Their Secret Obsession by Pippa Moon

Chase POV

I rolled my bottom lip between my teeth, watching as the door swung closed behind Kane. His shoulders were slumped as if carrying the weight of the world, and the usual confident spark in his eyes was extinguished. Seeing him like that stirred something uncomfortable inside me a mix of guilt and sadness that I couldn't quite shake. Part of me wanted to call him back, to undo whatever hurt I'd just inflicted, but I stood rooted to the spot, unable to move.

Sucking in a deep breath, I turned to face Lottie. Her hair was tousled, and a faint flush coloured her cheeks. She looked both vulnerable and fierce, confusion, pain, and hurt swimming in her eyes. I didn't know what to say; words seemed inadequate. The scent of intimacy lingered in the air, unmistakable. Things strewn haphazardly around the kitchen, and the subtle disarray hinted at the urgency of their recent encounter.

A part of me was admittedly grossed out-no brother wants to walk in on that but another part felt a flicker of happiness for her. She needed this, even if she didn't realise it. After everything she'd been through, she deserved a moment of connection, of joy. Yet, the promise I'd made to Astaroth loomed over me like a dark cloud. Her safety had to come first, no matter the cost.

"You should have stayed in bed," I said sternly, the words slipping out before I could stop them. Regret hit me instantly as I saw the flicker of rage ignite in her eyes. Her glare was sharp enough to cut, and I knew I'd just made a grave mistake. "Nice going," Thor, my wolf, scolded me in my mind. "She needs comfort now, not a lecture."

Emotions cascaded across her face anger, betrayal, hurt. She blinked rapidly, fighting back tears. I took a hesitant step forward, reaching out to her, but she shoved me away with unexpected force.

"That is what worries you? That I got out of bed?" she shouted, her voice cracking with frustration. I tried to reach for her again, but she pushed me harder, each shove more forceful than the last. "Lottie, please="

"No! All you care about is keeping me locked away, making sure I'm prim and proper so I don't disgrace the royals!" Her words were laced with bitterness. "You don't care about me! You only care about the pups and your precious promises!" "That's not true," I protested weakly, my heart aching. The truth was, I'd do anything for her-even if it meant being the bad guy. But how could I explain that?

She continued to shove me, her strength fueled by raw emotion. But gradually, her pushes weakened, her anger giving way to despair. Tears spilt down her cheeks as she pounded weakly against my chest.

"I can't remember," she sobbed. "I just lost moments of my night. I mean, I came in here to get a drink, and then Kane is here, and you are too-it doesn't make sense!"

Her anguish tore at me. I wanted to tell her everything, to ease her confusion, but the words lodged in my throat.

"I know," I muttered helplessly.

She tried to shove past me, but I gently

holding steady. She yanked her hands away, glaring daggers at

touch me!" she yelled before storming out of the

Thor quipped sarcastically.

self-loathing churned within me. I rubbed my hands over my face, trying to make sense of the mess I'd created. All I wanted was to keep her safe, but in doing so, I'd become the very thing causing her pain. "You're tearing her apart," Thor said softly. "She needs us

choice do I have? You remember what Astaroth

risk," Thor interrupted. "Her

blankly at the wall, the weight of his words pressing down on me. Could I risk defying Astaroth? The thought sent a

to be happy," I admitted, my voice barely audible. "But I'm so afraid

truth might." I closed my eyes, taking

been so consumed by fear that I forgot

myself up from the chair, I felt a surge of determination. I needed to fix this. I couldn't keep pushing her away under the guise of protection. She deserved the truth, or at least a chance to make her

made my way out of the kitchen, I

couldn't remember. It was like watching

one holding the

Thor urged. "Make it

found her in the sitting room, curled up on the sofa, her shoulders shaking

called softly, stepping into the room. She stiffened but

away," she whispered. Ignoring her plea,