Their Secret Obsession by Pippa Moon

Chapter 0296

"Kane," he called out. "A word?"

I waited as he closed the distance between us, bracing myself for the lecture I knew was coming. It was always the same-responsibilities, duties, the weight of the pack resting on my shoulders.

"What is it?" I asked, striving to keep my tone neutral. He studied me intently, his piercing gaze searching for something-weakness, perhaps, or defiance.

"I've heard about the incident with Connie."

"I'll handle it," I sighed, rolling my eyes despite myself.

"See that you do. The pack can't afford any internal conflicts right now." He nodded slowly. I paused, a bitter laugh threatening to escape.

"So we are clear... Do you want me to scold my mate or defend her to Adam?"

pack one day. I trust you to make the right

different from mine. To him, it was about maintaining control, appearances, and traditions-no matter who got trampled in the

like a shackle than a gesture of support. Part of me wanted to shrug him off, to tell him that his way of leading

to say

smile before turning back toward the house. I watched him go, the weight of his expectations

thick clouds blotting out the sun and casting everything in a dreary grey light. I stopped by my usual old oak tree, its gnarled branches stretching upward like skeletal fingers. "Maybe it's time we accept things as they are; leave Lottie in the safety of her brothers." I whispered into the

can't. She's our

doesn't want us..." My voice broke, the thought too painful to

will," he insisted firmly. "We

more I can take," I confessed, sinking to the ground. The damp earth soaked into my skin, but

The

the chance to be a part of their lives, to

myself back to my feet, so over my pity party. I was about to be a

back toward the packhouse,