Their Secret Obsession (A Reverse Harem) by Pippa Moon

Chase's POV

The soft glow of unfamiliar light filtered through my eyelids, pulling me from a restless sleep. I lay still for a moment, the events of the past day swirling in my mind like fragments of a dream. This place wherever we were felt surreal, and the weight of unspoken questions pressed heavily on my chest.

I cracked one eye open to see Liam sprawled beside me on the massive bed, his face relaxed but shadows lingering beneath his eyes. Knox was nowhere to be seen. A flicker of concern sparked within me. Carefully, I slipped out of bed, making sure not to disturb Liam. The cool floor met my bare feet as I stood, stretching out the stiffness in my muscles.

I needed to find Selene. The dreams I'd been having-the ones where she appeared less like a goddess and more like one of us-had been haunting me for months. Now that I knew she was real, I had to speak with her, to understand what they meant. Perhaps she could shed light on the unsettling feeling that I'd inadvertently shared too much about Lottie and the babies.

Glancing back at Liam to ensure he was still asleep, I made my way toward the door. It opened silently at my touch, revealing a hallway bathed in a shimmering white light. The walls seemed to glow softly, guiding me forward. I hesitated for a moment, an inexplicable sense of déjà vu washing over me.

As I stepped into the corridor, the gentle hum of distant voices reached my ears. One of them was unmistakably Knox. Curiosity piqued, I followed the sound, my footsteps light against the polished floor. The hallway stretched on, adorned with intricate carvings and symbols that pulsed faintly as I passed.

Ahead, a door stood ajar with a brilliant light spilling out from beneath it. I approached cautiously, peering through the small gap. Inside was an otherworldly courtyard filled with trees of white bark and leaves that shimmered like silver. At the centre was a pristine pond made of white stone, its surface reflecting the ethereal surroundings.

Knox sat beside the pond, his posture tense. Beside him was Selene, the Moon Goddess herself, her presence both captivating and intimidating. Their voices were soft but clear in the stillness.

I knew I shouldn't eavesdrop, but something held me there. Maybe it was the urgency in Knox's tone or the cryptic nature of their conversation. I pressed myself against the wall, straining to hear without being seen.

"She had no one," Knox roared, his shoulders tense with what I knew would be anger. "Yet she never moaned, never sought vengeance; she smiled, thanked YOU for giving her the strength to get through it, and carried on like her life was not a steaming pile of misery. You, who have asked her to give up the family she now has..."

As I listened to Knox's impassioned words, a deep ache settled in my chest. Each sentence was like a weight pressing down on me, reminding me of all the years I'd missed with Lottie. She had grown up alone, enduring hardships I couldn't even fathom, while I had been oblivious to her existence. The realisation was like a punch to the gut. How different could her life have been if I'd been there for her? If I'd been the brother she needed?

Regret washed over me, mingling with a fierce protectiveness. The thought of her being forced to choose between her mates and her babies was unbearable. That couldn't be right. No one should have to make such an impossible choice, least of all someone who had already sacrificed so much. A knot formed in my stomach, twisting tighter with each passing moment.

I felt a pang of guilt for listening in, but I couldn't pull myself away. I needed to know what she was facing, to understand how I could help. If there was any way to spare her more pain, I had to find it.

A hand suddenly clamped down on my shoulder. I jolted, barely suppressing a yelp. Spinning around, I found Liam standing behind me, his eyes wide with surprise.

"Shh," he whispered, holding a finger to his lips.

I nodded, exhaling the breath I'd been holding. We exchanged a glance that conveyed both our shock and our shared understanding-we needed to hear this.

Like two children sneaking out past bedtime, we stood silently in the shadows, absorbing every word. Selene spoke of Lottie's struggles, the sacrifices she'd already made, and those yet to come. Bits and pieces of Astaroth's deal flickered through my memory-the night he approached us, hiring us to keep her safe. We thought we knew what Lottie had been through, but this was on an entirely different level. "She has endured much," Selene continued. "But her destiny requires these trials."

"Isn't there another way?" Knox asked, desperation creeping into his voice.

"Fate is not easily swayed," Selene replied. "But perhaps, with the right choices, outcomes can be altered."

A sudden warmth spread through my mind, like sunlight piercing through clouds.

"Eavesdropping is rather unbecoming, don't you think?" Selene's voice echoed inside my head, playful yet chiding.

Time seemed to freeze around us. The leaves on the trees halted their gentle sway, and the soft ripples on the pond's surface became still. Knox remained frozen mid-sentence, his expression caught between concern and confusion.

Before we could react, Selene

appeared before us, having gracefully glided from her seat without crossing the distance. Up close, her ethereal beauty was even more striking-eyes that held the depth of the cosmos and a serene smile that hinted at ancient wisdom.

Liam and I stood rooted to the spot, uncertain whether to apologise or explain ourselves. She reached out and cupped Liam's face in her hands, her touch gentle.

"Do not be so hard on yourself, Liam," she said softly. "The burdens you carry are not yours alone." Liam's eyes searched hers, a mixture of vulnerability and determination flickering within them.

"I just want to protect my sister," he whispered.

"And you will," she assured him. "But remember, strength comes not just from shielding others, but also from accepting help." She released him and turned her gaze to me. I felt exposed under her scrutiny ke she could see every thought and doubt I ever had.

"You should think it through, Chase," she advised a hint of amusement in her tone.

"Think what through?" I asked, genuinely puzzled.

"You'll understand when the time is right." Her smile deepened, enigmatic. I wanted to press further, to ask about the dreams, about Lottie, but the words caught in my throat. She seemed to sense my unspoken questions. "Trust in yourself," she added. "And in those who care for you."

With that, she began to move back

toward the courtyard. The world around us started to regain its

motion the leaves rustled gently et

and the soft sounds of the pond resumed. Knox was unfrozen, and his conversation with Selene picked upas if nothing had interrupted it.

Liam and I exchanged bewildered glances. Without a word, we turned and made our way back down the corridor, our footsteps echoing softly. The weight of what we'd overheard pressed heavily upon us.