Arranged To The Beast Alpha
40

LEAH'S POV

I woke up feeling a strange warmth on my fingers, like the lingering trace of something I couldn't quite place. The memory of last night came rushing back-Damian's restless form, the glow from my hands, and that moment when his agony became mine. My heart clenched at the thought, unsure if I had overstepped some boundary or if he'd even realized what I had done.

The bed next to me was cold and empty. Damian was gone. My chest tightened as I slid out of bed, my feet touching the wooden floor. A quick glance around the room confirmed it he hadn't just stepped out; he'd left entirely. By the time I made my way downstairs, the house was unusually quiet. No sound of him brewing coffee, no presence filling the space with his unmistakable energy. I bit my lip, forcing myself to push away the unease crawling up my spine. Maybe he needed time to process... or maybe he didn't know what to say.

Breakfast felt like a lonely task. I nibbled on toast, my appetite nonexistent. The silence was deafening, but I told myself it was just my imagination. Damian would be back soon, and we'd figure things out-together. At least, that's what I wanted to believe.

But when the front door finally creaked open, and Damian walked in, something was different. His face was stoic, his jaw tight. He didn't greet me, didn't even glance in my direction. My stomach sank.

"Good morning," I said softly, trying to catch his attention.

"We're leaving soon," he replied curtly, brushing past me without so much as a glance. His tone was cold and distant-a stark contrast to the man who had kissed me not even a day ago.

I blinked back the sting in my eyes, nodding even though he couldn't see me. "Alright," I whispered.

1---

The drive was suffocating. He wasn't saying anything, it made me queasy, and antsy, this wasn't the good and excited mood I was in when coming, I had a lot to say to Chloe, to Sarah to Tamara, but this was the second time my honeymoon was cut short, at first it was a maniac attacker, now I couldn't help but believe it had something to do with what had happened last night.

I helped with the pain, he said so himself so why was he treating me no better than a monster? Avoiding me like a plague

Damian gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles white against the leather. I sat quietly beside him, staring out the window at the passing trees. The air between us was heavy, thick with unspoken words. My chest ached with every mile that stretched between us, both physically and emotionally.

I wanted to ask him what was wrong, why he was being so cold, but every time I opened my mouth, the words got caught in my throat. His silence was like a wall, unyielding and impenetrable.

The tension in the car grew unbearable. I shifted in my seat, stealing glances at him from the corner of my eye. His jaw was clenched, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. The Damian I knew the one who'd held me, and kissed me felt like a distant memory.

Finally, I couldn't take it anymore. "Did I do something wrong?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

He didn't answer immediately. The sound of the tires on the road was the only response I got for what felt like an eternity. When he finally spoke, his words were clipped.

"No," he said flatly. "You didn't do anything."

But his tone said otherwise.

7---

When we arrived back at the pack house, Damian parked the car and got out without waiting for me. I hurried to catch up, my heart pounding in my chest. The familiar sight of the towering building should have brought me comfort, but all I felt was dread.

"Damian," I called out, my voice trembling as I followed him inside.

He stopped in the hallway, turning to face me. His expression was unreadable, his eyes cold. "What is it, Leah?" he asked, his tone laced with impatience.

I hesitated, wringing my hands together. "If I upset you somehow, I... I'm sorry. I just want to understand..."

"There's nothing to understand," he interrupted, his voice sharp. "You didn't do anything, Leah. Just drop it."

I flinched at his harsh words, my heart sinking further. "But you're acting so... different," I pressed. "I don't know what I did, but..."

"Enough, Leah," he snapped, his voice echoing through the hallway. "This isn't about you. It's me. Just... leave it alone."

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. "Damian, please..."

"Stop," he said, cutting me off once more. His eyes bore into mine, cold and unrelenting. "You need to leave, Leah. Go back to your room, or better yet, go back to wherever it is you came from."

His words hit me like a slap. I stared at him, my heart shattering into pieces. "What?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.

"You heard me," he said, his tone devoid of emotion. "This... whatever this is... it's over. Just leave."

I stood frozen, unable to process what he'd just said. My chest felt tight, like I couldn't breathe. The man who had kissed me, who had looked at me like I was his world, was now pushing me away as if I meant nothing. Without another word, Damian turned and walked away, leaving me standing alone in the hallway. My vision blurred as tears streamed down my face, and my knees threatened to give out beneath me.

I bit my lip to keep from sobbing, clenching my fists at my sides. The warmth I had felt from him-the connection, the bond-was gone. And in its place was a cold, hollow ache.

I wiped my eyes, taking a shaky breath. If he wanted me to leave, fine. But I wouldn't go quietly. Not until I understood why.