Their Secret Obsession (A Reverse Harem) by Pippa Moon novel Chapter 172

Lottie POV

As Astaroth's words hung in the air, a chill swept through me, freezing my thoughts in place. 'I want your daughter.' The very idea seemed absurd, impossible even. Yet, there he sat atop the altar, the picture of innocence, as if he hadn't just demanded my firstborn. His crimson eyes burned with an unsettling intensity, his offer dangling before us like a forbidden fruit.

I glanced over at Knox and Kane, my mates, never needing the reassurance of the mate bond more than I did at this moment. Their faces mirrored my shock, their expressions a mixture of disbelief and rage- something I understood.

How could we possibly trust a demon? Even if he claimed to be on our side!

But then, amidst the whirlwind of emotions, Astaroth's next words sliced through my turmoil like a knife.

"I will be her mate!" he murmured, his voice a sinister whisper in the depths of this hell-like world, "So, you see... I ask that you promise her to me when the time comes."

"Not a chance!" Kane spat the words, bouncing around the room like an angry wasp.

"Daughter." The word echoed in my mind, sending shivers down my spine. A day ago, I hadn't even known I was pregnant, let alone that it was a girl. And here was this demon, casually informing me of the gender of my unborn child as if it were a trivial detail and requesting I hand her over to him and his blood-stained hands.

"Something else, ask for something else." Knox demanded when I was unable to find my voice. I stumbled backwards, my gaze darting between Knox and Kane. They were already on the verge of exploding, their fists clenched, their jaws tight with fury. I knew I needed to say something to defuse this situation. Or pray to the Moon Goddess who currently hated me, that he was joking!

"Maybe you would be better praying to god!" Astaroth laughed into my mind. "Because I am not joking. I need this to happen!"

When I couldn't find the words to answer or force my body to move and be a comfort to my mates. I sucked down the remaining bit of air my lungs could handle, seeing Knox and Kane lung forward to confront Astaroth. Tears filled my eyes as a wave of dread washed over me because I had seen Astaroth throw Chase around like a ragdoll with a simple flick of his wrist. I knew the damage he could cause.

"No! Not like this!" I gasped, finally finding my voice as my eyes found Chase lying motionless on the ground, a silent reminder of the power Astaroth wielded. His strength was incomprehensible, his influence undeniable. And in the midst of the chaos, I found myself grappling with a single, haunting question.

Why my daughter? Why her when he clearly had so much power?

"Why?" I finally managed to choke out, my voice was barely above a whisper. But amid the chaos, my question was lost, drowned out by the clash of flesh hitting flesh, bones breaking and the almighty roar of anger.