The Beast's Possession

**Kala pov**

"That's what everyone says. How about we flip them off, tell them to fuck themselves and prove them all wrong, huh?" The hopeful look in his eyes was breaking my resolve. Being with a wolf shifter was the last thing I wanted to do, but this one.. He just had something that pulled me in and Zion's approach to problems was like a gust of fresh air. Although I saw how he struggled with his own temper, he still did everything in his power to remain calm and talk some 'sense' in me.

Zion's words kept echoing in my mind, but I couldn't come up with an answer that could be good enough to ease his mind, or at least don't give him too much hope. There still was so much I had to consider, I couldn't give him an answer.. At least not right now.

"I think I will sleep a little, if that's fine with you," I muttered and tried to slide out of his lap.

His arms around me tightened and he instantly hid his face in the crook of my neck, inhaling my scent. For him this might be something he did to calm himself, but the shivers that ran down my spine were all sorts of dangerous, so I had to cut this short.

"Zion, please, give me some time to think," I muttered as I tried to push him away.

I noticed the look of hurt that crossed his face, but the man was master at hiding his emotions, so it was replaced by a bright smile the next moment.

"Yeah, take all the time you need. I won't pressure you," he whispered as he finally allowed me out of his lap.

Without Zion's strong arms around me, I felt like the entire world could get to me. Like I had no protection against the evil that was waiting for me outside these walls. Without the warmth that radiated off his body, I started shivering and instantly regretted getting away from him.

But alas, I knew I needed some distance from him if I wanted to consider this deal properly, without any influence from his side.

It seemed that my request cut him deep because Zion was out of the cell in a blink of an eye. However, what truly surprised me was the fact that he didn't lock or close the cell door.

Was this some kind of test he was doing? To check if I would run the moment the chance presented itself? Ha, little did he know there was nothing good or kind waiting for me out there.

I could, of course, return to the Coven and Salem, but the thought alone sent me into a state of panic and bile rose up my throat. Would staying with Zion really be any worse than staying with Salem? No, I didn't think so.

Even if the beast decided to beat me or even kill me, I doubted he would ever make me feel worthless or punish me for breathing too loud. Honestly, Zion didn't look like a man who would deem me worthless just because I lacked claws. But then again, I really didn't know him to be the judge of that.

How had I managed to get to the point in life where I was imprisoned by the species I feared the most, yet still thought of possibly staying?

The difference between this pack and the Coven was that I knew what to expect from the witches and had no idea how far the wolves were capable of going. What would they do, if I chose to stay?

And most importantly, how would Zion react if he found out that I couldn't give him children, which I was pretty sure he wanted... I was damaged goods, no way fit for a mate, especially to a wolf who stood as high in ranks as Zion did. Compared to him, I was nothing.

Sadly, I knew that Salem would think the same. She knew me better than anyone did, that witch knew everything about my shortcomings, talents and everything I lost. After all, she was the one who told me that I was banished from home for being who I was, not even one of my people had the gall to look into my eyes and come clean.

Closing my eyes, I decided to focus on getting some rest. As soon as I did, I overheard commotion coming from upstairs and frowned. Just when I needed the little sleep I could get, there had to be obstacles, right?

Oddly enough, the guards in the cells seemed worried about something. While they didn't pay attention to anyone, I crept closer to the open door and peeked at them.

The old man noticed me, but didn't say anything, just shook his head. When he realized I wouldn't just hide in my cell, he walked closer to me and kneeled in front of the cell. "When we leave the cells, which trust me, we will, you need to stay here, okay? As outrageous as this sounds, the cells are the safest place for you to be right now. Beta Zion will kill us, if anything happens to you."

My eyes widened at the sharpness of his words. Had something really happened and the commotion was more than just someone, trying to be difficult? Looking up at the ceiling, I focused on listening in. The scream that came from upstairs was so loud, so full of nothing but pain that it made me flinch. The guard looked at his friends and cursed. "Shit, we're under an attack."

I instantly looked at him as the guard stood to his full height and shook his head again. “You need to stay here. Understood?"

I had no idea how I managed to, but I spoke. "If that was your Luna screaming, the attack is accompanied by the witches. She will be in a lot of pain because of that powder I blew in her face. You need to take me to her. At this point, only I can help her."

Although he obviously didn't trust me, the guard still stuck around. He switched his weight from one leg to the other and looked around, anywhere but at me. "I don't know," he sighed.

"You don't have to trust me, but if you want your Luna to live, you will take me to her. I might hate you beasts, but she has been nothing but nice to me. Despite everything I have heard about that woman, I believe she is good and those rumors were nothing but dirty lies. Please, I will help her and you can lock me up again. Or better, let me help and then, hand me to the witches. They're here for me."

I felt the tears prick my eyes as I pleaded with the guard. I really wanted to help their Luna, she was a good woman and didn't deserve anything that was about to happen to her.

And although it broke me, I was also ready to be used as a chip of bargain for the witches to leave this pack alone. Going back with Salem had to be my worst nightmare, but I would, if it meant they didn't bring more harm upon this pack.