Their Secret Obsession (A Reverse Harem) by Pippa Moon

Kane's POV

We continued our climb, more cautiously this time. The winged demons maintained their circling above but kept their distance. The reddish sky intensified the dramatic ambience, casting warm, golden shadows that made the setting feel even more isolated and formidable.

I stayed close to Lottie, ready to shield her from any threat.

"Are you okay?" I whispered to her. I offered a warm smile, gently brushing a strand of hair away from her face. Placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder, I squeezed lightly to let her know I was right beside her.

She nodded, though her eyes remained fixed ahead. "I just want to find Knox and get out of here."

"Me too," I agreed, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. As we approached the top of the staircase, the massive doors of the castle loomed before us-ornate and foreboding, with intricate carvings and symbols etched into the dark stone. The guards standing on either side observed us with unreadable expressions. "Expecting trouble?" Adam grunted, his gaze flicking between the imposing doors and the silent sentinels.

"I am not sure yet," Astaroth replied calmly. For a moment, his usually confident demeanour faltered. His eyes held a flicker of vulnerability, a rare glimpse beneath his façade. It was as if the weight of something unseen pressed upon him.

"Who would want to hurt you? You're the king of chaos," she said, her voice tinged with confusion. Lottie tilted her head, curiosity and a hint of concern in her eyes.

"Even kings have their enemies." Astaroth offered a wry smile. She stopped walking, her feet planted firmly as she regarded him.

"I'm potentially sending my child to live with you. I deserve to know who your enemies are," she stated firmly.

Her words struck me like a bolt. I halted beside her, realisation dawning. Lottie was seriously considering going through with the deal to give our child to Astaroth. A knot formed in my stomach. Astaroth met my gaze, a subtle challenge in his eyes, clearly not appreciating my unspoken doubts.

"My enemies are yours," he replied cryptically before stepping aside. "Welcome to my humble abode," he announced with a flourish, ending the conversation there... at least for now.

"Charming," I muttered under my breath. My distrust for Astaroth ran deep. The idea that our enemies were shared seemed absurd. Any foes he had were likely beyond our realm and capabilities. If they ever came for him, we'd be collateral damage at best. "You have more enemies than you think, Kane," Astaroth remarked as we stepped inside. His tone was casual, but his words carried an ominous weight.

Inside, the castle was a maze of shadowed corridors and echoing halls. The atmosphere was thick, almost suffocating, as if the very air carried whispers of long-forgotten secrets. Warm hues from the reddish sky seeped through narrow windows, casting elongated shadows that danced along the walls.

"This way," Astaroth beckoned, a slight bounce in his step. He seemed almost... proud to have guests in his home. It was an odd sight-a demon hosting a tour.

We followed reluctantly, every instinct telling me to be on guard. Lottie clutched my arm, her grip tightening as we ventured deeper. The sound of our footsteps echoed ominously, and the guards' watchful eyes never left us.

"How am I meant to save him?" Lottie asked nervously, her voice barely above a whisper.

Astaroth chuckled dismissively. "You will know what to do."

I felt her trembling beside me. Concerned, I gently pulled her away from the group, allowing a small gap to form between us and the others.

"What's wrong?" I asked, cupping her cheeks in my hands and lifting her head to meet my gaze. She shook her head, trying to brush off my concern.

"It's just... How am I supposed to save him? What if I can't? What if he dies because of me?" Her lower lip quivered, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears. I released her face and wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close. "Hey, listen to me," I murmured softly. "Nothing and I mean nothing that has happened or will happen is your fault. We're a team. We'll get through this together."

She rested her head against my

chest, and I could feel the rapid beat

of her heart slowly calming. I tilted her chin up and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. The world seemed to fade away for a moment, the weight of our worries lifting ever so slightly. When we parted, I was left a little breathless, but more determined than ever.

"Thank you," she whispered, her cheeks flushed beautifully.

"Always," I replied. And I meant it. I was always here for her. We rejoined the group as they approached a set of grand doors adorned with unfamiliar symbols. Astaroth paused before them. "Your friend should be inside," Astaroth announced with a grin that made my skin crawl.

"Should be?" I challenged, narrowing my eyes.

"Is inside. Satisfied?" He rolled his eyes dramatically. Without waiting, I stepped forward and pushed past him, opening the doors. The sight that greeted us made my heart leap. "Knox!" Lottie exclaimed, rushing forward.

Knox lay on a grand bed, his complexion calm and peaceful. Beside him stood Chase and Liam, their expressions a mix of relief and surprise at our sudden appearance. "About time you showed up," Chase quipped, though his eyes shone with genuine happiness.

"Are you okay?" I asked Knox,

Pet

approaching the bed. My eyes scanned him anxiously, searching for any sign of the fatal wound he had when he left. There was no blood, no visible injuries-just the steady rise and fall of his chest. Relief washed over me like a wave.

"I'm better now for seeing you, angel." He gave a sly smile, his gaze lingering on Lottie.

"Dick," she scoffed. "I see you are back to your normal self." She teased, but I noted how her cheeks flushed vibrantly before she moved to Knox's side, her hands gently inspecting him for any signs of injury.

"We healed him," Chase explained softly. "We'll fill you in later, baby sister." Chase placed a reassuring hand over hers.

"Thank you," she whispered. She looked up at him, gratitude and affection evident in her eyes. Astaroth lingered in the doorway, a satisfied smirk on his face.

"Reunions are so touching," he

mused, his tone dripping with

sarcasm. But as he spoke, the

atmosphere the room shifted. An

eerie feeling swept over us as

Astaroth's expression darkened. The shadows seemed to lengthen, and the air grew colder. His eyes narrowed, a hint of menace flickering within them. "But how did you heal him exactly?" he pressed, his voice low and edged with something unsettling. A shiver ran down my spine, and I sensed a brewing storm behind his calm façade.