing it from my arm. I pulled him along with me, and we took spare chairs amongst the other people.
"Please, Athena, fill us in on your plans; I am excited to know more."
"Witch." Damien cursed under his breath, forcing my lips to twitch into a smile. This is starting to become more interesting.
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