The Beast's Possession
183: He’s targeting her.

**Zion

pov**

It took me a good while to convince Kala to stay hidden. It was the most important thing on my list, but I also had to admit that I was angry at her.

For fucking once, I asked her to do something and she chose acting like a goddamn child while being aware that the situation had gone out of hand.

As much as I loved that woman, if I got out of this shit alive, she could bet her ass there would be consequences to the stunt she pulled.

Like any other cat, she was too curious for her own good. She needed the details and kept getting in my way, demanding the answers and wasting the time I didn't have as a result of her actions.

Anger burned within me as I took off towards the main building. Bane's words echoed in my mind over and over again, growing louder with every step I took closer to the main building.

On my way, I seriously begged the Goddess to take care of Aife. That poor thing didn't deserve getting hurt just because Bane couldn't deal with his shit.

Okay, I was being too harsh. This wasn't entirely Bane's fault and I couldn't just expect him to deal with everything on his own. I did expect for him to tell me if he was struggling, though, so the silence kind of stung.

The moment I reached the main building, I instantly picked up on commotion inside. It sounded as if someone was raging their head off, throwing shit and threatening everyone in their way. Insanity.

And truth to be told, it was exactly what it sounded like to be. And the cause of the madness? Of course, my best friend Bane. But not quite him. It was and wasn't him at the same time.

Took me a moment to realize that the eyes that looked back at me weren't his. My initial reaction was to scream at him because what the actual fuck, but when my eyes caught a movement at the top of the stairs, I didn't waste a second to storm past everyone and run towards Aife.

She just stood there, frozen on the spot. "Get away from there!" I shouted at her, hoping for once her reaction wouldn't betray her.

But of course it did. Just like Kala, as lovable as Aife was, she was fucking annoying and way too curious at times.

Instead of listening, she crossed her arms in front of her chest and frowned at me, "I'll need some answers about what is going on before you can order me around," Aife announced as a smug smile spread across her lips. Soon enough, I heard footsteps following me and I knew she was fucked. Or dead. Or both for Goodness sake.

"Get off your fucking imaginary cloud and stop being a dick, Aife. You're in fucking danger so listen to what I said and get the hell away from there," I shouted, growing more panicked with every step I took.

I didn't mean to be an asshole, but I needed to be one right now. So freaking bad. If she refused to listen while I was nice, she had to when I was mean.

Aife didn't move. She looked over my shoulder and raised an eyebrow, "are you and Bane playing tag? What are you - three year olds? Come on, this isn't funny."

Okay, I had to admit that I was growing unfairly irritated with her attitude. "That's not Bane," was all I said.

Her eyes widened and face paled as the realization finally sunk in. Instantly, she backed away from the stairs and took off towards the bedroom.

Thankfully, she reached the door very fast and kept it open until I caught up with her. We slammed the door shut and locked it a moment before not Bane caught up with us.

"What the hell is going on, Zion?" Aife whisper-hissed the question, clearly fuming.

I paced before her, running my hand through my hair in frustration. "You're in danger, that is what is happening. Even more so now that you couldn't fucking listen to me when I tried to warn you first. Aife, I care for you, I love you like a sister, but you're such a dumb bitch sometimes, I just can't." All of my frustration washed out of me in waves.

Although I knew my words were hurtful, Aife accepted them all. "You're right. I ask too many questions and ignore any signs of danger. I apologize."

Her reaction to my rant caught me off guard and froze me in my step. Hearing her accept the shit I just spilled on her was the last thing I expected to hear from her.

"What do we do now?" She suddenly asked, switching her weight from one leg to another.

Honestly, I had no bloody idea. None. I knew how to calm Bane when the asswipe in his head started acting up, but this was the first time I had seen him take over my best friend like this.

"I have no clue. All I know is that I need to figure out a way to keep you safe or even get you away from here.”

As soon as those words left my lips, a loud banging startled us both. Bane had reached the bedroom and now, he kicked and punched the door as he screamed profanities at us.

It wasn't him, it wasn't his voice, but I really had a hard time accepting how shit this situation had turned.

Pushing Aife further away from the door, I stood right in front of it and started talking in an attempt to reason with the beast. It took me a long while until he finally calmed down a little and somewhere in between his words, I could hear my best friend, not the monster.

"I need to get her out of here. I know you want to protect her, I know you love her with all your heart, but I also know that you're not a blind fool, Bane. You know better than anyone that the only protection Aife needs right now is protection from you. He's targeting her, not the pack." I spoke as loudly as I could.

After a brief pause, I heard Bane speak. Just Bane, not the monster. "Open the door, we don't have much time."

My hands shook as I followed the command. Before I could register it, the door was wide open and Aife brushed past me to jump onto Bane. She wrapped herself around his torso like a monkey, sobbing and begging him to let her stay. At this point, both of us knew there was no way we could convince her it was best to add some distance between the two. Bane glanced at me, I could see the pain and heartbreak in his eyes, but knowing what he was planning, I nodded and agreed that the silent question was for the best. For everyone.

While Bane pushed Aife off him, I quickly mind-linked a guard to tell him he had to prepare a car and wait at the door. I emphasized how important it was for him to be fast, like no longer than taking two minutes fast.

By the time I ended the mind-link, Aife's hand connected with Bane's cheek. She was a sobbing, trembling, angry mess. "Fuck you, Bane! Fuck you, I'm not a toy and I hate you for using me like this! I hope you rot alone here!" She screamed at the top of her lungs and ran towards the stairs.

Bane and I followed her. He kept his distance while I caught up with her. I informed Aife that there was a car outside, already waiting for her. I told her that a guard would hand her money and take her to a safe place the same as I promised to keep in touch.

Once we left the building, I quickly pulled her into a tight hug and kissed the top of her head. "Happy birthday, my brave Luna," I whispered, emphasizing her title.

Aife looked like she was ready to cry, but she refused to let the tears fall down her cheeks. Instead, she quickly got in the car and encouraged the driver to take off.

When the guard started the car, Bane stopped next to me and hissed, "won't be able to hold him down for any longer. Once the car is out of view, knock me out and take me to the cells. I trust that's something you will find fun." All I did was nod. I knew he did what had to be done, but it didn't make the whole situation any better.

And now, we both watched as the car pulled away from the building. However, it seemed that fate had another low blow for Bane in mind. Aife glanced at him for the last time, her eyes instantly widening in horror.

I glanced at Bane right as he fell to his knees and placed a hand over his heart, hissing as if he was burning from the inside out.

"What the fuck? Are you okay?" I asked, growing worried about his ability to withstand whatever was going on, especially after the stuff the High Council did to him.

"Mate,” Bane cried out and fell forward, face first against the gravel.

**THE END of book ONE.**