The Beast's Possession
28: You’re not leaving.

**Aife pov**

His announcement didn't just catch me off guard. It filled me with such intense dread, I felt like I was about to pass out on the spot.

Slowly, Bane reached for something and freed me of the weird things that were sticking to my body. I didn't move a muscle while he focused on the things he was doing.

Honestly, it was so weird to hear him speak to me in a gentle tone. I expected to see him lash out, to listen to him screaming and maybe watch him destroy something, but nothing alike happened.

For some reason, Bane was the perfect example of calm and collected. It was suspicious.

When Bane was done with freeing me, he tried to help me get out of the bed and on my feet, but I couldn't stand upright. My knees kept giving out from under me.

On an instinct, my body flinched away from him, expecting a reaction, but none came.

Instead, he scooped me in his arms and carried me to the bathroom. "I should have thought about the damn possibilities. You're too weak to stand up and walk around, so this mistake is on me." Bane muttered as he kicked the bathroom door open.

My jaw nearly hit the floor. While his bedroom was gray and boring, the bathroom looked like a room fit for a true King. The dominant white color went perfectly with the bronze details of the interior, making the bathroom look simple, classy and modern at the same time.

"I won't do anything, try to avoid sudden movements. You couldn't wash yourself even if you tried, so I'll do it for you. And don't panic, no one but me can enter the bathroom." Bane whispered as he let me back to my feet and carefully steadied me against the wall.

I still felt like I was about to collapse, so although I absolutely hated his touch, I was a little grateful that he pressed his body against mine so I didn't fall.

"Try to raise your hands. Can you?" He asked. I glanced up to look at him. The look on his face was one I wouldn't have thought I would see even in my wildest dreams - one of concern.

Slowly, ignoring the pain, I raised my hands. Bane quickly grabbed the shirt and carefully pulled it over my head. Only when he tossed the shirt away did I realize I was completely naked underneath it.

All of my instincts screamed for me to hide from his gaze, to find something to cover myself up, but I felt too weak to bother. And besides, there were so many bandages all over my body, the majority of my skin was still hidden from his hungry gaze.

Bane licked his lips and I instantly shivered in disgust.

"I need to remove them so I can tend to your wounds and get new bandages. It won't be pleasant, but you can pull through, right?"

Somewhere between Bane talking and bathing me, I managed to zone out completely. I didn't want to be present as his hands touched my body and his voice kept echoing against the bathroom walls.

In my mind, I was far away from the vile beast and his followers. I was in a fantasy world, led by nothing but kindness, surrounded by the people this beast took away from me.

Deep down, I couldn't help but wonder how Bane could sleep at night with all that blood on his hands. How he could act as if the world was his oyster and he was the god's gift to everyone.

When he finished, Bane wrapped me in a massive, fluffy towel and carried me back to the bedroom. He set me on the bed, far too carefully for his usual behavior. "Don't move, I'll grab another shirt for you and some more bandages. The wounds look way better than the first day," he muttered and disappeared in the closet. Under any other circumstances I would like a person this caring. To hell, I was lying. I would like anyone who was so careful and attentive if it weren't Bane. This particular man did nothing but raise suspicion within me when he acted so out of character. I didn't know him for long, but I knew him for who he was - a beast. Bane didn't have one kind bone in his body. What he was doing was a show.

But for what? Why the sudden change of attitude? What was he planning this time?

The questions still ran through my mind when Bane returned. He pulled the towel off my body and I instantly shivered as the cold air met my skin.

Bane clicked his tongue as his eyes skimmed over my body. "Yep, way better. And before you think about any nonsense - rest assured, I'm not checking you out. Your body looks like you just tried to sleep with a shredder, not the most arousing view in the universe. I'm here to tend to you, not to make sexual advances."

Although he gave a clear vocal assurement of his intentions, I still didn't believe him. I wouldn't put it past Bane to assault someone while they were down.

Slowly, he applied ointment to my wounds and bandaged them. Then, he helped me sit up and put on the shirt. Then, wordlessy, he helped me lay back down, covered me with a blanket, grabbed the towel and left.

For a brief moment, I felt like I could have a moment for myself, without him breathing down my neck. But of course, that had to be another delusion because soon after, he returned to the bedroom.

My eyes followed him as he approached the windows and closed the heavy curtains. Then, he walked to the bed and stopped right next to it.

I raised an eyebrow in silent question while all he did was grin. When Bane took off his shirt and unzipped his pants, my eyes widened.

I knew it! I couldn't put him past being the animal he was and using any chance he got at taking anything he wanted, even if he had to use force.

A loud, ugly chuckle let him, drawing my attention back to the beast.

Bane shook his head, amusement penetrating his features. "No need to give me that look. Whatever you're thinking - you're wrong. This is my bedroom, I'm just letting you stay here, but it doesn't mean that I won't sleep in my own bed anymore. The last couple of days have been shit and I really need a nap."

I tried to make a sound of protest, but none left me. Bane grinned like a madman as he dropped his pants on the floor and slid under the blanket, wearing nothing but his boxers.

"Truth to be told, you look just as shitty as I feel. I think you need that nap just as much as I do, if not more, so relax, close your eyes, and sleep. I told the maids to bring some of my paperwork to the bedroom, so I can work after I wake up and when you do, they will bring you some food. Stop overthinking every single thing you do and get some rest. You're not leaving anyway."