Their Secret Obsession (A Reverse Harem)

Lottie POV

I stood silently behind Chase, the dim light from the hallway casting long shadows on the walls. He was talking to Knox, and from the sounds of it, Knox was drunk... again. I couldn't make out every word, but the slurred anger in Knox's voice was unmistakable. How did I get here? I rubbed my eyes, trying to shake off the fog of sleep. The last thing I remembered was falling asleep next to Chase. We had been watching movies, and Chase, bless him, had been trying to crochet a baby blanket. Adam, of course, couldn't resist mocking him from his spot and chair at the foot of my bed. Goddess forbid he should get too close to me.

"Chase, you're going to strangle the babes with that thing," Adam had laughed, making exaggerated motions of horror. Chase just smirked, not letting Adam's teasing get to him.

"Hey, the kiddos have to learn to defend themselves from a young age, you know... I am helping them." He winked at me, his eyes twinkling with amusement. Despite his teasing, I knew my pups would never need to defend themselves with Chase hovering. I had drifted off to that scene, feeling a rare moment of peace. But waking up to see Adam awkwardly sprawled in the chair, Chase nowhere in sight, brought me crashing back to reality.

I opened the door a crack, peering out into the hallway. Chase was standing there, frustration evident in the tense set of his shoulders. Knox's voice had cut off abruptly, and Chase was now trying to reach Kane. His calls, however, were going unanswered, and with a muttered curse, he slammed his fist into the wall.

I slipped back into my room, the sharp sound of Chase's anger echoing in my ears. My eyes shot to Adam, expecting the chaos to wake him, but he remained lost in slumber, somewhat peacefully, too.

"If only the same could be said for Chase." Sage sighed sadly. My heart ached at the sound of Chase's anger and desperation. I knew that stepping in at moments like this was not good for the babies I nurtured in my womb or for me, but seeing those I loved carrying the brunt of my break-up was not an easy burden to bear either.

I pulled a hoodie from the closet, shoving it over the cami that barely covered my bump these days and snug-fitting shorts with a groan.

"I need new clothes." I mumbled softly, not wanting to wake Adam, as I sat on the edge of the bed. Pulling on my socks, I contemplated my options. I could climb back into bed and let Knox deal with the consequences of his actions.

"You should." Sage muttered, following my train of thought.

"I know." I whispered back as I shoved my foot aggressively into a sock.

"But you won't." She added, a laugh of understanding lacing her tone.

"I won't." I admitted as the door creaked open. I knew this was a mistake, and I should avoid their drama for my sanity and the pup's wellbeing. Knox was big enough and ugly enough to handle his own shit.

"I would say more dreamy than ugly," Sage piped up. Closing my eyes tight to drown out her purring, I sighed, hearing footsteps approach.

"Lottie?" Chase's voice was soft, but there was an edge to it. "You're awake."

"Yeah." I stammered, looking up at him. I watched his eyes drift over me, taking in the hoodie.

"Cold?" he questioned as he moved

to the bed, pulling the sheets backnovelbin

with a nod for me to climb in. He was so demanding, determined, and loyal, yet something about his

movements told me only I got to see his side of him.

"You mean you have already forgotten the chase from Leigh's Office?" Sage asked as memories of him torturing Mike and my father played through my head.

"That just seems so long ago." I admitted weakly. "Everything is different now..." I added, resting my hand on my stomach to prove my point.

"Come on." Chase requested, a little less firmly this time.

"No," I snapped, lifting myself from the bed with difficulty. He sighed, running a hand through his hair as he eyed me with love and exhaustion. He knew me well enough to know I would dig my heels in if needed. "Going for a run?" He asked, his voice bouncing back to the firmness from earlier. "Now." He laughed with another sharp nod to the bed

"Nope." I replied with just as much firmness.

"I am going to help Knox." I shrugged, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Like fuck you are." Chase barked, his voice rising uncomfortably. "He is in a damn bar, drunk, starting a fight with lord knows who... OR what... You are not going. That is final." He growled protectively

"Chase, bro... Shut up." Adam

moaned gruffly, grabbing my

attention. Turning, I stared at him,,

ét

hoping he would take my side; I watched as he stretched out, licking his neck and back as he tried to catch up. His eyes lazily cast over me, still masked with sleep.

"Where are you going?" He asked, waking up quickly.

"Knox is drunk; he called from the White Flag; he needs 'help'." Chase muttered with a dismissive wave of his hand. Clenching my jaw, I tried to fight the rage I felt exploding in my gut. "Calm, Lottie, it's not good for you." Sage cautioned, but her worry only served to wind me up further.

"I understand their anger, but could

they not put themselves in my shoes for two minutes? I grew up with them; I spent the majority of my life with the pair of them in some way or another entwined in my day-to-day life. They are not just my mates... They are my family." I breathed inwardly to my sassy wolf. "And yes, I hear how fucked up that is." I grumbled to Sage, waiting for her sarcastic response.

"Ex-mates." Sage corrected me. "Slip of the tongue." I lied swiftly.