6: Come home with me.
**Aife pov**
My hand shook as I brought it up to the beast’s cheek and cupped it. “Bane,” I breathed out, tears filling my eyes. “My Bane.”
He nodded his head and leaned into my touch. “I’m here, baby, I’m here.”
It wasn’t his voice, of course, it was the voice of the beast he was trapped inside, but the words were his.
I never really thought how I would feel when I saw him again, but I surely didn’t know my heart could melt like this.
All the awful things he had done aside, all the early days misery and everything that followed, I couldn’t just ignore the bond as it pulled me closer.
And the bond wasn’t the only thing that kept pulling me closer - it also was my stupid, hopeful heart that beat just a little faster every time Bane was near, even before I found out we were mates.
“I hate the stench of the rot, but Goddess, mate’s scent is there and it’s so good,” Clove moaned at the back of my mind, sounding like a bitch in heat.
“Calm down,” I hissed at her. “The last thing we want is for the beastly creature to catch on your arousal and do something neither of us would enjoy.”
“I’m not happy to see the beast, I’m happy to see mate. Duh,” she grumbled and I barely held back the chuckle.
I mentally rolled my eyes at her and quickly forced up the wall between us to focus back on reality and Bane.
I missed him. Damn it, I truly, deeply missed him. Bane, not the other mysterious personalities.
“You’re really here,” I breathed out, looking into those beautiful piercing eyes.
“Yes,” he growled and nodded. “I tried to hold him back, but he wouldn’t stop. But now, the beast is calm and the monster is quiet. I can hear my own thoughts again. Please, don’t pull away, don’t let them take over again.”
His voice broke with raw pain and my heart did too. It was clear Bane was suffering and this brief moment of peace was overwhelming him.
“I won’t pull away,” I whispered and swallowed loudly. “I’ll hold on for as long as I can.”
The claw on my belly moved, just barely enough to catch my attention and make me look down. The beast made a rumbling sound, almost like a purr despite it not being a cat.
“A son,” I heard it repeat again and my head instantly snapped up to meet his eyes.
“You can feel the gender?” I asked carefully, not wanting to get my hopes up just yet.
It nodded the large head, the claw still incredibly gentle against my belly. “We’re having a son,” it repeated.
I couldn’t help but frown at the beast, “why don’t you sound happy?”
Bane’s eyes softened at the question, the beast’s throat worked as it swallowed before the deep voice rang out again.
“I’m happy, baby, so very happy. I couldn’t care less about the gender, this baby is the result of our love, I don’t care for as long as the baby is healthy,” it said, yet I still didn’t hear any explanation about the sad tone of voice.
“But?” I probed it to continue, not caring about everyone who surrounded us and listened to the conversation.
“But,” it said and the voice choked a little, “the beast isn’t happy. It won’t be free unless a girl is born into the bloodline. It’ll be forced to live for another lifetime, and possibly many more, until the Goddess forgives the sins of a very evil and selfish man.”
I listened carefully and nodded. Although I didn’t fully understand the curse yet, it was very complex and seemed to grow more layers as years passed, I really wanted to understand it.
No, I didn’t just want to understand, I needed to. If I did, I could figure out something to help my mate.
After a moment of silence, I spoke again, “Bane, you need to tell me what do we do now.” I said sternly, still cupping the beast’s cheek to keep my mate on the surface. “We both know constant physical touch is impossible, so I need answers or ideas. I can’t run fast enough and hide far enough. What will we do now?”
He sucked in a shaky breath and closed his eyes, as if savoring the moment while it lasted. “I wish I could kiss your palm,” Bane whispered, then opened eyes and met my gaze again. “Come home with me.”
His words weren’t demanding, more pleading, but even I could hear the uncertainty they were laced in.
“And what then?” I asked sceptically. “What do we do when the monster you mentioned or the beast takes over? Bane, I love you, but I can’t risk our unborn child. I just can’t.”
He shook his head fast, “believe it or not, the baby won’t be harmed, so by extension, neither will be you, my love. While the beast is upset, honestly rightfully so, the fucker is tired to be alive. The monster will be gleeful, he won’t touch you until the baby is born and he is sure the next generation lives. The fact that you’re pregnant is what ensures you’ll be safe. We’ll have a few months to figure out what to do next. I know it’s a massive risk, but I believe that sticking together and trying to figure this out will be way better than you, running, while carrying my child and the monster chasing you.”
His words made sense but I still couldn’t get rid of the lingering doubt. Bane said it himself, the monster was silent while I touched him.. what would happen when I didn’t?
“I don’t know,” I whispered, not ready to give an answer just yet.
“You don’t have to come alone,” he said, voice, as gravely as it sounded, full of hope. “You can take anyone who makes you feel safe, I don’t mind. To hell, take everyone if you want to, just please, come home with me. And please, I beg you..” he tailed off, adding the last words in a whisper, “make sure Zion is okay. Fuck, I never wanted to hurt him. Never.”
*P.S. Here's the start for BOOK 3, hope you guys enjoy it already. More chapters to come!!!*
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