The Beast's Possession

**Aife

pov**

Call me stupid, but he had my full attention. Something about the way Alpha Killian approached me and ensured I felt safe around him made me feel like he didn't lie about his intentions. Top it off with his offer, I really wanted to hear him out. So did Clove. If anything, she was getting more excited by the minute to get revenge on those who had ever wronged me. "Alright," I sighed. "I'm willing to hear you out."

I was still very hesitant to give him any time of my day, but my curious mind and Clove's chanting took over any logical thinking I might still have.

Slowly, I sat down, keeping my eyes on Killian as a bright smile spread across his lips. "Okay, first things first - you will come back with me."

Yeah, as soon as I sat down, I was back on my feet, shouting that I would do no such thing. He had to be out of his mind if he thought I went through all that trouble to run away just to happily hop back to the monster's territory. No freaking way.

Killian raised his hands and frowned at me. "Calm down, there's no need to jump to conclusions. I didn't finish what I had to say, did I?"

There was a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes, one I definitely didn't like the slightest. At this point, reading him was a little hard so I couldn't tell if he was messing with me or being serious.

Huffing, I sat down again and crossed my arms in front of my chest. "Don't drag this out then and lay it all out. I said I'm willing to hear you out, not listen to demands and follow them."

"Has anyone told you that you're very cute when you frown like this?" Killian mused.

"Yes, Bane has," I spat back without thinking.

"Right," he muttered and cleared his throat. Killian was an interesting man - hard to read yet his emotions, those were worn on his sleeve, very easy to see as they changed and jumped from one to another. "So? Will you tell me anything about the big idea or not?" I huffed, still very irritated.

Something was seriously wrong with me. I didn't feel like myself and came across much more aggressive than I actually was. Why?

*"Protective instincts. You are about to become a mother, you know you're risking more than just your safety so you're being a massive bitch to anyone who might harm our pup,"* Clove was there to quickly explain the situation.

I couldn't hide the grin that spread across my lips. If I had those instincts this early in pregnancy, at least I didn't have to worry about being a bad mother.

"Yes, of course, sorry," Killian spoke again, seeming even more nervous than previously. "I didn't mean to offend you with what I said. Didn't mean that you would come back as my bride or even return to the pack house. I guess I should have specified that," he chuckled.

I nodded. "Yes, that actually would have helped big time. So, what's the grand idea?"

"Just like I mentioned earlier, my offer was for you to watch them both enjoy karma from a distance. I could allow you to live in one of the empty houses on my territory - that's where you could be safe and wouldn't lack anything. At the same time, you would be close to the pack house if needed, but also far enough to ensure nobody knows you're there. And while those two run around like crazy, thinking they lost their ticket to wealth, you just sit there and enjoy life." Killian shrugged.

"What's in it for you?" I blurted out without thinking.

"Huh?"

Groaning, I jumped to my feet again and started pacing in front of him. "Listen, I might not have too much experience in life, but if I learned anything it's that everything comes at cost. Even the imaginary lemons that people say life gives them. Why free lemons all of a sudden? What's wrong with them? Where did the lemons come from? Has anyone tampered with them? You get the idea, I suppose. What I'm saying is that just like those lemons actually don't come for free, people don't do shit for you if they don't get something out of it."

Killian nodded, letting me know he understood where I was coming from but didn't speak. He seemed to be deep in thoughts, his gaze focused on something far in the distance, so I let him have his moment.

I didn't pay much attention to how much time had passed by the time he finally came back to his senses, but when he did, Killian did something completely unexpected. He stood up and rushed to me, pulling me into a tight hug and quickly let me go. "Sorry, thought you needed this just as much as I did," he instantly apologized and started backing away to create some distance between us.

"The reason why I want to help you get back at them is because I know how it feels when those who are supposed to love you unconditionally try to take advantage of you. It sucks and you deserve better. Again, I won't force you to marry me or anything, we will live in separate housings if you agree and see how it goes. Who knows, maybe one day I'll manage to impress you enough for you to give me a chance."

His cheeks turned bright red as he spoke and for some reason, I didn't have it in me to spit in his face and scream at the top of my lungs that Bane was my mate. That Bane was the man I fell in love with long before I found out we were destined to each other by the moon Goddess. And most importantly, that I was carrying the result of the love Bane and I had for each other.

"What do you think, Clove?" I asked out loud, unbothered by Killian's presence.

He did look at me funny, knowing we could communicate with our wolves without using our voices, but I liked talking to her out loud. It made me feel like she was closer, more present, not trapped inside my mind and body.

*"I think it's a pretty neat idea. Worst case scenario - we still will have free food and shelter. If you want to leave later, I will still stay on your side. I think it could be better to go with him. We wouldn't have to worry about food or roof over our heads which is pretty fucking important now that you're carrying a pup. Also, Killian has a hospital in his territory, a couple actually and you really should see a doctor. Even the Alpha can't ask for patient information so you're safe, they will keep your secret."*

I raised an eyebrow at Killian while Clove explained her opinion. My gaze clearly made him uncomfortable, the guy probably thought my wolf was ripping him in sheds with her words alone.

"She's not sure," I lied. "She said she would rather rip you to pieces than go back all that way just to see some emotional distress of people who have hurt us so much."

"That's not all. Well, for now it kind of is, but I have been planning something more for a while now, it was one of the reasons why I had to leave for so long. Trust me, their time is coming and once the clock strikes, their downfall will be nothing short of glorious. You don't want to miss it."