Their Secret Obsession by Pippa Moon

Chapter 0342

Chase's POV

"That's enough, Astaroth," The almighty Selene declared, her voice calm but commanding.

"You... How dare you interfere!" His eyes widened, a flicker of annoyance breaking through his usually unflappable demeanour. Despite Selene's sweet voice, there was an unmistakable trace of irritation in his eyes. His composure wavered just enough to reveal a hint of the fury simmering beneath the surface.

"You forget yourself," Selene replied coolly. "These souls are under my protection." At her words, Kane seemed to stiffen beside me, his muscles tensing as if readying for a fight. Adam almost faltered, his grip on Lottie loosening just enough that she had to steady herself. The sheer presence of the Moon Goddess was overwhelming, an ethereal weight pressing down on all of us. It was as if time itself had paused in deference to her.

"This isn't over," he spat, but I could see the hesitation in his eyes. Astaroth's gaze flickered between Selene and us, uncertainty clouding his expression. His usual arrogance was tempered by a newfound wariness. For a brief moment, the shadows around him seemed to recede as if even they doubted his next move. It was clear that the appearance of the Moon Goddess had unsettled him more than he cared to admit.

"Return to your dark pit, unless you would like a fair fight," Selene ordered. Her voice was laced with a deceptive sweetness, each word dripping like honey yet carrying the weight of an unspoken threat. The melody of her tone was soothing, but there was an edge beneath it-a razor hidden in silk. It was a gentle reminder of her power, and even Astaroth seemed to feel its sting.

"You and I will finish this later!" Astaroth warned, his eyes levelling us all with hatred and betrayal.

"I have protected you..." He started to say, but Lottie laughed in Adam's arms.

"You have betrayed us.. over and over again.. But we are the fools for trusting a demon." She admitted, her hand resting on her stomach as he leaned into Adam. With a final glare, Astaroth vanished, the dark energy dissipating with him. "Thank you." Relief flooded through me. I turned to Selene.

"Time is short. Go, all of you." She nodded towards the portal.

We didn't waste another second. Together, we were ready to step through the portal. Kane hesitated, his eyes fixed on Adam, who was still holding Lottie.

"I'm not going anywhere without her in my arms", he stated firmly. Adam looked confused, glancing between Kane and Lottie.

Kane nodded

am ungrateful for the save, but fool me once... shame on you. Fool me twice..." He grunted, stepping forward to take Lottie from Adam's arms. Cocooning her protectively in his embrace, he added,

The world warped around us, and when the disorientation passed, we found ourselves back in familiar territory-the forest clearing near our home. The scent of pine and earth was a welcome contrast to the oppressive atmosphere we'd just escaped.

he murmured. "We're safe

was too

he doesn't know." I looked over at Liam, exhaustion etched on

to Selene," he

requested as he approached us, wiping sweat from

assured him. "Right now, we need to regroup and figure

give up easily." Kane

not alone in this." I glanced upward,

home," Lottie sighed softly, rising

house. The walk back was silent, each of us lost in our own thoughts The familiar sounds of the forest rustling leaves, distant bird calls began to soothe our frayed nerves.

The grandeur of the Alpha suite loomed ahead,

But the

with all the questions and confrontations that would

house," Knox suggested, voicing what we

"The west wing is empty. We can lay low there until we figure

asked, her voice

used during parties and celebrations for guests," Knox explained. "We should have some

apart from the main residence, elegant yet slightly neglected from disuse. Ivy climbed its stone walls, and the moonlight cast

we reached the entrance, Kane pushed open the heavy oak door. A chill crept over me as the door swung inward, an inexplicable sense of foreboding settling in the pit of my

feels... colder than it