Their Secret Obsession (A Reverse Harem) by Pippa Moon
Chapter 0298

Kane's POV

I reached the door, exhaling a heavy sigh just as something crashed against it from behind. A splash of liquid trickled down the wooden surface, pooling at my feet. The sharp scent of whiskey filled the air-a drink wasted in a petty act of frustration. I glanced over my shoulder to see Connie glaring at me, her eyes ablaze with anger. The shattered glass lay scattered on the floor, glittering like bitter tears under the dim light.

"You think acting like a child is going to make me want to stay?" I asked, arching an eyebrow. My patience was hanging by a thread, and her tantrums were doing nothing to mend it. She curled her lip in a sneer, narrowing her eyes.

"Maybe if you'd stop treating me like one!" she spat back, her voice dripping with venom. She opened her mouth to continue, but honestly, I couldn't be bothered to listen anymore. Her words had become white noise-a constant drone of accusations and self-pity. Turning away, I gripped the doorknob and pulled it open. Standing on the other side was Chase, looking uncharacteristically uneasy. His usual confident posture was replaced with slumped shoulders, and he avoided meeting my gaze. It was odd; Chase was always so composed, the epitome of charm and ease.

"Chase?" I asked as A knot of anxiety tightened in my stomach.

"Is it Lottie?" I blurted out, my voice edged with panic. The mere thought of something happening to her or the babies sent a cold dread coursing through me. "The babies?" I pressed when he didn't immediately respond.

Before Chase could answer, Connie let out a bitter laugh behind me. "Poor Lottie, that's it-let's all run to her aid," she snapped sarcastically. I shot her a warning glare.

"Not now, Connie," I growled, my patience wearing thinner by the second. Turning back to Chase, I noticed he wasn't looking at me anymore. His gaze had shifted past me, landing somewhere over my shoulder. Confusion flickered across his face, mingling with something else was it guilt? I followed his line of sight and realised he was staring at Connie like she meant something to him. Which was fucked up, given she was the reason Lottie had suffered so much.

"She's not the only one to blame, you know," Rolo stirred within me. "We've played our part in this mess." he muttered.

"Not now, Rolo." I clenched my jaw.

"Ignoring it won't change the truth," he retorted before retreating into silence. Frustrated, I reached out and gave Chase a gentle shake. "Chase, what's going on?" He finally looked at me, eyes refocusing.

"No, Lottie's fine," he assured me. "She's resting. It's been a long night for her." But even as he spoke, his eyes drifted back to Connie.

An unexpected scent hit me a subtle but unmistakable hint of desire lingering in the air. It emanated from both of them. Realisation dawned, and I couldn't help the mix of amusement and disbelief that bubbled up.

"Seriously?" I asked, half amused, half incredulous. "You want her?" I gestured subtly toward Connie, unable to hide the distaste in my tone.

"It's complicated," Chase began. He met my gaze, there was a flicker of defensiveness in his eyes. I raised a hand to stop him.

"Do you remember what she did to your sister? How she humiliated her, taunted her, insulted her-not once, but over and over again?" My voice hardened with each word, memories of Connie's manipulations fueling my frustration. "I know, and I hate it... but people can change." He sighed heavily. I shook my head, stepping fully into the hallway and leaving the door open behind me.

"People.. yes.. evil like her.. no!" I

shook my head, unable to

comprehend this. "You know what? Do as you please." I gestured

dismissively. "Have at her, but bonet

warned-she's rotten to the

core. "Connie scoffed loudly Venet

words. I knew they would hurt, and I should rise above it. But Pcan't.. not anymore.

"You're just going to leave me like this? Did I mean so little to you?" Her voice cracked a mixture of anger and hurt flashing across her face. Tears brimmed in her eyes, but I couldn't tell if they were genuine or another act. "Yes, Connie." I met her gaze steadily. "I'm done." The weight of those words lifted something off my shoulders-a burden I'd been carrying for far too long. Her eyes widened, a flicker of vulnerability showing through.

"What about the mate bond?" she

cried out, rushing toward the door. But I noticed her gaze flickering toward Chase as if seeking his reaction more than mine. It struck

me then that perhaps her

ΛΟ

attachment wasn't as deep as she'd

led us all to believe.

"The mate bond is why I'm leaving." I let out a dry laugh. She stared at me, confusion and desperation mingling in her expression.

"So you're rejecting me?" Her voice wavered, a hint of relief betraying the sadness she tried to portray.

"You can't reject what never was," I stated plainly.

"I am your mate!" she insisted, pointing to her neck as if to showcase a mark that wasn't there a false symbol of a bond that never existed. It was just another one of Astaroth's cruel illusions, meant to deceive her and everyone else. I shook my head slowly.

"No, you're not. But I'm guessing you might be his," I said, nodding toward Chase. "And honestly, I'm disappointed-in both the Moon Goddess and in you," I added, directing the last part at Chase.

"That's not fair, Kane." Chase bristled slightly.

"Isn't it?" I challenged. "She is evil... And if I recall, you have had enough dealing with evil to know that" Connie's face crumpled, a mix of emotions playing out-anger, hurt, perhaps even a trace of guilt. But I was beyond caring. Without another word, I turned on my heel and walked away, leaving them both standing in the hallway. The distant hum of nighttime activity in the pack house filled the silence as I made my way toward Lottie's room. "Your father is going to kill you," Rolo murmured, breaking the quiet in my mind. There was a hint of amusement in his tone. A small smile tugged at my lips as I glanced back down the corridor.

"Let him try," I replied softly. "This is my life."

"That's the spirit," Rolo chuckled. "I'm proud of you, you know."

"Let's go find our girl," I whispered.

As I approached my room, a sense of calm washed over me. The chaos of the night seemed to fade, replaced by a renewed

determination. I was done beina net

manipulated-by Connie, by my father, by celestial beings who thought they could toy with our lives. It was time to take control.