Arranged To The Beast Alpha
38

DAMIAN'S POV.

The rain had stopped, but the weight in the air between us hadn't. I leaned against the car, my arms crossed, trying to act calm. Inside, I wasn't. The kiss her lips still soft in my memory-left me restless, unsure of what to say or do next. Tension filled the air between us so thick a knife could cut through, my actions seemed to have made her uncomfortable.

Leah stood a few feet away, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. She looked cold, her hair damp from the rain, but she didn't complain. Her face was tilted toward the sky, her expression unreadable, as if she was searching for answers in the quiet night.

"I shouldn't have kissed you," I said finally, the words coming out rough.

Her head snapped toward me. "Then why did you?"

I ran a hand through my hair, letting out a slow breath. "Because I couldn't stop myself."

Her lips parted, but no words came. The silence between us grew louder.

"I don't know what this is, Leah," I said, my voice quieter this time. "But I know it's dangerous-for both of us."

She stepped closer, her arms still holding onto herself like she was trying to keep it together. "I didn't stop you, Damian," she said softly. "What does that make me?"

Her words hit me in the chest. She sounded confused, almost vulnerable, and it made me feel worse. I wanted to pull her closer, but I couldn't.

"It makes you human," I replied. "Just like me."

She let out a shaky laugh, but it didn't sound happy. "You're not like me. You're...complicated. You're cold one second, and then you..." She trailed off, biting her lip. "And then I kissed you," I finished for her.

She nodded, her eyes dropping to the ground. "Yes. And now I don't know how to feel."

"Neither do I," I admitted.

Her head shot up, and she looked at me like she didn't believe me. "You don't?"

"No," I said firmly. "You think I planned this? That I wanted to feel this way about you? I didn't."

Her face softened, but her voice stood sharp. "Then why? Why do you keep pushing me away and pulling me back?"

I took a step toward her, closing the space between us. "Because I'm trying to protect you," I said, my voice low.

"Protect me from what?" she asked, her eyes narrowing.

"From me," I said simply.

She stared at me, her lips pressing into a thin line. "You're not making sense, Damian. You can't kiss me and then tell me to stay away. You can't keep doing this." Her voice cracked on the last word, and it cut through me like a knife.

"I know," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

She shook her head, frustration clear on her face. "No, you don't. You don't know what it's like to feel so..." She stopped, searching for the right words. "To feel so confused and-" "And what?" I asked, stepping even closer.

"And wanted," she finished, her voice trembling. "You make me feel wanted, Damian. But you also make me feel like I'm not enough."

Her words hit me harder than I expected. "You are enough," I said quickly, my hands clenched into fists. "Don't ever think you're not." "Then why do you keep pulling away?" she demanded, her voice rising.

"Because I'm scared, Leah!" The words burst out before I could stop them. "I'm scared of losing you. Of messing this up. Of you walking away and never looking back."

Her eyes widened, and for a moment, she looked stunned. "You're scared?" she repeated softly like she couldn't believe it.

"Yes," I said, my voice rough. "I've lost too much already. I can't lose you too."

She stepped closer, her face softening. "You're not going to lose me, Damian. But you're going to push me away if you keep doing this."

I let out a shaky breath, my hands running through my hair again. "I don't know how to do this," I admitted. "I don't know how to let someone in without breaking everything apart."

"You don't have to figure it out alone," she said, her voice steady now.

Her words were so simple, but they felt like a lifeline. I looked at her, really looked at her, and for the first time, I saw more than just confusion in her eyes. I saw strength.

"Leah," I said her name like a promise. "I'll try. I can't promise I'll get it right, but I'll try."

"That's all I'm asking," she said softly.

I reached for her hand, my fingers brushing against hers. She didn't pull away. Instead, she stepped closer until there was barely any space between us.

"You're freezing," I said, noticing the way her body shivered.

"I'm fine," she replied, but her voice wavered.

Without thinking, I pulled her into my arms. She froze for a moment before relaxing against me. My jacket slipped off her shoulders, but I didn't care. I held her tightly like she was the only thing keeping me grounded. The wind picked up, and the cold seeped through my clothes, but I didn't let go.

"Damian," she said softly, her voice muffled against my chest.

"Yes?"  

"I'm scared too,” she admitted.

Her words made my chest tighten. I pulled back just enough to look at her. "You don't have to be," I said firmly. "Not with me."

She nodded, her eyes shining with something I couldn't name. "Okay."

The sound of a car passing broke the moment, and I realized how late it had gotten.

"We should go," I said, my voice reluctant.

She nodded, stepping back but keeping her hand in mine.

As we got into the car, the air felt different. It wasn't lighter, but it wasn't as heavy as before. We didn't have all the answers, but maybe we didn't need them yet.

I started the car and glanced at her. She was looking at me, her expression soft but serious.

"What?" I asked, a small smile tugging at my lips.

"Nothing," she said, shaking her head. "Just...thank you."

"For what?"

"For trying," she said simply.

I nodded, my hands tightening on the steering wheel. "I'll always try, Leah. For you."