Their Secret Obsession by Pippa Moon

Lottie POV

I stood amidst the swirling darkness of the demonic realm, the air thick with the stench of sulphur and despair. Before me loomed Astaroth, his eyes drifting over his land to a gothic cathedral, its red marble structure, a stark contrast against the blackened sky. Lightning crackled ominously, casting eerie shadows that danced across the barren landscape. This was Hell.

My heart pounded in my chest as I realised Chase had followed me through the portal. Anger flared within me, mixing with a deep sense of concern for his safety. Why did he have to be so reckless?

"What are you doing here?" I snapped, my voice laced with frustration as I turned to face him, my lips pulling tightly together watching him land a few feet in front of me with grace I could only wish for. Chase met my gaze, determination shining in his eyes despite the danger surrounding us.

"I couldn't just let you face this alone, Lottie," he declared firmly, his tone unwavering. "You're my family now. I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe." Family? Did he really consider me his kin? His words touched something deep within me, stirring emotions I wasn't quite ready to confront. I wanted to be angry with him for risking so much, but his sincerity made it hard to stay mad. Still, I couldn't ignore the fear gnawing at the edges of my mind.

"You idiot," I muttered, shaking my head.

"Love ya too, your Highness."

"You don't understand what I am up against." I whispered my eyes lifted to meet the red eyes of Astaroth who was watching us with intrigue as he stepped back a little, but I wasn't stupid enough to think it was because our new guest had intimated him. He was giving Chase a little rope, in the hopes he hung himself.

"WE are up against!" Chase corrected me, coming to stand beside me, his fingers lacing through mine, the warmth of his touch, a welcome surprise in a world that seemed to thrive on misery. I reached out through the bond to my mates, hoping to sense their presence and find some solace in their familiar minds. But there was nothing. Panic clawed at my chest as I realised the demon had severed my connection to them.

sneered. "In this realm, your powers are useless." Astaroth watched us with his eerie red eyes, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips as he observed our exchange, stepping closer to us with a smoothness that had me nervous. "Scared Honey?" He mocked as I bristled at the softness of his words, my fists clenching at my sides as I fought to keep my composure. Chase took a step forward, his jaw set

earlier threat if you

mortal to you!" Astaroth snarled, his lips widened into a

threats, Pup," he warned, his voice dripping

Chase screaming in agony while Astaroth twisted his body, snapping bones at unnatural angles before pinning

pleaded with the soulless creature. Astaroth regarded me with a sinister gleam in his crimson eyes, his lips curling into a

I shook my head in disbelief, anger simmering beneath the surface as I stared at the demon before me. How could he go to such extreme and unnecessary lengths just to get

would have listened to you back at the pack house," I spat, my voice tinged with bitterness. "Once I was beside my mates and had them at my side, I would have heard you! You didn't have to do this." Astaroth's smile widened, his amusement evident as he watched my

the fun in that?" he

seethed the words flying from

moved and the air filled with the brutal sound of Chase's cries. I kept my eyes on the beast who was threatening my friends, my family and my mates and pursed my lips. "Now, do you agree to follow me into the cathedral and listen to what I have to

torn between my desire to save Chase while satisfying the gnawing curiosity to hear what Astaroth wanted from me and the unnatural need I had to defy him just because I could. Chase's screams echoed in the background,

a rough breath from behind me, turning, my eyes met his and

doing to him?" I screamed, turning back to look at Astaroth who was pretending to pick dirt out of