Marriage Meeting

Aleah froze at the young man's words. His face showed clear displeasure at her comments, and it seemed she hadn't made a good impression on him, especially since she repeatedly called his leader the Demon Alpha. It was also apparent that he had immense respect for his leader.

"Not yet. But most people describe him that way. And this room speaks volumes. Look around—it's filled with guns and plaques of awards. I bet only soldiers and members of the Astral Guardians dare enter this room. An ordinary person would be terrified to step in here. He's not good at hiding his Alpha origin. "An ordinary human could easily see how different he is," Aleah remarked as she glanced around the room.

"If he is a demon, why did you agree to marry him?" the young man asked. Aleah was taken aback by his question and looked at him.

"Well, I don't have a choice," she replied quickly. If her siblings hadn't blackmailed her, why would she agree to marry someone she didn't know? She thought, but she kept that to herself. The young man didn't need to know those details. Just thinking about it soured her mood.

"If you're forced to marry the Alpha due to your family's complications, I'm telling you, it's not a good idea. "He won't be able to help you," the young man said after a moment of staring at her, almost as if he had read her thoughts. This caught Aleah off guard.

"I’ll have someone return you home," he added, opening the office door.

"No!" Aleah exclaimed, grabbing his arm. After finally getting into his office, why was he trying to send her away? She couldn't leave without speaking to the Alpha. When the young man looked at her hand on his arm, she quickly let go.

Aleah quickly realized he didn't like being touched. His demeanor was serious and cold, and his piercing gaze sent shivers down her spine. She clenched her fists, wondering if she was the only one who saw the red thread connecting them. Why did she seem indifferent to it? He thought, his jaw tightening.

"I've said a lot about your Alpha. But that’s not enough reason to send me away, is it? "I need to speak with him," Aleah said to the young man. He didn't respond, instead looking intently at her.

"And do you think the Alpha wants to speak with you? You called him a Demon yourself. "Why would he want to talk to a pup like you?" the young man replied sarcastically.Go home before nightfall. "It's dangerous with all the Rogues around," he added.

"Why are you deciding for that Alpha? What are you, his right-hand man? I want to speak with him, and as a member of his group, you have to inform your Alpha that his future wife is here. I’m not leaving until I speak with him. Clear?" Aleah said firmly, crossing her arms. The young man's lips parted in surprise. He had never encountered such a stubborn young woman.

"You’re stubborn," he remarked.

"I’ve made an effort to come here. I’m not leaving without accomplishing what I came for. And yes, I’m very stubborn," she replied.

"Alpha Hunter, you’ve arrived," a soldier said, entering the room. Because the door was open, Aleah saw the soldier saluting the young man. She was taken aback to hear the soldier call the young man in front of her Alpha.

"Alpha?" Aleah asked in shock, glancing at the desk with Alpha's nameplate and then back at the young man. Was her desperation to meet the Alpha making her hear things? Or had the Alpha been standing before her all along?

The young man’s serious expression softened slightly as he watched her realization dawn. Aleah’s heart raced, a mix of confusion and anticipation swirling within her. How had she missed the signs? And why did the revelation of his true identity leave her feeling so vulnerable yet undeniably drawn to him?

Why didn't he say anything? Why didn't he introduce himself? Aleah suddenly covered her mouth as she remembered everything she had said earlier.

Did I hurt his feelings? Is that why he's sending me back home? She wondered, looking at the young man. Oh no, my big mouth is going to get me in trouble. She scolded herself.

"Carry on," the young man said, saluting the soldier. "I’ll be right there in 30 minutes." "Tell Beta Ramirez to facilitate the training," he instructed.

"Yes sir!" the soldier replied, saluting again before leaving. The young man closed the door and turned to Aleah.

"Coffee?" he asked, moving towards the coffee maker. Aleah couldn't speak, stunned by the revelation. The man she had been talking to all along was the Demon Alpha, feared by everyone, and her future husband. Her mind was in turmoil, unsure of what to think.

She wanted to be angry at him for not introducing himself and for asking her so many questions, but she held back. She knew she had probably said things that he didn't like, especially since she kept calling him the Demon Alpha.

"What’s your name?" the young man asked, placing a cup of tea on the table.

"Aleah De Luna," she replied simply.

"De Luna? "If I recall, Guevarra is the last name of the leader of the Moonshadow pack," he said, making Aleah pause. How was she supposed to explain that she didn't carry her father's surname because she was his illegitimate child?

"Never mind. "I don’t want to get involved in your family's troubles. "The way I see it, I think I know why you were sent to become my wife," he continued.

"Arrogant," Aleah muttered under her breath, though he heard her.

"First, I'm the Demon Alpha. Now I'm arrogant. "What else do you want to call me?" he asked, causing Aleah to bite her lip.

"Hunter Bryant. Or you can just call me Zen. That’s my name. Better remember it, rather than calling me all sorts of names," the young man said.

How arrogant, Aleah thought. "Thank goodness he's handsome, and I need to talk to him, she added mentally, trying to keep herself in check.

"You said you are here to-----" Hunter began but was interrupted by the ringing phone on his desk. They both glanced at it.

"Excuse me," he said, walking over to answer the call.

"Yes, Dad, she’s here," Aleah heard him say into the phone. She looked at him in surprise.

Dad? she thought. It dawned on her that the Alpha in front of her was the son of her grandfather's friend. She had imagined him to be much older. All the Alphas she knew were older men. She hadn't expected him to be young and fit. Handsome but arrogant, she thought, trying to curb her admiration. She couldn't deny how impressive he was. At such a young age, he was already an Alpha. 

He was probably in his early thirties or late twenties, yet he had so many achievements. The plaques in his office attested to that. From what she had heard, the Alpha King greatly trusted him.

"All right, I’ll talk to you later," he said, hanging up the phone and walking back to Aleah.

"Sorry about that. It was my dad. He asked if you were already here," Hunter said. "It seems we are the ones to fulfill the promise made by my dad and your grandfather," he added.

"Yeah, it seems that way," Aleah said absentmindedly. "How about you? Are you okay with that?" she asked. "I mean, you’re an Alpha, a bachelor, and a man who has achieved so much. Every girl must dream of becoming your bride."

"Are you one of them?" he asked, his eyes locking onto hers. The question hung in the air, laden with a mix of curiosity and unspoken emotions. Aleah felt her heart race, unable to find the right words to respond to his probing gaze.

"Of course not! I have my own reason for agreeing to this marriage," Aleah said, looking away.

"Then I guess it's settled. Let's get along well," the young man replied, extending his hand to her. Aleah looked at him in surprise.

"That's it?" Aleah asked, unable to believe his reaction. It seemed too quick and easy for him to accept everything.

She had expected him to refuse and possibly be furious. He was a bachelor, and she knew it. Just by looking at him, she knew many women would be disappointed to learn he was getting married. How would they react if they found out the well-known Demon Alpha was this handsome and was about to marry a woman he had never met? Many would probably be disheartened, and she might even make a few enemies.