Their Secret Obsession by Pippa Moon

Chapter 0299

Chase POV

I stood in the doorway, watching Connie as she processed Kane's words. Millions of emotions washed over her face, and I couldn't help but wonder what was going on in her head. Her expression shifted from confusion to anger to something I couldn't quite place-hurt, maybe? Thor grumbled inside me, his discontent clear. He didn't like the distance between us, physically or emotionally.

"There's too much distance. Go to her," Thor urged, his voice impatient and demanding, but my feet stayed rooted to the spot. There was a feeling deep in my gut telling me not to move like an invisible hand was holding me back. Something felt off like someone was toying with me, playing with my mind.

"You're being paranoid," Thor snapped. "You're just making excuses because you don't want to give up your spot in the brotherhood. You're scared of losing the one place where you matter." His words stung, but I couldn't shake the unease creeping up my spine. I licked my lips, eyes never leaving Connie as she flopped down on the edge of the bed, her gaze cast down at the floor.

"Can you believe him?" She seethed.

"I mean, does he really think I will go quietly? I am his mate. He can't leave me, they won't allow it." She was hurting. I could sense the waves of pain coming off her, even as she tried to brush off Kane's words.

"I just didn't see this coming. He has been distant, yes, but he has had so much on. Trying to please his father, I thought that was what it was." I listened as she started ranting to me, her frustration spilling out as she vented. Her voice was sharp, but beneath the anger was real hurt.

"But of course, it's her!" Connie spat. Sighing internally, I wondered if there was any way to end this feud in Connie's mind. I knew Lottie didn't give to shits for Connie, but it was clear Connie was not so.. mature.

at me, her eyes fixed on the floor as she continued to pour out her grievances. "They've used me, manipulated me," she seethed. "I'm always overlooked, always in the shadow of Lottie. And

my sister, and she was beautiful in her own right, just like Connie was. I wanted to remind her that the bond between Knox, Kane, and Lottie had nothing to do with her worth. But when I opened my

past my lips before I could stop them. As soon as I said it, I hated myself. That wasn't what I wanted to say. I blinked, shaken

me.

Thor growled. "Don't blame me for this.

Why had I agreed with her when I knew deep down that

You agree with

hope. She looked at me earnestly, her wide eyes searching mine for validation. The look on her face made my stomach churn. She seemed... happy like she'd been waiting for someone to finally agree with

my eyes. I needed to say something to fix this, but instead, I found myself staring into the depths of her gaze, her vulnerability

bitter on my tongue. "I think you're ten times as beautiful as her. Smarter, fitter and of course, that body of yours.. unmatchable."

a whale." Connie laughed, clearly not

I wanted to take them back. It wasn't true. I didn't even believe it. But I couldn't stop myself. I leaned in, closing the distance between us, my lips brushing against hers. The kiss was passionate, intense

wanted to deepen the kiss, her hands gripping my shoulders, but alarm bells rang in my head. A crawling sensation crept up my spine, an unsettling feeling that grew stronger with every second. It

wrong," I stammered, standing abruptly and pulling away from her. I moved toward the door, shaking my head as if to clear the fog that seemed to cloud my mind. "This is not what I