Their Secret Obsession (A Reverse Harem)

Lottie POV

"Or us?" Kanne added as his hand slipped into mine and gave it a gentle squeeze. Looking at him, I felt my lips twitch into a small smile; even after all we had been through, this man was still willing to fight for us.

Leaning my head on his shoulder, I looked to Knox, who was towing the dirt as he chewed his lip, clearly hiding something. I was about to ask when Selene gently cleared her throat to speak.

"It means they will face challenges," Selene admitted, her voice filled with something I could not quite place. "But they will also possess the strength to overcome them. With your guidance and love, they can become a force for great good." "Which means they can also be a force of great evil, right?" Liam asked, his tone tense as he addressed Selene with that familiarity that ate at me.

"Since when did we live in a galaxy far, far away?" Knox scoffed playfully, no doubt trying to relieve me of a little of my anxiety.

"Knox Maddox, I love a Star Wars marathon as much as you mortals, but this is no time for jokes. The powers these children will have are not to be sniffed at." The Moon goddess corrected Knox, who seemed to blush under her half-amused, half-annoyed stare. "And what if we don't want them involved in any of this? What if we just want a normal life for them?" Kane crossed his arms, scepticism evident in his voice.

"I'm afraid their destinies are intertwined with forces beyond the ordinary. But remember, destiny is not a predetermined path-it is a journey shaped by choices." Selene's expression turned sombre as if she knew something we did not. Licking my lips, I asked the question that danced across the tip of my tongue.

"Astaroth's plan?" I asked, as things started to fall into place, his absolute determination to have our daughter, his need to keep my abilties quiet and me in the dark. His instinace that my mates would turn on each as Kane turned to him for help. Would one of my children bear the same demons Havoc did? OR worse, Astaroth?

"He will be an issue, but not the biggest one you face." She admitted, as ever, keeping her answers guarded and not giving us the full picture.

"Then what will?" Kane asked as his hand tightened its grip on mine.

"That I can not say." She finally stated after a moment of contemplation. Sensing the anger rising in my mates, I watched her lift her hands in slight surrender. "Not because I don't want to, but because it would be unfair of me." She stated, her eyes glued on mine. I don't know why, but I nodded and gave Kane a smile.

"I understand." I sighed, knowing there was a reason she was not saying. At least not yet. "Then we'll make sure they have the support they need. We will face whatever comes together." I declared as I looked up at her, determination rising within me.

"I have faith in you, Lottie. In all of you, but you can not fight your fate. Or theirs" She reached out, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"So, what's next? Has Astaroth gone for good?" Chase asked from somewhere to the left.

"He has been weakened but not defeated entirely. He will retreat to recover but will not forget this day." Her gaze shifted to Chase, a hint of concern flickering. "But I imagine it will take years to recover." She added with a reassuring smile that did not quite reach her eyes. "Then we're still in danger." Liam frowned, his shoulders tensing.

"Yes," she acknowledged. "But you are not without allies."

"If there's more we can do to protect our family, our future- we'll do it." Adam, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, spoke up. My eyes lifted to meet his as he stood in the doorway to see a stern expression painting his face.

"Your resolve is admirable, Adam. It

is individuals like you and your brothers who tip the scales toward harmony Selene's eyes twinkled as she offered them a grateful nod. He flushed slightly at the compliment but stayed silent. Chase stood taller and prouder and made a pose that was fitting for the goofball he was.

"Seriously, Selene, their heads are big enough." Knox teased, but his tone sharpened as he nodded to Adam. "Adam is right, though; what can we do?" Knox teased

"Support each other, understand the twins are not normal as much as their parents wish they were, and as they grow, be honest and open with yourselves and them over your fears and their futures."

"Wait," I called out, a question

burning within me. "I thought I had to pay a price two bonds of the heart?" I questioned because she was talking like Kane, Knox, and I would get to raise our babies together. Which was the best outcome possible. Though if she was allowing this now, I had questions like, why the fuck we have been put through this? Why have my mates missed the first six months' worth of milestones during our pregnancy? Why had I been tortured with images of them and Connie? Why, why, why?"

"The debt has been paid." She beamed enigmatically.

Before I could ask anything further, a soft glow enveloped her.noveldrama

"Take care, Lottie. We will meet again." And with that, she vanished, leaving behind a lingering sense of peace.

The room was quiet; the only

sounds were the rustling of leaves and the distant calls of night creatures from outside the window. No one seemed to be breathing as no doubt they, too, were rendered speechless. I turned to face the

others, a mixture of uncertainty and hope swirling within me.

"What?" I finally gasped. "Who?" I wondered as tears filled my eyes.

"Does it matter? You can finally have the happiness you deserve, baby sister." Liam smiled, coming to cup my face, raising my eyes to meet his; I noted the glossy cover of his dark hues and felt a sense of dread grow in my belly.

"You are our future; they are our survival. All that matters now is that you are protected, and I know I can speak for Chase and Adam when I say that there are no other males alive, we trust more than your mates to make you safe, loved and happy." That little ball of dread grew. My brother's peaceful expression only fueled the fear I felt licking up my spine.

"So," Chase began, breaking the silence as he approached to kiss my temple. "Who else needs a strong drink?"

Everyone seemed to laugh softly, the tension easing for them.. but not me.