Their Secret Obsession (A Reverse Harem) by Pippa Moon
Chapter 0227

Knox POV

I sat at the bar, nursing my fifth drink of the day. The White Flag was a sleek, modern joint just outside pack territory, a haven for all supernaturals. The bar had a sophisticated vibe, with plush leather seats, ambient lighting, and a polished mahogany counter that gleamed under the soft glow of chandeliers. It was a place where everyone was welcome, as long as they followed the two rules: no fighting! And leave the drama at the door.

Around me, vampires, werewolves, and even a few fae mingled, their conversations a low hum of different languages and dialects. The air was filled with the scent of expensive colognes and perfumes, mixed with the unique musk of supernatural beings.

I took another swig of the bar's special liquor, a potent blend designed to get even the strongest werewolf drunk. It burned on the way down, but I welcomed the pain. It was better than the emptiness I felt inside. I missed Lottie. Each day without her felt like a fresh wound, and Connie, my "new mate", was only making things worse with her incessant neediness.

"Another one," I muttered to the bartender, sliding my empty glass across the counter. He raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. He knew me well enough by now. I have been here all day, every day this month, after all. He poured another generous measure of the amber liquid and pushed it towards me.

I stared at the drink, my mind drifting back to Lottie. Her smile, her laugh, the way she made everything seem okay. She was my anchor, and without her, I was adrift. Connie's clinginess was suffocating me. I just wanted to drown my sorrows and forget about all the mistakes I had made.

"Rough day?" A tall, dark-haired vampire took the seat next to me, glancing at me with curiosity.

"You could say that," I replied, not really in the mood for conversation.

"Want to talk about it?" he pressed, his eyes glinting with a mix of interest and boredom.

"No," I expressed flatly. "Just want to drink." He shrugged and ordered his own drink, leaving me to my thoughts.

"Another?" the bar staff asked. When had I drunk my drink? I wondered as I looked at my empty glass.

"You know it." I grinned pushing the glass towards him. Waving him off I nursed the drink and let my mind drift to Kane. I knew I had fucked up by not going to the meeting with him. Dad was probably furious,

"Fuck em!" I snorted, earning a few

glances from those around me, shrugging them off, I went back to my drink and anger. Kane could keep up the facade that everything was fine. But I couldn't. I wouldn't pretend. The pack, the

responsibilities, all of it felt

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meaningless without Lottie. And Connie... she was just a reminder of everything that had gone wrong.

"To mistakes," I muttered, raising my glass in a mock toast to no one in particular. Kdowned the drink in one go, the alcohol dulling the sharp edges of my regret. I could feel the eyes of the other patrons on me, some curious, others indifferent. The White Flag was a place of refuge, but even here, I couldn't escape my

own mind.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I knew it was probably Kane trying to reach me after kicking him out of my mind. I ignored it. He could handle the meeting without me. He always did.

I closed my eyes, trying to shut out

the world. The conversations around me blended into a dull roar, and fora moment felt a semblance of

peace. But it was fleeting. Los ne

absence was a constant ache, and no amount of alcohol could truly numb it.

"I miss you, angel," I whispered softly, as I choked back an alcohol-induced sob.

"Hey," the vampire next to me said, breaking the silence. "You sure you're okay?" I opened my eyes and glanced at him.

"No," I admitted. "But I will be. Eventually." He nodded, seeming to understand.

"To eventual peace, then." He grinned his fangs glimmering in the strobe lighting.

"To eventual peace," I echoed, clinking my glass against his.