The Beast's Possession

**Aife

pov**

After his big speech, Zion left me to think. I didn't get much alone time since he sent a guy to bring me food and sit around until I finished the meal.

I wasn't hungry. In fact, I couldn't remember the last time I felt hungry at all.

And yet, I managed to force the food down pretty fast, hoping to get rid of the haunting eyes that didn't leave me for a moment.

The man didn't look threatening, but there was something off about his eyes. Bane's eyes were empty of emotions but these... I didn't know how to describe them. Perhaps a predator, watching its prey, ready to pounce any moment?

"Rex is my friend," he suddenly spoke, startling me.

I glanced at him and swallowed, raising an eyebrow in a silent question. Was I supposed to know who he was talking about?

"The guy who got you here. I mean the one who hurt you," he clarified.

"Is he okay?" I didn't know why I asked, but for some reason I cared. After Zion explained what had happened, I really didn't want the guy to get in trouble for trying to save Bane. "Wait," the man dragged the word, a little taken aback. "You actually care?"

I nodded, unsure of where this conversation was going.

The next moment, he raised his hand, as if he needed a moment to process. "So you're telling me that you care if he's okay even after he hurt you badly enough for you to end up in a hospital?" Once again, I nodded. He didn't need my words to get the answers.

"Shit," the man hissed, running his hand through his hair. "Beta Zion was right, you're really too good to be one of us. I came here thinking I would have to give you a piece of mind about how unfair it is that Rex was taken to the cells and you're living a life of luxury, but it turns out you're a decent person. Wow."

I tilted my head to the side as I took him in. He looked like he hadn't slept at least for a week, had dark circles under his eyes and one of his cheeks appeared a little swollen.

There were plenty of things about this pack I didn't know and couldn't understand, but all the men that lived in the main building looked pretty much the same - rough.

"I didn't ask for anything, if that's what worries you. I didn't ask for him to be punished for what he did. In fact, I believe he did the right thing. Maybe a little too aggressively, but still the right thing," I tried to brighten the situation a bit. His eyes focused on me. "What do you mean?"

"I mean that he did what had to be done. I was a mess, everyone knows that. I remember the initial shock I felt when I found Bane lying on the floor, so I would guess that I wasn't exactly cooperative. Someone had to get me away from Bane to help him. It is only logical that every obstacle will be removed to save the Alpha." I shrugged.

Just because I didn't agree with plenty of things this pack deemed normal and necessary didn't mean I didn't understand basic things.noveldrama

Back home, if my father were still alive and needed help in a critical situation, his men would do the same thing without minding one's title.

"But is he okay?" I repeated the question before he could ask more of his.

He looked away and shook his head, "no, he's not okay. Cells aren't a playground, you know."

Gulping, I recalled my experience in those cells. Goosebumps instantly covered my skin as shivers ran through me. "Yeah, I remember. Can we get him out of there?"

The haunting eyes met mine again. "Get him out?"

I nodded. "Yes. Is there a way we could get him out? Maybe I could ask Zion to release him?"

He hummed as the corner of his mouth twitched in a suppressed smile. "You are Luna. You don't need to ask for anyone's permission if you want to release a prisoner, especially if you're the reason why he's been sent to the cells." To my surprise, his hand reached out and grabbed mine. Suddenly, his eyes were so full of hope and desperation, I instantly realized Rex had to be more to this man than just a friend. "Would you really do that? Would you risk the anger of the Alpha for Rex?"

The chuckle that escaped my lips surprised even me. Instead of pulling my hand out of his grip, I squeezed his hand to reassure the desperate man. "The Alpha's anger is something I've grown used to. Some sacrifices are worth taking. How about you pass me my clothes, they're on that chair, turn around, and wait for me to get dressed? We can go to the cells together."

Hearing my words, he moved faster than the lightning. He was up and running to the chair in less than a second.

Just as I asked him, the man gave me the clothes, took away the empty plate and turned around, impatiently waiting for me to get dressed.

I took my time removing the hospital gown and slipping back in the clothing. Once I was ready and told him he could turn around, the man all but ran to get my sneakers and even kneeled in front of me to slip them on. "That's not necessary," I tried to protest.

He shot me a glare that warned me not to argue and then grinned. "It is my pleasure to help Luna. Especially now that you're willing to go above and beyond for someone who means so much to me. I must admit, when I first heard about Alpha claiming you as Luna, just like others, I refused to accept you. But now, you have me in your corner. You are my Luna. I swear to stand by your side and protect you even if the price I pay is my own life."

My heart squeezed in my chest listening to the sincerity behind his words. Even people from my pack never said things as such, and I was supposed to become the Alpha.

Come to think of it, maybe it was a lie. Perhaps it was an empty promise, a facade my father built to keep me at bay. After all, he was planning to marry me off to Killian... The man helped me out of the bed and held my hand as he led me towards the door.

"My name is Aife, by the way," I muttered, attempting to ease the tension that suddenly started suffocating me.

"It's a beautiful name, Luna. My name is Rodrigo, I am the night patrol leader," he offered me a grin as he opened the door for me.

I realized that I didn't know much about patrols, which was yet another reason for me to think some of the things from my past might have been lies. Wasn't the future Alpha supposed to know everything about the pack system? Stuck in my thoughts, I didn't notice how we reached the cells until the guards stopped us. To my surprise, both men bowed once they noticed me.

“State your business, Rodrigo," the guard to the right barked.

Rodrigo stepped aside and gestured to me, letting me know I had to speak up. I cleared my throat and smiled. "Good day, gentlemen, we came here to ensure Rex is released. He isn't supposed to be locked here, he didn't commit a crime." Both guards exchanged glances. "But the Alpha-"

Before they could tell me more, I raised a hand to silence them and shook my head. "Don't think about the Alpha. This is my decision, my command if you may, and if any trouble follows my decision, I take the full responsibility of whatever is to come. Now, could you please walk us to the cell? I'm feeling a little weak today, so the sooner we are done with this, the better."