The Beast's Possession
84: Kick me out of your pack, Alpha.

**Aife pov**

Although taken aback, the guards led us down the hall, towards where the place smelled of blood, piss and vomit the most.

For some reason, the guy, Rex, was thrown in the worst part of the cells. The more time I spent down here, the more sure I was he didn't deserve this treatment.

As soon as we stopped in front of the cell, the guy looked at us, eyes wide, shock evident all over his features.

My heart clenched. He looked so young, still a child, yet thrown into an awful place like this.

"Luna, did you come here to hear me apologize? Please, believe me when I say I am truly, deeply sorry for hurting you. I never meant to. And I didn't know who you were until it was too late. I'm begging you, forgive me," he instantly started sobbing and dropped to his knees.

I couldn't take the view. He didn't deserve this.

"I didn't come here to hear apologies that aren't needed. You did the right thing, even if the Alpha doesn't agree with it. I came here because someone very special is worried about you. The guards are releasing you today," I tried to smile and failed.

No matter how much I could force myself, I couldn't smile at a view like this. Ever.

"Release me? But the Alpha-" he tried to protest while the guards unlocked the cell.

"It doesn't matter. Whatever the consequences are, those are my problem, not yours or the guards, or anyone but me at that matter. I want you out of here."

As soon as the cell door opened, Rex jumped at me. He pulled me into the tightest hug ever as he sobbed on my shoulder and a mix of apologies and thank you's left him.

I allowed him to have his moment, not moving even a bit. Honestly, I didn't feel worthy of the title these people were handing me, but if I could use it to help someone, I would.

When Rex finally calmed down, he turned to Rodrigo and a new wave of tears rolled down his pale cheeks. He threw his arms around the man and sobbed, muttering something under his breath.

It was a truly heartbreaking moment to watch them hold each other as if their lives depended on how close they could get to one another.

And yet, as heartbreaking as it was, I felt a sudden sense of happiness. One I hadn't felt for a long time, one that encouraged me to keep going and follow my heart.

Funny how this same feeling pushed me to stay around. For some reason, everything that had happened, especially the things Bane did, didn't matter. Maybe I was as delusional as one could get, but I felt like I was where I had to be. Like I belonged here. Like I was needed and wanted here. And maybe, just maybe, it would prove to be right. I couldn't be too blind and hopeful, but what if Zion was right and I could replace my own happiness here?

Recent ideas that circled my mind were nothing but blunt reminders that everything I thought my life would become was nothing but an illusion.

The plans of the Moon Goddess weren't written anywhere for us to read, so all I could do was try and trust that she truly had a plan for me.

By the time Rex stopped crying, he looked beyond exhausted. I suggested Rodrigo should take him to his room to rest, but he didn't seem too keen to follow my suggestion.

"But Luna, you're still too weak to roam around alone. We need to get you back to the hospital first," he protested.

I shook my head and smiled. "From the looks of it, Rex is the one who needs the rest more than me. I can replace my way around here. If not, I'm sure one of the guards could give me directions. Besides, I don't feel like going back to that room again."

Their eyes widened, even the guards. Rodrigo looked at me in pure disbelief. "But you need to return to the hospital." He kept insisting.

"No, I don't," I chuckled. "I would go there willingly if I would feel so bad that I would need medical care. If I return, all I'll do is take up space that might save someone's else's life." "What do you mean?" Rex asked.

My gaze focused on him. I couldn't help but feel guilty for what he had to suffer all because of me.

"First, I think you should get checked by the doctors. But what I meant is that I'm not hurt badly enough to lay around in the hospital. You never know what might happen when you expect the least. Trust me, packs need as much free space as they can get. If an attack happens, that space and doctors attention can save lives. I believe a life-threatening situation is more important than a headache."

And again, all of them stared at me as if I had grown another head. What was with these people acting so weird? Or was it me, who kept spewing nonsense they didn't believe in?

"Now I understand why he chose you," Rex muttered, catching me off guard.

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Sorry? I don't get it."

Rex chuckled and shook his head as he stepped away from Rodrigo and stepped closer to me. He stopped right in front of me, threw his arms around me and pulled me into another hug. "You are the light to his darkness," he whispered. It looked like everyone loved following their Alpha's example with secrets and never saying things as they were.

Just when Rex released me and took a step back, the pleasant moment was ruined by a loud growl, startling us all.

I looked in the direction where it came from, and to my surprise, I smiled. Bane stood not too far from us, red in the face, clearly angry.

Apparently, he didn't listen to Zion when his Beta sent him to have a nap.

Before Bane could do anything stupid, I reached my hand in his direction and spoke. "Come, help me get out of here and walk me to the gardens. I need some fresh air."

At first, he looked completely shocked, but then, he shook it off and rushed towards me. Something flashed in his eyes as he walked closer to me looking like a man on a mission.

Bane glared at the men surrounding me, but once his eyes landed on me, his gaze softened. Clearly, he had a different understanding of helping me get out of here than I did.

Instead of holding my hand and walking away, Bane scooped me in his arms and carried me away. I thought he would say something mean to the guards and my new friends, but he didn't. That fact alone was a relief.

"I need to get you back to the hospital," Bane muttered as he started walking up the stairs.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and rested my head against his chest. "No, I don't need a hospital. I need fresh air and positive emotions. No need to return there."

"But-"

"No," I whispered before he could give me a piece of his mind. "Besides, you were supposed to take a nap and you're skipping it. So, I'm following your example of not listening to what others think will be better for me." "Yeah, our situation is different."

"Hardly."

He did listen to me and carry me outside. Oddly, I felt like this was the first time in years I got to simply enjoy a moment outside.

Bane carried me towards the bench under an oak tree. I thought he would set me down, but instead, he sat down himself and held me in his lap. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me a little closer to his chest. "What were you doing down there?"

"Convincing the guards to let Rex go. The crime didn't fit the punishment."

I could feel a growl form in Bane's chest, but he managed to suppress it. "I disagree," he spat after a moment.

I was too comfortable and relaxed to argue with him, so I just closed my eyes and let myself enjoy the moment. This could be my first and last chance to have one with Bane. "Whatever, my opinion is supposed to matter too. Take this one time as the last. Now, stop sulking and let me nap on you. After I wake up, you can kick me out of your pack, Alpha."