Beauty and the beast
1300 Words
Damian’s POV
“How long have we been here? I am tired of waiting and I want to leave.” I deadpanned.
“It's only been five minutes. I believe the Alpha wants to usher his daughter in, and you know women, they tend to take a lot of time dressing up.”
My eyes narrowed, “I don't.” I replied to his claim.
“Of course. I will check on them.” Kai said and excused himself. I kept my gaze in the door, before returning them to the array of food on the table.
I grabbed my wine-filled glass and took a sip; my patience was running thin. Traveling all the way out here to be left waiting for a woman of some sort.
FLASHBACK (Two days earlier)
Barging into my office with a worry-filled face, Kai, my Beta, sat on the chair opposite me.
“So, what is it?”
He hesitated, looking away, avoiding my eyes. “The council, Alpha. Some of them… they’re concerned. They think you’re losing touch with your humanity.”
I narrow my gaze, irritation boiling beneath my skin. “Losing touch with my humanity? What the hell does that mean?”
Kai shifted uncomfortably. “They think… they’re worried about your leadership. Some of them believe you’ve become too distant, too cold.”
I barked a harsh laugh. “Cold? Distant? I’m an alpha, Kai, not some soft-hearted leader. Let me guess—Kane started this?”
Kane. My father’s old friend had the nerve to stay loyal even after I claimed the title.
Kai nods. “Yes. Kane and a few others.”
I scowled. “Tell them to stay out of my business.”
Kai’s face tightened. “It’s not that simple. If the council doubts you, it could destabilize things.”
My fists clenched, the challenge clear in my voice. “Are you saying I don’t deserve to be Alpha?”
“Of course you do,” Kai replied, his tone level. “You’re the strongest leader we’ve had in generations. But… they’re right about one thing. You’re alone, Damian. And people need to trust you. Fear only takes you so far.”
My jaw clenched. “So what do you suggest? I get a puppy, maybe?”
He didn't flinch. “You need a wife. Someone they can see beside you—a partner. Someone they can talk to.”
The laugh that escaped me was cold. “This is a joke, right?”
“No, Alpha. Right now, people see you as a lone beast. They respect that, but they need reassurance that you’re more than just a warrior. They need stability.”
“Stability?” I growled. “What are they complaining about?”
“They’re not… open. But look at them—they keep their distance. They respect you, but they don’t trust you. Not fully. They see you as too close to what your father was.”
The comparison hit, and I tensed up.
Kai raised his hands in a placating gesture. “You’re not like him, Damien. I know that. But people… need to feel it. They need someone by your side. A wife would bring that balance.”
I scoffed. “I have you. Isn’t that enough?”
Kai meets my gaze, softer now. “You know I’d follow you anywhere. But this isn’t about loyalty. It’s about perception. People need more than fear to hold them to you.”
A heavy silence stretches between us as I study his face. He isn’t backing down. And I know him well enough to understand he won’t let this go.
“Fine,” I muttered, resigned. “Where do I find this ‘wife’?”
A rare smile flashes across his face. “I’ve already arranged a meeting. She’s the daughter of an alpha. Just… meet her.”
I shake my head, a reluctant smirk tugging at my mouth. “I can’t believe I’m actually doing this.”
“It’s only until things settle down,” he assures.
FLASHBACK ENDS…
As I continued to scan the room, I caught a glimpse of something. Two pairs of eyes stared at me from the window. Those eyes were both lost and observant.
I stood up, approaching the window, those eyes didn't quaver or make any attempt to disappear.
They just kept staring at me as I made my approach; before I could get there, a voice cut through, and I lost that gaze.
“Sarah, dear, what are you doing here? Come with me, your father forbade you from stepping out of your room.”
Just like that, they were gone. Something about that gaze left me in wonder.
The door finally opened, and Kai and Alpha Charles walked in, behind them was a lady whose face was shielded with their presence, but as soon as they moved awake
I glance up and feel the flicker of disappointment. She’s tiny, five feet. I can’t imagine her as an alpha’s mate. My wolf, Midnight, is silent, and so am I, until she finally lifted her gaze to meet mine.
Her face appeared fierce, a spark of defiance in her eyes that didn’t match her size. That caught my attention.
I down the last of my wine. “Let’s get this over with.”
They joined the table, and I didn't fail to notice her father nudging her, she came by the chair next to mine.
“I didn’t expect you to be so young,” she muttered, but I heard it loud and clear. I snickered.
“Alpha, we’re so honored to join our families. Welcome to River Moon. Do you have the meals to your liking?”
“Yes,” I replied absentmindedly. I was staring at his daughter; the energy surrounding her felt off, and everything about her screamed unwillingly.
My gaze didn't leave her, but she failed to notice that. Her jaws kept clenching as her father spoke.
Alpha Charles cleared his throat trying to get my attention. “This is my lovely daughter Leah. The one who had agreed to be your bride on her own accord. Isn't that right, Leah?”
Leah glanced at her father and then back at me. She forced a smile. “Yes, Alpha. I wish to be your bride and Luna.” Her voice felt distant.
Alpha Charles laughed; what he found funny, I couldn't pinpoint.
Is this daughter of his not in approval of this union? Her refusal would mean my freedom, right?
Yet I warded it off my mind immediately; she's my bride, as Kai stated; she would leave with me today. She may be small, but there's no denying her beauty. She will probably become my s*x toy, there's no other use for someone like her.
“Alpha Damien. Please dig in and try our delicacies, right Leah, should your husband to be, not have a taste of the meals.”
Alpha Charles’s face darkens, but before he can respond, she interrupts.
“Yes. Alpha, please eat with us.” She said, staring at me, her voice cold and firm.
“May I speak to my bride-to-be alone?”
Alpha Charles sharply glanced at me, and back at his daughter; he let out a nervous laugh. “Leah, would you want that?”
Leah’s eyes didn't leave her plate. “I would appreciate us having dinner together. I love my father, and dining with him now would keep such a precious memory in my mind.” It all felt scripted like a robot reading a script set out of it.
My suspicion remained, but that was the least of my worries, I found myself lost in a difficult situation. With one question plaguing my mind.
How would she cope with being Luna?
- Writer
