Their Secret Obsession by Pippa Moon

Chapter 0276

Mike POV

Hanging from the ceiling in this forsaken chamber, time had lost all meaning. My arms screamed in agony, the chains biting into raw wrists, but the physical pain was a welcome distraction from the emptiness gnawing at my soul. The darkness was absolute, broken only by

the occasional drip of water echoing through the damp stone walls.

Suddenly, a stirring within jolted me from my stupor. Flint, my wolf, awakened after months of silence. His presence was like a sharp inhale after being submerged underwater.

"Lottie," Flint whispered, his voice a blend of longing and fury. "She's here." I stiffened, scarcely daring to believe it.

"Impossible," I replied internally. "How could she be here? This must be another one of their twisted tricks."

"You fool. She's here, and it's because of you that we lost her." Flint growled a low rumble that resonated in my bones. His words cut deep. Flint had abandoned me, retreating into the recesses of my mind after the unforgivable acts I'd committed. Months without his presence had left me feeling hollow, but now his return only amplified my guilt.

"I didn't mean for things to end up like this," I muttered defensively.

"Intentions mean nothing when your actions betray your words," he snapped back. "We had everything, and you threw it away with your deceit." The sound of soft footsteps echoed faintly from the corridor. My heart lurched. Could it really be her? Was Lottie truly here? Flint's renewed energy surged, making my head throb.

"It's her. I can sense her," he insisted, his excitement palpable.

has toyed with my mind before." But

urged. "Call out to her!" I hesitated. If I called out, she might recognize me and leave me here to rot. After everything

long manipulating others, weaving lies and deceit, and now I was ensnared

games, yet you revelled in them when it suited you," he continued. "Especially when it meant hurting her." Regret washed over me, a relentless tide that threatened to pull me under. Memories of Lottie's tear-streaked face,

it right," I

psychological-had eroded my

I admitted. "He

My heart pounded, each beat echoing like a drum in the silent chamber. Deciding swiftly, I let my body go limp, feigning unconsciousness. Perhaps if she thought I was

watching as

floor. The scent of her filled my senses, stirring emotions I'd long suppressed. As she neared, her face became clearer-the gentle curve of her jaw, the determined set of her lips, the vulnerability in

every ounce of willpower not to react. Flint whimpered, noting the absence of the sparks

she began inspecting the chains. The

sway slightly. The motion turned me to face her directly. My eyes met hers, wide and

her voice barely more than a whisper. Fear and disbelief laced

from her grasp, crashing onto the concrete floor with a resounding clang that echoed through the chamber, shattering any

with disdain when I quickly closed them, hoping she hadn't noticed me watching her and assumed I was still the helpless being she was about

you to stop by," I

she looked impeccable. Pregnancy had only

sneered, masking my true feelings behind a facade of indifference. She