Their Secret Obsession (A Reverse Harem) by Pippa Moon novel Chapter 166

Lottie POV

I stood in the heart of the demonic world, surrounded by the eerie beauty of the cathedral. It felt like time itself had paused within its gothic walls. My nerves prickled beneath my skin, but I couldn't deny the strange allure of the place- or the demon who lurked in the realm.

Then, I heard his voice behind me, clenching my jaw, I fought the surge of hatred that coursed through me and turned to face him, Astaroth, the demon who had caused so much pain. The memory of leaving Chase behind on that hilltop to heal alone twisted my gut with guilt.

"What do you want?" I demanded, my voice tinged with bitterness. I felt my gut twist with anxiety when he didn't respond immediately, instead striding up to the altar with an unsettling grace. He hoisted himself onto it, his gaze fixed on me with an intensity that made my skin crawl.

Astaroth's appearance shifted in front of my eyes, from a casual hoodie and jeans to an expensive suit that oozed sophistication. His tie matched the deep red of the pinstripes, and for a moment, I almost forgot the darkness that lurked within him and mistook him for a gentleman.

"I want to help you with your little Moon Goddess dilemma." he finally replied, his voice smooth and unsettling.

"How?" I asked, my worry bubbling beneath the surface. I knew I shouldn't entertain his offer, but desperation gnawed at me. Time was running out, and the looming decision hung heavy over my head. My hand rested on my flat stomach as I wondered if I could give up the two lives that I held inside of me.

"There is always a loophole, I believe the terms of her deal where you give up your fated mate's, or your children... correct?" he asked, his eyes searching mine.

"Two bonds of the heart!" he added with a wink when I didn't speak. Licking my dry lips I nodded.

"Well there we go, you give up your fated mate bond." He expressed, resting his elbows on his knees as he looked at me with intrigue that made me uncomfortable; like I was standing before him naked and he could see my vulnerability.

"That. Is. Not. An. Option." I barked, shaking my head slowly.

"Why?" He asked casually, my eyes popping wide as I glared at him unable to fathom how he thought I would ever agree to such a stupid suggestion.

"Because you don't just abandon family and those that you love!" I insisted his lips twisting into a smirk that made me want to punch him in the jaw.

"You abandoned Chase?" He reminded me, my lips thinning into a hate-filled line while my eyes bored into him, suggesting he choose his next words carefully.

"Anyway...." He laughed with a shrug. "Who said anything about abandoning them? I just said you should sacrifice the fated mate bond. That is what you are right? Fated mates?"

"Yes!" I replied coldly, silently still seething. I hadn’t wanted to leave Chase but he had given me no choice.

"And what other mate bonds are there?" he remarked, in more of a statement than a question. I arched my brow and processed his words, confusion weighing heavy on me. When I didn't speak he continued. "Second chance, Chosen mates, Contracted mates, Twin flames... Fuck the list goes on."

"Your point?" I asked, growing irritated with his bullshit.

"That the moon goddess has requested you sacrifice the fated mate bond... She said nothing about a second chance bond. And I don't know if you have noticed but those baboons of yours are hardly going to be out there looking for another mate while you still draw breath. Even less so while you carry their pups. So once the bond is broken, and the moon goddess is content..."

"Pay you?" I asked naively, of course, he would want payment, a demon like him wouldn't just offer to help, out of the kindness of his heart.

"Yes. But do not worry your mate has already agreed to the price." he winked my heart sinking, knowing nothing good would come from this agreement. But also what had Kane or Knox agreed to, because they hadn’t said anything!

“Do they know about your offer?” I gasped, worry eating at my brows.

“Kinda.” He replied. A Lie, somehow I knew that.

"I want to speak to my mates, you can't expect me to make this decision on my own, we are a team! It affects all of us. Take me back to them." I requested, hopefully. It would be hard for him to manipulate me into agreeing if we stood together.

"No can do, sugar tits! You see back on that earthly realm the moon goddess can see everything we do. Why do you think I brought you here? We could hardly plot against her holiness herself if she is earwigging. Can we?" He laughed, my lips thinning nervously.

“Then we..” He cut me off jumping from the altar to stand before me. His finger resting on my lip to shush me.

"But, I can bring them to you!" He winked, and just like that... he was gone!