The Beast's Possession

**Aife pov**

Looking back in time, I couldn't believe how much I had changed ever since I entered Bane's pack.

When he first took me here, I couldn't wait for my birthday, I couldn't wait to meet my wolf and escape this place.

But now, I feared the day. Not because of the wolf, but because of the dreadful possibility of having a mate.

As a small girl, I wanted one. Desperately. I dreamed of that man, who was made for me, meant for me in all senses of the word - the man who would take me by a storm and sweep me off my feet.

But today, I didn't want that man.

I wanted Bane.

I wanted him with all his shortcomings, just the way he was. The man, who was rough around the edges and at times, could act like a heartless beast. The man who broke me just to put me back together and teach me how to love. While the rest of the world probably saw me as a fool, I knew they didn't understand anything. They didn't understand how much Bane truly meant for me and how much I meant for him.

But now, all I could do was stand in the bedroom, hidden behind the locked door, staring at my reflection in the mirror.

Every second that passed was nothing but a tormentful moment of my own memories, attacking me.

Those were fairly recent, to be exact - the very moment when the cook told me when that stupid food delivery would come in.

I still felt the cold shivers running through my body while her voice echoed in my mind. Was there a chance to stop the time? Could I come up with a way to rid myself of a birthday and never reach it?

There were death or becoming a vampire, but neither of them were appealing to me. I was desperate, but not to a level that would destroy me to bits and pieces. No.

Sucking in a deep, heavy breath, I closed my eyes and focused on my thoughts. Surely, if worse happened, I could come up with a solution, right?

I could reject the mate I never wanted. I could tell the man that I had fallen in love with someone else and no bond would ever be as strong as one that Bane and I shared.

A chuckle left me. Funny how months ago, I tried to escape; I wanted to get out of here as soon as possible, while now, I didn't want to leave. Ever.

And I wouldn't. If that was what Bane wanted, I wouldn't step my foot over the pack borders and remain inside the territory forever. If it meant we could stay happy together, in our own little bubble, I was willing to do anything. A sudden knock to my door startled me so much, I jumped.

Parting my lips, I was about to call out for the person to enter the room, but all that left me was a low, whispered, "shoot," when I remembered that I had locked the door.

Rather irritated by my own actions, I stomped towards the door and unlocked it. I had no idea why I had gotten so darn angry, but I pulled the door wide open with so much anger, I nearly started screaming at the person on the other side. When I saw it was Kala, the anger instantly left me and a sense of peace washed over me. "Oh, it's you," I whispered, leaning against the doorframe. "What's up?" I asked, trying but failing, to sound as calm as I could.

Kala glanced over my shoulder, as if she was worried that there was someone besides me inside the bedroom. That thought irritated me, I would never betray Bane like that. Ever, even in his wildest nightmares.

"I'm alone, stop scanning the room like you're looking for an intruder or a lover. Tell me why you came here and let me spend some time alone, please."

I knew I sounded annoyed and angry, but I couldn't fake being nice anymore. Even if I tried. It was more of my problem, that I knew, but as a result, I was angry at the entire world.

"May I come in?" She asked, ignoring my presence and brushing past me.

"Glad you bothered to ask. No, you can't enter my bedroom, I really want to spend some time alone. But oh well, since you already did without waiting for an answer, feel free to check the closet, bathroom, under the bed, damn it, go for the drawers as well, and see if you can find what you're looking for," I grumbled.

"I didn't come here to ruin your mood even more than it has already been ruined. I came here to talk and offer support. Oh, and share some news." Kala spoke with nothing but excitement, lacing her voice.

Slowly, I closed the door and spun on my heel to face her. As soon as I did, I pressed my back against the door for some support, "I really don't feel like talking, sorry," I admitted.

But again, my words meant nothing for her. Now, she was acting like a true Beta female and I wasn't too fond of the similarities she shared with Zion at this point.

Kala slapped her hands together and danced a little to show how excited she was. Then, she delivered the news that both exited me and terrified me to no end.

"Since you've been so secretive about your big day and apparently no one in this pack knew about it, Zion had to do something about it. He had to tell someone very special to you that your birthday is approaching and your special someone might be back home just in time to hold your hand when the clock strikes!" She squealed.

My jaw dropped. So did my stomach and heart. Insane waves of fear ran through me as even more washed over me. Bane.

What if he wasn't my mate after all?

"I don't think I can deal with this now. I'm not ready," I blabbed, focusing my gaze on my feet to ground myself, if only a little.

If the stress didn't fade, I knew I would start hyperventilating soon, or even worse, experience a full-blown panic attack.

"I have a feeling that I know why you're being so off-putting about the birthday deal, but I don't think you have anything to worry about. Especially in every sense that is connected to your Alpha. Zion told me more about you two and since I believe Alpha truly loves you, he won't give up that easily, regardless of what might happen next." Kala shrugged and stepped closer to me.

She reached out her hand to grab mine and squeezed it. "Trust me this once, everything will be okay. You will be okay and so will your Alpha. Stop scaring yourself with the possibilities and enjoy the moment. You two deserve happiness and that's exactly what the two of you are giving each other. Who cares what the Goddess thinks if you know that Bane and you were meant to be?"