The Beast's Possession
98: Claiming ownership.

**Aife

pov**

I saw another side of him. Potective, possessive, and possibly territorial. Technically, I had seen him aggressive and angry, but not like this.

Bane held me so close to him, his words were so heavy and laced in nothing but promises, I realized this was more than just showing someone his dominance. He was claiming ownership.

Sick, twisted, ugly ownership. I knew I should have hated it, but for some just as twisted reason as he was, I loved it. I actually relished the feeling that spread through me.

While I yearned to be held and loved by him the way no one else had been loved, I also wanted this side of the man that was holding me. The animalistic, predatory side of him.

I had no idea if the man behind us was still looking, but I didn't care anymore. Something came over me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and jumped on Bane, wrapping my legs around his waist and hiding my face in the crook of his neck.

Everything around us faded, even the laughter and cheers in the distance. I didn't realize he was carrying me somewhere until my back hit something cold and hard.

Opening my eyes, I saw nothing but darkness. There were a few lights around us, but they illuminated the surroundings so poorly, I barely saw his face.

Bane had carried me to an empty, hidden alley. And then, without a word, his lips claimed mine.

The kiss we shared was different. Although I admired how every kiss was different in one way or another, this one was so full of raw lust and possessiveness, I didn't think I could ever get enough.

The rougher his lips became against mine, the more I wanted. Silenced whimpers and moans left me as my hands slid in his hair and I gripped it, desperate to pull his face even closer than it already was. Something came over me, all I could think of was how much I wanted him to claim me - fully. So much so, our bodies would become one and never part.

But then, the moment was broken. Bane pulled away and chuckled. "Not here. Not like this. You're not ready."

Those couple of words made me realize what I was begging for. Truth to be told, I wasn't sure if I really wasn't ready anymore. Something in me had changed, so I didn't have the answer anymore.

"I-" I tried to talk, but Bane silenced me by pressing himself against me, clearly showing off that he truly wanted me just as much as I suddenly had started to want him.

"No," he whispered. "You're not ready."

His voice was strained, pained. Bane sounded like he was trying to convince himself, not state facts.

"But," I tried to protest, but again, he silenced me.

His hand slapped over my mouth. "Stop. Please, just stop. It's hard to say no to you. But you must understand that this isn't you. It's not you, wanting to sleep with me. I know it's hard to understand, your emotions must be all over the place, but I know what you are feeling. And that, sweetheart, isn't desire."

His words replayed in my mind over and over again, but I still didn't understand why he was saying those things. Wasn't the person who knew what I wanted me? How could he know better than I did?

Another dark chuckle left him as Bane slowly removed his hand from my mouth. "When Alphas become protective of someone, our aura often blinds those surrounding us. While it bends and breaks the opponent, it also fools others. Your reaction is that of any she-wolf. Since you were so close to me at the moment, my aura overpowered yours and your instincts to mate the strongest wolf kicked in."

Then, Bane leaned a little closer and pressed his lips to my forehead as he added, "think about my words, little wolf. You know you're not ready for a step like that. Especially in some dirty alley. Your first time has to be special, it has to mean something to you, a beautiful experience. And more importantly, it has to be with someone special. As much as I hate admitting this, I have fucked up with you too many times to think we are at that stage already. I need to earn it, if it ever happens. I refuse to take that from you. Even if you beg..."

I let his words sink in as my heart slowly returned to a steady beating and my breathing wasn't as ragged anymore. My throat didn't feel like it was burning and there was no insane pull either.

After all, it seemed like Bane had saved me from myself. A bright, almost blinding smile spread across his lips as Bane looked at me. "That's it, there's my girl, she's back again."

Overwhelmed with emotions, I tightened my hold around his neck and hid my face in the crook of his neck.

Bane didn't need words for us to communicate. He could claim he didn't know me, but he did. Perhaps we weren't meant to be together and did this against all odds, but the little time we spent together was enough for him to read me. He didn't say anything as he carried me back to the car. When he was sure I felt comfortable, he closed the door, locked the car and disappeared.

Clearly, he was up to something, but I didn't bother to ask. This day wouldn't be ruined by arguments about his anger outbursts. If Bane left to hurt someone, I didn't want to know anything about it.

My choice was selfish, very unlike everything I usually did, but I really wanted to have this memory as it was. No violence, no arguments, nothing to stain the experience.

By the time he returned, I was drifting off to sleep, so I didn't pay attention to what he was doing when he opened the trunk of the car and dropped something inside.

Bane smiled like a lunatic when he got in the car and leaned over to peck my lips. "Sleep, sweetheart, you look like you're barely staying awake."

As if his words were magic, my eyelids grew so heavy, I couldn't resist the need to close them.

When I came to my senses, Bane was already carrying me towards the house. "Shhh, sleep, sweetheart." He muttered as he pushed the door open and carried me upstairs.

Laying me down on the bed, Bane removed my shoes and undressed me. His hands didn't hesitate and never remained on my skin for too long.

I half-expected him to lay next to me, but it also didn't surprise me that he didn't. Instead, Bane kissed my cheek and muttered, "I have some work to do at the main house. If I'm not back by the time you wake up, there's no need to worry. I'll tell Amelia to come over so you can have some company."

My eyes instantly widened at his last statement. I wanted to jump out of the bed and ignore any need to sleep if it meant I could see Amelia again.

Bane chuckled and placed his hand on my head, running his finger through my hair. "I know you're excited, but you need to get some rest first. It's late, she's probably asleep so you two can see each other tomorrow, okay?" Yawning, I nodded and closed my eyes. I could wait another night.

Bane kissed my cheek again, whispered, "good girl" and left the room. For the first time in a while, I felt like my life was getting better.