The Beast's Possession
54: I didn’t break anything.

**Aife pov**

When Zion left, I decided to take matters in my own hands. I had already gotten enough sleep in the car and when I found the last clock that was working, I realized it was way too late to sleep anyway.

First, I changed into different clothes, ones I was given at the rejects housing, as I didn't want to ruin anything Bane had chosen and bought for me. Only the Goddess knew how he would react if I ruined anything of his choosing. Then, I checked every cabinet in all bathrooms and kitchen to find some cleaning supplies.

First thing on my list was to clean the walls. Once I got rid of all of the blood, I checked if there was anything I could save. The furniture was a big no, so I gathered the pieces I could carry and dumped it all in a massive pile in the middle of the living room.

I knew there was no way I could deal with downstairs and upstairs alone, so I focused on the main floor.

Grabbing some trash bags, I started picking up the broken glass, cutting myself in the process more times than I was willing to admit.

Hours passed without me noticing it as I swept, vacuumed, dusted and cleaned. At one point, I realized how disheveled I had to look, but there wasn't even a tiny part in me that cared.

That is, until the front door opened and I remembered Zion had promised to return with a cleaning crew.

I hurried to clean the blood off my hands, but the moment a loud growl echoed against the walls and shook the windows, I dropped the rag to look up. Bane.

He stood near the door, his face burning red, an expression of rage written all across his face.

Slowly, I started backing away and raised my hands in surrender. "I didn't do anything wrong," the words just spilled out of me.

As I kept backing away and blabbering like an idiot, I didn't notice how Bane had stepped closer to me and the anger faded from his expression.

I had to have lost too much blood, because I could have sworn he looked concerned. That is, until I added more information.

"Zion said he would come with a cleaning crew, I wasn't tired so I decided to start early. I didn't break anything, I promise. I even changed into old clothes so you wouldn't be mad if I got dirty in the process. I swear, I didn't break anything." Bane's face twisted in disgust as he froze on the spot. I noticed how he pulled his hands into tight firsts, the vein on his neck looked like it was about to pop, his jaw tensed and his breathing became heavy.

"So now you two are on a first name basis, huh?" He spat at me.

What the... duck?

I hadn't realized he could react this angrily to me, saying someone's name. Thousands of thoughts flashed through my mind, but none of them offered the right words to get me out of this mess.

As much as I wanted to be strong and stand up to him, I knew it would bring me more harm than good. I was trying to get on his good side, but somehow, I always managed to ruin my own efforts in the process.

If I kept acting up and making mistakes, he would never trust me enough to grant me the window of a chance to escape.

I dropped my hands to my hips and averted my gaze to my feet, doing my best to appear ashamed. "I'm sorry, it was very disrespectful of me to address Beta by his first name. I didn't realize I did until it was too late. I apologize for the disrespect I've shown, it was very wrong of me."

My voice was a barely audible whisper, yet loud enough for Bane to hear me.

At first, he didn't react, even a little. But then, instead of another blow that I was expecting, he let out an annoyed sound and stormed off to his office.

Unsure of what I was supposed to do, I remained frozen. For as long as I didn't overstep his untold boundaries I should be safe.

Bane returned after a few minutes, holding two bottles of brown liquid in his hands. From the corner of my eye, I could see him watch me for a brief moment until another annoyed sound left him.

"Carry on with whatever you were doing here, don't let me hold you back from your mission."

With that being said, Bane stormed out of the house. On his way out, he slammed the door so aggressively, it felt like the entire building shook from the force he was using.

My knees gave out from under me. I didn't fight it, I just collapsed on the floor and focused on the sound of my breathing to ground myself.

I wanted to cry. All I wanted was to let the tears fall and release me from the invisible chains that were holding me down.

These days, I kept reminding myself I was supposed to be an Alpha. Someone, who had enough strength for everyone, not just myself. But somehow, as much as I tried to channel the inner Alpha in me, I couldn't find it. Maybe the people from my past were right after all. Maybe I wasn't built for such a high position after all.

The moment self-doubt crept on me, I tried to push it away. Crying like a baby and pitying myself wouldn't get me anywhere. Actions would.

Now, more than ever, I had to work towards getting out of here, no matter the price I would have to pay afterwards. Bane had his own demons to fight, and although I did feel a little sorry after finding out more, I refused to stand next to him and hold his hand during his battle.

Slowly, I picked myself up and returned to cleaning. For all I cared, the place could remain as a crime scene till the end of my days, but if nothing more, at least the cleaning gave me some distraction and sense of direction. Soon after, Zion arrived with a bunch of men and cleaners following him. Some of the women he had brought were faces I had seen around the rejects houses, but none were women I had spoken to before.

"This, guys, this is what I'm talking about. Finally, Bane pulled his head out of his ass and chose a real one, not another good for nothing bed buddy. You might not like our future Luna, but I adore this woman. Just look at how much she has managed to do without any help. If this isn't taking matters in her own hands and not being scared of getting her hands dirty, I don't know what it is," Zion praised me.

Every person who followed him agreed, grinning at me like a bunch of lunatics.

"Shoot, look at Luna's hands. Beta Zion, she's hurt," a woman gasped.

I quickly shook my head. "It's nothing, just a few cuts. I'm sure they will heal in no time, you shouldn't focus on that at all. I'm not sure if there's enough cups left in the kitchen, but I'm sure I could find some paper cups if you guys would like tea or coffee," I tried to direct their attention to anything but me.

"See, a perfect fit. Not a thought about being hurt, yet she's smiling and offering you guys drinks to show you how grateful she is for the help. A true Luna," Zion kept talking.

My cheeks turned bright red as I bit the tip of my tongue to keep myself from saying anything. I wanted to scream at everyone, to let them know how disgusted I was by them all and the things their Alpha did, but that would put my plans in jeopardy so silence was the best option.

"I need to run back to the main building and grab something. Will you guys be okay here without me?" Zion suddenly asked, looking straight at me.

"I promise I won't bother anyone," I blurted out.

A sad smile appeared on Zion's face as he shook his head, but didn't say anything. At this point, all eyes were on me and oddly, every single person surrounding me looked just as sad as Zion did.

He cleared his throat and announced. "I'll get going then." My eyes followed him as Zion walked to the door. He glanced at me over his shoulder, looking incredibly upset for a reason and then opened the door. Just before he slipped out, Zion muttered something that surprised me more than the kindness he had shown. "I'm going to fucking kill him."