Their Secret Obsession (A Reverse Harem) by Pippa Moon

Liam's POV

"I think you know," Selene-the Moon Goddess, or whatever she wanted to be called-clarified, her ethereal voice echoing softly in the grand room.

"No," I roared, closing the distance between us in a heartbeat. My face was mere inches from hers, eyes blazing with a fury that had been simmering beneath the surface for too long. "Chase, Adam, and I have been forced into this life-forced to serve others, to follow the rules, to never take a mate, to never settle down. To never love or care for anyone, not even each other, because the job comes first. The royals come first. We had no choice but to lead this life, to agree to do what we were promised and raised to do." I spat the words venomously, each one laced with years of pent-up resentment.

Selene nodded slowly, her eyes reflecting a deep well of sympathy that only stoked my anger further. A low growl rumbled in my chest. It was infuriating that she seemed to understand that she could stand there, serene and composed, acknowledging my pain as if it were a minor inconvenience. If she truly knew what it was like, why was she inflicting this fate on others? It made no sense. It was cruel.

"As have I," she admitted softly.

Irritation prickled under my skin. If she knew what it was like, then why perpetuate this cycle? "Adam... he lost a family, he has lost himself to someone else's promise on him. My niece" my voice cracked slightly, but I pushed on, "my niece will not have the same fate!" I screamed, the words echoing off the ornate walls.

"Then what do you suggest?" she offered, opening her arms in a gesture of openness. She moved gracefully toward Chase, her hand outstretched to him in an offering to help him up from the floor. I watched her carefully, suspicion gnawing at me. Part of me hoped she would let him fall on his face, a petty desire fueled by my anger. But a larger part hoped Chase wouldn't take her hand-that he'd stand with me in this, united in our defiance.

"What is it Lottie agreed to?" I demanded as Chase lifted himself up without her help, dusting off his clothes.

"I brought Alpha Leigh back-and Sebastian too-and she agreed to pay the price..." Selene began.

Rage surged through me. She should have just let them die. Sebastian had always been a waste of space-a bully, a brat with no morals. He was bound to ruin the royal family at some point, and we would have been tasked with cleaning up the mess, as the Sparrow brothers often were. Lottie would have only been speeding up the inevitable. But as my anger settled, I knew she was right. If the royal family believed that Sebastian had been harmed intentionally, it would be cause for war. And that was something her pack was not ready for, especially after just losing their Alpha-or so they thought.

"Yes, yes..." I waved her off, irritation seeping into my tone. "Which was...?"

"Two bonds of the heart," the Moon Goddess admitted, her face tight with a hint of annoyance. But I could tell she was exercising patience with me.

"Cryptic," I laughed bitterly, shaking my head.

"Not really. I saved Alpha Leigh, a man she saw as a father, and I saved Sebastian to prevent Knox from starting an all-out war."

"Yes, I remember being there," I spat, nodding curtly. "So get to the point." I knew I was being disrespectful, but I couldn't help it. The anger was consuming, burning through any restraint I might have had. "Manners, young wolf," Selene demanded, a subtle warning lacing her words.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to tread carefully. She was, after all, a deity-apparently the almighty Moon Goddess. "What exactly did Lottie agree to?"

"She owes destiny two bonds of the heart, two bonds interwoven with love and blood," Selene explained.

I chewed my lip thoughtfully, locking eyes with Chase. Understanding passed silently between us.

"And if that sacrifice is made... Lottie, Knox, and Kane-and those pups-will be free of your wrath?" Chase asked, needing to hear her say it plainly.

"Yes," she nodded, her eyes meeting mine. "But like I said, Chase, you should think."

"Take me," Chase commanded without hesitation.

"Me too," I added, crossing the room to stand beside my brother. Pride swelled in my chest. I might not agree with everything, might not like how things had played out, and none of it felt right... but this-this felt gkcould

right. This was something could

control, a way to protect my family.

"You would do that?" she asked, her eyes narrowing as she looked at both of us. "You did not think for long."

"I didn't need to," I replied firmly. "My life is mapped out for me, and things won't change. I will never have what she has what she deserves. If it means making sure Lottie and our niece are safe..."

"Wait," Selene said, beginning to

pace. Her ethereal form moved

gracefully, but there was a tension in

her movements, as if she were weighing options, considering possibilities. I didn't want to give her too much time to think in case she declined. We might not be pure blood, but we are blood, and the love

we both feel for Lottie is of the

heart-it is pure.

"No. We agree," I insisted, crossing my arms stubbornly-the same way Lottie does when she's determined to get her way.

"Very well," she smiled softly, stepping closer to us. "Then it is done."

"How will they know? Will this end their deal with the demon?" I asked, a tendril of fear creeping up my spine.

"You will tell them," she replied gently. "I am no monster. I will give you a week to say your goodbyes, then I will come to collect. Two bonds of the heart..." She announced it with a smile that was both serene and sombre. "And the demon..." Chase ventured cautiously.

"I cannot speak for the demon, but I can say that the deal with him is no longer needed. I cannot wait to see them back together and to watch what comes next."

"Will we see?" Chase asked, his voice tight. Despite what he had willingly agreed to, I knew he was excited to be an uncle.

She offered a simple nod before heading toward the door. "It's time to go to your sister," she sighed, giving me the distinct feeling she had enjoyed having the company.

"For what it's worth..." She paused, her eyes meeting mine and then Chase's. "You are good men."

I felt a lump form in my throat. Her

words caught me off guard. "Good men don't do the things we have done," I muttered, my gaze dropping to the he floor. Memories of the

missions, the lies, the lives taken-all in the name of duty-flashed through my mind.

"Good men, to the core," she reiterated, her smile gentle and understanding.

A brilliant white light flooded the room, blinding in its intensity. I closed my eyes against the glare, and a profound sense of peace settled within me. For the first time in as long as I could remember, the turmoil inside quieted.