Their Secret Obsession (A Reverse Harem) by Pippa Moon

Lottie POV:

I started gathering clothes, separating clean from dirty. As I moved around the room, I couldn't help but notice how things had changed. Knox's shirt, which I slipped on, used to fit me like a tent. Now, it stretched snugly over my belly, barely reaching mid-thigh. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and paused. The fabric clung in all the wrong places, emphasising how much my body had changed. "Ugh, I look like a stuffed sausage," I muttered, tugging at the hem. Sage's anger flared within me, and I knew I was in for a royal telling off.

"Stop that," Sage scolded gently. "You're carrying life. You're beautiful."

"I just feel... big." I sighed, wondering how Knox could even get it up last night looking at me like this.

"You're growing our pups. Wear it with pride." Sage scolded me. I shook my head, chastising myself.

"This isn't helping anyone." I placed a hand over my heart, taking a deep breath. "I am strong, I am beautiful, and I am creating life," I reminded myself. A small smile tugged at my lips.

Determined not to let negative thoughts ruin my mood, I continued tidying. But it became apparent that this room needed more than just a quick pick-up. Sticky rings from glasses marked the nightstand, and a suspicious-looking stain or two graced the carpet near the bed. "Definitely need some cleaning supplies," I mumbled, looking back at a sleeping Knox. I wondered how he was sleeping through the noise of me puttering around and debated climbing back into bed with him.

"Maybe we should wait," Sage suggested cautiously. "We don't need to leave the room right now." She, like me, wanted nothing more than to climb under the covers with him, but if what he had said last night was true and he never let anyone else in here, we had to be the ones to get it clean... right?

"I'll be fine," I assured her. "I won't be long." I grabbed a pen from the dresser and scribbled a quick reminder on my hand: "Cleaning supplies-Knox's room." Just in case I forgot-like I did so often of late. Old habits die hard, and my memory had been unreliable lately. I glanced at myself in the mirror once more. Despite the ill-fitting shirt, there was a certain glow about me. My hair was a wild mess of curls, my skin had a rosy flush, and my lips were slightly swollen from hours of kissing.

"You look... happy," I whispered to my reflection. And I was. Truly.

Taking a deep breath, I opened the bedroom door quietly, only to stumble over something-or rather, someone. A startled yelp escaped me as I caught myself against the doorframe. Looking down, I saw Adam and Liam sprawled on the floor, blankets haphazardly thrown over them.

"What on earth?" I whispered, a mix of confusion and amusement bubbling up.

Adam stirred, blinking up at me groggily. "Morning," he mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

"Did you two sleep out here?" I asked incredulously.

"Seemed like a good idea at the time," Liam replied with a grin, pushing himself up. "Wanted to make sure you were safe."

"You two are ridiculous." I couldn't help but smile warmly at them.

"Better safe than sorry," Adam expressed, standing and stretching. "Besides, the floor builds character." I glanced back at the closed door, ensuring Knox was still asleep. A tender feeling blossomed in my chest. These men-so protective, so caring. "Wait... what?" I whispered as my eyes widened seeing Knox. Had I been in there?

"Hungry?" Liam asked, his lips curving into a mischievous smile. "It's nearly six. I'm sure the pups are starved. It's been a long night for them."

"Has it? Why?" I raised an eyebrow. I knew the answer to this, I think.. Or maybe not. A shadow flickered across my mind-a blank space where memories should be. I tried to recall the events leading up to this moment, but it was like grasping at smoke. Panic prickled at the edges of my thoughts.

"Come on," Adam voiced lightly, sliding his arm around my shoulders. "Let's get you some breakfast." He began guiding me toward the stairs. I followed numbly, my mind racing. As we descended, I realised we were on the Alpha floor. Confusion swirled within me. "Wait, how did I get up here?" I asked, more to myself than anyone.

"You don't remember?" Adam glanced at me, a hint of anxiety in his eyes.

"I... I was in Knox's room," I said slowly. "But I don't know why."

"It's okay," Liam interjected smoothly. "Must have been a long night."

I let them lead me down the stairs, trying desperately to piece together my fragmented memories. Flashes of laughter, the scent of pine, the feel of strong arms around me they were there but disjointed. The harder I tried to grasp them, the more elusive they became.

Suddenly, I found myself in the kitchen. The familiar surroundings did little to quell the unease building inside me.

"Lottie?" Adam's voice broke through

my haze. He moved to stand in front

of me, his eyes searching mine.

"Why are you crying?" I hadn't realized tears were streaming down my face. Embarrassed, I wiped them away with the back of my hand.

"I don't know," I admitted shakily. "I just... I feel like I'm missing something."

"It's okay, it's okay," Adam soothed, pulling me into a gentle embrace. His large frame enveloped me, and for a moment, I allowed myself to melt into his comfort. The steady beat of his heart against my ear was O grounding. But the nagging sensation wouldn't leave me.

"Why was I upstairs?" I whispered against his chest. He hesitated before answering.

"You needed some rest. We thought it would be best if you were comfortable."

"Adam, please. I feel like I'm losing my mind." I pulled back slightly to look up at him.

"You're not. Things have been... complicated lately. But we're here for you." His eyes softened.

"Then why was I upstairs?" I asked again, but before I could press further, a low growl echoed from the other side of the kitchen.

"Because you're a homewrecker," a voice snarled. I turned to see Connie standing in the doorway, her eyes blazing with anger. The tension in the room skyrocketed, and I felt my heartbeat quicken. "Connie-" Liam began, but she cut him off with a sharp gesture.

"Don't," she snapped. "She has no right being here." I glanced between them, confusion and hurt swirling within me.

"I don't understand," I said softly.

"Of course you don't. Playing innocent as always." Connie's gaze pierced me.

"That's enough," Adam said firmly, stepping protectively in front of me.

"No, it's not," she retorted. "She needs to know that she's not welcome here." My mind spun. The warmth and contentment I had felt earlier were replaced by a cold dread. What had happened? Why was she so angry with me? "Lottie, let's go," Liam urged gently, taking my hand. I allowed them to guide me out of the kitchen, my thoughts a tangled mess. As we moved away, I heard Connie's parting words echo after us.

"You can't keep stealing what's not yours."

A shiver ran down my spine. The missing pieces of my memory loomed larger than ever, and an unsettling fear settled in my chest. What was happening to me?