Arranged To The Beast Alpha
Confidence

DAMIAN

A WEEK LATER

After a horrific honeymoon, Leah and I returned after her recovery, I told her not to speak of the attack and only informed Kai of the third assassin's death. Our investigation was going down a loop and it frustrated me to the core. I buried myself in solving the pack's issue while thinking of a way to make Leah more comfortable.

She had not stepped out of our room since the incident, if this had happened a week earlier, I would have been content. But now, Leah was hiding in the room for fear of being attacked again. I had tried my best through Kai to get her out but to no avail.

Even Andy made efforts to lure her out for picnics by the garden, but Leah rejected them all. By night, it was a different phase, her jerking and sleep-talking. It made me wish I could kill those bastards over and over again. At the end of the day, it will be of no use. Leah will remain paranoid, and those men will die. What she needs now is a force that would help her overcome her fears.

My study was quiet except for the faint hum of the air conditioning and the crackle of the fire a strange combination of warmth and cold that had always suited me fine.

A knock on the door brought me out of my thoughts; I glared at the door; the thought of seeing someone at this moment was far from the things I hoped to do today. "Come in." The words reluctantly left my mouth. Like a bitter medicine to the tongue.

The door opened and my eyes flicked up from the document I had been poring over as soon as I sensed her presence.

"What do you want?" I asked nonchalantly.

Royanna stood there, tall and unafraid, leaning against the doorway like she had every right to be there, and to her credit, she did.

We went back enough years that she was one of the few people who didn't shift uncomfortably in my presence.

"Damien," she greeted, that slight smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth as she sauntered in. "I heard congratulations are in order."

I leaned back, fingers steepled, and nodded. "Marriage was a long time coming. But, thanks. It has been a week, I would like for the secret reminder of my new life to seize." I said, letting out my displeasure. There was no point in telling her that the union had been more of an agreement than a whirlwind romance.

"Long time coming?" she echoed, raising a brow as she sat across from me, effortlessly owning the space.

"Who'd have thought you'd settle down in such a... traditional way?"

"Who'd have thought you'd come all this way just to congratulate me?" I shot back.

She laughed softly, shaking her head. "Touché. Well, consider it half congratulations, half business. You know how it is."

As always, she had been the closest to what I called a friend growing up. She understood my childhood trauma, she had lost her mother in the same way. Politics.

However, Royanna delved into politics rather than staying away; her father didn't bother to caution her either; he let her in, despite the sanders that surrounded her life.

"Always. So, get to it. What brings you here, Royanna?"

She paused for a moment, her smirk softening into something more calculating. "A business proposition," she said smoothly, watching me closely. "I think it's about time our packs aligned officially. Merged companies, let's say."

I held her gaze for a moment, weighing her words. We both knew I had expanded, taken down packs that had anything to do with my mother's death.

It was strategic, yes, but more than that-it was personal. Aligning with Royanna's pack could add to that protection, a safety net in this tangled web of alliances and grudges.

"Interesting," I replied, keeping my voice even. "Tell me more."

She tilted her head, leaning forward slightly. "It's simple. Our packs could stand to benefit from each other's resources, manpower, and reach. The territories we would control together would be nearly untouchable."

A faint sense of satisfaction crept in as I mulled over the idea. "I would agree to that," I finally said. "But you knew that already, didn't you?"

She just smiled. Royanna was no fool; she knew how much I had come to value strategic partnerships. "Naturally," she said, her voice smooth. "But I do have one more request before we finalize anything."

My gaze narrowed. "Go on."

"I would like to speak to Leah. I heard of the unfortunate attack h; those on, those bastards were very nasty, choosing such a day to ruin it all." Her tone was casual, but her eyes told a different story. She was testing me, I could feel it. "Leah?" I asked, resisting the urge to scowl. "There's no need for her to be involved in this. She's not part of politics. And how did you find out about the attack? "Because I have ears, and because Kai told me."

Royanna arched a brow, clearly intrigued. "I thought you would want her involved, Damien. Especially with a merger this significant."

"I don't want her involved in politics; it's that simple; you, of all people, should understand that.." My voice came out sharper than I had intended, and I forced myself to relax. "My mother got tangled up in all that, and look where it got her." Royanna's gaze softened slightly. "Damien, this isn't about dragging Leah into anything dangerous. I just think it might be good for her to understand the structure of things. An alliance like ours... it's not small. It affects everyone under your command, including her."

But I shook my head. Leah was mine to protect-whether she was under me or not didn't matter. She was here, and she deserved more than what my mother had gotten. Leah was off-limits as far as all this business was concerned. And just then, as if summoned by our conversation, the door swung open, and Leah stepped in. Her shoulders were set back, her chin high, and that glint in her eye was unmistakable.

Confidence. Where did she get that? After being coiled up in our room for a week, she suddenly stepped out looking all determined, as if she had found a new purpose to pursue.

"Alpha Damien," she said, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips before she looked over to Royanna.

"Miss Royanna, a pleasure to have you here."I didn't mean to intrude, but I couldn't help overhearing... And yes, I would like to talk to Royanna." She looked at me directly, unwavering. "If that's all right."

Something inside me tensed, but I held it back. "Leah, you don't have to get involved in this."

She crossed her arms, unbothered. "And yet, here I am.” Her voice was firm but calm, her gaze unwavering. "I will be fine; it's just a brief meeting with Royanna." She said.

I met her gaze, feeling that familiar flicker of protectiveness mixed with annoyance. She was stubborn and determined and I had to admit, it was something I respected about her.

Royanna watched us both, her lips curving into a knowing smile. "Well, I'd be honored to speak to the Luna," she said, casting a glance my way. Her eyes were full of that same old challenge she always carried-one that said she knew she'd gotten her way, and there was nothing I could do about it.

With a resigned sigh, I nodded, watching Leah and Royanna exchange an almost conspiratorial glance before they both turned to leave.

The door closed behind them, and I was left alone in the study, feeling the faintest hint of a smile tug at my lips despite myself.