Their Secret Obsession (A Reverse Harem) by Pippa Moon
Chapter 0293

Adam's POV

"Lottie, wait up!" Walking out of the room with Liam and Lottie, I called after her. She turned to face me, and the pain etched on her face cut deeper than any blade could. It wasn't just Connie's venomous words that hurt her; it was the gnawing feeling that she was missing something vital, something just out of reach. She and I were more alike than either of us cared to admit. Both of us clung to control like a lifeline, always wanting to fix things to help others. Not having all the facts was eating her alive.

"She can put on a brave face all she wants, but Connie's getting to her," Savage, my wolf, stirred restlessly within me, growling. "Connie's with her mates; she's the reason they parted, the reason they rejected her-even if it's all a lie. But Lottie doesn't know that." "Lottie's had a lifetime of Connie being cruel to her," I reminded him. "She's used to it." I clenched my jaw, hating that fact.

"That's not fair, and you know it," Savage snapped back. "She shouldn't have to be 'used to' such treatment." As we continued down the hallway, muffled insults filtered through the kitchen door. Connie's sharp tongue was at it again. I saw Lottie's shoulders tense, her posture stiffening ever so slightly. Enough was enough.

I shook my head and stepped closer to her, lifting her chin gently with my roughened hand. Her skin was so smooth, a stark contrast to my own scarred and calloused fingers. Her eyes met mine, a storm of emotions swirling within them.

"She's jealous," I stated firmly, searching her gaze. "And she should be. She's wicked and ugly-inside and out-and people see it. You, my darling sister, are the opposite. You're the light she can't dim, no matter how hard she tries. Darkness always tries to snuff out the light, but it never succeeds."

A small, tentative smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. I nodded to Liam, who stood a few paces away, concern evident in his eyes. Leaning down, I placed a soft kiss on Lottie's forehead before she could protest.

"You need a hot bath and some proper clothes," I said gently. "Then we'll leave, okay?"

"But-" Her face faltered. I knew what she was going to say. She didn't want to leave. Not yet. Her eyes darted toward the direction of the stairs, longing and uncertainty warring within them.

"I have to get you away from this nest of vipers," I insisted, my tone leaving no room for argument. "I'll bring your food up. You need to eat."

She opened her mouth to argue but then seemed to think better of it. With a resigned sigh, she nodded.

"Fine," she conceded softly.

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"Good girl." I winked, giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze before gently turning her away. As Lottie headed upstairs, her steps heavy but determined, I felt a surge of protective rage boil within me. Savage snarled in agreement. It was time to deal with the witch once and for all.

Squaring my shoulders, I turned toward the kitchen. Pushing the door open with more force than

necessary, I found Connie standing at the sink, the water running as she hummed an off-key tune to herself. That smug, wicked smirk plastered on her face ignited something feral inside me.

Without a word, I closed the distance between us. Before she could react, I grabbed a fistful of her hair from the back and plunged her head into the basin of icy water.

"What the hell?!" she screamed, sputtering as I yanked her head back up. Water cascaded down her face, her mascara streaking like black tears. She flung her head back, spraying droplets everywhere, her eyes wild with shock and fury.

"Honestly, I was hoping you'd melt. Isn't that what happens to witches?" I chuckled darkly, releasing her hair but staying close enough to block any escape.

"You bastard!" She raised her hand to slap me, but I caught her wrist effortlessly, twisting it behind her back. She winced, and I leaned in, pressing her forward until her ear hovered just above the water's surface.

"You might have lured Chase into

some kind of false pretence where he doesn't see you for the rotten core that you are," I hissed into her ear. "But make no mistake-I see you. And if you so much as utter my

sister's name again, I will be the one to end you. Are we clear?"

I let her go with a shove, and she stumbled forward, gripping the edge of the sink to steady herself. She spun around, her face a mask of rage and humiliation.

"Who do you think you are?" she spat, her voice shaking. "You can't just barge into my home and treat me like this! I am going to be Luna of this pack one day!"