The Beast's Possession

**Killian pov**

Not surprisingly, Kayson looked very relieved when I announced that I had to leave for a bit. Unlike his usual self, now, he wasn't asking millions of questions, making me suspect he would rather see me go than get on my nerves. I had to shake off the feeling that stirred up my gut to ignore his out of character behavior. There were more important matters for me to attend and quite frankly, I was dying to find out what Jonathan had discovered. However, before I could exit the pack house, he went back to his old ways and stopped me by screaming, "where are you going?"

I had to resist the urge to remind him where he could shove the unnecessary questions. There was no way in hell, I as an Alpha, had to explain myself to a Beta that had completely lost his way.

Taking a few deeper breaths, I tried to ground myself to my best ability. Starting another argument would be a stupid move, so I forced down every instinct within me and replied calmly, "something came up. Something important, that's all you have to know."

While Kayson looked uneasy, at least he had enough understanding not to push me any further. He nodded and started backing away, "understood. We can talk later, I guess."

"We will talk later. That isn't a question anymore, Beta. You have plenty of explaining to do," I growled and pulled the door open to leave before he could have a chance to spill more nonsense.

I used to trust Kayson with my life, but lately, I wasn't sure if I could anymore. He wasn't just lost as a Beta, he was completely lost as a person - as a man. Something happened, and sooner or later, I would find the answers to all of my questions. No matter how much he fought against me.

But that was something I had to push to the back of my mind. First, I would deal with more pressing matters, and then, I would deal with everything else.

As soon as I sat inside my private car, I opened the pack mind-link and sent out a message to my pack members to stop the search. I couldn't risk one of them getting too far and finding Aife now that I had to hide her away from everyone. After a flurry of confused questions and a bunch of one word agreements, I mind-linked Jonathan to tell him that I was on my way there. He appeared on the edge, but far more calmer than previously on the phone, so I didn't speed there. I needed a moment to gather my thoughts. Life had become a little too complicated these days. Everything used to be easier, especially with Aife. There was an agreement - I paid the money, I got the bride and done deal. But no, nothing was as simple and easy as that document first stated.

Once I reached the little house near the pack border, I nearly passed it, too stuck in my thoughts. The weight on my shoulders was too much lately, that was the excuse I used to explain my mindless behavior.

No one but me would ever excuse something I did, maybe that was why I forced myself to remain in the car for a little while to ensure myself I hadn't done anything crime-worthy. I too was a human, if only half one.

Too soon, Jonathan already stood next to the car and opened the door for me. "Alpha," he greeted me, visibly tense.

Another thing I noticed about him was how his eyes darted everywhere and his nostrils flared, as if he was trying to see if anyone followed me.

To ease his mind, I placed my hand on his shoulder and squeezed it a little, "don't worry, I arrived alone. I mind-linked the pack to stop the search and told them all to return home. Nobody knows I'm here." "Even Beta Kayson?" Jonathan asked. He tried his best to sound calm, but I could hear the tense undertone to his words.

Kayson and Jonathan had never been what one might call friends. I couldn't label them enemies either, but even a blind man would notice the dislike those two felt for each other. I had no idea why or when this mess started, but ever since I could recall having them in one room - the tension had always been a little too much.

"Even Beta Kayson. Let's say he has enough on his mind as it is. The last person he would like to stick around right now would be me. I'm sure he wouldn't follow me. If anything, he will do his best to stay as far away from me as possible," I explained and chuckled once tension left Jonatha's muscles.

"That's good. With this.. ehem.. situation, we don't need witnesses." He muttered under his breath and spun on his heel, and headed back inside the small house.

Unease slowly crept over me, trapping all of my senses in a web of sorts, ensuring I couldn't escape even if I tried my best.

As I stepped inside the small house, I followed Jonathan to the living room area and stopped dead in my tracks as soon as I noticed Aife sitting on the couch, looking scared out of her skin.

Whatever happened while I was away had to be something far more serious than I initially assumed. While the understanding slowly eased its way inside my mind, I tried my best to appear as normal as I could. First, I sat down and scanned the room. Then, I attempted to appear less tense than I was, letting the silence take over and hopefully, soon guide us towards answers.

Jonathan sat next to Aife. He placed his hand on her thigh, more like a friendly gesture, not one of a caring partner, and whispered something. Okay, so there wasn't anything going on between them then.

They kept muttering something to each other until I couldn't take the tension anymore and cleared my throat to gain their attention. "So, is anyone going to explain what is going on? Jonathan, you claimed something serious is happening and I must arrive as soon as possible. Now.. I'm here, aren't I?"

Aife and Jonathan exchanged glances, both visibly worried.

Once her eyes focused on me, I could see the fear and uncertainty in her gaze, which once again, made me wonder what might be the issue.

"You tell him.. Please," she whispered and averted her gaze as her hand shot to grab his and squeeze it. "I don't think I can do this. Please." The words were dripping with desperation and pain, so I wasn't surprised that Joanthan instantly jumped in and agreed.

He cleared his throat, the same as I did a moment ago, and met my gaze. "Alpha, Miss Aife is pregnant," he announced without skipping a beat.

My initial reaction was pure shock and disbelief. How was she pregnant? I mean, I understood how a woman could get pregnant, that wasn't the sole question. No, I had no idea what the question really was.

"So.." I dragged the word, eyeing them both. "I was summoned like some fucked up demon just for the pregnancy reveal? Are we planning a baby shower now? I don't understand."

Deep down, I knew I sounded like a complete idiot, but truly, I had no idea what was going on. She was pregnant, okay, and? Most of the women became mothers, some earlier than others and some chose to avoid that path. Honestly, I didn't think I had the right to comment on her choices.

"That's not all," Jonathan forced the words through gritted teeth.

Deciding to play along, I leaned against the backrest of the couch and grinned. "Sure, be my guest, carry on and tell me what could be so God awful about this news that you had me haul my ass here as if it's on fire." Jonathan glared at me, which I ignored and spoke. "Bane is the father."

A chuckle left me. "Figured."

Why these two were making such a big deal out of this was beyond me. Or, at least until he decided to reveal the key detail of this mess, "you don't understand, do you? She isn't the chosen Luna, she is the Luna. Aife was brave enough to trust me with this. Before she left that place - she found out she is Alpha Bane's fated mate. Do you have any idea what is to follow now? Think, Killian, just think back to the history of his bloodline and let this sink in."

"Shit."