The Beast's Possession
58: You think too loud.

**Aife pov**

When Bane made the claims about treating me as Luna he claimed I was about to become, I didn't believe it at first.

To be clear, I believed those were sick lies coming from a drunk person. A drunk person who maybe didn't look as drunk as he supposedly was.

I didn't question him as Bane carried me to the building and called out to the pack members to gather in the great hall.

He probably knew how uncomfortable I was in his arms with all those eyes focusing on me, but even when I tried to wiggle out of his hold, he didn't let me go. For some reason, Bane forgot about my ability to stand on my feet. "Listen up, everyone," Bane's deep voice echoed against the walls, drawing attention to his presence, which already was larger than life.

"Things are about to change up a little. First of all, everyone by now probably already knows I lost my temper - the house is fucked. So much so that it's not safe for my Luna to stay there. From now on, she's staying in the main building and no one has the right to bother her. Whatever it is, I don't give a damn, don't bother her. Don't approach her, don't try to talk to her and most importantly, if you value your limbs - don't touch or look at her. Have I made myself clear?" "Yes, Alpha," the men replied in unison.

My cheeks burned as Bane's men started averting their gazes, following the Alpha's command.

"That's better. Get some of the staff to make her something to eat, I will be in the kitchen after half an hour and I expect the food ready by then."

"Yes, Alpha," again, everyone spoke at the same time.

Bane spun on his heel and left his men behind to head towards the staircase.

My hand trembled a little, but I still went with the gut feeling as I placed it on his chest. "Don't be angry, they didn't do anything wrong just now." I whispered.

He froze in his step and looked down at me. For what felt like an eternity, Bane looked for something in my eyes until a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"How are you still putting everyone else before you is beyond me. Too good to be true, indeed," he whispered the last part.

"I'm not. I just stated a fact, that's all," I tried to argue, making Bane laugh.

My cheeks had to look redder than a tomato because they were burning with such intensity, I was pretty sure I had started sweating.

Thankfully, Bane didn't address that. He focused back on his mission to carry me around like a child and growl at anyone who had the gall to look our way.

By the time we reached the infamous bedroom door, I had lost the count of the doors we passed to get here. But even as he carried me inside the room, Bane didn't let me go.

"I don't want to anger you, but I can stand on my own feet. There's no need to carry me around like a helpless baby," I muttered as my gaze took in the bedroom.

This one was nowhere near as fancy as the one in the house he destroyed, but this described 'Bane' better, if it made any sense.

The room in his house was both flashy and classy at the same time. A bedroom one would see in magazines, photos from celebrity houses and so on.

This, yeah, this was different. It was simple, no over-the-top details or anything. Just a place to relax and find peace.

Funny how I would never deem Bane as someone who sought privacy, but this was a room that screamed the words 'leave me alone.'

And yet, I liked it.

"I meant it," Bane's voice pulled me out of the daze.

I tilted my head to glance at him. Just to see if I could read his expression and find out if I had missed something he said, and check if he was angry again.

Bane didn't look like he was about to slam me against the wall, which had to be a great sign. But then again, he also looked calm, a little too calm.

Not knowing someone as calm and collected surely raised some doubts in my mind once the explosive person showed no emotions at all. "You think too loud," he muttered.

Bane's face was too close to mine. In fact, so close that his breath fanned my face as he spoke. Just a tiny movement and our lips would brush.

Shivers ran down my spine as I looked away and whispered a weak apology. I didn't want to like Bane. Even the side of Bane that proved to be sane, calm, gentle and inviting at times.

This was the man who slaughtered my family, not a friend! Why did I have to remind myself what he had done all of the time? Why did I keep forgetting?

"I think it's best if we take a shower first. After that, you can lay down and watch some TV show or a movie while I go downstairs to get your food." "W-we? S-shower? As in shower together? As in you and me? At the same time?" I stuttered as my eyes grew wider with each word that left my lips.

From the corner of my eye, I could see Bane grinning at me like the maniac he truly was.

"Of course. It's not like you can wash your hair or hold a bar of soap, did you forget? Your hands are hurt badly, and I'll just help out a little. Promise not to touch you unless you're comfortable with it." He explained as he carried me inside the bathroom and finally set me on my feet.

I never knew silence could be loud until this moment. It took him a few seconds until his eyes widened and Bane cleared his throat, looking a little uncomfortable.

His eyes shot to the toilet seat and he cleared his throat again. "Do you-" he cut himself off just to once again, clear his throat. "Should I?" And again.

It was weirdly endearing to watch him stumble over his words and grow annoyed.

"No," I chuckled, putting him out of his misery. "I don't need to pee, if that's what you're asking."

"Yeah," he muttered and brought his hand to the back of his neck to scratch it. "That was what I was asking. Yeah."

And again, the dreaded silence. It weighed on me more than my own thoughts did at times. I had no idea how long we stood like idiots, looking anywhere but at each other, but when it became too much, he finally cracked.

"I'll help you out of your clothes. If anything, please tell me. I'll be as careful as I can, but if you're in pain or I do something wrong, seriously, please tell me," his cheeks tinted red as Bane dropped to his knees and slowly started undressing

me.

It wasn't the first, and most likely not the last time, Bane saw me naked, but this felt different. He didn't rip the clothes off me, he undressed me slowly, almost as if he was trying to learn how to be gentle.

Maybe, I could get over it, but once I realized his eyes were slowly scanning my body, I knew this truly was different. Bane could deny it all he wanted, he could scream at the top of his lungs for all I cared, but there was something different about him.

The spark in his eyes. It was weak, barely noticeable and he clearly fought to hide it, but it still was there. I had seen the spark before, I knew what it meant. Lust.