Their Secret Obsession (A Reverse Harem) by Pippa Moon

Kane POV

"Are you coming? Or are you leaving your brother to do everything?" The demon mocked as Knox strode through the portal without hesitation. I swallowed hard, my heart thudding in my chest. Narrowing my eyes and taking a deep breath, I followed suit, stepping into the abyss beyond.

"I am going to barf!" I heard Knox scream, a small smile toying at the edge of my lips, although I got it; the transition was jarring, to say the least. One moment, you're in the familiar world; the next, you're surrounded by the oppressive aura of hell.

"Hold it together!" I uttered, more to myself than my brother, as I landed on unsteady feet and looked up at the cathedral, if one could call it that.

"What is this place?" I gasped, seeing death, decay, and flames lick at the walls, casting eerie shadows that danced across the warped architecture. It was a grotesque mockery of the sacred god mortals worshipped. I scanned the desolate interior, a shiver running down my spine, seeing the flames of hell flash beyond the stained windows and the outlines of beasts flying around freely.

"Chase, please!" Then, I saw her. Charlotte, her voice weak and racked with guilt. She sat in a pew, her form slumped, and her whispers filled with sorrow. My gut clenched at the sight of her anguish, seeing her eyes dulled by remorse.

"Princess." I whispered, the sound barely audible over the purr vibrating from Knox's chest at being close to her again. Without hesitation, he strode toward her, his movements purposeful, although she barely lifted her eyes to glance in our direction.

"Angel?" Knox announced. Unable to stay rooted or care much for the demon lingering beside us, I followed my brother. My steps heavy with dread seeing Knox reach her, I watched his hand extend, ready to cradle her, to offer solace in this nightmarish realm, but he paused, his eyes dropping to the figure in her lap.

"Charlotte?" My voice was gentle and filled with concern. My heart sank like a stone, seeing the source of her distress. Chase lay motionless in her arms, his front covered in blood, his body twisted in pain. Charlotte's anguish was deadly palpable in the air.

"Look at what you've done!" She roared as she looked up, tears streaking her cheeks, and for a moment, our eyes met. Panic devoured my soul for a second, thinking she was talking to me.

"Look at him!" She scolded Astaroth, while she gently rested Chase on the pew, so she could stand. There was a flicker of recognition as her eyes met mine, a spark of something familiar amidst the chaos ripping her apart, but as quickly as it flashed in her blue hues, it was gone. She pulled her gaze away and to the demonic wretch behind me.

"What happened?" I asked, watching as her legs moved quickly, pushing past me to bang her clenched fists on Astaroth's chest, in a fury-fueled tantrum.

"Ask him!" She screamed at the powerful creature, but he said nothing, did nothing, he just let her get her anger out. With patience and understanding that made me suspicious of his real intentions, I could have sworn from the flicker in his eyes that he enjoyed her touch. Jealousy ripped through me briefly before my brother's shocked voice filtered through the room.

"Is he dead?" I heard Knox ask, his voice low as he approached Chase cautiously while I swooped in and pulled our little mate off the demon who had caused her and my family such pain. But she was quicker and lunged at Astaroth again with double the outrage she had moments ago.

"Not yet!" Astaroth smiled, his eyes watching our mate with far too much interest, something I hoped, for his sake, Knox had not picked up on. Because if it irritated me, it would enrage Knox. Luckily for everyone, I knew better than to challenge this prick in his realm, but I would be dealing with him and my concerns soon enough, of that he could be sure.

"Simmer down, big boy, it's not what you think!" Astaroth laughed into my mind, another reminder that even here, in hell, he could invade my thoughts.

"Yet?" Charlotte repeated, her voice barely audible over the infernal din, but I could hear the hope that laced her tone. I swallowed hard, the weight of guilt settling heavy on my shoulders as I pulled her away and into me, cocooning her in my arms.

"I'm here," I cooed, my voice barely recognizable over her soft sobs and racing heart.

"What happened?" Knox's eyes flicked between us, as he came to stand by our side. Chase wrapped in his large arms protectively. His expression was unreadable, but I could feel anger rippling off him in dangerous waves. Charlotte's gaze lifted, her fingers tracing the contours of the figure Knox had in his arms.

"I couldn't protect him," she

murmured, her voice choked with

emotion. "I failed him." She wept, twisting into Knox while remaining in my arms Her fingers pushed a strand of bloodied hair from Chase's face with a fondness that would make me uncomfortable if didn't Know the truth. My heart ached at her words, the raw pain in her voice cutting through the oppressive atmosphere of hell.

"Dramatic much!" Astaroth laughed, "He is fine! He will heal when you return to your world. If you agree to my offer, that is."

"Get to the point. What offer?" I snapped impatiently, while squeezing Charlotte into me, as Knox did the same with Chase.

"He has a way around the Moon Goddesses' sacrifice. It might work." Charlotte explained, the hatred in her tone clear. "But you won't like it."

"I tend not to like anything scheming bastards have to say." I spewed. "But let's hear it."

"Very well, I will sever the fated mate bond..."

"Not happening," Knox growled into the room, his tone feral and dangerous, while Astaroth rolled his eyes with dramatic flare.

"Using my magic," He continued, ignoring Knox's outburst. "And when the Moon goddess is satisfied that Lottie has made her choice, I will use my powers again to set another bond in place."

"Second chance mates!" Charlotte

sighed, her hands twisting around

my waist tightly, as she looked up at

Knox, judging his response. "The Moon Goddess said we had to sacrifice the bond, she never said we couldn't make another." Charlotte announced, her arms wrapping around my waist further and linking at the base of my spine as she pivoted to look up into my eyes, pleading with me to hear him out.

"Cheating the Moon Goddess doesn't sound like a good idea." Knox interjected, but I could hear the hope that laced his words.

"Neither does being forced to give

up those you love." Astaroth

challenged. The demon's words hung heavy in the air, "Now I can help you and fix this mess you find yourself in while making sure you stay together... for a price." had a feeling his words and promises were a chilling burden wrapped in the guise of assistance.

"Carry on." I nodded, unable to dispute his statement, the position we found ourselves in wasn't fair, so I allowed him to continue. I just hoped I wasn't about to make a decision that would cost me not only my mate but my brother and best friend too.