Their Secret Obsession (A Reverse Harem) by Pippa Moon

Kane POV

Leaving Knox at the bar felt like a punch to the gut, but I knew it was best to let him drink himself into a stupor. He was hurting, and despite my own frustration and anger, I understood why he was struggling. This mess was all my fault, it sucked, there was no other word for it. But was it keeping Charlotte and our pups safe? Yes. Would I make the same choice again? I would like to think so, but honestly, knowing how hard being parted would be, I knew I would choose to be weak and selfish. "Then let's go get her." Rolo growled. The force of his command at the back of my eyes forced them to close painfully.

"No. We need to see this through." I whined, but my hand was already moving into the inner pocket of my suit, pulling my phone out. I closed my eyes tighter to force control and keep Rolo from doing the one thing I wasn't brave enough to do. Call our girl!

Not a month ago, we stood beside her, holding her hand as we watched a monitor while she had an unexpected ultrasound scan. She had called us to her pack's doctor's office after days of light spotting. It was clear we were unwelcome, not just by Charlotte and Chase but by the doctor who stood beside her. Without compassion, he expressed concern that the stress of our betrayal was not good for Charlotte or our pups.

That was the last time we had visited her. We get weekly updates via text from Liam or Adam, but she has made it very clear that this was all too hard for her, and she felt that it was for the best that we stayed away.

Something we hated, but respected. At least until the time came for her to come home safely. So as I walked out of the White Flag, I fully understood Knox's anger. We had hoped to still see our girl in secret, but now we were cut off from her like one might cut off an infected limb.

"Fuck!" I snapped as I kicked at the dirt floor. The cool afternoon air hit me, but it did little to clear my mind. Deciding there was only one thing that would clear it, I looked down at my phone. Charlotte's beautiful face hovered over the contact info, she was smiling at the camera, her eyes bright with no trace of pain or loss.

"Do it." Rolo taunted as my finger

hovered over the call button as l fought an inner battle with myself. I wanted to respect her decision, but the need to hear her sweet voice was crazy strong.

"Kane Maddox, why isn't your brother answering me?" Connie's shrill voice cut through my head, pulling a sigh from my throat. I pulled my car door open and slid inside. All thoughts of ringing Charlotte were suddenly replaced With a need to find a way to lower the volume on this witch.

"Maybe he is busy." I shrugged as I put my phone in its dock, my lips lifting seeing Charlotte's face light up my screen.

"Busy? I am his mate." She yelped, and even without seeing her, I knew those lips would be pouted, her foot tapping in anger. She was so very predictable.

"Unfortunately." Rolo booed in the back of my mind.

"Unfortunately that she is predictable.. Or our mate?" I asked Rolo with a smirk, deciding that if I was in a foul mood, he should be too.

"BOTH!" He boomed before sinking back into his cage and simmering down.

now

"I will take you shopping." I announced, through the link. "I will meet you at the mall." I cut her off, not wanting to get into another conversation with her over how n that she was our mate, and she believed that she was entitled to every second of our time and ounce of sanity.

"I wanted to go with Knox, Kane. I am sick of this shit."

"Me too." I muttered back, although I was pretty sure we were both sick of very different things.