The Beast's Possession
7: I’m fine.

**Aife pov**

Nothing but cold, dark dread washed over me as I listened to my father coo at me. He sounded so weird, I wasn't sure if this was the man who had raised me or if the aliens kidnapped him and replaced with someone else.

"Aife? Are you okay? Please, talk to me. I know you must have gone through hell with that monstrous man, but please, believe me when I say I tried my best. I did everything, begged, pleaded and wasted the last resources I had just to get you back," he kept speaking, completely ignoring the fact that I wasn't reacting to his words.

Truth to be told, I didn't trust my father anymore. It wasn't just his attitude that threw me off but also the speeches he had been giving me ever since I came here. Every word that left his lips felt rehearsed, not like something that came from the heart.

"I'm fine, dad," I finally grunted while hiding the pregnancy test in my bra.

Clove had to have a reason to suggest we keep the pregnancy a secret, so I decided to stick with it. Also, I understood her point of view. Not only because our father would definitely go off the rails if he knew and the lectures about shame would be never ending, but also because he had no idea about what type of relationship Bane and I had.

For all I knew, he could try to force me to terminate the pregnancy.. But then again, I was pretty sure I was too far along for that. Which, fuck, brought me to the next problem - I couldn't stay here for any longer. They might have caught on extra heartbeats already and in no time, I would start showing.

*"Protective mama wolf, I like that. They won't hear the heart if I didn't notice that before them and once the beating is strong enough, I'll hide it. The pup is strong. Ours, we shall protect. Together."*

Clove's words calmed my raging heart like a lullaby. "Thank you," I whispered, making sure only she would hear me.

But of course, he did too. "For what, darling? I didn't do anything?"

"Ah, well, dad, I just wanted to thank you for always being there for me and worrying. That's all. I'm just a little overwhelmed after everything, you know.. I think it's best if I spend some time alone."

The last thing I wanted was for anyone to think Bane deserved the attitude he was getting from others. He wasn't the monster they claimed him to be. He was everything but that.

"I'm glad at least someone has enough decency to appreciate everything I'm doing for them," he grumbled under his breath.

I raised an eyebrow at the door, wondering if letting my curiosity run wild would be the best option in this situation. Honestly, I had no idea if it was a good idea, so I reached out to my wolf for advice. Goddess, this felt so good - to actually have someone who could guide me was amazing.

*"I think it's best if you play stupid. He's been coming around here pretty often, every time he claims he's checking up on you, but I have a feeling that he has ulterior motives,"* Clove whispered.

I nodded and braced myself. Sooner or later, I would have to face my father. All this time I had avoided him so many times, I wouldn't be surprised if he was suspicious about my behavior. Even more now that I really had something to hide. Just as I gripped the door handle and opened the door, he raised his fist, ready to knock again. "Ah, there she is, my princess in all her glory," he grinned and placed his hands on my cheeks, pulling me closer to press his lips to my forehead. "Hmm, a fever?"

"I'm not feeling too good," I lied, averting my gaze. If anything, my father had always been amazing at reading people, so lying to his face wasn't the easiest thing to do.

Playing the childhood game, though, was very easy. Years ago, I used to feel ashamed every time I caught something. Since everyone in the pack spoke about our unique abilities and qualities, most wolves looked down at those who caught anything. And with me, well, it happened that I used to get sick pretty often when I was a child.

The sharp inhale of breath pulled me out of my thoughts just as my father placed his hand on my forehead and frowned. "You're of age now. Could it possibly be heat?"

I instantly sharted shaking my head. "No, it couldn't." It pained me that I had to lie like this, to disregard the existence of my mate to get out of shit situation, but for this one time, I had to. "I haven't met my mate yet, remember? I can't magically go into heat with a non-existent mate."

"Ah, that's right," he waved me off and chuckled. "That little piece of information slipped my mind, my apologies, darling."

And now, he had to make it all way worse with the look in his eyes. Why he had to look at me with so much pity was beyond me. I didn't need or want his pity party. I needed some alone time to process what I had just learned and decide what step to take next.

"Hey, don't be sad, I'm sure he's somewhere out there," he trailed off and suddenly cursed under his breath. "Fuck."

I arched an eyebrow and tried to read him. Why was he acting so darn strange all of a sudden? Not that my dad wasn't super strange on a good day, but this was something else. Since he didn't speak for another few minutes, I crossed my arms in front of my chest and glared at him, "dad?" The word that left me was sharp and spiteful, but I didn't care.

He was more than welcome to go off the rails about me, being disrespectful and whatnot, but there was no way for him to find a way out of a situation he had created himself.

"Alright, I suppose it's best if I come clean with you and tell you everything about why I came to your room again," he muttered and sighed, as if he had something heavy to get off his chest.

He grabbed my wrist and pulled me into the bedroom, closer to the bed. "I think it would be better if we sat down and discussed everything first."

There it was, strike two. Something seriously sketchy was going on.

*"Whatever he asks of you, whatever he demands or even pleads, don't agree on the spot. Tell him you will think, entertain his attempt to manipulate you into doing something, but don't promise anything."* Clove snarled. Well, then. The situation had to be worse than I assumed. If she was this angry at my father and already warned me about the possibilities, I believed she suspected something already.

And yet, I followed his lead like the obedient little girl I had been all my life. There was a point and time when all I wanted was to earn my father's praise. I didn't dare to talk back, disagree or challenge him. I was the perfect daughter, the easy to profit off pawn for him.

Not anymore. I was stronger, smarter and better now. After Bane, I had learned a thing or two about myself and there was no way I was willing to drop it off just to return to the roots of submission. Not that my father had to know that now. Sitting down on the bed, I held my breath and waited for him to speak up. If not more, the least he could do was tell me what was weighing on his mind so heavily to return time and time again. Although he wasn't an Alpha of a running pack right now, he still was a very busy man.

"This might shock you, but it's important so hear me out, okay?" He started, looking into my eyes like he was trying to find something.

I nodded, playing the role of the gullible fool he knew me as.

The corner of his lip twitched up nearly instantly. His burning gaze focused on the wall in front of us and for once, I felt like I could breathe again. Not for long, though.

"As you know, we're staying in Killian's place. He's been out for a good while, but today I got a call that he is planning to return soon. Maybe in a week or less." "And?" I encouraged him to tell me more.

"The wedding is happening. I know you won't like it, but that's how the things are and I can't afford to take my word back. Especially with the work on pack grounds I already started. You must understand me, it's a tight position, but I know you, you will agree, right? You must. You care about the pack just as much as I do, if not more."