Their Secret Obsession (A Reverse Harem) by Pippa Moon novel Chapter 287

Chase's POV

I stood there, momentarily stunned by Connie's sudden shift. Just moments ago, she was desperate for reassurance from Knox and Kane, clinging to the hope that they still cared for her. Now, she was making a bold move on me. I couldn't deny the flicker of excitement that ignited within me at her attention. It was flattering, even exhilarating, to be the object of her desire.

But beneath that thrill was a disquieting realisation about how distorted her understanding of the mate bond was. She genuinely believed this was how things should be—that betraying her supposed mates was an acceptable response to feeling neglected. It struck me how lost she was, navigating a complex web of emotions without a compass.

"This isn't right," I thought, feeling a pang of sympathy for her. She was clearly hurting.

"Why are you hesitating?" Thor's voice echoed in my mind, a hint of mischief in his tone. "She's throwing herself at you, and let's be honest, she's gorgeous. Cray-cray, of course... but hot!"

"It's not that simple," I argued back. "She's vulnerable right now. Taking advantage of that would be wrong."

"Entertaining her nonsense is wrong," Thor scoffed. "But if we're doing this, let's just get it over with. Although I'm not sure when you became the moral compass of the two of us. Have we Freaky Friday'ed or some shit?" His usual bravado seemed tinged with sarcasm, but there was an undercurrent of unease I hadn't sensed before. Thor was usually the reckless one, urging me toward impulsive decisions, but now there was a strange edge to his words. It was as if he was testing me, pushing boundaries to see how far I'd go, yet simultaneously uncomfortable with the situation.

"Chase," she whispered, her voice laced with vulnerability. "I need someone... I need you." My resolve wavered. It had been a long time since I'd been with anyone, and there was no denying that Connie was beautiful. The way her lips parted slightly, the subtle curve of her neck—it was hard to ignore.

"See? She's practically begging for it," Thor pressed. "Give in already and get this over with so I can bleach my eyeballs." There was a sharpness to his tone now, a mix of disgust and frustration. Thor's usual appetite for mischief was absent, replaced by a palpable discomfort. It was rare to sense such aversion from him; he was reacting not just to the situation but to Connie herself. "This feels off," he muttered. "She's not our mate, and you know it. The whole thing makes my fur stand on end."

"Enough," I snapped internally. "This isn't a game." But as she reached up, her fingers lightly tracing my jawline, I felt my defences crumbling. A spark ignited where her skin met mine, sending a jolt of electricity coursing through my veins. It was as if every nerve ending came alive, attuned solely to her touch. My heartbeat quickened, pounding loudly in my ears. There was a connection forming, something primal and unexplainable. Could this be the mate bond? I dismissed the thought, but the intensity of the sensation was undeniable. I wanted to believe it was just physical attraction, yet it felt like so much more.