Their Secret Obsession by Pippa Moon

Chapter 0336

Liam's POV

"I think you know," Selene-the Moon Goddess, or whatever she wanted to be called-clarified, her ethereal voice echoing softly in the grand room.

"No," I roared, closing the distance between us in a heartbeat. My face was mere inches from hers, eyes blazing with a fury that had been simmering beneath the surface for too long. "Chase, Adam, and I have been forced into this life-forced to serve others, to follow the rules, to never take a mate, to never settle down. To never love or care for anyone, not even each other, because the job comes first. The royals come first. We had no choice but to lead this life, to agree to do what we were promised and raised to do." I spat the words venomously, each one laced with years of pent-up resentment.

Selene nodded slowly, her eyes reflecting a deep well of sympathy that only stoked my anger further. A low growl rumbled in my chest. It was infuriating that she seemed to understand that she could stand there, serene and composed, acknowledging my pain as if it were a minor inconvenience. If she truly knew what it was like, why was she inflicting this fate on others? It made no sense. It was cruel.

"As have I," she admitted softly.

Irritation prickled under my skin. If she knew what it was like, then why perpetuate this cycle? "Adam... he lost a family, he has lost himself to someone else's promise on him. My niece" my voice cracked slightly, but I pushed on, "my niece will not have the same fate!" I screamed, the words echoing off the ornate walls.

"Then what do you suggest?" she offered, opening her arms in a gesture of openness. She moved gracefully toward Chase, her hand outstretched to him in an offering to help him up from the floor. I watched her carefully, suspicion gnawing at me. Part of me hoped she would let him fall on his face, a petty desire fueled by my anger. But a larger part hoped Chase wouldn't take her hand-that he'd stand with me in this, united in our defiance.

"What is it Lottie agreed to?" I demanded as Chase lifted himself up without her help, dusting off his clothes.

"I brought Alpha Leigh back-and Sebastian too-and she agreed to pay the price..." Selene began.

Rage surged through me. She should have just let them die. Sebastian had always been a waste of space-a bully, a brat with no morals. He was bound to ruin the royal family at some point, and we would have been tasked with cleaning up the mess, as the Sparrow brothers often were. Lottie would have only been speeding up the inevitable. But as my anger settled, I knew she was right. If the royal family believed that Sebastian had been harmed intentionally, it would be cause for war. And that was something her pack was not ready for, especially after just losing their Alpha-or so they thought.

"Yes, yes..." I waved her off, irritation seeping into my tone. "Which was...?"

"Two bonds of the heart," the Moon Goddess admitted, her face tight with a hint of annoyance. But I could tell she was exercising patience with me.

bitterly, shaking my

a man she saw as a father, and I saved Sebastian to

curtly. "So get to the point." I knew I was being disrespectful, but I couldn't help it. The anger was consuming, burning through any

myself to tread carefully. She was, after all, a deity-apparently the almighty Moon Goddess. "What exactly did Lottie

the heart, two bonds interwoven

my lip thoughtfully, locking eyes with Chase. Understanding passed silently between

is made... Lottie, Knox, and Kane-and those pups-will be free of your wrath?" Chase asked, needing to

eyes meeting mine. "But

me," Chase commanded without

too," I added, crossing the room to stand beside my brother. Pride swelled in my chest. I might not agree with everything,

was

way to protect my

eyes narrowing as she

things won't change. I will never have what she has what she deserves. If it

Selene said,

Her ethereal form

but there was a tension

I didn't want to give her too much time to think in case she declined.

for Lottie

heart-it is pure.

agree," I insisted, crossing my arms stubbornly-the same way Lottie does when she's determined to

smiled softly, stepping closer to us. "Then it

know? Will this end their deal with the demon?"