Arranged To The Beast Alpha
A blast from the past

DAMIEN'S

POV.

Jason's words hung in the air like a storm cloud, heavy and impossible to ignore. Leah's eyes flicked between the two of us, confusion written all over her face.

"What did he mean by that?" she asked, her voice steady but laced with frustration. "What didn't you tell me?"

I didn't answer right away. My chest felt tight, the weight of a past I'd buried clawing its way to the surface. Jason stood there, smirking like he always did as if he had all the time in the world to watch me squirm. "Damien?" Leah's voice softened, but her eyes burned with insistence.

I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair. "It's complicated," I said finally.

Jason let out a low chuckle. "Oh, come on, brother. Complicated doesn't even begin to cover it."

"Stay out of this," I snapped, glaring at him.

Jason shrugged, but his golden eyes never left me. "She deserves to know the truth," he said. "Don't you think, Damien?"

I clenched my jaw, torn between anger and guilt. Leah's gaze didn't waver, her patience running thin.

"What truth?" she pressed, stepping closer to me.

I turned away, unable to meet her eyes. "We've met before," I admitted, my voice low.

Her brows furrowed. "What?"

Jason took a step forward, his expression softening slightly as he looked at her. "You don't remember, do you?" he asked. "That's not your fault. It's because of your powers."

Leah's confusion deepened. "What are you talking about? When did we meet?"

I felt the words clawing at my throat, desperate to escape, but I couldn't bring myself to say them.

Jason sighed, shaking his head. "She deserves to know everything, Damien. Or should I tell her?" My fists clenched at my sides. "Fine," I spat, turning to Leah. "You want the truth? Here it is."

I took a deep breath, the memories flooding back with a force that nearly knocked me off my feet.

"It was years ago," I began. "Jason and I were close-closer than brothers, practically inseparable. We did everything together. We trusted each other with everything. And then..." I paused, the words catching in my throat. "Then we met you." Leah's eyes widened, but she didn't interrupt.

"You were different back then," I continued. "Confident. Fearless. Your powers weren't as strong, but they were still there. You were... magnetic."

Jason chuckled softly. "She had both of us wrapped around her finger," he said, his tone light but tinged with something darker.

I shot him a glare before looking back at Leah. "At first, it was innocent. Jason and I didn't think much of it-we'd both flirted with girls before, but it never got in the way of our bond. But with you... it was different. You weren't just any girl." Leah's lips parted, but she stayed silent, her eyes locked on mine.

"I didn't realize it at first," I said, my voice quieter now. "But Jason did. He knew before I did that we were both drawn to you and not just because you were beautiful or strong. You were... ours."

Leah blinked, her expression unreadable.

Jason stepped closer, his gaze softening. "You kissed me first," he said, his voice gentle. "Do you remember that?"

Leah's face went pale, her lips parting in shock.

"Stop it," I growled, stepping between them. "She doesn't need to hear this."

Jason ignored me, his eyes still on Leah. "It was by the lake," he said, his voice quieter now. "You said you felt something you couldn't explain. You kissed me, and for a moment, it felt like everything made sense." Leah shook her head slowly. "I don't remember..." she whispered.

Jason's smile was sad. "You wouldn't," he said. "Not after what happened."

I clenched my fists, the old anger bubbling to the surface. "You kissed her first," I snapped, turning to Jason. "But she was my mate too. You knew that. And yet you "

"She kissed me, Damien," Jason interrupted, his tone sharp. "Don't twist it."

My jaw tightened, but I didn't argue. The memory was still raw, even after all these years.

Leah looked between us, her confusion turning into frustration. "What happened after that?" she demanded.

I hesitated, my throat tightening. Jason stayed silent, his expression unreadable.

"You disappeared," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper.

Leah's eyes widened.

"The next day, you were gone," I continued. "We searched everywhere for you, but it was like you vanished into thin air. For years, there was nothing. No trace of you. And then..." I swallowed hard. "Then I found you again. But you were different. You didn't remember me or Jason. You didn't remember anything."

Leah's face went pale, her hands trembling at her sides.

Jason stepped closer, his voice soft. "It wasn't your fault," he said. "Your powers-whatever they are they erased your memories. You started over, but we didn't. We couldn't."

I turned to Jason, my anger flaring. "Don't act like you're innocent in all this," I said, my voice low. "You knew what it would mean for both of us if she was gone, and yet you-❞ Jason raised an eyebrow. "And yet what, Damien? I didn't make her leave. Or did you forget that part?"

I clenched my jaw, the old wounds reopening.

Leah's voice broke through the tension, shaky but determined. "Why didn't you tell me?" she asked, her eyes locked on mine.

I couldn't bring myself to answer. The guilt was too heavy, the truth too painful.

Jason stepped closer, his gaze softening. "Because he was afraid," he said quietly. "Afraid you'd choose me."

The words hit like a punch to the gut, and I turned away, unable to face Leah's eyes.

"Enough," I said, my voice firm. "She doesn't need to hear any more tonight."

Jason smirked, his golden eyes glinting with amusement. "Suit yourself," he said. "But this isn't over, brother."

I didn't respond, my focus on Leah. Her eyes were filled with questions, but I couldn't bring myself to answer them. Not yet. And for the first time in years, I felt like I was losing her all over again.