Chapter 116: A Moment of Quiet in the Chaos.

Chapter 116: A Moment of Quiet in the Chaos.
Chase POV

I lay awake with Lottie nestled snug between Knox and me, the soft glow of the television casting gentle shadows across her sleeping features. The hush of the late hour made every shift of her body and every rise and fall of her chest seem amplified in my head. I tried to focus on the quiet film playing on the TV, but my mind drifted far from whatever scene was flickering on the screen.

I could feel Knox's presence on her other side; his arm curled over her waist in a casual display of protective affection. It was oddly comforting, knowing she was sandwiched between two people who would gladly burn down the world for her. My own chest tightened with a mix of gratitude and jealousy. I knew it was ridiculous to feel both things at once, but I couldn't help it. We'd all been stretched thin lately, and calm moments—like this—were so rare they felt like miracles.

Adam had insisted I be the one to stay with Lottie tonight. He'd reasoned that time was too precious to be spent alone, especially with the Moon Goddess's claim on me drawing near. The idea of it made my stomach twist, though I'd learned to mask that fear behind my usual jokes.

Lottie stirred in her sleep. Her lashes fluttered, brushing her cheek, but she settled again quickly. I found myself wishing I could ease her dreams, slip into them just long enough to guard her from any lingering nightmares. Outside these walls, everything was chaotic, uncertain, and we had no guarantee of how much time any of us had left together. I pressed my palm lightly to her shoulder, savouring the warmth of her skin through her thin shirt.

It was then I realized Knox was awake, eyes half-open, focusing lazily on me over Lottie's shoulder. In the faint glow of the TV, I spotted a hint of amusement in his eyes. He was awake enough to talk, apparently.

"She's not looked this relaxed in… well, in the last six months I've been sleeping with her," I murmured in a soft voice, careful not to wake her. I couldn't keep the sadness out of my tone. This was the first time in a while I'd seen her features so smooth, free of the tension that usually pinched her brows.

"You know..." Knox cleared his throat quietly, arching a brow at me. "...that's weird, right? Sleeping with your sister for months." He kept his voice just as low, but his words still carried that sarcastic dryness.

"No weirder than crossing swords with your twin," I huffed a laugh, more exhale than sound. "I imagine," I whispered back, referencing the various entanglements that had brought all of us to this strange place. We both stifled chuckles so we wouldn't jostle Lottie. It felt dangerous to laugh too loud like it would break the fragile peace in the room.

My eyes flickered toward the hushed movie for a moment, but the silly chase scene on-screen couldn't hold my attention. 

"I'm serious, though," I continued, turning back to him. "She's calmer with you here, with you around." My voice grew quieter. "I've tried, you know, to protect her from nightmares, from her own thoughts... from everything. But I think she just missed you guys. Missed you and Kane in a way I couldn't fill."

"I messed up a lot, Chase," he said finally, resting his cheek against Lottie's hair. "She deserved better." Knox's gaze shifted downward, the muscle in his jaw tightening. I thumbed the TV remote, lowering the volume another notch until the scene on-screen was practically silent. 

"Maybe I was wrong to keep you three apart," I said, each syllable loaded with guilt. In truth, there'd been so many reasons I could find—Doctor's orders, Astaroth's threats, fear for her pregnancy—but it didn't erase the fact that it'd robbed them of time. 

"She's missed you. But you know it wasn't all just me or the doctor being strict…" I swallowed thickly, feeling the weight of the confession. 

"Astaroth made me. He used my fear—knew I'd do anything to keep her and the babies safe. Said if I allowed too much stress around her, well... we both know the lengths that demon would go to. So I gave in. Made the doc keep insisting on space from you and Kane. My call, but not really." It sounded pathetic, but the truth often did.

Knox stayed silent a moment, carefully brushing the hair off Lottie's face. 

"Chase," his voice barely above a whisper, as he continued, "If anyone understands how deep that demon can sink his claws, it's me. You forget Astaroth had already played mayhem with Havoc and me. I get it."

"You're not angry?" I asked, my own quiet voice edged with disbelief. I'd dreaded this moment, admitting that I'd lied, that I'd manipulated the situation because I was too petrified to lose her.

His lips twitched into a weak scoff. Carefully, he leaned across Lottie's sleeping form and tapped his knuckles on my shoulder—a sort of affectionate punch. 

"We're way past 'fair,' mate. We're in survival mode." The finality in his tone sent a chill skittering down my spine because I knew how true it was.

I inhaled deeply, focusing on Lottie's peaceful expression. "What about Kane?" I asked, somewhat uncertain. "He talk to you about all this?"

"Kane understands," Knox said, pressing his palm to Lottie's waist again. "Astaroth's been screwing with him for a while, too. He's not blaming you—if anything, he's blaming that monster for messing with all of us."

I sighed, relief mixing with residual guilt. "I just wish it didn't cost her so much. She needed you both." My gaze slipped to Lottie's hand, resting near Knox's. I gently placed mine over it, weaving our fingers together, a subtle chain of the three of us.

"That demon doesn't just blackmail; he corners you until there's no choice left," Knox said, shaking his head slowly. "He's threatened everything we care about. Of course, you listened to him." He paused, eyes glinting with bitterness. "But enough of the heavy stuff. She's sleeping right now, and for the moment, that's all that matters. Let her have some peace."

I nodded, letting silence settle again. The only sounds were the television's faint murmur and the gentle in-and-out of Lottie's breath. A year ago, I'd have laughed at the idea of lying in bed like this—two alpha wolves, with one woman between us - siblings or not. But now, it seemed like the most natural place in the world.