Their Secret Obsession by Pippa Moon

Chapter 0350

Knox's POV

Mindlessly running my fingers through Lottie's hair, I watched Kane scrutinising the way his shoulders pulsed, his fingers locked at his back, turning white with what I knew to be stress. Something was obviously bothering him, something he did not wish to share with the group but, most importantly, with me. I knew we had grown apart these last few months, which was my burden, but I thought we had put everything to bed in the tunnels.

I guess not.

I opened my mouth to speak to ask what was causing him to have such a stick up his ass when Adam's words shattered my concentration. "You could really kill your mate?" Licking my lips, I looked at Chase, a feeling eating at my stomach; it wasn't jealousy, lord knows I didn't want the bitch. But a sense of betrayal in some way.

"Are we talking about 'our' Connie?" I asked as Kane's lips twitched into an amused smile. "Don't know why you are smiling, Kane; this isn't good news." I barked, irritated at my brother's mood change.

"Yes, it's hard to explain, though." Chase had the decency to reply as he looked down at Lottie, who sat still and silent in my lap. I wanted to wrap my arms around her, but she was seriously giving off a 'don't touch me' vibe I knew I should respect. Kane would. Enveloping my arms around her, I pulled her closer to me. Reminding myself that I was not Kane.

"I think you need to start explaining." I added when no one spoke. Lottie hardened and looked up at her brother, her eyes hooded under those thick lashes that made her so damn irresistible. As much as I knew how important this crap was, I really couldn't wait to get some time alone with my queen.

"Honestly, I don't understand it any more than you guys do. I have seen her so many times over the months and felt nothing but repulsion. But since we got here, it's like an invisible thread pulling me closer to her."

"How strange," Kane uttered from where he stood, looking out the window.

"Isn't that what the mate bond does?" Liam asked casually "It makes you want to be with your mate at all times." He clarified, but a smirk spread across my brother's lips as he finally stepped from the window and looked at us.

"I meant that anyone would want to be close to THAT girl- most run from her."

"Did you just crack a joke?" I scoffed, a smile teasing my lips too.

Chase." Lottie interrupted, shooting me a glare over her delicate shoulder. Seemingly, she didn't appreciate my attempt to

while nodding to Chase

got her alone and..." Sighing, he closed his lips tight as if cutting off the rest of his sentence. I felt Lottie stiffen in my lap

and while Lottie sat there tense and undoubtedly upset, my eyes remained glued on my brother as he apparently had not realised that Lottie was upset but more importantly not made an effort

it did," Havoc interrupted my thoughts with

to betray her like that. We

celibate during that time?" Havoc proceeded to probe. I felt my throat suddenly dry

I snarled inwardly as I focused back into the room, only to see Lottie shift forward to reach out for Chase's hand as he

felt a moment of pity

nothing

she reached out to lift Chase's chin to look at her. "It is a sacred bond, given by the Moon Goddess and if she thinks Connie is good for you and you her, who am Dami to argue?" My heart filled with pride for my girl as she once again rose above the drama and heartbreak to support her brother. But it didn't ease the concern washing

Goddess-given gift," He finally admitted as his eyes softened, as he lifted from the bed to pace back and forth. "Huh?" Liam asked

straight fucking forward for us?" Adam grumbled as he fell back in his

was

taunted me with

be my goddess-given mate; it was just a trick and illusion played by him. When I relaxed, he backtracked and told me he was joking, but there was something about the way he spoke, his tone and expression as he watched me... he was disappointed that I was not gutted to lose my mate; he thought that would cause me pain when in truth it only gave me a sense of relief to know I would not have to pick between my mate and my family. Not

who would you pick?" Kane asked from the corner, his voice curious and intense,

as he gave a nod and looked back at the window as if he was bored with

asked with a somewhat defiant

to die." Kane replied coldly, his eyes dark and grim as he turned

quietly. I I considered that maybe if Chase was her mate, we could get her to reject