Chapter 174: The End!

"You are worried that you will not be able to wait, right? That the little game we are playing with The Moon Goddess will take too long and that seeing them with the girl will be too much for you to bear?" Slowly breathing in, I wondered for a second how he knew, but then as he arched his brow I remembered he could read my damn mind.

"What if, in that time, that they are not really mated, they find their second chance mate or actually fall for Connie and take her as their chosen." I explained, my lips trembling as tears threatened to rain down my cheeks. "It's not just me at risk of losing them that scares me, it's..." My hand lowered to my stomach and I nodded gently.

"It's the consequences that may follow. Who will protect them against Sebastian? Against Connie? Against themselves?" I admitted. Fluffy, sensing my distress, pushed between me and a now kneeling Astaroth, his eyes locked on mine with what looked like a shred of decency.

"Me." He nodded. "I will be close by, and no one; and I mean no one will hurt your babies, you or take what is yours." He nodded, the tone of his voice telling me he was deadly serious, and given the howl that Fluffy let out as he rested his head on my lap, he too.. Was on team Lottie.

Was it wrong that I believed him?

Was I stupid to trust a demon?

Was this a mistake?

I guess there was only one way to find out, and my options were running out...

Looking at my mates, I ran my tongue over my lips and nodded.

"Ok.."

"Is there a way... anyway... that she can remember... somehow... that she can remember that we love her, beyond what we ever thought possible? Is there a way to ease the pain for her?" Kane asked, his eyes on Astaroths, his lips pulled tight as he tried not to cry with me.

My eyes shifted quickly to Astaroth, his silence spoke volumes. He was anxious. He seemed to be mulling over something while we waited with bated breath.

"Maybe... But it's a risk." Astaroth finally announced.

"Then we do it. I can't bear the thought of her hating us." Knox sighed his eyes on Kane's, the pair nodding in agreement before both their eyes fell on me, my heart swelling with devotion to these two giant Alpha twins.

"I know it's selfish, but I need you to remember how much we love you!" Knox added. Chewing my lip I nodded, unable to speak, because I agreed. It may be a risk, but it was one we had to take.

"We are taking enough risks, what's one more then?" Astaroth grinned before he stood outstretching his hand to me. "I will need you to trust me."

"But..."

"Not you." Astaroth silenced me, his eyes pinning me in place. I felt Sage shifting under the surface as she pushed forward to watch from the back of my eyes. Her whole being vibrated with trepidation, which let me know exactly who he was talking to. But why?

"Sage, I know you are listening, and I know you don't trust me very much, and I get that, but I know that this plan working means everything to me." Astaroth explained with real emotion entwined within his words.

I felt Sage force herself forward like she did in the bedroom the day before. Like then, I felt her seize control of my mind, my body and somehow my bond with the two men I was fighting so hard to keep in my life and that of my babies.

"I know you have the gift of foresight. Let me show you why this means everything to me, and then maybe you will understand and trust me, because for me to do what they want, and ease her suffering, at least a little, I will need your help."

"Foresight?" I asked, my mind whirling with confusion as I watched through purple-stained eyes as Astaroth held his hand out to me or rather to Sage. His eyes glowed with the deep red of the flames of hell.

"Sage?" I whispered nervously as I quickly scanned the cathedral for my mates, to see them watching cautiously. Knox was slowly edging forward, his movements getting the attention of Fluffy, whose ears perked with an alertness that told me she was cautious too. Kane stood quietly, his eyes locked on mine with a seriousness I had found somewhat reassuring.

The world flashed purple, as visions danced across my mind, visions I wasn't quick enough to capture fully, just glimpses here and there, nothing I could make out or understand. Frustrated, I tried to scream but felt my voice cut off. Panic exploded in my chest as I tried to fight Sage's hold. It felt like I was suffocating, drowning in the magic Astaroth was weaving through me.

"I agree." Sage's final words before everything went dark and the demonic realm, the black fluff, the handsome faces of the men I loved and the world around me ebbed away.

"I love you, angel! Only you." My Knox.

I love you Charlotte, never forget that." My Kane.

The final words echoed through my mind as sleep took hold and peace finally settled in my core.

I woke up in my room in the Luna suite, the dim glow of the clock catching my eye: 9 PM. The silence around me felt thick and unsettling like a great evil had been in here. Sitting up quickly, I scanned the room expecting to see something hiding in the shadows.

"Nothing." I rasped, laying back down, my hand resting on the pillow to my right, the other on the left. Suddenly, I realised I was alone, Knox and Kane were nowhere to be seen, and the last vivid memory I had was of the intense, passionate love we shared that afternoon. The thought alone made my cheeks burn and my thighs press together involuntarily as heat spread through me.

Still wrapped in the lingering passion of those memories, I pushed myself out of bed. The room felt too empty without them, and a part of me couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Determined to find them, I slipped on my robe and quietly opened the door.

Just as I stepped into the hallway, I collided with Chase, his blonde hair and blue eyes, seeming off too. His smile was sheepish, almost as if he’d been waiting for me.

“Hey, Queenie. Fancy a bite to eat?” he asked, his tone a little too casual.

“I need to find Knox and Kane,” I replied, brushing past him. But Chase gently grabbed my arm, steering me back towards the stairs.

“They’re busy,” he declared, his eyes not quite meeting mine. “Come on, you should eat something.” His insistence was uncharacteristic, and I could feel the lie lurking beneath his words. My eyes narrowed as I studied his face.

“What’s going on, Chase? You’re hiding something.” He let out a sigh, his shoulders slumping slightly.

“It’s nothing, really. Just... come down to the kitchen. Please?” I hesitated. Every instinct screamed at me to push past him and find my mates, but the earnest worry in his eyes gave me pause. Reluctantly, I followed him down the stairs, my mind racing with possibilities.

The kitchen was brightly lit, a stark contrast to the growing unease inside me. Chase busied himself with preparing some food, avoiding my gaze. I crossed my arms, leaning against the counter, waiting for him to crack.

“Chase, just tell me what’s going on,” I urged, my voice softer this time. He glanced at me, a mix of guilt and concern on his face. I may be new to this sibling thing, but I knew my brother well enough to know he was trying to keep me distracted.

“Queenie, I swear they’re okay. They just needed to take care of something important. They didn’t want to wake you.” He persisted.

“Important? Like what?” I demanded, frustration seeping into my tone. "We are mates, we do things together." I added with a growl.

“I can’t say. They asked me to keep you here until they get back.” He sighed again, setting down the knife he was using to chop vegetables. My heart pounded in my chest. This secrecy was unlike Knox and Kane, and it only fueled my anxiety.

“I need to know, Chase. I can’t just sit here and wait.” Before he could respond, the sound of the front door opening echoed through the house. We both turned, and my heart leaped with a mixture of relief and apprehension.