Their Secret Obsession by Pippa Moon

Chapter 0333

Knox's POV

"But, like all of you, she has emerged stronger for it," Selene countered gently. "Every challenge she faces shapes her into who she must become."

"That's a convenient explanation." I shook my head. A surge of outrage coursed through me. How could she be so dismissive of Lottie's happiness and mental state? The woman I loved had been pushed to her limits, her spirit nearly broken, and yet Selene spoke as if it were all part of some grand design. It infuriated me that she could be so flippant about the torment Lottie had endured.

"You think I am lying?" she asked, her tone stretched.

"I think I am fed up with half-truths and how wolves seem to be the only ones able to give a direct answer."

"I see," she uttered, clearly listening in on my internal struggle. I was just glad Havoc was staying hidden because I could feel his rage bubbling under the surface, and SHE had already threatened to turn him into a frog once.

"Not quite. I said I could give him a green coat," she countered, trying to lighten the mood.

"Right." I nodded, feeling frustrated that she was okay with speaking her mind, but I was not offered the same.

"It's okay. Speak your truth," she encouraged, and I scoffed before deciding to go for it; if she could hear me think it, I might as well grow a pair and say it.

"Do you really not see the pain you have caused everyone? How much Lottie has lost? How much Kane and I have lost? Not just time together as new parents, but our brotherly bond is messed up all because some-"I bit back the insult forming on my tongue, trying to maintain some semblance of respect. "--because someone couldn't bend a few rules." I slapped my thigh, feeling my body tense with Havoc's presence. I eyed her, noticing her calm features; I decided to keep going.

I shook my head in hatred, trying to ground myself by watching the fish swim aimlessly. "You are meant to be a mother to us all, and you asked her to give up her children. Do you have any idea what it was like for her growing up? To have no family of her own," I raved angrily,

had Anthony," she corrected me,

her feel like dirt. Worse than that. Do you know I walked in on him scolding her over the way she had put food

remember," the Moon Goddess admitted, at

to admit I did not help; Kane and I treated her the same as we did Lilly. We bullied her, made jokes about her, taunted and set her up to fail... but we still saw her as family. But it wasn't the same!" I ground out through gritted teeth, guilt eating at me as the memories of the way I bullied her flashed

strength to get through it, and carried on like

told her there would be consequences and a price to pay to

causing her to turn to face me fully, her eyes reflecting the depths of the

Maddox, you are

am not opposed to washing your mouth out with soap if you

warned, her

light-hearted, but her tone

carefully.

take pleasure in it?" she asked, forcing my face up to look

know what to think," I admitted. "But it feels like

she corrected. "Participants. Each with

role?" I considered her words. "Besides failing to protectzmy mate, my children, and lead a pack." I laughed bitterly

her anchor, her strength. Just as she is yours," she smiled

us. Stop these trials. Let her find peace." I felt a lump

this: I am guiding her path, even when it seems