The Beast's Possession

**Aife pov**

Rose tensed as the scowl on her face and attempts to brag disappeared.

Watching her, I saw so many different emotions and faces, I couldn't help but wonder if she had multiple personalities trapped in one body.

"Why?" Rose asked before I had enough time to get up from the couch.

Claudia's head snapped in her direction. "Why, what?"

"Why do you need to talk to her in private? Aren't we all sisters here? Neither of us has ever had a problem discussing anything in front of the others, but all of a sudden, you're acting like you two have secrets. What's going on, Claudia?" Rose's tone was awfully accusatory.

I still didn't know how the things around here worked to every little detail, but watching this exchange of words - I didn't like it.

"Is that so?" Claudia suddenly huffed as her gaze returned to me. "That must be the reason why you came to talk to Aife in the first place, right? Look at you, all cozy and warm, discussing things behind closed doors, nothing to hide from your so-called sisters, right?"

I glanced at Rose, who looked not only uncomfortable, but also ready to blow the roof. Even the tips of her ears turned bright red. Her hands shook as she pulled them in tight fists and spun on her heel before she stormed out of the house. A part of me felt guilty and wanted to run after her, but the other knew she brought this upon herself. No one asked Rose to act like she was entitled to everyone's time while she didn't give everyone the same benefit.

I watched how Claudia rolled her eyes and started walking in my direction. As soon as she plopped down on the couch next to me, she started questioning me. "What did that pain in the ass want from you? That girl is trouble, stay away from her."

Clearly, Rose had issues, but I didn't view her as a pain anywhere. My dad had taught me that everyone deserved a chance, even those we didn't like, so I was adamant to give Rose one.

"Nothing much," I shrugged my shoulders. "She told me more about picking and choosing."

"A vile thing they do, yes, I'm aware. I think she has something seriously wrong with her. We're all the same. We're all rejected, but Rose believes she is special and might be chosen by the Alpha himself." Claudia chuckled. Honestly, I was over and done with this discussion even before it started. I wanted to know some details, yes, but now that I had all - what was the point in repeating the same thing over again?

I learned enough about the weird pack traditions, so the only thing I wanted was to stay out of the Alpha's way and become as invisible as possible.

"So, what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?" I tried to change the topic.

"Oh, right," Claudia laughed. "I talked to Delta today and sadly, didn't get to know anything. The Alpha hasn't said anything about you in particular, even Delta was surprised to find out about the things you told me. It's a bit odd given those two are supposed to be best friends." The last part she whispered, more to herself than me.

I didn't offer an opinion and ideas. Whatever were his reasons for the hatred and targeting me alone, it was on him. I wasn't planning to stick around for long enough to find out more anyway.

"Are you hungry?" Claudia brought me out of my thoughts.

I shook my head. "No, thank you."

Her hand instantly grabbed my upper arm. Claudia had a look of determination on her face as she pulled me to my feet and dragged me to the small kitchen area. "Won't take no for an answer. You must eat to survive. Besides, there's another thing I wanted to tell you." She muttered as she pointed at the stool next to the kitchen counter.

Reluctant, I sat down and watched her. Claudia quickly rolled up her sleeves, washed her hands and started pulling food out of the refrigerator.

Something about her body language had me on edge. It felt as if whatever she wanted to add was both something important and terrifying. Like she had to get herself busy while she explained so she wouldn't have to see my reaction. "Claudia, what's going on?" I finally mustered up the courage to question her.

She let go of the knife she was holding and both of us held our breaths as it landed on the tiled floor, right next to her feet, barely missing her.

"I-" she tried to talk, but her voice was overpowered by the shouts and clapping of hands that came from the outside.

My head snapped in the direction of the door, as if I could see anything that was happening outside, and just as I was about to stand up, Claudia's hand slapped on my shoulder, holding me down. "You can't go out there," she whispered as her eyes darted everywhere but at me.

I frowned at her, but the moment I saw how frantic she became, I couldn't help but feel worried about her behavior.

"Claudia? Seriously, tell me what's going on before I have a heart attack," I whispered, unsure if speaking also wasn't allowed now.

Her hand slid down my arm until she reached my wrist and gripped it. "I need to take you to the bedroom first. You are not allowed to leave this house, Aife. Do you understand?" She hissed as she yanked me so hard, I had to stand up. Absolutely speechless, I nodded my head and followed her upstairs.

As soon as we entered the bedroom, she ordered me to sit on the bed while she opened the closet and started pulling out different pieces of clothing. I overlooked the fact that those weren't there before. Claudia all but threw the clothes at me and muttered that I should get dressed. I did just that while she stood by the door and pressed her ear to it, listening to the commotion she could hear from downstairs.

Once I was fully dressed, she turned to me. "It's the Delta. He is the one who came to do the exchange. What I didn't tell you was that once I told him about you and Alpha's odd behavior around you, he... I messed up," her voice broke as tears started streaming down her cheeks.

I jumped to my feet and ran to Claudia, pulling her into a tight hug, just like she did to me when I needed that the most. She sobbed on my shoulder until she found her voice again.

"Delta found you interesting, just from the things I told him. He wasn't around when the attack on your pack happened and when you were taken, so he had no idea more women were brought back. After he found out that poor Amelia couldn't bear his child, Alpha ordered him to take one of us." Claudia spoke so fast, her words sounded like one messy sentence.

Slowly, she stepped back, grabbed my shoulders and looked into my eyes. "Delta didn't want another woman, but Alpha's word is the law. Now, he knows about you and I fear he will choose you just to spite our Alpha."

My jaw dropped. The last thing I wanted was to be chosen by one of the barbarians here and taken to their home as some sick trophy.

Just as I mustered the courage to speak my mind, the front door of the house flew open with a loud bang, followed by a deep, gravely voice. "Claudia, are you hiding her from me?"