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.

nothing!" She tried to shove past me, but I

please," I whispered, my voice barely holding steady. She yanked her hands away, glaring

touch me!" she yelled before storming out of

Thor

and 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

You remember what

to take that risk,"

Could I risk defying Astaroth? The

be happy," I admitted, my voice barely audible. "But I'm so afraid of what might happen if

protect her," Thor replied gently. "Love and truth might."

consumed

determination. I needed to fix this. I couldn't keep pushing her away under

way out of the kitchen, I replayed

voice had cracked when she said she couldn't remember. It was like watching her break, piece by piece,

the one

Thor urged. "Make it

were dimly lit, shadows stretching along the walls. I found her in the sitting room, curled

softly, stepping into the room. She stiffened but didn't turn

Ignoring her plea, I approached