Their Secret Obsession by Pippa Moon

Lottie POV

As Astaroth's words hung in the air, a chill swept through me, freezing my thoughts in place. "I want your daughter.' The very idea seemed absurd, impossible even. Yet, there he sat atop the altar, the picture of innocence, as if he hadn't just demanded my firstborn. His

crimson eyes burned with an unsettling intensity, his offer dangling before us like a forbidden fruit.

I glanced over at Knox and Kane, my mates, never needing the reassurance of the mate bond more than I did at this moment. Their faces mirrored my shock, their expressions a mixture of disbelief and rage- something I understood.

How could we possibly trust a demon? Even if he claimed to be on our side!

But then, amidst the whirlwind of emotions, Astaroth's next words sliced through my turmoil like a knife.

"I will be her mate!" he murmured, his voice a sinister whisper in the depths of this hell-like world, "So, you see... I ask that you promise her to me when the time comes."

"Not a chance!" Kane spat the words, bouncing around the room like an angry wasp.

"Daughter." The word echoed in my mind, sending shivers down my spine. A day ago, I hadn't even known I was pregnant, let alone that it was a girl. And here was this demon, casually informing me of the gender of my unborn child as if it were a trivial detail and requesting I hand her over to him and his blood-stained hands.

"Something else, ask for something else." Knox demanded when I was unable to find my voice. I stumbled backwards, my gaze darting between Knox and Kane. They were already on the verge of exploding, their fists clenched, their jaws tight with fury. I knew I needed to say something to defuse this situation. Or pray to the Moon Goddess who currently hated me, that he was joking!

better praying to god!" Astaroth laughed into my mind. "Because I am not joking. I need this

and be a comfort to my mates. I sucked down the remaining bit of air my lungs could handle, seeing Knox and Kane lung forward to confront Astaroth. Tears filled my eyes as a wave of dread washed over me because I had seen Astaroth throw Chase around like a ragdoll with a simple flick of his

Not like this!" I gasped, finally finding my voice as my eyes found Chase lying motionless on the ground, a silent reminder of the power Astaroth

my daughter? Why her when he

voice was barely above a whisper. But amid the chaos, my question was lost, drowned out by the clash of flesh

him from the altar while Knox pummelled him with punch after punch of solid muscle. It was a brutal attack, and one I knew

I couldn't help but wonder if there was any truth to Astaroth's offer. Was he my daughter's one-day mate? Because he sure as hell was going to a lot of trouble to get us to

to reject him, refuse his advances!" I screamed through

we school her on

her. Help her to make the right choice! he really is her mate!" I added, but, Kane had

them privately.

Astaroth protested into the buzzing space of my mind, as if Knox and Kane were not launching a brutal

all I ask,

make her own mind up you do not stand in her way." As Astaroth's chilling words echoed in my head, I felt a shiver race down my spine, sending icy tendrils of fear snaking through my veins. The notion that our daughter held the key to his future happiness seemed unfathomable, yet there was an undeniable truth lingering in the depths of my mind, a

accept.

head in denial, muttering a soft 'no' under my breath while I instinctively placed a protective hand over my stomach as if shielding our unborn child from his sinister

wall with