Arranged To The Beast Alpha
37

LEAH'S POV

Damien ignited the engine to the car. The wind had blown softly as we drove down the empty road. I was still sitting stiffly in my seat, sneaking glances at Damian every now and then. He had been quiet since we left the diner, his jaw tight and his eyes focused on the road ahead.

The silence was awkward, and I was dying to say something, anything, to break it. But every time I opened my mouth, I stopped myself, unsure of what to say.

The clouds outside were dark, thick, and heavy, hanging low in the sky like they were about to burst open any second. I fiddled with my hands, staring out the window. The wind was picking up, the trees swaying wildly as if they were warning us about what was coming.

"Looks like rain," I mumbled, more to myself than to Damian.

He didn't reply, but his grip on the steering wheel tightened. I rolled my eyes. Typical Damian, acting all brody and serious. It wasn't like I'd done anything *that* wrong. Okay, maybe wandering off into that art gallery wasn't the smartest move, but still.

A soft patter hit the windshield. Then another. And another.

Within moments, the rain came pouring down, hard and fast. It was like the heavens had opened up, spilling buckets of water everywhere. The road ahead blurred, the wipers struggling to keep up.

"Damian, maybe we should pull over?" I suggested, my voice barely audible over the pounding rain.

"We're fine," he said gruffly, but his eyes darted to the side of the road.

I bit my lip, not wanting to argue. But deep down, I was nervous. The rain was so heavy, it felt like we were driving through a waterfall.

Suddenly, the car sputtered. Then it jerked. And just like that, it stopped.

"What's happening?" I asked, panic creeping into my voice.

Damian muttered something under his breath and turned the key in the ignition. The engine groaned but didn't start. He tried again. Nothing.

"Out of gas," he said, his voice tight with frustration.

I stared at him, wide-eyed. "Out of gas? Are you serious?"

He gave me a look that shut me up instantly. "Stay here. I'll figure something out."

I watched as he opened the door and stepped out into the rain. Within seconds, he was soaked, his dark hair plastered to his forehead. He checked something under the hood, then slammed it shut and got back in. "There's nothing we can do right now," he said, brushing water off his face. "We'll have to wait until the rain stops."

I sighed, leaning back in my seat. Great. Stuck in the middle of nowhere with Damian, in a car that wouldn't start. Could this day get any worse?

"We'll get wet if we stay here," Damian said suddenly, his voice softer. "There's a small shelter up ahead. Come on."

Before I could protest, he grabbed a jacket from the back seat, opened my door, and held it over my head. "Let's go."

We ran through the rain, his jacket barely keeping me dry. By the time we reached the shelter, we were both drenched. It was a small, wooden structure, probably meant for hikers or travelers caught in bad weather. It wasn't much, but it was better than the car.

Damian shook his head like a dog, water flying everywhere. I couldn't help but laugh, even though I was soaked too.

"It's not funny," he grumbled, but there was a hint of a smile on his lips.

I sat down on one of the benches, wringing out my hair. "You're right, it's not. It's hilarious."

He rolled his eyes but didn't say anything. Instead, he sat down beside me, close enough that our shoulders almost touched. The rain pounded on the roof, the sound oddly comforting.

For a while, neither of us said anything. The silence wasn't awkward this time. It was... nice. Peaceful, even.

"I'm sorry," I said suddenly, breaking the quiet.

Damian turned to look at me, his blue eyes searching my face. "For what?"

"For wandering off earlier. I wasn't trying to make things difficult. I just..." I trailed off, not sure how to finish the sentence.

"You don't have to apologize," he said, surprising me. "Just don't do it again."

I nodded, feeling a strange warmth in my chest. Was that... kindness? From Damian? Miracles do happen, apparently.

The rain kept falling, a steady rhythm that filled the small shelter. I watched as drops slid down the wooden beams, glistening like tiny jewels. It was beautiful, in a way.

"Do you always do that?" Damian asked, his voice soft.

"Do what?"

"Find beauty in the smallest things."

I turned to him, surprised. "I guess I do. It's... easier that way. To focus on the good, I mean."

He nodded, his gaze distant. "Maybe I should try that."

The vulnerability in his voice caught me off guard. For a moment, I saw a different side of Damian-not the cold, brooding man I was used to, but someone real, someone human. "You should," I said softly. "It might help."

He didn't reply, but the look in his eyes said enough. We sat there in silence again, the rain our only companion.

And then, without thinking, I reached out and took his hand. His fingers were cold and rough, but they curled around mine, holding on tightly.

"Thank you," I whispered, not even sure what I was thanking him for. For being here, maybe. For not letting me face the rain alone.

Damian didn't say anything, but the way he held my hand said it all. And for the first time in a long time, I felt safe. With him

It was the second time today tension built within us, he leaned closer water trickling from his hair down towards my body, slowly he grazed his thumb over my lips we were lost in each other's gazes and finally his lips settled on mine as he kissed me passionately.