The Beast's Possession
THE BEAST'S OBSESSION :1: If he finds out..

**Zion pov**

Ever since I sent Aife away Bane hasn't been the same. I mean, I completely understood why he was so down, but I couldn't turn back time.

I had apologized times and times again for the past three months, begging my best friend to forgive me for what I did, but all Bane did was brush me off.

These days, I hadn't seen him for more than a brief moment in passing. The poor guy locked himself in the office and decided to isolate himself from the rest of the pack.

Every day, more and more pack members approached me, questioning me about the well-being of their Alpha and when their Luna would return, yet I had no answers to give. None at all.

Deep down, even they knew that it was best if Aife didn't return at all. Now that we knew that the Goddess had actually blessed Bane with a mate of his own - she was in more danger than anyone could have predicted.

Just letting her stay nearby would put her in deathly danger. Honestly, although I hated to admit this - I was sure the monster inside my best friend would kill the poor girl if he had a chance.

"Beta Zion," someone spoke up, pulling me back to reality.

I looked to my right and smiled at the cautious reject approaching me. She was an older woman who often worked in the kitchen, but I wasn't sure what her name was.

"Yes?" I tried to sound cheerful despite the shit situation we all called our life these days.

"I don't mean to intrude on business I have no rights to know anything about, but I must ask.. are there any news from our Luna? You see, I know this might look like I'm pushing the limits, but I grew very close to Aife when she first arrived and I truly care about her. Deeply so. All I want to know is if she is okay and if there is anything me and the girls can do to help out more."

She looked so broken, I didn't know how to approach this subject.

In all honesty, all of us were broken beyond repair. Ever since Aife had to leave, the pack hadn't been the same. It couldn't be. She was the light of our lives.

Without her, I wouldn't have my mate. Aife played an important role in truly bringing us two together, she stood by everyone as a friend and protector, even despite the fact that she was the one who needed the protection the most. Running a hand through my hair, I let out a frustrated groan. "I'm not sure. I wish I had an answer, I wish I would know myself, but she's so far away, I don't think we'll be able to reach her."

"Do we at least know where she is? I'm really not trying to pry too much, I know it's not my business, but we all still worry. It would be nice to calm our thoughts at least with assuring each other that she's not completely alone," she whispered, averting her gaze down to her feet.

"She isn't alone. I gave the guard a very specific command and when he returned home, he assured me he took her right where I asked him to." I forced a smile, dying to leave this conversation as soon as possible. "Where's that?" She perked up, looking all sorts hopeful and ready to pull the information from me no matter at what cost.

Her excitement and determination amused me. So much so that I chuckled, for the first time in a while, I almost laughed. That was new.

Shaking my head, I took a step closer. "I couldn't tell."

Her eyes widened as if she didn't expect that I would keep this information all to myself. "Why? I won't tell anyone," she gasped, clearly taken aback.

"Listen," I groaned as my shoulders fell a little. "I trust this pack with my life. Yes, including yourself and the ladies that are worried about her, but I can't tell. I really can't. It's risky that I know, but if anyone else learns that too - he will go berserk. I can take the torture, but can you?" I took another step closer and whispered, "could you take all he has to give when he wants to know where to find her? Can you survive your Alphas anger if it's rooted with nothing but pain and heartbreak? For that girl.. He will go above and beyond. He will crawl to the depths of hell, take all his demons with him and return back to do that all over again just to have her. Think twice, it's not smart for anyone but me to know. Even the guard, I sent him away so Bane can't get his hands on the poor guy."

All color drained from her face as the realization hit her. I watched her as it sunk in and slowly, she started backing away, understanding how dangerous it would be for her to know anything.

And then, to my surprise, she froze in her step. Her eyes widened as she slapped a hand over her mouth and tears started streaming down her cheeks. She choked on a sob as she started shaking her head in disbelief. "Beta Zion-" she spoke and choked on another sob.

I walked closer, but she quickly stopped me by extending her arm. "Beta Zion, this is dangerous. How could you put yourself in such a position? The pack won't allow it. No. You've been nothing but kind to everyone here, you've always been the protection and warmth we sought, and this is how you repay yourself? If he finds out.."

It was a little sad to watch how worried she was about my well-being. At least in a way it was. Everyone around the pack pretty much knew that it was me who sent Aife away. The only reason why I wasn't locked in the cells, enjoying the sweet nectars of pure torture was that Bane was avoiding everyone.

Deep down, I knew, once he would come back to his senses - I could kiss the life as I knew it goodbye. Hence why I was so busy setting everything up to ensure the pack wouldn't suffer in the time of my absence and spent as much time with Kala as I could.

Bane wasn't a bad Alpha. He cared about his pack, more than he did for himself, but the monster within him clouded his judgment a little too often. He had so many demons to fight, survival was a challenge for my best friend. To ease the tension, I forced another smile and shook my head. "I'm fine. I will be fine. Promise."

She still didn't believe in my words, but I couldn't blame it on the poor woman. Clearly, she had been worried for a while and just now, I literally threw a bomb on her. A massive one.

"But what if Alpha Bane decides to go after her? He will need a location and if he is aware that you know it, what happens to you then?" She kept demanding answers.

Usually, no one in the pack got this bold and demanding unless there was a legit reason for that. I suppose worrying about my life was legit enough.

However, as soon as I parted my lips, fully intent to calm her down, someone cleared their throat behind us. The sound was familiar in all the worst ways possible. He had finally broken out of his shell and he was pissed. "Beta, would you mind joining me in my office? I believe there is something you want to tell me," Bane's voice was colder than ever, the tone sent shivers of pure terror down my spine.

Offering the reject woman one last, forced smile, I whispered, "tell them to prepare the cell."