Their Secret Obsession (A Reverse Harem) by Pippa Moon
Chapter 0299

Chase POV

I stood in the doorway, watching Connie as she processed Kane's words. Millions of emotions washed over her face, and I couldn't help but wonder what was going on in her head. Her expression shifted from confusion to anger to something I couldn't quite place-hurt, maybe? Thor grumbled inside me, his discontent clear. He didn't like the distance between us, physically or emotionally.

"There's too much distance. Go to her," Thor urged, his voice impatient and demanding, but my feet stayed rooted to the spot. There was a feeling deep in my gut telling me not to move like an invisible hand was holding me back. Something felt off like someone was toying with me, playing with my mind.

"You're being paranoid," Thor snapped. "You're just making excuses because you don't want to give up your spot in the brotherhood. You're scared of losing the one place where you matter." His words stung, but I couldn't shake the unease creeping up my spine. I licked my lips, eyes never leaving Connie as she flopped down on the edge of the bed, her gaze cast down at the floor.

"Can you believe him?" She seethed.

"I mean, does he really think I will go quietly? I am his mate. He can't leave me, they won't allow it." She was hurting. I could sense the waves of pain coming off her, even as she tried to brush off Kane's words.

"I just didn't see this coming. He has been distant, yes, but he has had so much on. Trying to please his father, I thought that was what it was." I listened as she started ranting to me, her frustration spilling out as she vented. Her voice was sharp, but beneath the anger was real hurt.

"But of course, it's her!" Connie spat. Sighing internally, I wondered if there was any way to end this feud in Connie's mind. I knew Lottie didn't give to shits for Connie, but it was clear Connie was not so.. mature.

"Go comfort her," Thor begged again, but this time, I gave in, my reluctance still weighing heavily on me. I crossed the room, sitting on the edge of the bed beside her. She didn't look at me, her eyes fixed on the floor as she continued to pour out her grievances. "They've used me, manipulated me," she seethed. "I'm always overlooked, always in the shadow of Lottie. And for what? She's not even that pretty. I don't get what everyone sees in her."

Her words made my chest tighten, but not for the reasons she might think. I wanted to tell her that she was wrong, that Lottie was my sister, and she was beautiful in her own right, just like Connie was. I wanted to remind her that the bond between Knox, Kane, and Lottie had nothing to do with her worth. But when I opened my mouth, the words that came out weren't mine.

"I agree," I said, the words slipping past my lips before I could stop them. As soon as I said it, I hated myself. That wasn't what I wanted to say. I blinked, shaken by the fact that I'd just lied to her-lied to myself. Thor immediately stirred in the back of my mind, snapping at

me.

"That wasn't me,"* Thor growled. "Don't blame me for this. You said it."

I swallowed hard, confusion thick in my throat. Why had I said that? Why had I agreed with her when I knew deep down that I didn't?

"Really? You agree with me?" Connie

asked, her voice softer now, tinged with hope. She looked at me earnestly, her wide eyes searching mine for validation. The look on her face made my stomach churn. She seemed... happy like she'd been waiting for someone to finally agree with her. And I had just given her that, even though it was built on a lie.

I leaned in again like I had no control, reaching out to cup her chin between my fingers, tilting her head so she was looking right into my eyes. I needed to say something to fix this, but instead, I found myself staring into the depths of her gaze, her vulnerability pulling at me in ways I couldn't explain.

"Yes," I whispered, the words tasting bitter on my tongue. "I think you're ten times as beautiful as her. Smarter, fitter and of course, that body of yours.. unmatchable." Slamming my lips closed, I hoped the shock and anger I wore resonated with Connie that I did not mean a word of it.

"Well, she does look like a whale." Connie laughed, clearly not following.

"Don't insult whales." I laughed, but the moment the words left my mouth, I wanted to take them back. It wasn't true. I didn't even believe it. But I couldn't stop myself. I leaned in, closing the distance between us, my lips brushing against hers. The kiss was passionate, intense even, but it didn't feel right. There was something bitter in her taste, something that repelled me even as it pulled me in.

She wanted to deepen the kiss, her hands gripping my shoulders, but alarm bells rang in my head. A crawling sensation crept up my spine, an unsettling feeling that grew stronger with every second. It was like a dark cloud had wrapped itself around me, suffocating my instincts and confusing my thoughts.

"This is wrong," I stammered, standing abruptly and pulling away from her. I moved toward the door, shaking my head as if to clear the fog that seemed to cloud my mind. "This is not what I want. Not you."

I didn't look back at her as I yanked the door open; stepping into the hallway, I heard Connie scream angrily from inside.

"Chase, are you for real? Do you know what you're walking away from? Who you're walking away from?"

Her words echoed in the hallway, but I didn't turn around. I didn't trust myself to. I leaned against the wall, feeling my chest rise and fall rapidly as I tried to catch my breath.

"I don't know my arse from my

elbow anymore," I muttered to

myself, rubbing my hands over my face in frustration. I felt lost, more than ever. Nothing made sense-my actions, my words. I didn't even recognize myself. Slamming the door behind me, I stepped further down the hallway; the ground shifted beneath me. I gasped, stumbling as the hardwood floor beneath my feet disappeared, replaced by burning, red-hot coals. Heat licked at my boots, the air growing thick with the smell of sulphur.

"Well, that was entertaining," came a low, malicious laugh.