Their Secret Obsession (A Reverse Harem) by Pippa Moon

Lottie POV

"You are wrong." I heard Knox scream, somehow breaking the dark magic hold that had been his gag. My heart hammered in my chest hearing the desperation in his voice, but as Astaroth's words echoed through the cathedral, each syllable distracted me, striking like a dagger aimed at my soul. Could it be true?

Could Knox, the man I loved more than life itself, be tainted by the darkness of his bloodline?

"Angel?" Knox choked out in a plea to get my attention, but I couldn't bear to look at him, I couldn't bring myself to meet his gaze as the weight of uncertainty pressed down on me.

"It can't be true," I whispered discreetly. My mind raced, trying to make sense of the chaos unravelling before me, but all I could see were fragments of doubt and fear that Astaroth was installing in us. "Please, baby girl!"

"She hates that you call her that. Did you know that?" Astaroth smugly laughed.

"Fuck off." Knox barked, but I could hear the pain in his tone, and not just because his throat was raw from the pain of fighting Astaroth's magic. Tears blurred my vision as I struggled to hold back the flood of emotions threatening to consume me. My mates were my rocks, my sanctuary in a world fraught with danger. The mere thought of losing them to the shadows that lurked within this shady realm sent a shiver down my spine.

"Language!" Astaroth laughed, mocking Knox, the delight coating his tone evident. My thoughts spiralled into a whirlwind of uncertainty, memories of our shared moments intertwined with the chilling whispers of doubt. Hot salty tears welled in my eyes. I knew I should comfort my mates, but I felt consumed by the emotions threatening to spill over as I grappled with the possibility of betrayal.

"Poor Princess!" Astaroth teased as

he drew nearer, sending a shudder running down my spine. My instincts screamed at me to flee, but Chase lay at my feet, vulnerable and defenceless, his life hanging in the balance. With a heavy heart, remained rooted to the spot, my resolve bolstered by the need to

protect those I loved.

"I guess love is fickle after all! I can feel the pain you are feeling at Knox's betrayal." Astaroth bullied with malice, sending the room into silence.

"Charlotte?" Kane's voice whimpered through what sounded like an agonisingly painful throat. With trembling hands, I wiped away the tears clouding my vision, lifting my gaze to meet Astaroth's heckling stare. My jaw clenched in defiance. "You are wrong!" I spat. I refused to cower before the demon's malevolent presence.

"Am I though?" He chortled, tilting his head to glower at me, the smile on his face irritating me beyond words. Did this fool genuinely think he could come between us? Did he really think I was so weak?

"Quite the opposite, actually." He shrugged, his behaviour only irritated me further, it was like he thought that invading my private thoughts was a normal thing to do.

"Stay out of my head!" I yapped, anger rippling through me, his responsive dark chuckle in the room, grinding on me also.

"Do you think the pain I feel is

because my mate 'concealed' something from me?" I snapped, taking a step closer, ignoring Kane's whines for me to stop. "The pain you feel flaring inside me is for them!" I seethed, pointing at Knox and then to Kane. "For my mates! I know the pain of family betrayal, remember!" Shaking my head at the anger I felt brewing in my stomach, I lowered my eyes to my stomach, where my hand rested protectively.

"They deserved better! We all did!" I found myself unable to fathom Leigh and Laura's decisions IF this foulness in front of me was indeed telling the truth, because I knew would do anything to protect those I

loved. What was worse was that I

knew without a shadow

ofa

doubt I

would kill for my children.

"I am telling the truth, I assure you of that." Astaroth mocked, his brow rising in a challenge.

"What have I told you about staying out of my head," I growled, sensing Knox's eyes on me. I knew it was a warning to behave. Well, fuck that! This wanker wasn't playing by the rules. Why should I?