Their Secret Obsession (A Reverse Harem) by Pippa Moon novel Chapter 172

Lottie POV

As Astaroth's words hung in the air, a chill swept through me, freezing my thoughts in place. 'I want your daughter.' The very idea seemed absurd, impossible even. Yet, there he sat atop the altar, the picture of innocence, as if he hadn't just demanded my firstborn. His crimson eyes burned with an unsettling intensity, his offer dangling before us like a forbidden fruit.

I glanced over at Knox and Kane, my mates, never needing the reassurance of the mate bond more than I did at this moment. Their faces mirrored my shock, their expressions a mixture of disbelief and rage- something I understood.

How could we possibly trust a demon? Even if he claimed to be on our side!

But then, amidst the whirlwind of emotions, Astaroth's next words sliced through my turmoil like a knife.

"I will be her mate!" he murmured, his voice a sinister whisper in the depths of this hell-like world, "So, you see... I ask that you promise her to me when the time comes."

"Not a chance!" Kane spat the words, bouncing around the room like an angry wasp.

"Daughter." The word echoed in my mind, sending shivers down my spine. A day ago, I hadn't even known I was pregnant, let alone that it was a girl. And here was this demon, casually informing me of the gender of my unborn child as if it were a trivial detail and requesting I hand her over to him and his blood-stained hands.

"Something else, ask for something else." Knox demanded when I was unable to find my voice. I stumbled backwards, my gaze darting between Knox and Kane. They were already on the verge of exploding, their fists clenched, their jaws tight with fury. I knew I needed to say something to defuse this situation. Or pray to the Moon Goddess who currently hated me, that he was joking!

"Maybe you would be better praying to god!" Astaroth laughed into my mind. "Because I am not joking. I need this to happen!"

When I couldn't find the words to answer or force my body to move and be a comfort to my mates. I sucked down the remaining bit of air my lungs could handle, seeing Knox and Kane lung forward to confront Astaroth. Tears filled my eyes as a wave of dread washed over me because I had seen Astaroth throw Chase around like a ragdoll with a simple flick of his wrist. I knew the damage he could cause.

"No! Not like this!" I gasped, finally finding my voice as my eyes found Chase lying motionless on the ground, a silent reminder of the power Astaroth wielded. His strength was incomprehensible, his influence undeniable. And in the midst of the chaos, I found myself grappling with a single, haunting question.

Why my daughter? Why her when he clearly had so much power?

"Why?" I finally managed to choke out, my voice was barely above a whisper. But amid the chaos, my question was lost, drowned out by the clash of flesh hitting flesh, bones breaking and the almighty roar of anger.

But before I could find solace in their eyes, Astaroth moved with a flick of his wrists, pinning both Kane and Knox against the wall with a force that left me breathless. Irritation crackled in the air around him, his impatience palpable as he took slow, deliberate steps closer to me.

With a heavy sigh, he spoke again, his voice carrying the weight of his words like a leaden cloak. How could I stand idly by and allow our child to be bound to such darkness?

"Lottie, honey. Have you considered that I too am drawn to darkness... that we will be a perfect match." But even as I grappled with the horror of his words, I couldn't shake the inexplicable pull I felt towards him, towards this realm of shadows and secrets. It was a sensation I couldn't explain, a longing that tugged at the edges of my consciousness, blurring the lines between reality and illusion.

"You're insane!" I screamed, spit flying from my mouth and splattering his perfect suit. My eyes darted to Kane and Knox, their bodies pulled awkwardly against the walls of the cathedral, reminding me of the way Jesus was nailed to a cross. Ironic and sick at the same time! More proof he is not fit for any child of mine. Ours!

"Yes, probably!" Astaroth grinned slowly from where he stood before me, his gaze piercing through the depths of my soul. I knew that I was trapped in a web of my own making, entangled in a destiny I couldn't escape. All he asked for was my blessing, a simple concession that felt like a betrayal of everything I held dear.

But in the end, as I gazed into the eyes of my mates, their silent strength a beacon of hope in the darkness, I knew that I couldn't surrender to Astaroth's demands, no matter the cost. For our daughter's future, for the light that still flickered within me, I would fight until my last breath.

"No!"