The Beast's Possession

**Bane

pov**

"So, what is our next step? Where to?" Chris asked, clearly enthusiastic about what the future held for him.

I wouldn't mind a companion, but I couldn't forgive myself if I pulled an innocent boy into my mess. I really hoped my plan could work out and he would just go with it. "There is no such thing as our next step. My next step, yeah, that's a thing, but ours isn't happening," I spoke loudly enough for Chris to understand I wasn't messing around.

His eyes widened, just slightly, and mouth opened, but before he could start trying to call the shots, I shook my head and raised my hand to stop him.

"Listen, I would prefer it if you returned to my pack. I will alert my Beta and Luna about your arrival and they will take care of you. Food, shelter, clothing, even separate housing if you want that. Just agree to go there and let me deal with this bullshit alone."

Chris started shaking his head. The poor boy was too stuck in his delusion to understand how dangerous everything was about to become. He had to understand that I wouldn't allow him to stay simply to ensure he remained as safe as one could be.

"But I want to help. And besides, I have vast knowledge about this territory, I will lead you wherever you want to go. Trust me, I'm a great help. I won't get in your way, I promise to keep my thoughts to myself if that bothers you. I really want to help, that's all."

One thing I admired about him was how determined Chris was. On top of that, he really seemed to do everything to fight for what was right. However, as admirable as his qualities were, I couldn't just agree to risk his life as if it didn't mean anything.

I wanted for him to reunite with his mother and enjoy life, not live under someone's rule as if they weren't people. They could do that in my pack. I would gladly take in someone as hard-working and trustworthy as Chris. I was sure the boy could get far if only he put his mind to his goal and focused.

But to ensure his safety, I had to work smart and trick him a little. Smiling at his expectant face I shook my head. "I still think it's best if you leave and go to my pack. Get a hold of your mother and ensure she joins you. If you really want to be of use, I will assign you as a personal bodyguard to my Luna."

His eyes widened, but now, I could also see an unfamiliar spark dancing in them. Something just got the boy extremely excited, but I couldn't pin-point what I had said to make him feel like this. Was it the fact that I was offering a place for his mother too?

"Sorry if I seem a little too giddy, but I'm so happy to hear you have found your Luna. Never thought that you would actually accept a woman as yours. Don't get me wrong, you're like a prime example of an Alpha, but you know, rumors do travel faster than wind," Chris explained and ginned.

As much as I wanted to roll my eyes at his foolishness, I couldn't deny that he was right. At least sort of. After my previous experience, I never thought that a woman could make me feel like Aife did.

Honestly, Aife was one of a kind. She made me feel so much more than any woman before, even the woman I thought I was madly in love with. Aife was special, she felt right, she felt like home, and with her, I was ready to travel to the end of the world.

Now that I had her, I couldn't imagine my life without her anymore. "Yeah," I chuckled. "She's a special one, that's all I'm willing to share with you for now."

"Understandable. Anyway, I will go to your pack if you are serious about taking in me and my mom, but only after we deal with whatever your mission is. I pulled you out of there knowing I might be responsible for you. It's a stupid example, but the same mindset is seen with people who rescue strays. You take it off the streets so you're responsible." Chris explained his stance to his best ability.

"So I'm a stray now?" I asked, no amusement lacing my words. I didn't mean them, at all. In fact, I was struggling to keep my face as straight as possible. A little joking around never hurt anyone.

As expected, Chris panicked. "I-. No, I would never. I couldn't. You're my hero. Seriously, if I had to choose between you and any other superhero, I would always choose you. I didn't mean my words in an offensive manner, I just tried to explain myself. Goddess, this came out so wrong."

Before he could lose his mind completely, my resolve cracked and I started laughing. So loud, my laugh echoed against the walls of the cave and I had to slap my hand over my mouth not to catch unneeded attention. We still faced the risk of the Council guards and warriors being out there, looking for us.

"Shit, you were joking," Chris gasped. "I would never have taken you as someone who joked around or laughed. Wow, this is unbelievable."

"I wasn't a jokester before, you can thank my woman for helping me to loosen up. She's responsible for this work of art," I chuckled and slowly stood up.

My body was pulsating in pain. Everywhere. I hurt even in places I didn't know I could hurt. It was so odd, but despite the sensations and the weakness of my muscles, I knew I had to move forward. If I didn't, I would lose more time and that, in turn, would give Council an upper hand. The longer we stayed around here, the bigger the risk of being caught.

"So? What is our next destination then?" Chris was one tough cookie. He didn't come across as someone who would give up on their plans and as much as I didn't like that trait right now, I still respected him for it.

"I need to see the Lycan King. He's the only one who holds power over the High Council, so in this situation, he's the only one who can help me," I explained as I started walking closer to the cave opening.

"I assume you don't want to die, so you'll seek shelter with him?" Chris asked, following right behind me.

His question made me laugh again. "The only person who doesn't want me dead is my Luna. I couldn't care less if I had to die, but she would never forgive me if I did. As for why I need to see him again, if this shit was only about me, I would ignore it. But it's not about me anymore, they threatened my woman and that is the type of bullshit I refuse to put up with. They won't get away with that shit."

After a moment of silence, Chris hummed. "Understood. I guess you're in luck then."

Glancing over my shoulder, I looked at him and raised an eyebrow in question. "What do you mean?"

Chris beamed. "Before I got you out of the chamber of torture, I overheard a few councilmen discussing the King. They mentioned he's leaving the castle and visiting the packs. I suppose the best course of action will be to visit a pack that is one of the first on his list."