The Beast's Possession

**Aife

pov**

Call me crazy, but I had a feeling that Bane kept kissing me whenever he did just to distract me. Somehow, the moments his lips crashed on mine always aligned with situations where I demanded for answers or made him uneasy. Despite that, I let him have the moment. Mainly because I didn't know anything about his family, but it was clear that he loved his parents. There was no other explanation as to why he had kept this place like a hidden shrine. For now, all I could do was give him what he needed and wait.

Sooner or later, he would be ready to share that part of his life with me.

Once Bane broke the kiss, he instantly hid his face in the crook of my neck. These days, the action seemed like a thing of comfort for him, so I just allowed it.

"How about we head home?" He suddenly offered.

"Sure," I agreed without thinking.

Clearly, he had a lot on his shoulders and mind already, especially dragging after him from the past, so not to start another argument, I figured it was better to play along for now.

Besides, since we were together now, we needed time to get to know each other on a more personal level, and that came with time.

"I know relationships are hard work," he muttered, still not moving. "And I promise to work on whatever we have going on here. But not now, not today. Today, I want to forget and live in the moment. Will you go on a date with me?"

A part of me was glad he couldn't see how my eyes widened at his question. He caught me off guard, I really never expected to be asked out by Bane.

If anything, I had a feeling that he would demand or announce that we would do something together, not go out of his way to ask me. This was a rather pleasant change.

Honestly, I really did want to go out. I wanted to get out of the houses that had been my prison for a few weeks already.

"Where would we go?" I asked.

Bane chuckled and tilted his head a little to press a kiss to my neck. "I heard carnival is in the town, so I thought that maybe you would like the experience."

Now, I was a little disappointed that he couldn't see my face. I had told Bane that all my life, I had pretty much spent hidden away from everyone, sheltered and robbed of experiences.

Nearly all things would become something I would do for the first time, so he could bet his butt that I wanted to go.

Containing the excitement that surged through me was stupidly difficult, but I managed to. "I would love to go to the carnival with you."

"In that case," Bane chuckled and slowly stood up. He offered me his hand and smiled, "let's get ready to go before the cotton candy is sold out."

Slowly, I placed my hand in his and allowed Bane to pull me up. He didn't let go of my hand as he led me out of the hidden living spaces and down the pitch black hall. Even when we stopped in front of the door while Bane locked it, he didn't let go of my hand.

No matter how many times the same thing happened, I couldn't rid myself of the amazement I felt whenever this weird feeling surged through me. The feeling in question was hard to explain - every time Bane acted like he needed me, and I meant actually needed me to stay above water, I felt something.

At times, I was so bold, I assumed something bigger connected us both. Like a mate bond. But as soon as the thought crossed my mind, I shrugged it off. There was no way we were connected by that kind of bond. But there was something and it was special enough for me to stay and try.

We didn't speak as we walked down the halls and towards the main door. When we left the building, some men still surrounded us and as we walked past, I grinned at the whispered remarks Bane ignored. "He's so smitten."

"Can you see the grin on his face? When was the last time Alpha smiled like that?"

"Is she a witch? I think she's good for him, but what kind of magic is that?"

The remarks continued even when we walked away from them, but the sole fact that his men seemed happy for Bane made me feel warm inside.

I had always been a person who hated rumors and whispered words, but these days, I found happiness in the very thing I used to despise.

By the time we reached Bane's house, I was silently drowning in happiness. As awful as this day started, it quickly did a full 180 and filled me with nothing but joy.

Bane stopped in front of the door and hesitated to enter. I raised an eyebrow at him and tugged on his hand. "Are you okay? Did something happen? Please don't tell me you changed your mind."

Disappointment hit me before Bane could answer any of my questions. I had gotten so wrapped up in my own emotions and excitement that I didn't think about how impulsive his decisions were. Bane had responsibilities in the pack, he couldn't just up and go anywhere he wanted.

Carnival wasn't a priority. It shouldn't be as it didn't bring any good for the rest of the pack, that much I understood, but I was selfish so I allowed myself to feel like a child that had just lost a chance to try the cotton candy he mentioned. Bane dropped my hand and spun around. A wide grin spread across his lips as he slowly shook his head. "No, nothing happened. I haven't changed my mind, I just realized I had never done this the right way." He said.

I frowned. What did he mean?

With that thought, Bane bent down, slipped his arm under my knees and placed the other on my back. My eyes widened as he lifted me and carried me inside the house bridal style.

A giggle escaped me as I wrapped my arms around his neck. "What are you doing?"

His grin only widened, "treating you like the Queen you are. I've said this before, but I have claimed that you would become Luna of this pack, yet never treated you as one. We change it now. Luna doesn't have to step inside the house, her Alpha carries her inside."

Was I really so easy to please? Perhaps I was, but the emotions his actions and words stirred inside me were impossible to describe.

Resting my head against his chest, I closed my eyes and enjoyed the moment. Slowly, day by day, I learned that even the most vicious monsters could show weakness, emotions, love and affection.

Now, all I could do was hope that this Bane wouldn't lose himself. This was the man I didn't want to lose. For as long as he could remain himself, not the monster within, I would go through fire if it meant we could build something beautiful together.

Something was telling me I belonged right where I was. In his arms.