The Beast's Possession

**Aife

pov**

I was so out of it that I realized the car had stopped only when Delta opened the door and reached in to grab my upper arm. He didn't speak as he dragged me to a beautiful building, opened the door and threw me inside. Since I had no idea there were a couple of steps behind the door, I lost my footing and landed on the floor face-first.

"Oh, you poor thing!" A woman exclaimed. Gentle hands grabbed me and helped me up. Her eyes were wide as she scanned me for injuries and muttered, "are you okay? Did you get hurt? Should I get the first aid kit for you?" As if she didn't shock me with her appearance and treatment, she had to look over my shoulder and glare at Delta. "Have you lost your mind? Who gave you the right to treat a woman like some scum? She's not a rogue you can toss around and use like a damn toy with your friends!" She snarled.

"I'm sorry, you know I had to," Delta whined, completely catching me off guard. His voice had changed so drastically, I didn't recognize the tone anymore.

My jaw dropped as I listened to them argue. Was it possible that I lost consciousness and this was some weird dream? There was no way someone could change so much just by stepping inside a building.

On top of that, I couldn't believe that any of these monsters could treat a woman like an actual human being, let alone disregard the obvious disrespect.

When their voices became louder, I knew I needed answers. I raised my hands, waved them, and shouted to catch their attention. "What on Earth is going on here?"

Delta appeared next to the woman, leaned in and pecked her cheek. "Take her to the living room, I'll go prepare us some tea so we can talk." He muttered and then turned to me. "Will peppermint work for you? Or do you prefer coffee?" "Peppermint is fine with me," I mumbled, still unsure of what was happening here.

Where was the man, who had yanked me around and mocked my pain?

The woman grabbed my hand and flashed me a bright smile. "Come on, let's sit down. And don't mind Corden, he's just an old grump, but absolutely harmless." "Heard that!" Delta shouted from somewhere in the house.

"And I wanted you to hear that!" The woman shouted back.

I had to look like a fish out of water at this point. As if I didn't think the pack was backwards before, now, I was sure everyone who lived here had something wrong with them.

She led me to the living room and sat on the sofa. Just in case, I sat on the one opposite of her, just to keep some distance in case things got ugly. It wasn't her I was questioning. Delta, yeah, she could tell me whatever she pleased - I knew he was dangerous.

"My name is Amelia. And yours?" She spoke first, again, flashing that bright smile.

The longer I watched her, the less this situation made sense. How did someone so bright and warm find herself anywhere close to a man like Delta?

Question quickly faded from my mind as the realization washed over me. Amelia. The same Amelia that couldn't bear Delta's child?

Since my tongue had already proven it was my worst enemy many years ago, it had to live up to the damn expectation and the words blurted out of me before I could stop them. "You're his choice."

To my surprise, the smile on her face grew even wider as she nodded her head. "Yes, I am. I got lucky with this one." A giggle left her just as Delta entered the living room and set a tray on the coffee table.

He handed out the cups with tea and shoved the tray with cookies closer to Amelia. "It's me who is the lucky one. I don't know where I would be if I didn't have this beauty by my side."

"You flirt," Amelia slapped his upper arm right when Delta sat next to her.

Watching them bicker, I had to admit one thing - they did look good together. Both teased each other and laughed like teenagers in love.

I remained silent while they had their go at each other, just to give them space. While they were distracted, I let my eyes roam the surroundings.

The house was beautiful, very bright and calm. The white and gray tones that dominated in the interior made this place appear spacious and inviting. The exact opposite of the vibe Delta was giving off.

I jumped in my seat as one of them cleared their throat. My eyes snapped to them. Delta didn't give out a single emotion as he watched me while Amelia looked worried.

"I must apologize for what happened back there. If it were up to me, I would never lay a hand on you, on any woman, but I had no other choice. It's not an excuse for my behavior, but please know that I'm sorry for what I did."

My eyes were nearly as wide at his apology as Amelia's. While I was shocked this man knew how to admit his mistakes, own up to them and apologize, Amelia looked pissed.

She slapped his upper arm again, all playfulness gone, and raised her voice. "You did what? You hit her?"

Delta instantly jumped to his feet, raised his hands and backed away. It actually was funny to watch a man as big as him looking so scared of a cutie like Amelia. "I didn't. Ask her!" He pointed a finger at me, clearly attempting to distract her. Seeing the burning rage in Amelia's eyes, I decided I had to do something before the situation escalated. I cleared my throat and spoke. "Apology accepted," I addressed Delta and then turned my attention to Amelia. "He didn't hit me. Yanked my hair a little, but I'm sure Delta could explain why that happened since he clearly implied he had no other choice."

Amelia glared at him. I seriously started fearing the possibility of her head exploding in rage, but when her eyes found me, her gaze softened. A sigh left her as she shook her head.

"Corden, did the others accompany you when you went to the reject housings?" She muttered.

"Yes. See, I had no choice. I didn't want to." Delta blurted out the words faster than a toddler would.

"Sit down," Amelia muttered and patted the spot next to her.

Reluctantly, he did as she told. Amelia placed her hand on his thigh and focused her attention on me. "Let's start with the basics. As you already know, my name is Amelia, and this grump over here is Corden. Will you share your name with me?"

"Aife," I replied and reached over the coffee table to offer her my hand.

Amelia grinned, grabbed my hand and quickly shook it. Delta reached out to do the same, but I pulled my hand away before he got the chance.

"Understandable. I deserve that," he muttered and averted his gaze.

Amelia slapped his upper arm again. "If you keep acting like a child, by the time we're supposed to head to bed, your whole arm will be covered in bruises from how often I have to slap some sense in you."

I bit the inside of my cheek to hold back the laughter that was bubbling inside me. Delta looked like a lost puppy, desperate to find love. Amelia, although tiny, was a firecracker. I liked her.

At the thought she winked at me. I smiled for what felt like the first time in ages. Under different circumstances, I would love to have someone like her as my best friend.

Sadly, I couldn't let her get too close or allow myself to feel comfortable around her. I was planning to leave the moment I got a chance.

"Aife, I need you to understand one thing. What we're doing here, it's kind of illegal. We're dismissing Alpha's orders. Corden didn't choose you as his mate."